Apply by: April 7, 2015
Organization: United Nations Development Programme
UNDP recognizes the need for a democratic governance system that provides an enabling environment to empower communities, respect human rights, and protect the economic, cultural and natural wealth of the people especially the poor, women, indigenous peoples and other marginalized sectors. The law can have a profound impact on the lives of people – especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized. The true test of a humane society is reflected in its commitment to protect the rights of minorities.
Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) continue to be highly ostracized and stigmatized segments within many societies. They are not only rejected socially but further marginalized through legal and social frameworks that have cast them as criminals or deviants. In February 2011, the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law revealed that many Asian and Pacific countries continue to have laws and policies that directly or indirectly discriminate against or criminalize people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).
In 2006, the landmark Yogyakarta conference on the “Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” outlined the international human rights standards relating to SOGI, known as the Yogyakarta Principles. Since then, the rights of LGBT and intersex people are increasingly being given greater attention in the international human rights system. The UN Human Rights Council Joint Statements of 2006 and 2011 and the resolution on SOGI issues in 2011 are notable examples of how this has happened. Furthermore, the final report of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Resolutions 66/10 and 67/9 recommended that punitive and restrictive laws and policies targeting LGBTI people be addressed to reduce levels of social stigma, discrimination and violence.
The National Project Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative together with the DGSA Team Leader, as part of the Democratic Governance and Social Advocacy (DGSA) Team of UNDP Thailand.
Since the project is part of the “Being LGBT in Asia” regional initiative, the incumbent will also coordinate closely through monthly meetings with the Policy Advisor – HIV, Human Rights & Sexual Diversity from UNDP Regional Hub in Bangkok.
Type of Appointment: Service Contract (SC-8)
Organizational Unit: Democratic Governance and Social Advocacy (DGSA)
Remuneration: Starting Baht 952,140 net per annum
Duration of Contract: 1 year (Renewable subject to good performance and availability of funds)
Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand
Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Officer will undertake the following tasks:
1. Project Support to effectively implement Being LGBT in Asia Phase 2 in Thailand:
- Provide programmatic support on all project activities;
- Implement and manage work plan activities;
- Monitor grants disbursed to CBOs and follow up the progress of their activities;
- Prepare and submit progress, annual and final reports as required by BRH;
- Provide translation, including editing, as required.
2. Technical Support to effectively implement an annual workplan
Under the guidance of the Country Office, the project officer will focus on achieving the following results:
- Organize national/local dialogues and consultations;
- Support the development of national human rights and advocacy publications;
- Coordinate with partners, stakeholders and grant recipients;
- Update issue logs and keep abreast of the expertise and information needed in support of the implementation of project activities;
- Identify local experts to support project activities at the country level;
- Support works relating to HIV, human rights and governance to BRH and the country office.
3. Knowledge Management and Communications:
- Assist in use of new media tools that are innovative, replicable and impactful while generating learning and knowledge;
- Disseminate knowledge, multimedia and new technology products and resources;
- Manage information and communications initiatives at the country level;
- Provide materials for updates to the website;
- Engage with local media and promote stories on human rights and SOGI issues;
- Organize and facilitate visits/interviews with media and other stakeholders;
- Participate in workshops, meetings, conferences relevant to the project;
- Take meeting minutes as required.
4. Other Duties
Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the Deputy Resident Representative and the DGSA Team Leader
Competencies:
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
- Demonstrates integrity by respecting the Being LGBT in Asia’s vision, values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
- Self-development, initiative-taking;
- Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
- Informed and transparent decision making.
Functional Competencies:
- Excellent communications, networking and advocacy skill;
- Ability to work as a team member and also coordinate and negotiate with others;
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
- Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position (LGBT and human rights issues);
- Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
- Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
- Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
Client Orientation
- Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
- Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
- Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
- Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
- Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation.
Building Strategic Partnerships
- Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
- Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in law, human rights, public policy, political sciences, international relations, international development, or other relevant field (preferably a Master’s Degree).
Work Experience:
- At least actual 3 years of work experience in project planning and implementation for Master’s degree holder and at least 5 years of work experience for Bachelor’s degree holder;
- At least 2 years of work experience at professional level in development and/or human rights area will be an asset;
- Understanding of human rights, SOGI issues, Challenges faced by the LGBT community;
- Experience working with NGO/CSO/GO on human rights issues will be an asset.
Language Requirement:
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Thai is required.
Other Requirement:
- Demonstrate strong familiarity with development projects and/or UNDP programmes in Thailand;
- Excellent inter-personal and team building skills;
- Full-time availability for project management duties is essential;
- Familiar with Government and UNDP procedures is highly desirable;
- Literacy in Window-based computer applications;
- Good research, analytical and writing skills.
Interested candidates should submit applications online with UN Personal History Form (P11) by 7 April 2015 at:
http://www.th.undp.org/content/thailand/en/home/operations/jobs.html
Qualified men and women are all equally encouraged to apply.
Only short listed candidates will be notified.