VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Research and Advocacy Officer

The Mekong Migration Network (MMN) in coordination with 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. 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 which may be renewable depending on job performance and funding availability.

Deadline for application: 5 January 2020

Reports to: MMN Regional Coordinator
Job location: 
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Salary and Benefits: 
Local NGO rate subject to qualifications and experience.
Start Date: 
10 February 2020 (or earlier)
Contract Duration:
 One year contract (subject to 119 days probation at the beginning of contract); renewable depending on work performance.

Overview of 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 see www.mekongmigration.org for more information about MMN.

Roles and responsibilities:

General
To work as part of the MMN Secretariat team to help strengthen the MMN as a sub-regional network promoting the rights of migrant workers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)

Specific

  1. Research

MMN carries out a number of collaborative research and advocacy projects. The Research and Advocacy Officer is expected to assist most of these projects by contributing his/her specific research skills. In particular, the Research and Advocacy Officer will be assigned with the following tasks.

*Regularly monitor the policy development, research projects and other related news concerning labour migration in the GMS to ensure MMN’s work plan is informed and up to date.

*Where assigned, develop a high-quality research design based on discussion with the MMN project partners during the research consultation meetings and in coordination with respective project coordinators.

*Where assigned, develop questionnaires for interviews, following discussion with the MMN project partners at the research consultation meetings.

*Carry out a desk research for projects assigned by the Regional Coordinator.

  1. Training of Field Research Teams

*Where assigned and appropriate, provide training to MMN research partners to ensure the field research is done in accordance with the plan, MMN ethical standards, and of high quality.

  1. Management of data gathered through the field research

*Thoroughly review the interview results submitted by the field research partners and clarify when there is inconsistency in data.

*Organise the qualitative as well as quantitative findings.

*Prepare the summary of the findings and present them to the project partners for further analysis.

*Where possible/appropriate, the Research and Advocacy Officer will be assigned to draft research papers.

  1. Advocacy

*Work as a member of the MMN Secretariat team in carrying out advocacy work. This may include, but not limited to, carrying out background research, assisting in drafting statements and other relevant documents, editing and laying them out, circulating and promoting the final documents effectively.

  1. Other tasks

*Edit documents prepared by other staff members where appropriate

*Assist preparation and implementation of meetings and other activities

*Other tasks as assigned by the Regional Coordinator.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

*Proven research skills (qualitative and quantitative)

*Relevant degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field, such as development studies, migration studies, gender studies, international relations or law;

*Fluency and strong writing skills in English

*Good report writing skills

*Strong public speaking skills

*Strong commitment to and understanding of migration issues in Mekong countries

*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 travel

Desirable

*Fluency and strong writing skills in one of the Mekong national languages

*Good understanding on country and sub-regional political, economic and social context in Mekong

*Experience of national and regional advocacy

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 5 January 2020.  Please write “Application for Research and Advocacy Officer” as a subject. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Short-listed candidates will also be asked to take part in a writing test.  Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.