Derechos: Human Rights Listings

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

FORUM-ASIA (FA) is a membership-based regional non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights including the right to development. Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA strives to empower people by advocating social justice, sustainable human development, poverty eradication, participatory democracy, gender equality, peace and human security.

As a regional platform, it seeks to facilitate dialogue, capacity building, and networking, among human rights defenders, civil society actors and organisations in Asia.

FORUM-ASIA, as a NGO in Consultative Status with the UN, also promotes cooperation with governments, inter-governmental organisations and the UN for the betterment of people's lives and the full respect of human dignity.

FORUM-ASIA believes in the equal value of all people, mutual respect and participatory approaches in its work.

ABOUT MEKONG COUNTRIES PROGRAMME

Mekong Country Programme aims to promote and protect human rights of people in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in the Mekong region by carrying out activities such as monitoring, campaigning, advocacy, networking as well as human rights training. The Programme focuses on the advancement of all human rights – civil, cultural, economic, political and social – including the right to development of all peoples, in particular, those who are marginalized and vulnerable in political and economic development processes. The Programme is expected to enhance democratic governance in the country by strengthening the role of civil society and human rights defenders.

Five Modes of Operation in Country Programme - Advocacy and Lobbying (Meet diplomats, UN and government officials. Issue press release and briefing paper) - Monitoring and Documentation (Read up-to-date news and information daily. Issue reports. Respond to issues as necessary or requested) - Campaigning, Networking and Coalition Building (Organize demonstrations, carry out public-awareness campaigns, provide forum to national, regional and international members and partners) - Capacity-Building and Training (Carry out national or regional level training for those in human rights field) - Research and Analysis (Short-term and long-term research on topics to be explored)

Reports to: Mekong Countries Programme Coordinator

Coordinates with: Mekong Countries Programme works closely with other country programmes in Southeast Asia as well as regional advocacy programme focusing on ASEAN. The Programme also collaborates with all programmes such as UN Advocacy, Thematic Programmes including Ethnic Minorities in Southeast Asia (EM-SEA) project.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Purpose of Position: To provide assistance in logistics, communications, campaign and research for the Programme at the FA Secretariat. 1. PROGRAMME SUPPORT - Monitor daily news and information updates from various sources for the 3 countries. - Assist in lobbying meetings and strategic planning meetings with other Programmes in the Secretariat. - Carry out short-term research and assist in drafting urgent appeals, press release, and public statement. - Assist in preparing for a mission or any particular event. - Provide support in responding to emergencies in the countries. - Assist in maintaining and developing efficient Programme database system 2. COMMUNICATION SUPPORT - Assist the Programme Coordinator and Information and Communication Team in preparing information, presentations, publications and articles, for the Secretariat, website and public. - Assist in managing all routine information/ coordination requests from the public and from other FA Programmes.

STIPEND AND LEAVES Subject to satisfactory performance, intern could be provided a stipend of 5000 Thai Baht per month. Intern is entitled to no special leave but all the local public holidays only.

Qualification:
REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in political science, international relations, development studies, Southeast Asia studies, and/or equivalent work experience. EXPERIENCE AND CORE COMPETENCIES: 1. Some working experience in a development, non-profit or an equivalent setting. 2. Full proficiency in English 3. Excellent written and oral communication skills. 4. Demonstrated competence with Microsoft Office, Outlook and relational databases. Ability to learn new software programmes. 5. Strong administrative and organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to set priorities among multiple tasks and requests and make decisions about how to handle them, take initiative, and use sound judgment. 6. Ability to analyse and solve problems and research work-related issues. 7. Ability to take responsibility for assigned tasks and to achieve intended results. 8. Ability to work as a member of a team that has multiple sites of operation and work effectively in multi-cultural settings. 9. Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy and work of FORUM-ASIA. PREFERRED: Ability to communicate in Khmer, Lao, or Vietnamese.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE Those who are interested in the job are requested to fill in the Internship Application Form (or alternatively cover letter and resume)and return the form by email together with two sample writings to: applications@forum-asia.org AND mekong@forum-asia.org Successful candidate will be called for an interview.

Contact Information:
Mekong Countries Programme
Email:
mekong@forum-asia.org
Apply by:
August 25, 2006