Advocacy Research Fellow

The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) is a grassroots, locally led human rights organization established in Karen State in 1992 and now operating across two states and two divisions in southeast Burma/Myanmar. KHRG works with villagers in rural Burma/Myanmar to strengthen their ability to claim their human rights documents their human rights situation and conducts local and international advocacy. With twenty-seven years of experience, KHRG has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2013, KHRG was the recipient of the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award. More information about us and our work is available online at www.khrg.org

The Karen Human Rights Group is looking for an Advocacy Research Fellow for a six-month period. We expect the candidate to start working on April 1st 2023.This position is based in Thailand. Candidates are expected to come to Thailand to work from KHRG’s office.

The Research Fellow will support the local ethnic members of the Advocacy Team (AT) by assisting in local and international advocacy. The objective of the position is to strengthen KHRG’s organisational ability to effectively achieve advocacy objectives. The primary focus of the position is on supporting and developing the skills of local colleagues in the team.

A willingness to be guided by locally defined perspectives and priorities at all times is essential. KHRG operates on a consensus basis and places a strong emphasis on teamwork. Applicants should be highly motivated, able to work with little supervision, and should have experience working on advocacy and human rights issues, ideally related to Burma/Myanmar or the region. A strong commitment to helping villagers claim their human rights is essential.

Advocacy Research Fellow responsibilities

1. Developing the technical skills (e.g. English language proficiency, research and report-writing, analysis) of Advocacy Team members necessary to independently manage their advocacy activities. The ARF is responsible for conducting at least two workshops based on needs identified by local staff.
2. Supporting local staff in KHRG’s advocacy activities, partnerships and external communications.
3. Supporting, producing, and editing social media and e-newsletter advocacy materials.
4. Conducting research into national and international legal issues, access to justice and the rule of law, and national public institutions related to human rights in Burma/Myanmar.
5. Drafting and editing policy and advocacy briefs and supporting local staff in advocating to civil society partners, donors and authorities in Burma/Myanmar, as required.
6. Assisting the local staff for external meeting preparation such as talking points, including for meetings with journalists, international organisations, NGOs and academic researchers.
7. Giving feedback and cooperating with local staff to produce English language submissions to various international bodies, such as the UN treaty bodies, Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures’ mandate holders.
8. Assisting the organisational processes for developing and implementing advocacy plans following a logical Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.
9. Assisting Advocacy Team with other duties as needed.

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities

1. Native English language speaker or equivalent proficiency.
2. A university degree in a related field (preferably with a focus in law, international humanitarian law, human rights, or international affairs).
3. Excellent writing and editing skills.
4. Relevant experience in conducting legal research on international human rights and humanitarian law.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of international human rights standards, mechanisms and practices.
6. Relevant experience in using social media (e.g. Twitter) professionally, preferably for human rights advocacy.
7. Strong cross-cultural communication skills and a sense of humour.
8. A positive attitude, patience, and a willingness to be flexible.
9. Ability to take the initiative and to use problem-solving skills.
10. Teaching or capacity building skills.
11. Self-motivation, self-discipline, attention to detail and time-management skills, as well as the ability to function under pressure.

Desirable knowledge, skills and abilities

1. Knowledge of the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar.
2. Experience writing human rights reports or advocacy materials.
3. Some knowledge of Karen, Burmese and/or Thai language.
4. Knowledge of Adobe’s Creative Suite, including Photoshop or InDesign.
5. Experience processing and analysing information using a database.

KHRG will help the selected candidate lacking prior knowledge of the situation in Burma/Myanmar by providing a list of reading materials on relevant history, culture, politics and human rights.

Salary and support

The ARF will receive a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses. KHRG will cover visa costs during the period of work, local transportation, as well as the cost of accommodation for the first seven days after arrival in the working location.

The ARF will benefit from an initial orientation, as well as a pre-arrival guide with information to assist the ARF in obtaining a visa, travelling in Thailand, and finding accommodation.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to the struggle for human rights in Burma/Myanmar.