The Mekong Migration Network is looking for a PROJECT COORDINATOR (“Migrants in Informal Sectors” Collaborative Research and Advocacy Project) to join our team. Please see the job announcement below.
The Mekong Migration Network (MMN) in coordination with the Foundation for Migrants from the Mekong Neighbourhood (MMN Foundation) is looking for a full-time PROJECT COORDINATOR (“Migrants in Informal Sectors” Collaborative Research and Advocacy Project) The successful applicant will be based at the MMN Secretariat office in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The position requires the successful applicant to frequently travel within Thailand as well as within the Mekong region. There is no special support (i.e. support for relocation costs, etc.) for people applying for this position from overseas or other provinces. This initial contract is for one year (September 2019-August 2020) which may be renewable depending on job performance and funding availability.
Deadline for application: 25 August 2019
Reports to: Regional Coordinator
Job location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Salary and Benefits: Local NGO rate subject to qualifications and experience.
Start Date: 1 October 2019 (or earlier)
Contract Duration: One year contract (subject to 119 days probation at the beginning of contract); may be renewable depending on work performance and funding availability.
Qualifications and Experience Required
Essential
*Commitment to MMN’s approach and values
*A Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field, such as development studies, migration studies, gender studies, international relations or law;
*Minimum of 2 year of relevant work experience in a field related to human rights, migration, gender or development;
*Fluency in speaking and strong writing skill in English and Thai
*Strong public speaking skills
*Strong research skills
*Strong commitment to and understanding of migration issues in Mekong countries
*Ability to work independently and as part of a team
*Ability to work in a diverse linguistic and cultural environment
*Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
*Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
*Excellent attention to detail
*Proven computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint)
*Ability to travel
Desirable
*Experience in carrying out collaborative research projects
*Experience doing national and regional-level advocacy
*Some experience on website or visual material production e.g. posters, multimedia presentation
*Experience using social media (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc.) for awareness raising
About the Mekong Migration Network
MMN is a sub-regional network of civil society organizations and research institutes working on migration issues in Mekong countries. MMN’s joint areas of work include advocacy, information monitoring, research, capacity building and networking. Please visit our website: www.mekongmigration.org for further information about MMN.
As a staff member of the MMN Secretariat, the successful applicant must commit to working as a team to strengthen the network and achieve MMN objectives in strengthening protection and promotion of migrants’ rights in the Mekong region.
Overview of the Project:
MMN is currently carrying out a collaborative research and advocacy project focusing on migrant labour in informal sectors in Thailand. The main focus of this project is on migrant labour in agriculture and fisheries, while also examining the impact of more general labour and migration policies on migrant workers in Thailand. The project involves collaboratively conducting research with MMN project partners in respective Mekong countries, organising workshops to enhance the capacity of civil society organisations to advocate for migrants’ rights, developing materials to raise awareness, and organising policy dialogues.
The following are the expected outcomes of the project:
1) Increased knowledge among migrants’ rights advocates, policy makers and other stakeholders on the issues and needs of migrant workers and their families, especially of those in informal sectors;
2) Greater capacity of migrants’ rights advocates in both destination and countries of origin in promoting the rights of migrants, especially those in informal sectors.; and
3) Greater awareness on the issues in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia as well as in countries importing and consuming products produced by migrant labour in Thailand.
The successful applicant will play a key role in ensuring the timely implementation of the project in consultation with MMN project partners. The Project Coordinator will directly report to the MMN Regional Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will also oversee the work carried out by the project team, interns and volunteers for the project.
Roles and responsibilities:
1. Research and advocacy
*Carry out research on migration policies in Thailand, especially those affecting migrants in agriculture and fisheries and ensure MMN has up-to-date information.
*Monitor development of relevant migration and recruitment policies and practices, including those of countries of origin that are applicable to this project.
*Develop concrete research plans following discussion during the project consultation meetings. This includes, but is not limited to, developing an overall research design, formulating questionnaires for interviews and preparing request letters for interviews.
*Provide guidance and/or training to research partners where necessary to ensure the research carried out by the partners is done in accordance with the plan and is of high quality.
*Alert MMN members and the Secretariat when there are urgent issues to which MMN should respond, to enable MMN to carry out timely advocacy work.
*Draft relevant articles, position papers, or press releases that are necessary to carry out advocacy
*Write up the research reports.
2. Project coordination
*Coordinate the implementation of the MMN’s Collaborative Research and Advocacy project under the guidance of the Regional Coordinator.
*Actively follow up with research partners and provide clarification and/or advice as necessary.
*Assist the Regional Coordinator in managing the overall project budget.
*Ensure that expenses for the respective activities are reported on time and in accordance with MMN policies and requirement.
*Alert the Regional Coordinator if/when the project encounters challenges (in relation to time, finance, political environment, personnel etc)
*Undertake travel relating to project implementation such as for the purpose of following up with project partners, carrying out key informant interviews, and organizing consultation meetings, as required.
3. Organising meetings in coordination with the Administrative Officer and the relevant program team
*Organise meetings as required by the project.
*Ensure proceedings and meetings minutes are recorded appropriately by staff designated for the task.
*Ensure timely publication of the meeting outcome on the MMN Webpage and/or circulation of the minutes of respective internal meetings with participants.
4. Awareness Raising, MMN Webpage and Social Media
*Strategise for awareness raising on key issues affecting migrants especially those in agriculture and fisheries.
*Conceptualise visual materials that may be necessary for awareness raising in consultation with the project partners, and coordinate the production process.
*Develop a section on the MMN webpage specially dedicated to the project on Migrants in Agriculture and Fisheries. (Technical assistance will be provided by other staff in charge of the webpage but the Project Coordinator will be in charge of developing content in consultation with the MMN project partners.)
*Regularly update the relevant sections of the webpage and circulate the news.
*Use other social media such as Facebook, Twitter etc, to effectively promote the achievement of the project and key advocacy points.
5. Coordination and management of MMN partnerships and media contacts
*Regularly communicate with MMN members and follow up with them to ensure that MMN Secretariat has most updated contact information of respective members.
*Assist the Information and Advocacy Officer in updating the MMN membership database to ensure smooth communication with members.
*Regularly update the MMN media contact list.
6. Reporting
*Prepare concise narrative reports on the outcome of respective project activities and submit them to the Regional Coordinator in a timely manner.
*Assist the Regional Coordinator in preparing the interim and final project reports to the donors.
7. Managing the MMN Chiang Mai Office including Coordinating Foundation Matters
*Supervise and guide the work of the MMN Administrative Officer in applying for and renewing the work permit and other relevant documents for MMN staff members.
*Assist the MMN Administrative Officer in ensuring that government requirements are met in order to keep MMN’s Foundation status.
*Be the focal point in hosting the visitors and interns at the MMN Chiang Mai Office.
*Provide orientation to the new staff and interns regarding the MMN operational rules.
*Be the focal point in arranging MMN Foundation board meetings in coordination with the Regional Coordinator.
8. Other tasks
*As a member of the MMN Secretariat, assist tasks related to other MMN projects and the overall work of MMN. These may include, but are not limited to, assisting in the organization of meetings and various activities for other projects, representing MMN in various events, and being a part of MMN team to organize regional events, etc.
*The Project Coordinator may carry out other tasks as assigned.
S/he will work as a part of our multi-cultural team and report directly to the Regional Coordinator. The working language of MMN is English. However, strong writing and speaking skills in Thai are needed for the Project Coordinator to carry out tasks assigned to this position. As an employee of the sub-regional network, the job involves frequent travel.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
For those interested, please email your CV and a cover letter along with a list of two referees’ contact details and a writing sample in English for the attention of MMN Regional Coordinator, Ms. Reiko Harima at application@mekongmigration.org by 25 August 2019. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.