Apply by: April 12, 2015
Organization: Southeast Asian Press Alliance
SEAPA is looking for an Executive Director to lead its Secretariat office in Bangkok, Thailand. The position is open to eligible and qualified nationals of Southeast Asia to be based at its Secretariat office in Bangkok, Thailand.
Position: Executive Director
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Deadline for applications: 12 April 2015
Duration: 3 years, subject to renewal
Duties and Responsibilities
The Executive Director (ED) will be the head of the Secretariat and oversees and administers the operations of the network, and manages the staff and other personnel of the Secretariat. The ED is responsible for implementing all resolutions and policies of the Board of Trustees and report regularly to its members. The Executive Director reports to SEAPA’s Board of Trustees.
The work of the Secretariat is guided by strategic plans and the current one ends in March 2016. The ED will be responsible for organising an independent evaluation of the current strategic period and preparing the next strategic plan for SEAPA for the period 2016-2019.
Specific Responsibilities
- Prepare strategic plans for SEAPA and raise adequate funds related to SEAPA activities and initiate new projects
- Supervise all of SEAPA’s work to ensure that SEAPA achieves its mission and strategic objectives and strengthens existing and new strategic partnerships
- Lead and motivate staff and personnel at the Secretariat to ensure they work efficiently and amicably
- Strengthen SEAPA’s financial position through fundraising and effective financial management
- Oversee program, projects and activities to ensure they meet SEAPA’s goals and objectives as well as reporting schedules
- Ensure the smooth operations of all SEAPA activities by coordinating with staff, Board of Trustees Members, member organisations, donors, and international organisations
- Provide guidance and inputs for staff to organise conferences and training courses and other campaign activities
- Manage and prepare periodic reports for the Board of Trustees and donors
- Represent the organisation in regional and international forums and through media outreach
- Oversee SEAPA external communications (including editing content prior to release and publication) and prepare editorials and articles to raise the international profile of the organization
- Travel regularly to the region and beyond to follow up on SEAPA activities and catch up with regional and international trends in advocacy and media development fields
- Develop and implement SEAPA’s Human Resources and Financial frameworks and manuals
- Oversee the development of SEAPA By-laws and membership rules, keeping it updated for relevance and viability
- Assist the Board of Trustees in conducting the regular members’ meeting, assemblies and governance procedures such as board meetings and elections of the Board of Trustees
- Strengthen and consolidate SEAPA’s legal status and foundation as a regional NGO
The employment duration is for three years starting May 2015. The successful candidate will be subject to a three-month probation and a performance evaluation to be conducted by the Board of Trustees.
As a registered organisation in Thailand, employees of the Secretariat will be subject to local labour and tax laws.
Salary and Benefits
- A competitive salary (in Thai Baht), and all necessary documentation, including work permit and visa
- Health, travel and accident insurance
- Provident fund and social security
- Other benefits in line with the SEAPA Employees Manual and Financial Management Guidelines.
Qualifications
Experience
- Between 6 and 10 years practical experience in the field of NGOs preferably in the field of media freedom, access to information, freedom of expression, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership/managerial position
- In depth understanding about the overall situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in the region with adequate knowledge of global trends including issues of digital rights and internet governance
- Demonstrated in-depth understanding of the implementation and application of international standards on media freedom and/or freedom of expression
- Good understanding about the history and the work of SEAPA
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in a related field : media, communication, journalism, human rights, law, political science, international relations, Asian studies, non-profit management. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and relevant experience may be considered where the candidate does not possess an advanced university degree.
Skills
- Good communication and public presentation skills in English.
- Strong capacity to conduct assessments, write reports, strategize and plan for the organization. Familiarity with results-based management tools is an advantage.
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Adequate technical and communications skills
Competence
- Responsible, highly motivated, independent and able to think critically
- Capable of supervising a team of 6-10 staff at the Secretariat and a number of external consultants and contractors
- Excellent leadership skills
- Committed to principles of international human rights, transparency and accountability
- Respect for gender equality and non-discrimination
Application Procedure
- Interested applicants are requested to send in an application letter together with an updated resume, two letters of recommendations and a personal statement to jobs@ seapa.org before 12 April 2015.
- Applications should be written in English
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Selection will be conducted and a decision made by early May 2015.
