Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights Job Vacancy: Project Officer on Freedom of Religion or Belief - Jakarta

Job Title: Project Officer on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Job Purpose: Provide support in the development, delivery, and reporting of all aspects of joint project on religious freedom in Southeast Asia

Contract Type: Fixed-term (18 months)

Location: Jakarta (negotiable for the right candidate)

Background
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) is a network of current and former legislators working to strengthen human rights and democracy in Southeast Asia. APHR supports its members through a variety of means as they use their unique positions to highlight human rights concerns and strengthen the voices of civil society actors around ASEAN.

APHR is undertaking a joint project with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to advance religious freedom in Southeast Asia and combat rising religious intolerance. The project aims specifically to increase the capacity of parliamentarians in Southeast Asia to address these issues. The project seeks to support parliamentarians in developing coordinated and sustained measures to raise awareness of, and share best practices on, religious freedom issues in the region, as well as increase the understanding and capacity of MPs to apply tools and techniques to initiate legislative efforts to advance religious freedom issues.

Position Overview
APHR is seeking an experienced Project Officer to lead in the implementation of an 18-month project on religious freedom. We are looking for a motivated and passionate individual with demonstrated commitment to and knowledge on religious freedom in Southeast Asia to join our dynamic and dedicated team working across eight countries in Southeast Asia.

Applicants should be highly motivated and demonstrate knowledge and commitment to the values and mission of APHR. Specific experience working on freedom of religion or belief issues in the ASEAN region is highly desirable for this position.

Reporting directly to the Program Manager and under close guidance of the Executive Director, the Project Officer will provide support to the development, implementation, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of all aspects of the project. The Project Officer will also closely coordinate on project activities with the Research and Advocacy Director, Working Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), and National Focal Points across the region. The Project Officer will also provide assistance and closely coordinate with the Programs Division and Research and Advocacy Division to ensure effective project implementation.

The Project Officer will also act as a liaison with project partners at the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Main Responsibilities

• Leading on planning and implementation for fact-finding missions together with the Research and Advocacy Division of APHR;
• Create and deliver on work plans for all research, events and activities as outlined in the project proposal;
• Act as the main focal point for MPs and Working Group involved in the program; and
• Coordinate with project partners and other stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

Development and Delivery:

• Manage implementation of all aspects of the project, including detailed work planning and implementation and monitoring together with other programme staff;
• Maintain project management templates, produce guidance and support documents;
• Draft and provide inputs to project concept papers and proposals;
• Ensure that program activities operate within the policies and procedures of the organization; and
• Liaise with other staff and working group members to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Provide appropriate and timely reports and updates to the secretariat and key stakeholders on project implementation;
• Compile and maintain a risks and issues log at project level; and
• Ensure project documentation is collected and maintained in such a way to assist donor reporting and the M&E requirements of the project.

Logistics and Administration:

• Support and organise key project(s)/programme meetings, events and activities;
• Develop and finalize project or activity budgets and accountability reports; and
• Maintain records, database, and project files based on APHR and NDI’s policies and procedures.

Grant Management:

• Support in the effective monitoring of donor grant allocated to project, ensuring appropriate reporting in place.

Partnerships and Networking

• Coordinate and network with stakeholders to gain community support for the project and to solicit input to improve project activities;
• Maintain relations and information flow with with various stakeholders and partners; and
• Maintain and update the database and information system on FoRB.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience; At least 5 years working experience;
• Experience of managing successful projects and proven work experience in human rights or relevant field;
• Demonstrated good skills and experience in administrative, organizational and operational project work;
• Experience working in the ASEAN region;
• Ability to work as a member of an international team;
• Strong understanding of and demonstrable dedication to human rights principles;
• Strong knowledge of and preferably experience working on freedom of religion or belief issues, particular within the Southeast Asian context;
• Fluency in English; and
• Ability and willingness to travel in the project region and beyond.

Desirable

• Work attitude: Self-motivated, ability to use own initiative, flexible;
• Decision making: Sound judgement and the confidence to take independent action; a high degree of initiative and persistence combined with high levels of discretion and diplomacy;
• Analytical ability: Ability to analyse and synthesize complex information;
• Communications: Ability to build productive working relationships, influence and engage others;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, working effectively with others, listening, understanding and achieving appropriate results;
• Knowledge of at least one Southeast Asian language; and
• Proficient knowledge of Information Technology and excellent working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office software, and experience of working in global teams and use of appropriate communication tools.

Working Conditions / Salary and Benefits
The Project Officer will ideally be based in Jakarta, but location is negotiable for the right candidate.

APHR operates on a standard five-day work week but staff may be required to work some evenings and weekends to respond to developments and when on missions. Days in lieu will be provided for non-standard workdays.

APHR offers a competitive salary package with health benefits.

This is a fixed-term contract for the duration of the project, inclusive of a 3-month probationary period.

APHR does not cover costs associated with relocation.

The successful candidate will be expected to take up duties within October-November 2017. The position is for a fixed term appointment coinciding with the lifetime of the project.

How to apply
Deadline for applications is Tuesday, 19 September 2017. We will be reviewing applications as they come in and may consider selecting a shortlist before the deadline, so we welcome early applications. Send your CV/resume and cover letter to jobs@aseanmp.org with the subject heading “Application: Project Officer Position”.

Ideally, candidates will be able to begin working on or before November 2017. Apologies in advance that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

APHR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates of all genders from all national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.