Senior Capacity Development and Policy Engagement Officer

About the organisation

Cardno is a global consulting organisation that manages projects for major donors, delivering aid work in various disciplines such as education, health, governance, resource and environment management and infrastructure. Our work expands across Europe, Latin and North America, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. With over 6,000 staff worldwide, our vision is to be a world leader in the provision of professional services to improve the physical and social environment.

About the program:

ASEAN–Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEAN-ACT) continues Australia’s long running collaboration with ASEAN and its member states to end human trafficking in the region. The program is a ten-year investment principally working with strengthening the justice sector response to trafficking in persons, while advancing the rights of victims. The program aims to establish new partnerships with allied government agencies, civil society and business. We engage with all 10 ASEAN Member States in some capacity and have national-level programming in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar (currently on hold), the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Program Outcomes

The overarching goal that ASEAN-ACT contributes to is that ASEAN member states have effective justice systems that provide just punishment of traffickers and protect the rights of victims. Three interrelated end-of-program outcomes (EOPOs) contribute to the achievement of this goal by 2028:

> EOPO1: ASEAN’s planning, monitoring, and reporting of the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) implementation is increasingly effective and advances the protection of victim rights.

> EOPO2: ASEAN member state justice and related state agencies are increasingly capable of implementing their ACTIP obligations, in particular those that uphold victim rights.

> EOPO3: ASEAN member state justice and related state agencies’ policies and practices are influenced by relevant stakeholders and better aligned with ACTIP, especially in connection to victim rights obligations.

Overview

The ASEAN-ACT Country Work Plan in Thailand began implementation in 2019. The work plan includes six targeted projects focusing on enhancing the capacity of the Thai justice sector to strengthen its response to trafficking in persons (TIP) and implement its obligations under the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP). The projects cover the following areas and work with below counterparts:

> Court of Justice – TIP adjudication including victim-sensitive courts

> Office of the Attorney General – TIP prosecution and victim-centred approach

> Royal Thai Police and Department of Special Investigation – investigative cooperation

> Cross-agency CTIP cooperation

> Division of Anti–Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security – victim protection and support

> Protection of the victims’ rights throughout justice process

In addition, ASEAN-ACT Thailand also supports implementation of activities at the ASEAN regional level and with several civil society partners based in Thailand.

Roles and responsibilities

The Senior Capacity Development and Policy Engagement Officer will be responsible for:

> Working with ASEAN-ACT’s Country Team, consultants, and counterparts to support the establishment of a new national capacity development centre for Thailand to improve nation-wide capacity to combat TIP. This may include: supporting the development of TIP training and learning materials; policies and procedures; research studies and papers on TIP and ACTIP alignment; and supporting the establishment of a government committee for the development and implementation of the centre.

> Developing and maintaining professional relationships with counterparts who are high-level governmental and judicial officials, Thai representatives of ASEAN sectoral bodies, civil society organisation (CSO) grant partners, private sector partners and other strategic partners to implement ASEAN-ACT's EOPOs as relevant to Thailand.

> Supporting the ASEAN-ACT Country Team to prepare annual country-level work plans with counterparts, ensuring plans align with ASEAN-ACT priorities, implementation principles and partner government priorities.

> Working closely with the Country Manager to drive implementation of activities, ensuring effective and efficient implementation, and that the progress and impacts of the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities as directed by the programs monitoring framework are analysed and reported.

> Monitoring and reporting on national developments in TIP sector and via program communication systems and regular formal and informal updates to the team and the donor (DFAT).

> Working with the Country Manager, review country-level risks, respond to incidents (e.g. security, safety, fraud, reputational, etc.) and ensure compliance with the child protection and safeguards framework

> Working closely with ASEAN-ACT's Capacity Development Adviser, manage and oversight the development of TIP training materials for Thai counterparts to ensure sustainability and alignment with counterparts’ needs and priorities.

Selection criteria

Qualifications and Experience

> Post graduate qualifications in a related discipline – international / social development, management, law or justice, or similar.

> Over 5 years of experience working on justice sector or counter trafficking in persons initiative or related fields with strong understanding of the local context, national legislation and the roles of the justice sector, civil society, private sector and allied government institutions.

> Strong conceptual and analytical skills with research background and proficiency in reading and writing a high-quality report and excellent presentation and facilitation skills and proficiency in speaking publicly in English and Thai.

Desirable

> Understanding of development principles and approaches, including developing the skills and capacity of counterparts; monitoring, evaluation and learning; and mainstreaming of gender equality and social inclusion in program activities.

> Ability to work with senior officials, demonstrating high-level communication, and excellent interpersonal skills to build strong working relationships with key counterparts.

> Understanding of human rights and rights-based approaches in development.

> Established networks with relevant partners in the justice sector, civil society, private sector, government, academy and research institute.

How to apply

Send an email to recruitment@aseanact.org with:

> The words ‘Senior Capacity Development and Policy Engagement Officer” in the email subject

> Your CV and expected monthly gross salary rate

> The names and contact details of three professional referees

> Full TOR: https://bit.ly/3a9Or3I

Deadline for applications: Sunday 17, October 2021, 5pm Bangkok time

ASEAN-ACT is committed to achieving workplace diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individual from minority groups, indigenous groups, People with a disability, women and ASEAN nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Due to the expected volume of applications, only candidates under positive consideration will be notified.

Other Information

Amendments to the position’s Terms of Reference may be made during the period of the engagement as required.

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention.

We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.

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