Programme Manager (Myanmar)

Application deadline closed.

Job Description

Legal Action Worldwide

Description

THE POSITION

LAW is an independent, non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists working in fragile and conflict affected areas in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. LAW has a particular focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, the rule of law and accountability and transformative justice - working to bring justice to those who need it most. LAW’s portfolio includes multiple ground-breaking cases, which utilise creative legal strategies on behalf of victims and survivors from some of the most challenging contexts, representing more than 1000 clients.  LAW’s ground-breaking work has received international media coverage, including in the New York Times, the Times of London, the Guardian, Al-Jazeera, BBC News, France24, The Independent, Voice of America, Huffington Post and Foreign Policy.

LAW seeks a Programme Manager to lead its new Myanmar Programme. The Programme Manager will lead the implementation of an exciting new programme focused on documentation of conflict-related sexual violence, and other serious human rights violations and international crimes, inside Myanmar. This programme will work closely with international and local partners to investigate military conduct perpetrated against the country’s minority communities, as well as conduct against the Burmese ethnic majority since the 2021 unlawful military coup d’etat. Working closely with LAW’s senior management team, the successful candidate will develop and implement advocacy and fundraising strategies while ensuring a survivor-centred approach throughout programme implementation.

KEY INFORMATION

  • Where? The position will be based in Geneva, Switzerland, or (residence permitting) Bangkok, Thailand. This position is funded on a full-time basis on a 12-month Contract. Extension is possible subject to funding.
  • Salary: Competitive salary and rates apply.
  • Role Overview and Responsibility: The Programme Manager will deliver and further develop, LAW’s Myanmar programme, focused on the documentation of CRSV in Myanmar. The successful candidate will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme

Develop and maintain strong relationships with key actors including national and international civil society, UN bodies (including the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar and the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar);

  • Ensure project implementation in accordance with proposals, budgets, LAW policies, procedures and donor regulations;
  • Oversee the delivery of LAW’s work in the field, ensuring high quality programming and robust monitoring and evaluation methodologies (including through engagement with external monitoring and evaluation);
  • Oversee the development and implementation of a capacity-building strategy for grassroots actors in Myanmar;
  • Provide leadership in LAW’s work with survivors of gender-based violence, utilising a survivor-centred approach;
  • Develop an advocacy strategy and design products that can be shared with both internal and external stakeholders, based on evidence gathered from the programmes;
  • Ensure high-quality legal advice where required, through engagement with senior international lawyers and law firms;
  • Lead and coordinate research, legal advocacy efforts and identify strategic cases and other legal interventions;
  • Ensure that all donor deadlines for reporting and revisions are met within the deadlines;
  • Coordinate with LAW’s Senior Management Team, and other programme managers as needed.

 Finance Management and Accountability

  • Develop a fundraising strategy to identify opportunities to ensure the sustainability and expansion of programmes;
  • Prepare budgets and oversee programme expenditure, ensuring accurate projections of spend and implementation of expenditure plans;
  • Ensure compliance with LAW policies and procedures, as well as donor regulations.

 Advocacy and Communications:

 Develop the profile and visibility of the programme and represent LAW on national and regional platforms;

  • Establish networks with local NGO and Government bodies and participate in coordination mechanisms at a regional and international level;
  • Ensure that website and social media content related to the programme is up-to-date and engaging;
  • Contribute to LAW’s advocacy tools, including factsheets and annual reporting.
  • Develop and implement a high-level advocacy strategy in line with global priorities that engages national, regional institutions and the international community.

People Management

 Lead the team effectively, ensuring high-calibre staff are recruited and retained;

  • Create an enabling environment for innovation and high-performance, ensuring staff are appropriately supervised.
  • Develop work-plans, which ensure training and development opportunities;
  • Ensure LAW is compliant with all relevant legal requirements relating to employment law, safeguarding, security, health and safety, with support from the Director of Operations and Head of Human Resources.

 Any other duties as specified by management

ABOUT YOU

 Masters degree in law and/or human rights;

  • Demonstrated 5 years’ experience in international humanitarian law, human rights law, justice and accountability, criminal law, or refugee law;
  • Experience managing consortia with diverse membership, including grassroots members;
  • Track record of working across insecure or conflict-affected and fragile environments;
  • Demonstrated experience in programme /project management, including planning, design, M&E, and budget management;
  • Experience representing vulnerable individuals, with experience in cases of sexual and gender-based violence preferred;
  • Experience working in INGO in a similar role, working directly with at risk clients or beneficiaries, preferably survivors of sexual and gender-based violence;
  • Ability of active listening and analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment;
  • Experience interviewing survivors and witnesses of international crimes and human rights abuses;
  • Demonstrated experience in gathering evidence for, or otherwise contributing to international legal proceedings.
  • Experience managing a large and variable workload, and meeting tight deadlines;
  • Excellent research and drafting skills;
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English and local languages;
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (word, excel, powerpoint, outlook)

Desired Criteria:

 Experience working in humanitarian contexts, preferably with displaced populations;

  • Understanding of protection and displacement issues in the Southeast Asian context, preferably the context of Myanmar;
  • Experience in fundraising for legal projects in complex or conflict-affected environments;

HOW TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is 14 October 2022.

Please submit your CV and covering letter outlining how your previous experience and skills match this role (neither exceeding 2 pages of A4) to: recruitment@legalactionworldwide.org. The heading of the application should read ‘Programme Manager Myanmar’

At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately. Women with experience representing at-risk clients are particularly encouraged to apply.

To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org