Policy & Advocacy Officer

EoI Number I06: ISEAN Policy & Advocacy Officer (PAO)
Issuance Date: November 11, 2013
ISEAN-Hivos-GF-R10-HIV/AIDS

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The Islands of Southeast Asia Network on Male and Transgender Sexual Health (ISEAN) and the Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (Hivos) jointly implemented the ISEAN Hivos Program supported by Global Fund Round 10. This program has the main goal of reducing the risks, vulnerability and impact of HIV and AIDS on the lives of MSM and transgender people in Island Southeast Asian Nations. It intends to address critical gaps in supporting and scaling up activities that reduce HIV/AIDS among MSMs and TGs in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor Leste. Hivos, as the Principal Recipient of the grant under the ISEAN-Hivos Program Global Fund Round 10 anticipates its Phase 2 of implementation from October, 2013 to September, 2016.

In this regard, ISEAN is seeking applications for ISEAN Policy & Advocacy Officer (PAO) who will work remotely and report to the network’s office in Jakarta, Indonesia.

As the ISEAN Policy & Advocacy Officer (PAO), you will be working under the direct supervision of the ISEAN Regional Program Manager (RPM) and in close collaboration with the ISEAN Board Members, other secretariat staff and partners. You will be responsible for following activities:
1. Advise and contribute to the formulation and implementation of ISEAN’s Policy and Advocacy framework and regional strategy;
2. Support ISEAN’s member networks and community leaders in the development and implementation of their advocacy strategies;
3. Contribute to the development, implementation and documentation of work plans, budgets and achievement of organizational performance targets;
4. Carry out field visits and participate in program monitoring and evaluations in line with work plans;
5. Identify, research, and analyze regional and national government policy issues related in MSM, transgender people and HIV.
6. Prepare statements, policy papers and reports related to ISEAN’s strategic objectives;
7. Research the regional policy environment for MSM and Transgender People and identify existing synergies and potential gaps, and by obtaining information on policies and procedures of other territories and/or organizations;
8. Provide advocacy support in organizing regional and national coordination meetings, including liaising with participants on events, meeting, training and workshops;
9. Contribute to documenting and disseminating project-related best practices and lessons learnt.
10. Advice and support the development of partnership collaboration with UN agencies and other stakeholders;
11. Where appropriate, and in consultation with ISEAN management, enhance ISEAN’s standing various regional government and non-government forums, i.e., related to MSM and Transgender issues based on the Visions, Missions and Goals of ISEAN;
12. Maintain relationships and coordinate campaigns with NGOs, bilateral and multilateral organizations; participate in public health and human rights discussions, and promote discourse on health and human rights policy issues that focuses on MSM and Transgender People;
13. Provide content for key communications material including website, press statements, and annual report;
14. Create and maintain internal systems, including contact lists, diaries of upcoming events and opportunities and other databases in collaboration with other ISEAN staff; and
15. Assist in other tasks of the ISEAN, as required.

Qualifications/Requirements
• A citizen or permanent resident of one of the ISEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines or Timor Leste.
• Education: A formal diploma or university degree, or similar competency in any related fields, preferably in social science, development studies, public health, and management studies would be considered helpful. Sound knowledge about sexual health and HIV preferred.
• Language: Excellent English writing and reading skills are essential, with high-level of proficiency in spoken English. Native speaker of an ISEAN language is preferred (Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Filipino, Tatum, Chinese or Tamil)
• Experience: Relevant professional or personal experience in policy and advocacy, and familiar with regional and national human rights framework across the ASEAN countries. Demonstrated experience working as part of a remote team.
• Skills: High level of community connectivity (understand the dynamic of communities of MSM and transgender people). Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in using software and social media platforms to produce documents and other communications collateral.
• Self-motivated, outgoing personality and a passion for communities of MSM and transgender people.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter (Title: ISEAN Policy & Advocacy Officer) accompanied by full resume stating details of educational qualifications and working experience, before November 17, 2013 to:
admin@isean.asia

ISEAN encourages those who are under the age of 30 and identity as either gay, men who have sex with men, transgender or PLHIV to apply.