The Mekong Migration Network is looking for an ADVOCACY and RESEARCH OFFICER to join our team. Please see the job announcement below.
The Mekong Migration Network (MMN) in coordination with the Asian Migrant Centre (AMC) and the Foundation for Migrants from the Mekong Neighbourhood (MMN Foundation) is looking for a full-time Research and Advocacy Officer. The successful applicant will be based at the MMN Secretariat office in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In light of current travel restrictions, applications will only be considered from those currently in Thailand.
Deadline for application: 30 June 2021
Reports to: MMN Regional Coordinator
Job location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Salary and Benefits: Local NGO rate subject to qualifications and experience
Start Date: As soon as possible (no later than 1 August 2021)
Contract Duration: Fixed term contract for eighteen (18) months
Overview of the Mekong Migration Network
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 work includes advocacy, information monitoring, research, capacity building and networking. Please see www.mekongmigration.org for more information about MMN.
The successful applicant will work as a member of the MMN Secretariat team, focusing on research and advocacy work in relation to our Roles of Countries of Origin project as detailed below.
MMN’s Roles of Countries of Origin Project
While destination countries must rightly bear the responsibility for the protection of migrant workers within their territory, countries of origin have a crucial role to play in ensuring that their nationals are protected abroad and receive adequate pre-departure and reintegration assistance. This holds true for both documented and undocumented migrants.
MMN takes the view that countries of origin should do more to protect migrant workers throughout the migration cycle. This includes establishing affordable, fair and efficient labour migration frameworks, providing overseas assistance, disseminating information, providing welfare support, and ensuring the effective reintegration of returnees.
In 2015, MMN launched its Roles of Countries of Origin Project and has been implementing collaborative research, advocacy and capacity building on the theme. MMN endeavours to defend the rights of migrant workers by eliciting greater commitment from countries of origin to protect their migrant nationals abroad. We engage with different stakeholders, including migrant workers, governments, recruitment agencies, and civil society organisations to better understand how migration governance systems and recruitment processes affect migrants’ experiences at different stages of the migration experience. MMN’s research and advocacy incorporate the voices of migrants to ensure that rights-protecting initiatives in countries of origin are developed to respond to the needs of migrants. More recently the project has focused on the roles of countries of origin during the Covid-19 crisis.
For more information about the Roles of Countries of Origin Project, please check here.
Roles and responsibilities:
General
The successful applicant will play a key role in promoting MMN recommendations to various stakeholders, conducting online and offline advocacy and campaigning, and conducting research as part of the MMN Research team.
Specific
- Advocacy
*Develop and update effective advocacy strategies in consultation with MMN members.
*Mobilise both online and offline to promote MMN recommendations. Use creative methods where relevant.
*Develop clear indicators for our advocacy work in consultation with MMN members and MMN Secretariat team. Monitor key policy and practice change in relation to MMN advocacy points.
*Where advocacy involves meeting stakeholders, prepare meeting request letters and other necessary logistics in consultation with MMN members.
*Carry out necessary background research, to ensure that MMN advocacy work is effective and grounded in evidence.
*Work as a member of the MMN Secretariat team in carrying out advocacy work. This may include, but is not limited to, carrying out background research, assisting in drafting statements and other relevant documents, editing and laying them out, circulating and promoting final documents effectively.
- MMN Webpage and Social Media
*Strengthen the section on the MMN webpage dedicated to our Role of Countries of Origin Project, as well as Social Protection. Technical assistance will be provided, but the successful applicant will be responsible for developing and updating content. In so doing, background research will need to be conducted where necessary.
*Regularly update the site and circulate relevant news.
*Maximise the use of social media to promote MMN work and advocacy points in relation to our Role of Countries of Origin Project.
- Research
*As a member of the MMN Secretariat, carry out research work in relation to the Roles of Countries of Origin Project.
- Meetings and workshops
*Organise meetings and workshops as required by the project.
*Ensure proceedings and meetings minutes are recorded appropriately either by the Advocacy and Research Officer her/himself or by staff designated for the task.
*Actively promote the outcome of the events via the MMN Webpage, social media and other means, reflect the key outcome on the MMN advocacy.
- Other tasks
*Assist in the preparation and implementation of meetings and other activities.
*Carry out other tasks as assigned by the Regional Coordinator.
The successful candidate will work as a part of a small multi-cultural team and report directly to the Regional Coordinator. MMN is an equal opportunities employer. For the purpose of our recruitment procedure, this means that no applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of their age, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, ethnic origin, religion, or family situation. We welcome applications from suitably qualified applicants of all backgrounds.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
*Relevant university degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field, such as development studies, migration studies, gender studies, international relations, law or journalism;
*Fluency in spoken English and excellent English writing skills
*Excellent note taking skills
*Strong public speaking skills
*Strong commitment to and understanding of migration issues in Mekong countries
*Experience of national and regional advocacy
*Experience working with social media (Twitter, Facebook etc.) for advocacy purposes
*Ability to work independently and as part of a small team
*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)
*Commitment to MMN’s approach and values
*Ability to manage Webpage content
Desirable
*Good understanding of the country and sub-regional political, economic and social context in the Mekong
*Skills to design poster, videos or other forms of visuals
*Skills to layout reports
*Ability to travel as the Covid-19 situation allows.
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 info@mekongmigration.org by 30 June 2020. Please write “Application for Advocacy and Research Officer (ROCO Project)” on the subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Short-listed candidates will also be asked to take part in a short writing test. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.