Position Title: Local Engagement, Action, and Dialogue (LEAD) Program Manager

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand (Travel Required)

Reports To: Southeast Asia Regional Director

Start Date: As Soon as Possible

Duration: Two Years, Renewable

Application Deadline: October 25, 2019

EarthRights International is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, which we define as “earth rights.” We are looking for an experienced Program Manager to lead our work on Local Engagement, Action, and Dialogue (LEAD) project, which aims to support local communities in the Mekong region impacted by large scale private sector development to lead their community’s negotiation processes with private sector, government and other stakeholders. The project is part of EarthRights’ work on business and human rights. The position is based in Thailand and requires frequent travel in the Mekong region.

Summary Description

EarthRights International’s LEAD program is a new initiative, which aims to support communities throughout the Mekong region to develop comprehensive strategies around access to information, participation, and addressing harms caused by business activities. The initiative aims to equip communities impacted by large development projects, as well as EarthRights School (ERS) alumni and partners, with both the technical tools and advocacy and organizing skills needed to engage directly with corporations and governments. The program seeks to integrate individual community-led tools into a single resource so that communities can effectively develop and implement advocacy actions that are in line with their specific needs and priorities, and that will be effective regardless of whether the community accepts or rejects a project.

The primary purpose of the LEAD Program Manager is to support the refinement of the resource, develop a scale-up plan, and coordinate implementation and learning opportunities for EarthRights’ LEAD project in the Mekong region. The LEAD Program Manager oversees the implementation of the tools and identifies areas for adaptation and improvement in order to effectively serve the relevant communities. The Program Manager also serves as the organizational expert and resource for LEAD, helping EarthRights staff, EarthRights School Alumni, and partners to understand how and when to use the tools in the toolkit.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lead and manage EarthRights LEAD program planning and implementation and ensure that all components are delivered on time to agreed plans and budgets and to the highest standards.
Review national, regional, and global policies and best practices on business and human rights, Operational Grievance Mechanisms (OGMs), as well as advise on how community engagements could be strengthened locally, nationally, regionally, and internationally.
Work closely with EarthRights’ global policy and Campaign and Legal teams on finding ways to cross learn and strengthen influence; serve as the organizational resource on community-led dialogues and the toolkit.
Work closely with EarthRights’ Campaigns, Legal, and Training teams to ensure the LEAD Project Toolkit is developed and integrated into community campaigns in a contextually-appropriate, gender-sensitive manner.
Network with external stakeholders and stay up to date with innovative approaches in the field of corporate community engagement.
Lead the development and/or refinement of individual LEAD tools, and add additional tools into the toolkit as relevant; conduct focus groups and seek feedback on draft materials.
Synthesize existing LEAD tools into a single toolkit that is replicable and adaptable to different contexts in the Mekong region; create case studies based on the utilization of LEAD tools in EarthRights’ campaign areas for inclusion in the toolkit, in collaboration with EarthRights staff working on the campaigns.
Collaborate closely with EarthRights staff to incorporate LEAD approach and resources into existing community campaigns, with a special focus on the specific contexts of each community.
Support local staff in country offices with community engagement, including project inputs, outreach, and learning.
Oversee implementation of LEAD tools in EarthRights community campaign areas, in close collaboration with the relevant EarthRights staff.
Strategize with EarthRights staff, partners, and communities with whom we work to understand how LEAD activities would be useful to them and identify opportunities to integrate LEAD toolkit into their initiatives.
Conduct regular formal and informal assessments with EarthRights staff and partners on the implementation of the tools, and incorporate the feedback into the design.
Develop and implement training on LEAD for EarthRights School students, Mekong Legal Advocacy Institute (MLAI) participants, members of the Myanmar Environmental Lawyers Network (MELN), and other close partners and networks.
Conduct formal and informal trainings and strategy sessions with all teams, in collaboration with EarthRights staff, on the materials and how to use them with the communities they serve.
Provide continued support for the Community Driven Operational Grievance Mechanism (CD-OGM) pilot project in Thilawa, Myanmar, as a cornerstone component of the LEAD toolkit.
Participate in the design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and plans, and collaborate with relevant EarthRights staff to capture achievements.
Support grant application and management, including regular reporting of project activities internally and externally.
Work with relevant staff, including the Regional Director, with fundraising initiatives.
Represent EarthRights at various national, regional, and international meetings, trainings, forums, and conferences, and widely share the LEAD approach and toolkit.
Work closely with EarthRights School Global team to incorporate the LEAD tools into the EarthRights School training curriculum; conduct a course on LEAD for EarthRights School students.
Collaborate with EarthRights’ Communications team on the design and communications strategy of the toolkit, including dissemination plans.

Required Skills and Experience

Degree in anthropology, law, international development, or other relevant fields. Advanced degree desirable but not required
Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken) is essential for this position. Other Mekong languages are highly desirable
Experience in successful project management, including planning, monitoring and evaluation, and financial management
Experience working in the field of business and human rights, environment, and/or international development focusing on private sector engagement, corporate social responsibility, etc.
Knowledge and experience developing and implementing participatory and community-led tools (community protocols, participatory EIAs, community monitoring, etc.), and implementing community outreach tools and plans
Ability to synthesize complex information into understandable formats for multiple audiences, especially for local communities, businesses, and government stakeholders
Experience engaging with and influencing government and corporate actors
Demonstrated experience supporting constructive community-corporate engagement, especially in the resolution of grievances, like OGMs
Understands the political, social, economic, and cultural contexts in the Mekong region and has a demonstrated ability to analyze policies and laws, and apply this to their work
Experience preparing, monitoring, and managing budgets
Experience managing and developing staff
Strong understanding of gender issues and how to incorporate these into LEAD initiatives
Experience in community organizing
Excellent interpersonal skills with positive and professional attitude
Track record of building strong relationships with a wide range of local and international partners
Ability to work on own initiative, guide staff, and manage time effectively
Experience living or working in the Mekong countries

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email their cover letter describing their interest in the position along with a CV to the following email address apply-sea@earthrights.org by October 25, 2019.

Be sure to use “LEAD Program Manager” as your subject line when submitting application materials.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.

Job Email id: hrmanager(at)earthrights.org