Capacity Building Manager (CBM) – Reporting

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 30 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

KHRG is seeking a Capacity Building Manager (CBM) to support its Information Processing and Report-writing Team (IPRT). The ideal candidate would be interested in a 24-month commitment to the organisation. This position is based in Thailand. Candidates are expected to come to Thailand to work from KHRG’s office.

Main Responsibilities

1. Work with KHRG’s Information Processing and Report-writing Team (IPRT), and in close collaboration with the Information Processing and Report-writing Coordinator (IPRC), to process reports of human rights violations received from the field, analyse ongoing human rights issues in Southeast Burma/Myanmar, and produce a range of reports for publication. Tasks include:

• Ensuring that reports from the field are being analysed, edited and published using standardised processes.
• Overseeing the analysis of large quantities of human rights data to identify key human rights issues for publication in different report formats.
• Coordinating the research and writing of two large analytical reports per year.
• Drafting and editing briefing papers on critical issues for targeted advocacy.
• Working with local staff to ensure the quality, timeliness and relevance of all human rights reports.
• In collaboration with the IPRC, managing team workflow and monitoring team outputs; coordinating team activities and meetings; addressing issues and challenges within the team; and ensuring timely updates of team activities and challenges to other teams and the Programme and Field Directors.

1. Strengthen the reporting skills, documentation work and human rights knowledge of KHRG’s staff. Tasks include:

   • Creatively building the capacity of local staff through one-on-one trainings, group workshops, and the development of other training materials that enhance local staff’s professional skills and knowledge of human rights issues.
   • Training and supporting IPRT Research Fellows, including ensuring understanding of and adherence to KHRG editing and report-writing procedures, as well as KHRG’s documentation philosophy.
   • Supporting IPRT in refining the team’s annual work plan and monitoring and evaluation practices.
   • Supporting IPRT with training and feedback to field researchers, as well as with reviewing and updating KHRG documentation guidelines and philosophy.
   • Regularly reviewing and updating report-writing manuals and guidelines together with IPRT.

2. Work closely with KHRG’s Advocacy Team to:

   • Support two report launches a year for KHRG’s analytical reports by developing a press release, advocacy materials, talking points, PowerPoint presentations, and assisting in meetings with stakeholders.
   • Produce English language, non-public submissions to various UN agencies, governments, and other bodies.
   • Produce statements on critical human rights issues.
   • Monitor and track human rights data collected and published by KHRG.

3. Support the Human Resources Officer to recruit, train and support new staff. Tasks include:

   • Recruiting IPRT staff members in collaboration with the Human Resources Officer.
   • Providing orientation, training and support to staff to ensure they are completing all responsibilities, following KHRG report-writing policies and collaborating successfully with local and foreign staff.
   • Providing feedback and participating in the performance evaluation process of team members and other staff.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Participating in team and organisation-wide decision-making meetings.
2. Providing feedback to the IT Manager regarding KHRG’s website.
3. Supporting the IPRC in gathering data for donor reporting.
4. Participating in reviewing and updating existing KHRG human rights curriculum.
5. Representing the organisation in external meetings as needed.

The above list is not exhaustive. It will be expected that the post holder undertake any other task as reasonably assigned by the Programme Director.

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities

1. At least three years of proven experience in research, editing and report-writing, preferably in an NGO or human rights context.
2. Degree in international relations, human rights, social studies or a related field.
3. Knowledge about international human rights standards, mechanisms and practices, as well as ongoing debates in the field of human rights on displacement, development, conflict, transitional justice and related issues.
4. Excellent English writing and editing skills, and attention to detail.
5. Experience working with primary data in the context of qualitative research, including the use of qualitative data analysis software and the development of research tools (including qualitative interview guidelines).
6. Knowledge of research ethics and safeguarding.
7. Experience collecting and analysing human rights data.
8. Exceptional cross-cultural communication skills. Positive attitude, including patience, a willingness to be flexible, to take initiative and use problem-solving skills, and to accept feedback and make adjustments to improve performance. Ability to work independently and in teams in a multicultural working environment.
9. Teaching and facilitation skills, both in a one-on-one or on-the-job context and through organising formal lessons and trainings.
10. Self-motivated, self-disciplined, well-organised, and able to function under pressure, including in meeting deadlines and responding promptly to job-related tasks.
11. Experience in using monitoring and evaluation to improve organisational output.
12. Commitment to working in a capacity-building or support role in line with KHRG’s commitment to maintaining a Karen-led organisation.

Desirable knowledge, skills and abilities

1. Experience working/volunteering with a community-based organisation.
2. In-depth knowledge of the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar.
3. Experience undertaking research in conflict settings.
4. Some knowledge of Karen or Burmese languages.
5. Experience using project management tools and databases.
6. Experience using Canva, basic film-editing software, and Adobe’s Creative Suite, including Photoshop or InDesign.

Salary

KHRG is a local NGO consisting primarily of salaried staff. It operates on a consensus basis with all staff in our office taking part in management decision-making. KHRG has an egalitarian salary system which does not discriminate between local and expatriate staff. Salary raises are subject to performance, length of tenure and management meeting decisions. This is a salaried position and includes 4 weeks per year of paid vacation leave and health insurance. Other benefits can be discussed with applicants who are shortlisted for the position.