Women of Burma Trainer/Intern

Start date: ASAP

ALTSEAN-Burma (the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma), a Bangkok-based human rights group, works with a broad range of people from Southeast Asia and beyond to promote the cause of human rights and democracy in Burma.

We are looking for a resilient and committed woman to join the training team as an intern for twelve (12) months, carrying out the duties listed below while maintaining a sense of humor. At the end of the internship, a fulltime job will be offered to the successful candidate, depending on performance, team dynamics and funding. Women candidates who have experience volunteering or working in the Burma movement or other human rights movements will be at an advantage. This position is reserved for female candidates only, as some of our trainees are women who have been exposed to serious human rights violations, and would feel more confident sharing with a female trainer.

Group 43 of the Women of Burma interns will begin training on 1 September 2022 and are scheduled to finish in January 2023. We are seeking a candidate to begin as soon as possible. Due to the ongoing pandemic and coup, training is facilitated online; however, the trainer will be working from the ALTSEAN office in Bangkok.

This position will give the successful applicant the opportunity to contribute directly to the capacity development of young activists who work in challenging conditions for human rights in Burma. This position will suit an individual who is highly efficient, comfortable working in close collaboration with a team of diverse people, willing to work long hours, and able to observe the strict discipline and security protocols of the office. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language would be a definite advantage.

DUTIES:

The Women of Burma Training Intern, under the guidance of the management, will be the “anchor” of this program and primarily responsible for the smooth execution of our Women of Burma Internship Program which has been running continuously since 1997. Please note that the successful applicant will be the main role model of the women of Burma interns and therefore should embody the dedication, efficiency, and qualities oriented to pro-active communication, problem-solving and dialogue.

1. Organize the classes and activities for each group of interns, utilizing our Batch Planner tool. Coordinate with colleagues, guest instructors and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the training and exposure plan for each group.
2. Deliver classes to the Burmese women interns on a range of topics aimed at developing participants’ knowledge of diverse human rights topics, and skills such as research, writing and presentation, advocacy and project cycle management, and critical thinking. Specific assignments will depend on the successful applicant’s level of knowledge and confidence. The Training Intern will be expected to train for 17-25 hours per week. There are already lesson plans and modules for all topics listed, but occasionally they may need to be updated. New modules will be created according to the needs of the interns.
3. Mentor Women of Burma interns through the complete Project Cycle Management process. The participants are expected to design and implement every aspect of a mini advocacy project utilizing the Project Cycle Management and Advocacy modules of the program. This requires not only teaching the interns the process in theory but also guiding them through each step in practice. This is one of the main priorities of the program and will take up more a significant amount of class time. There are already lesson plans for these classes, but updates may be necessary according to each batch.
4. Other duties relevant to the Women of Burma Internship and Alumni program include:
   1. Daily management of the Women of Burma internship and the well-being of the interns;
   2. Correction of interns’ homework, assignments and time sheets;
   3. Implementation of Women of Burma interns’ outings in compliance with security protocols (when in-person sessions are reactivated);
   4. Recruitment of new Women of Burma interns including review of application forms and participation in interviews;
   5. Maintain contact with Women of Burma Alumni through Facebook page and track their progress;
   6. Assist with report-writing or other additional tasks as requested.
5. Develop, review, and update the curriculum, training materials, and lesson plans for the Women of Burma Internship program, with the support of the Coordinator. This work will require research and writing modules on a range of topics.

WOB Alumni Refresher Courses:

Every 2 years, ALTSEAN conducts “refresher courses” for alumni of this program, in order to provide “top-up” skills and knowledge, and group mentoring. The content is often nominated by participants. The successful candidate is expected to assist in the design and implementation of such courses. No refreshers are planned for 2022, however it is likely that in-person refreshers for groups that completed their courses online will commence in late 2023 or early 2024.

Work on CoupWatch and thematic briefers:

As the Atrocity Prevention Fellow who commenced work on 1 July 2022 has significant training experience with women from Burma, there exists an opportunity to share tasks associated with the WOB program with her, in exchange for research and writing tasks for the CoupWatch and thematic briefers.

TERMS OF CONTRACT:

• Duration of 12 months. The successful applicant may be offered a fulltime position after 12 months, subject to work performance, team dynamics and funding.
• Minimum of 40 working hours per week, excluding public holidays. The training intern is required to be on-call two weekends per month when the interns are in Bangkok.
• 12 working days annual leave per 12 months.
• Breakfast and lunch available free of charge at the office on workdays.

During 3 month probation period:

• Title: “Training Intern”
• Monthly allowance of (Thai Baht) THB 11,000.
• Reimbursement of up to THB 10,000 during the 3 month probation period for visa-related expenses (receipts necessary for reimbursements). The intern is expected to cover all initial visa and travel related expenses to Thailand prior to the commencement of the internship.
• Subsidized accommodation provided in a furnished room at the office or at an apartment used for security storage, depending on availability of either option, for the course of the probation period.

After satisfactory completion of 3 month probation intern will:

• Receive title upgrade to “Women of Burma Trainer”
• Receive a monthly living allowance of THB 11,000 and a monthly visa allowance of THB 13,000 on a cash-in-hand basis (THB 23,000 net per month). They will henceforth be responsible for their own accommodation and visa expenses.
• Receive on 1 July and 1 January, the equivalent of THB 500/month cash in hand contribution to health insurance for the months already worked.
• Be able to claim reimbursement to a maximum THB 500 /month for health expenditures (subject to production of receipts for allowed expenditure – medical, dental, medicines, vitamins, contraception, and therapeutic massage). Unused health allowance can accumulate and be claimed for larger bills incurred. Staff have the option of requesting that this amount be used to top up the contribution to health insurance.

COVID-19 Note:

• This position is based in Bangkok. The successful candidate will be required to fund their own travel to Bangkok. A small subsidy will be available to reimburse costs associated with COVID tests, travel insurance, and quarantine (if necessary).
• ALTSEAN-Burma provides masks and sanitizers to staff. Staff are expected to maintain their vaccination status and refrain from activities that put them at risk of being infected or infecting others.