Program Manager

Published December 13, 2021
Location Asia Pacific

Functional title : Program Manager – New position

Location : Bangkok, Thailand

Start date : Mar / Apr 2022

Reports to : Executive Director

Background

Since it was founded in 2009, APTN has grown to become a credible platform and voice for transgender people in Asia and the Pacific, working to ensure that their needs and rights are represented politically, socially, culturally and economically. The network serves as a platform for transgender people to advocate for access to health, legal gender recognition, legislative reform, social justice and human rights and to exchange information and strategies with each other.  

APTN addresses transgender-specific issues including vulnerability to gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination, risks for HIV infection, and health issues stemming from almost complete lack of access to appropriate health and medical care. In this region, the terms transgender and trans are used frequently as an umbrella term to describe people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex at birth including those who have not seek medically gender-affirming health services. In 2011, the governing board decided to formally include trans men as a Board member and to consider trans man advocacy health issues beyond HIV.


APTN Focus

APTN has published several key reports, policy and technical briefs that have been used to inform programmes, policy and laws. Legal gender recognition deeply impacts the livelihood of trans and gender diverse people and is critical to ensure their dignity, rights and security. APTN is committed to working to ensure that so long as gender exists as a legal classification, that all people in Asia and the Pacific have access to identity documents that reflect their self-defined gender. 

Position Summary

APTN is seeking a Program Manager to manage, develop and grow APTN programmatic work. 

This position is to be based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Program Manager role is to conceptualise, lead and oversee the programmatic work of the organisation, to supervise the Programmes Team staff and to strategically develop APTN’s programmatic work in close collaboration with the Executive Director.  The Program Manager covers the programmatic areas of the organisation and supervises staffs divided into 3 areas:  Advocacy Team: 2 staff members, Project Team: 2 members, Knowledge management: 1 member

The Program Manager will work with the Executive Director and the Programmes Team to find ways to ensure APTN programmatic staff is committed to deliver and will be adequately resourced. 

The Program Manager has a key role in building the structure and support for the expanding projects, including supporting the recruitment and training of new project staff for project implementations. The Program Manager is responsible for executing and ensuring the quality of program management support to country partners and partnership building. Supervises team, allocating tasks appropriately, ensuring regional portfolio is adequately covered. Collaborates with country partners, advisors and technical team in order to integrate work plans, budgets and multi-team interventions, which are essential for the success and sustainability of the project to meet the strategic priorities of APTN.

APTN works with diverse communities and with a range of stakeholders. It strives in continuing to be relevant and responsive to the community needs based on a collaborative and intersectional approach. We envision a society that upholds, respects, and protects the diversity, safety, equality, and dignity of trans /transgender people. 

The successful candidate therefore needs to have the ability to skillfully navigate the global, regional and national spaces, is a respected leader in our communities, has demonstrated management and staff supervision experience and proven ability to develop trans programmatic work strategically. 

Programmatic responsibilities

  • Be the lead on APTN programmatic work
  • Establish and nurture key relationships with partners, including other civil society organizations, duty bearers, APTN country partners and committees
  • Support and advise the Executive Director in matters related to the programmatic work of APTN, trans and gender diverse movement dynamics, issues and priorities
  • Represent APTN in public spaces in close collaboration with the ED
  • Attend conferences, seminars, and meetings on behalf of APTN
  • Support and develop linkages between different parts of APTN’s programmatic work
  • Prepare, or as appropriate supervise the preparation of, progress reports, annual reports, project completion report and other reports that may be required internally and/or externally 

Organisational development and management

  • Supervise the Programmes staff and consultants delivering APTN’s programmatic work
  • Manage and/or oversee projects under the Programmatic work of the APTN
  • Plan, manage and implement the overall workplan and budget of APTN Programmes under APTN Strategic Plan, supported by the operations team and in collaboration with the Executive Director
  • Strengthen and grow APTN programmes team and developing guidance and processes to meet the needs of the expansion
  • Support the Executive Director in fundraising for the organisation

Other duties and obligations

  • Facilitate internal functions between the programmes and finance team
  • Work as part of the APTN staff team to achieve agreed goals and objectives
  • Ensure that all activities are carried out with full regard to APTN vision and strategic priorities 
  • Undertake other duties that may be reasonably required from time to time

Required skills and experience:

The successful candidate should be strongly committed to working for trans rights and have competencies and demonstrated experience in the following areas:

  • Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in project management with at least five years direct involvement in grant management responsibilities
  • Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing with a wide range of people within Community, Governments, donors, and UN agencies;
  • Hard-working and ability to deliver on conflicting demands within tight deadlines;
  • Experience managing bilateral or multilateral funding, especially knowledge of the rules and regulations governing foreign assistance or development funding (e.g. funding from SIDA, DFID, U.S. State Department or USAID, etc.)
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to manage a wide variety of internal and external relationships
  • Strong verbal and written skills in English
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Passionate about APTN’s mission as a regional network and role as a trans-led organisation- Ability to empower others and to manage their performance;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams, delivering through and with others;
  • Strong time-management 
  • Experienced in working in a fast-paced, diverse and cultural environment
  • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues in a responsible manner
  • A collaborative team-leader
  • Experience in Finance management, performance, budget monitoring and tracking

Preferred skills and experience:

  • Competence in other languages spoken in the Asia Pacific region is a strong asset
  • Experience working transnationally across diverse geographies, cultural contexts and languages
  • Programmatic experience supporting trans human rights

Organisation Competencies

  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of APTN
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity

How to Apply?

Please send CV and samples of work to apply@weareaptn.org with subject title: “Application: Program Manager” by 24 March 2022.

APTN is an Equal Opportunities Employer. APTN adheres to a fair recruitment process, regardless of any individual or group characteristics, including gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, race, age, disability, ability, economic status, national origin, religion, ethnicity, and historical, cultural and geographic experiences.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex persons, transgender and gender non-binary persons, and persons from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be notified.