26 April 2016
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 in order 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.
The Sombath Initiative (SI) was established after 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. The SI is currently a project of Focus, embedded in Focus' Power and Democracy Programme.
With Laos holding the Chairmanship of ASEAN, and the ASEAN Summit taking place in Vientiane in early September, 2016 presents an important opportunity to raise greater awareness among the press and the broader world about the situation in Laos, including Sombath's disappearance, other human rights violations, restrictions placed on civil society, and inequitable and unsustainable development practices, etc.
We urgently seek a Campaign Coordinator to work closely with SI/Focus staff and interns to develop and implement a strong campaign in the run-up to the ASEAN Summit, with follow-up actions thereafter.
Key Responsibilities
In the immediate term, major tasks will include:
- Coordinating among various human rights and development organisations in planning and designing informational and resource materials about the current situation in Laos
- Developing such materials, including media packages, briefings, statements and/or press releases
- Liaising with press and media contacts, and organising outreach activities
In the longer term, responsibilities may expand to include:
- Monitoring, research and analysis regarding the human rights and development context in Laos
- Supporting related website, social media and discussion fora
Essential qualifications
- Extensive experience in planning and coordinating media/advocacy campaigns
- Knowledge of human rights and development issues in ASEAN, and particularly in Laos
- High skill level in speaking and writing in English; an ability to speak and write Lao is a definite plus
- Ability to work independently, but also in coordination with a wide variety of organisations and individuals
Terms of Employment
This position is being offered initially on a contractual basis for the remainder of 2016, but with the expectation that it will evolve into a regular full-time position once further resources are secured. Depending on the skills and circumstances of applicants, both part and full-time employment will be considered for the initial period.
The Campaign Coordinator will work out of the Focus office in Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, and report to the SI Coordinator and the Focus Executive Director.
Interested applicants are urged to send a cover email or letter with a curriculum vitae, short writing sample and contact details of two referees to both jobs@focusweb.org and thesombathinitiative@gmail.com by 15 May 2016.
