ThaiNGO

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Terms of Reference

Position Title             : Project Director

Location                      : Mae Hong Son

Reports to                 : Country Director

Starting date            : Immediately

Contract duration   : 1 year (extendable)

This is a localised position open for both national and international

General Purpose of the Position

ORGANISATION

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. JRS offers opportunities to a wide variety of staff, local and international, while maintaining a realistic and localised scheme of salary/stipend, insurance, etc.

In Thailand, JRS manages programmes that spread throughout urban and rural areas serving refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and people in detention. JRS Thailand has field offices in Bangkok and Mae Hong Son Province. The main areas of work include education, psycho-social services, livelihoods, legal assistance, emergency assistance, medical services, and advocacy. For more information about JRS in Asia Pacific and Thailand, visit: http://www.jrsap.org

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

JRS has been working with Karenni Education Department (KnED) in Mae Hong Son’s two refugee camps since 1997. JRS partners with the KnED to implement and deliver educational services and training in the following areas: primary, secondary, vocational, special education, teacher Training, curriculum development and management. It is currently providing assistance to over 3000 children and around 260 teachers in 12 schools in two temporary shelters of Ban Mai Naisoi (BMN) and Ban Mai Surin (BMS). The primary goal of this support is to ensure the continuity of education while simultaneously developing the capacity of refugee educators and partner organisations for refugees’ own self-reliance.

The physical demands of work in temporary shelters are significant. In addition, Mae Hong Son is a   small town and relatively remote. Since only basic medical care is available in Mae Hong Son, a pre-employment physical will be required. The candidate should carefully consider whether they have or how they will develop a sufficient emotional support network while on this assignment. 

THE ROLE

In Mae Hong Son, JRS partners the Karenni Education Department (KnED) in two refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border.  JRS support KnED as they manage and build the capacity of their education system in order to ensure access to quality education. This includes monitoring, support and training as needed.  The Project Director leads the JRS team, consisting of local and international staff, in Mae Hong Son.

The Project Director reports to the JRS Thailand Country Director located in Bangkok. He/she is the leader of the team assisting the Karenni Education Department (KnED) offering quality education to refugee students/teachers.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING AND PSEAH COMMITMENTS

JRS has zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and takes seriously all concerns and complaints aboutsexual exploitation and abuse against children and vulnerable adults by JRS personnel. JRS is committed to safeguarding childrenand vulnerable adults and has policies which outline the expected behavior, code of conduct and responsibility of all persons actingon behalf of JRS (Staff, consultants, volunteers, interns, Pastoral team and other representatives). JRS personnel are expected to abide by these policies and guidelines.

Main Responsibilities of the Position   

• Manage the whole management cycle of JRS projects in Mae Hong Son (MHS), from design, implementation, monitoring, to evaluation.  
• Be responsible for the accountability of JRS operations in Mae Hong Son, following JRS and donor’s safeguarding, child protections, and anti-fraud policies, procurement guidelines, as well as JRS accountability to the people served. 
• Responsible for the approval of all payments to KnED and KnED staff, material purchases and management of all resources of JRS, ensuring good financial management and documentation.
• Provide staff management, coaching and mentoring to JRS MHS team/staff in the spirit of JRS value, vision and mission, for the growth of JRS staff as individuals, as well as one organisation team.
• Access the needs for capacity development of the staff in Mae Hong Son and work together with the Country Director for organisational and staff capacity development.
• Facilitate staff regular updates, in a reflective approach, seeking for better ways of serving, advocating, and accompanying refugees, while taking into consideration of staff wellbeing.
• Be a lead person to represent JRS partnership with KnED and other relevant stakeholders to manage and provide supportive environment to access Basic Education. Inclusive Education, Curriculum Development, Vocational Training, Education in Emergencies. At the heart of the services, JRS places child protection and safeguarding, prioritising at risk children and with the involvement of the whole community.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Education of the Royal Thai Government at both the Bangkok and local levels to ensure that programmes operate within the mandate granted by the government.  JRS also advocates changes to government policy/practice as needed for the benefit of the refugees.
• Maintains good working relationships with Thai authorities, local district offices and village heads; with the local Catholic Diocese, UNHCR, INGOs and CBOs
• Co-ordinate JRS activities with other NGOs and UNHCR, expecially in the areas of protection, security, vocational training, income generation, and areas identified by programmes sectors.
• Represents JRS on the Education sub-committee and other relevant sub-comittees of the Committee for Co-ordination of services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (CCSDPT), the main NGO co-ordination body and relevant committees as requested.
• Cooperate with Country and Regional Advocacy and Communications Officers to coordinate national advocacy and produce articles for the JRS website and publications.
• Cooperate with other Regional and Country office staff to ensure overall effective management and coordination of the projects.
• Coordinate project and site visits for donors, country/regional staff and external visitors as approved. 

Personal Specification – Essential Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Education Administration/Management, Social Work, and or Development Studies, or in other majors with a substitute of extensive experiences in development or refugee context or work experiences with other humanitarian agencies both at the field and management levels. 
• Proven track record in project management for at least 3 years.

Experience

• Experience in middle management for at least 2 years.
• Previous teaching and teacher training experiences.  Higher degree is an added value for the service of refugees.
• A key attribute of this programme is capacity building and partnership with the Karenni
• Education Department.  A demonstrated ability and commitment to collaborate with refugee as partners, NGOs and/or the host government is key.
• Experience managing a multi-cultural staff including refugees and international volunteers including Catholic Priest/Sisters/Brothers as well as people from other religious traditions, especially Buddhist.  Current staff is approximately 17.

Skills

• Strong staff management skills, able to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
• Good communication skills, particularly in the areas of stakeholder and donor relationship.
• Proven tracks of project cycle management skills with experiences in report and proposal writing, as well as experience with budgeting and the monitoring of funds.
• English fluency in speaking, reading and writing: Fluency in Thai and Burmese is preferred.
• Computer literacy in MS Words, Excel, Power Point.

Qualities

• Compatibility with JRS vision and mission, and understanding of and empathy with low-Income refugee communities, understanding of local cultural sensitivities a strong plus.

Application Guidelines

Please send all applications to: jrsthailandco@gmail.com

JRS advocates equal opportunity and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

JRS endeavours to ensure that all its employees, consultants, volunteers and interns agree to keep children and vulnerableadults safe from harm. It also requires that they speak out against incidences of sexual abuse and exploitation within the organization. The successful applicant for this role will be required to read, understand and sign the JRS Code of Conduct, theJRS Child Safeguarding Policy, and a Self-Declaration Form in line with the above.

The application should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English including three (3) professional references with their contact information, phone and email address.
• A cover letter describing the candidate's desire and motivation to work for JRS and how his/her qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.

Deadline: 21 May 2026

No late applications will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.