Asia Programme Officer to Civil Rights Defenders

We are in an expansion phase, which has opened up many interesting job opportunities. Are you passionate about human rights and want to be part of a global movement of human rights defenders? Do you want to work in an international environment with colleagues all over the world? Then you might be the one we are looking for.

About the role

The Programme Officer is responsible to carry out and follow up on the programme and long-term partnerships with human rights organisations in the Asian countries assigned for the role. The Programme Officer will also have the possibility to identify, assess, and propose new activities and partnerships relevant for the local and regional context. Monitoring and analysing the human rights situation in Asia constitute one of your key roles. The work should be carried out in line with Civil Rights Defenders Strategy, working methods and the Yearly Plans of Actions, including the budget.

The Programme Officers reports to the Asia Department Director.

The role offers a variety of tasks:

• Monitor and analyse developments relevant for human rights and civil society in Southeast Asia;
• Conduct human rights activities with local and international partners;
• Implement grant management routines in collaboration with partners;
• Initiate and/or support advocacy, communications, and media activities;
• Design and develop proposals, and write concept notes to mobilize resources and support for human rights issues;
• Establish and maintain constructive relationship with partners and stakeholders;
• Travel within the region for trainings, events, and partner visits, and annual trips to Civil Rights Defenders headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden.

About you

As a person, you prefer to collaborate and lead, motivate, and empower others to effectively reach common goals. You focus on the long-term significance and consequences of your activities. Furthermore, you like to engage in teamwork and contribute constructively and through clear communication, you ensure that messages are reached and that expectations are clear to all parties involved.

We assume that you share our values.

To be suitable for this role you have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or similar fields, including education on international human rights mechanisms;
• 3-5 years of relevant working experience in human rights in Southeast Asia;
• Experience in monitoring and analyzing the human rights situation in Southeast Asia;
• Skills in project designing, drafting reports and project applications;
• Documented experience in project management and/or human rights advocacy;
• Knowledge about and full commitment to promote universal human rights;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Knowledge of a Southeast Asian language is a strong asset;
• Basic skills to use Microsoft tools, especially Word, Excel, and Teams effectively.

Merits for the position are:

• Experience in working with human rights defenders at risk, civil society, organisations, local groups, and communities;
• Experience in organising and conducting human rights trainings;
• Experience in working with international human rights mechanisms.

About the employment

This is a temporary employment starting in March 2023, or as soon as possible, and for a period of one year with possibility of extension. As an organization, we strive for diversity and we see your background, experience and personality as a contribution to the organization. You will be based in Asia. Candidates from the region are strongly encouraged to apply.

About us

Civil Rights Defenders is a politically and religiously independent international human rights organisation. We defend people’s civil and political rights in some of the world’s most repressive regions. We partner with and support human rights defenders in more than 300 organisations in 50 countries on four continents. Together with our partners, we hold those in power accountable when people’s civil or political rights are violated.
We also act as Sweden’s civil rights watchdog. Civil Rights Defenders has around 100 staff members working in various functions towards our vision – a world of democratic societies in which we all enjoy our civil and political rights. Our headquarter is located in Stockholm, and we have eight branch offices around the world. Learn more about our work at crd.org.