CONSULTANT “Strengthening regional advocacy for the legal and social protection of Rohingya refugees”

ASIA PACIFIC REFUGEE RIGHTS NETWORK (APRRN)

APRRN is a network of more than 250 civil society organisations and individuals from 28 countries, committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific region. The network is supported by a secretariat of six staff, based in Bangkok. APRRN’s activities are structured into key areas of information sharing, mutual capacity building, and joint advocacy.

Our members are diverse, including service providers, human rights advocacy groups, research institutions, law firms providing pro bono legal aid, refugee community-based organisations, and refugees themselves. Almost all APRRN members are civil society groups working in their specific local contexts, lobbying their governments for changes in policies and legislation to protect the rights of refugees.

APRRN’s vision for the Asia Pacific region is one in which all people affected by displacement and statelessness have equal and adequate access to assistance and protection and to timely durable solutions as needed. Our goal is to work towards a future in which refugee communities, civil society, States, UNHCR, and other actors collaborate effectively towards the common purpose of protection.

APRRN CONSULTANT

The ideal candidate will have:

• Substantial experience in working with Rohingya refugee issues in the Asia region
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated experience in engaging with people in cross-cultural contexts
• Experience in organizing logistics and budgets around events and programmes, as well as reporting on deliverables in line with donor requirements
• Proven writing skills in drafting NGO statements, press releases, briefing papers, and in taking minutes of meetings

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Program Coordinator, the main focus of the Consultant is to support and to contribute to all work of the APRRN Rohingya Working Group. The Consultant will also be expected to engage with the wider work of the Secretariat ensuring appropriate focus on Rohingya issues and response to donor and other requirements. Responsibilities include:

Program Support – Rohingya Working Group

▪ Organize and implement regional meetings with FRDP/APRRN members, and other stakeholders.

▪ Organize and implement related roundtables, workshops, events, and activities as laid out in the Rohingya Working Group plan and funding proposal. Oversee implementation of the related projects.

▪ Manage logistics for meetings, training, and workshops including flights, hotels, and other support as required.

▪ Provide coordination and other support as required to the Rohingya Working Group.

Program Support – General

▪ Engage and assist FRDP/APRRN program activities as required under the direction of the Program Coordinator.

▪ Engage and assist FRDP/APRRN Secretariat activities as required under the direction of the Regional Director.

Communication

▪ Liaise with donors, external partners, and stakeholders as required.

▪ Represent FRDP/APRRN in various fora as directed by the Coordinator or Regional Director, or by the Chair of the Rohingya Working Group.

▪ Produce press releases, briefing updates, and other public documentation as appropriate.

▪ Fulfill secretariat duties, such as agenda setting, minuting, and reporting, in relevant meetings, round tables, and other events.

▪ Ensure timely reports on activities in line with donor requirements and FRDP/APRRN standards.

Finance and administration

▪ Produce detailed and accurate budgets for activities falling under the remit of the position.

▪ Provide accurate and timely reporting on expenditure in accordance with FRDP financial procedures.

▪ Review and contribute to financial budgets and reports and draft narrative reports for donors.

▪ Assist in the fundraising process where required.

▪ Manage financial logistics for projects falling under the remit of the position.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in international relations, law, politics, development or social sciences disciplines
• Good understanding of the overall socio-political as well as human rights situation in the Asia Pacific region
• Some formal training in refugee and human rights (preferred)

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years work experience in promoting and protecting the human rights of forced migrants (refugees, internally displaced people, and/or stateless people)
• Comprehensive understanding of the overall socio-political situation and the human rights concerns regarding Rohingya populations in exile
• Interest and experience in coordinating advocacy policy at national, regional, and international levels
• Experience coordinating multiple diverse stakeholders

Skills

• Demonstrable command of oral and written English, fluency in an Asian language a plus
• Diplomatic and able to maintain good relations with APRRN members and other stakeholders
• Excellent planning, coordination, logistical and financial management skills
• Ability to engage challenges as they arise with sound judgment, realistic response, and good humor
• Ability to multi-task and set own priorities while managing competing deadlines
• Demonstrable ability to work independently with limited supervision and high self-motivation

Desired

• Experience of forced displacement. This may include, but is not limited to, current and former refugees, people seeking asylum, stateless persons, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). We are especially interested in applications from women, LGBTIQ+ persons, persons living with disabilities, and others who have commonly experienced social or employment exclusion.
• Experience working with Rohingya populations

Other relevant information

• Willingness and ability to travel within the region, as required, including to insecure locations
• South and Southeast Asian candidates are encouraged to apply for this position.
• Dependent upon funding and future priorities and activities under the Rohingya Working Group, there may be a possibility of an extension of the position