Background
Focus on the Global South (Focus) is a non-governmental organisation with offices in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and India. Focus combines policy research, advocacy, activism and grassroots capacity building to generate critical analysis and debates among social movements, civil society organisations, elected officials, government functionaries and the general public on national and international policies related to corporate-led globalisation, neo-liberalism and militarisation.
Focus recently received a two-year grant for its emerging Power and Democracy (P&D) programme which was introduced in 2015 to address the exercise of different types of power, and how they affect democracy, citizenship, justice, well-bring, peace and rights.
The Sombath Initiative (SI) is a leading component of the P&D programme. The SI was established in December, 2014, continuing earlier efforts resulting from the disappearance of Sombath Somphone in Laos in 2012. The SI aims to increase awareness about the human rights and development contexts in Laos, maintain pressure to address these issues, including the case of Sombath’s disappearance, and to build networks of solidarity to further this work.
Focus now seeks a Communications Officer to support the SI and Focus’ broader work, and to build synergy between them.
Key Responsibilities: The Communications Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Focus Executive Director and in close coordination with related staff in all Focus offices.
The Communications Officer will:
- Work with the Focus Communications Team to develop and implement an effective organisational communications strategy.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of the sombath.org and focusweb.org websites and related social media, building links between the SI and Focus outreach.
- Identify and develop content for the above.
- Work with Focus staff in all offices to ensure that the outreach/media aspects of campaigns are appropriately addressed, including editing, layout, and translation of materials, etc.
- Build relationships with mainstream, traditional and new media in the region and internationally.
Qualifications
- At least five years’ experience in communications, with a focus on Southeast Asia and/or advocacy.
- Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of communications action plans and campaigns.
- Excellent English writing and editing skills; the ability to work in contemporary Lao, including reading and writing, will be a significant advantage.
- Basic knowledge of Publications Layout, Video and Image editing (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Premier or Final Cut)
- Knowledge of content management systems: Wordpress and Drupal.
This is a full-time position based at Focus’ Bangkok office. The post offers a salary commensurate with experience and comparable to those of other regional organisations.
Applications should be in English and include a cover letter, CV, writing samples and contact details of at least two referees. Please send applications to jobs@focusweb.org with “Communications Officer” in the subject line.
The deadline for applications is 29 July 2017.