ThaiNGO

Position: Thai Human Rights Researcher   

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week

Contract: 1 year contract with possibility for renewal

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Salary: Competitive with generous benefits package

Starting Date: 01 August 2018

Deadline to apply: 20 July 2018, 5:00 PM Bangkok time

I. WHO WE ARE 

The Manushya Foundation: Empowering Communities; Advancing Social Justice. “Manushya” is a Sanskrit term being understood by many communities across Asia and in the world, meaning “humans”, “human being”, or even “human rights” (such as manusia in Bahasa or Malay).

Founded in 2017, Manushya Foundation is an Asia regional non-governmental organisation aimed at empowering communities to advance Human Rights, Social Justice & Peace. Manushya Foundation serves as a bridge to Engage, Mobilise, and Empower Agents of Change by: connecting Humans through inclusive coalition building; and by developing strategies focused at placing local communities’ voices in the center of human rights advocacy and domestic implementation of international human rights obligations and standards. Manushya Foundation strengthens the solidarity and capacity of communities and grassroots to ensure they can constructively raise their own concerns and provide solutions in order to improve their livelihoods and the human rights situation on the ground.

Vision: We Believe in the Infinite Positive Power of Humans in building inclusive, just, equal, sustainable and peaceful societies in Asia; where individuals, communities, governments and non- state actors respect, fulfill and advance the enjoyment of universal and indivisible human rights for All, leaving no one behind.

Mission: We connect diverse and inclusive communities of Humans across Asia through coalition building, to ensure they are at the center of the human rights and sustainable development responses of their countries. By building capacities on human rights monitoring mechanisms, sharing experiences, developing innovative strategies and strengthening solidarity, Manushya Foundation empowers communities to advance human rights, social justice and peace.

Manushya Foundation serves as a “BRIDGE” to Engage, Mobilise, Empower Agents of Change. We apply a 3-PILLAR STRATEGY:

1. ENGAGE communities by building their capacities on all UN human rights mechanisms to ensure their effective participation, and by providing them with the tools to efficiently build credible evidence and monitor the human rights situation on the ground (human rights documentation) to hold their government accountable on their human rights obligations.
2. MOBILISE communities around human rights movements, by building CSOs coalitions comprising all human rights issues, where communities are treated equally and can build solidarity and where all human rights are equal (civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights).
3. EMPOWER communities by ensuring they are at the center of the human rights response in their countries, engaging constructively and providing solutions to their government to improve the human rights on the ground. By applying a bottom-up approach, communities will own their issues, provide solutions and become the agents of change in their countries. Communities will bring back solutions at the local level to further empower their peers, ensuring no one is left behind.

The Manushya Foundation is a small NGO, with the advantages and constraints attached. Every staff member and/or consultant plays an important role and carries responsibilities. Dedication is key as it greatly impacts the work of the organisation. It is therefore necessary to embrace the vision and goals of the organisation and fully commit to its success.

II. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

We are looking for an experienced human rights and development professional to join our team as the Thai Human Rights Researcher. Under the overall guidance of Executive Director and direct supervision of the Research & Advocacy Coordinator, the Thai Human Rights Researcher will support the human rights research and advocacy work of Manushya Foundation, including desk review, field trips and analytical and writing support to local communities in documenting rights violations and abuses, as well as in accessing remedy.  

Research & Advocacy

• Research, monitor, and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, companies, local media, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;
• Conduct field visits to collect data and support local communities developing their own monitoring reports and/or complaints to grievance mechanisms at national, regional and international levels;
• Work closely with academics and translators to review, complete and finalise research papers, ensuring evidence-based advocacy products are being developed;
• Write and publicise accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, and timely reports and other research and advocacy documents (often including images, audio, video, data analysis, and/or online tools) that include policy recommendations intended to contribute to ending human rights abuses;
• Write op-eds, press releases, briefing memos, submissions to international bodies, statements, testimony, and other materials in order to disseminate our research findings and policy recommendations;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of primary research projects;
• Integrate community research projects into Manushya’s research outputs;
• Contribute to the development of capacity building materials;
• Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices in the public and private sectors;
• Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the team;
• Carry out any other duties as required.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Participate in meetings and represent Manushya Foundation;
• Strengthen collaboration with partners;
• Collaborate with Research and Advocacy staff, volunteers and interns;
• Take notes and prepare meeting reports of events;
• Support the organisation of events and workshops;
• Any other tasks as required.

III. SELECTION CRITERIA

Experience

• At least 2 years professional experience carrying out human rights research;
• Experience of designing and carrying out both qualitative and quantitative primary research;
• Track record of developing a range of significant human rights research outputs in both Thai & English;
• Experience of working directly with local communities on human rights; (desirable)
• Experience of working on business & human rights, digital rights and human rights-related fields.

Qualifications, Skills & Expertise

• Master’s degree in Human Rights, International Development, International Human Rights Law, or related field;
• Fluency in written & spoken English and native Thai speaker;
• A strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;
• An understanding of data analysis techniques and methodologies;
• Ability to develop accurate, compelling research outputs on human rights issues;
• Ability to develop research aimed at a range of audiences;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• Good copy-edit in Thai and English;
• Excellent team-working abilities and strong communication skills;

• Analytical and planning skills, the ability to set priorities, an aptitude for achieving significant results;
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, including the ability to manage priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

Ethical & Professional Behavior

Demonstrates integrity by modelling Manushya Foundation’s values and ethical standards;

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Manushya Foundation;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Excellent application of the  ‘Do No Harm’ principle;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
• Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Location & Travel

• The post will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, and will also travel according to the needs of the organisation, mainly within Thailand, and the ASEAN region, although some international travel may be required.

IV. HOW TO APPLY: 

To apply for this role, please email contact@manushyafoundation.org, with your name and the vacancy you are applying for in the subject line, with the following:

1. An up to date copy of your CV no more than two pages long, including 3 references;
2. A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying and how you meet the job's experience, qualifications, skills, and expertise, as well as the ethical and professional behaviour specifications set out above;
3. Two writing samples of your work involving at least one quantitative and/or qualitative research, and/or one advocacy document;
4. An answer of no more than 500 words to the question: ‘What should the role of businesses be in regards to human rights?’

Deadline: 20 July 2018, 5:00 PM - Bangkok time

Important Information to consider before applying:

Manushya Foundation is a women-led organisation committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. We strongly encourage women, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, from minority groups, indigenous groups, sexual and gender minorities, persons with disabilities and people living with HIV to apply. We do not discriminate against male candidates and welcome their applications. However, it is important for potential male candidates to welcome women’s leadership, to have no difficulty working constructively and collaboratively with women, and to embrace feedback from women. As Manushya Foundation is an intersectional, feminist, community-led organisation it is essential all applicants strongly align with these values and implement them in both the work that they do and their professional conduct. Due to the nature of the work that we do, maintaining the absolute highest ethical and professional standards are of the utmost importance. It is crucial all applicants are aware of the potential implications of their behaviour on both Manushya Foundation and the communities we support and work with, apply a ‘do no harm’ approach and ensure their own conduct is in line with these standards at all times.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.