Nepal: SAARC Advocacy Consultant

Asia NGO Jobs Vacancies Organization: Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development
Country: Nepal
Closing date: 10 Jul 2013

Location Kathmandu, Nepal
Employment Duration 10 months (15 July 2013-14 May 2014)
Salary & Benefits USD 800-1,000 per month
Closing date 10 July 2013
Interview Dates 11-12 July 2013
About the Organisation
As a membership-based regional human rights organisation, FORUM-ASIA works to promote and protect all human rights, including the right to development, through collaboration and cooperation between human rights defenders and organisations in Asia. FORUM-ASIA presently has 47 member organisations across 16 countries in Asia. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA is committed to building a peaceful, just, equitable and ecologically sustainable community of peoples and societies in Asia where all human rights of all individuals, groups and peoples—in particular, the poor, marginalised and discriminated people—are fully respected and realised in accordance with internationally accepted human rights norms and standards.
FORUM-ASIA, as a NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations, advocates human rights issues through engagement with governments, inter-governmental organisations and the United Nations for the better promotion and protection of all human rights.
Duties and Responsibilities
The SAARC Advocacy Consultant is expected to facilitate communication and collaboration with the sub-regional platform, Regional Initiative for South Asian Human Rights Mechanism as well as FORUM-ASIA members from South Asian countries. In addition, the SAARC Advocacy Consultant will design and implement an advocacy strategy with specific target and timeline.
Reporting to the Country Programme Manager, the SAARC Advocacy Consultant shall:

1. Facilitate the development of common advocacy positions and joint campaigns on SAARC;
2. Monitor and assess human rights situation in SAARC countries;
3. Provide administrative support for SAARC Advocacy activities;
4. Help organise workshops and meetings as required;
5. Liaise and maintain networks with partners and the SAARC secretariat;
6. Follow-up on action points from CSOs and partners’ meetings;
7. Carry out other tasks assigned by the Country Programme Manager.

Basic Qualifications and Selection Criteria
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field of human rights or a related subject such as law, political and social science, international relations, development or South Asian studies.
Competence:

1. Mature personality, ability to work in a multicultural setting and demanding working environment with cross programme coordination
2. Self-motivated, disciplined, positive attitude, strategic thinking and multi-tasking ability
3. Ability to work under pressure with less supervision and manage deadlines

Experience:

1. Minimum three years of work experience in the field of human rights—preferably both national and regional/international NGOs
2. Good understanding about the overall socio-political situation as well as human rights situation in South Asia
3. In-depth understanding of SAARC in terms of its context, operation, contributions and limitations on human rights discourse
4. Good understanding of the actual application and implementation of international human rights instruments in a variety of situation

Skills:

1. Good interpersonal communication and public presentation skills
2. Good command of both spoken and written English. Good command of one or more languages of the SAARC countries would be an advantage
3. Excellent report writing ability
4. Good advocacy and lobby skills with various stakeholders (government officials, diplomats, SAARC Secretariat, NGOs, NHRIs, media etc.)
5. Good analytical and the ability to integrate diverse information from varied sources
6. Strong technical aptitude and expertise with MS Office tools

How to applyAsia NGO Jobs Vacancies :
Those who are interested in the job are requested to fill in the Job Application Form (Please see attachment) and return the form by email together with a self-introduction letter and two recommendation letters (one from a member organisation of FORUM-ASIA) to: applications@forum-asia.org before 10 July 2013
The successful candidate will be contacted for an interview to be conducted over Skype between 11-12 July 2013. The interview may include a written test or practical test.