Policy Advocacy Volunteer

**Policy Advocacy Volunteer needed for Asylum Access Malaysia (AAM)

Asylum Access is an innovative non-profit founded to make refugee rights a reality for refugees. Asylum Access envisions a world in which refugees live safely, move freely, attend school, work and rebuild their lives. Asylum Access believes that when refugees enjoy their human rights they can access effective, lasting solutions.

We build transformative rights-based approaches to refugee response. These rights-based approaches include policy advocacy, strategic litigation, legal services, and community legal empowerment programs. We deploy these approaches in our three countries of operation: Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico.

Position Description

Asylum Access Malaysia (AAM) actively seeks applications from candidates with a strong passion for social justice and impeccable research and writing skills for the Policy Advocacy Volunteer Advocate position.

Following an intensive training program in international and domestic refugee law and response, the VA is given the exciting opportunity to engage in the Malaysian legal and policy environment, help refugees assert their full scope of rights, organize campaigns and participate in local, regional, and international policy advocacy under the guidance of an experienced refugee rights advocate.

Position Responsibilities

Duties may include but not limited to:

• Overseeing the implementation of AAM’s Policy Advocacy Plan

• Drafting, reviewing and editing reports, submissions and recommendations for national and international human rights processes, op-eds, articles and other documents related to policy advocacy

• Briefing AAM team on policy developments

• Organizing and conducting training/workshop sessions with Malaysia civil society advocates and other stakeholders about refugee rights

• Undertaking other responsibilities related to policy advocacy as assigned by the Country Director

• Depending on the length of commitment, the Policy Advocacy VA will also:

• Collaborate with the Country Director to develop and maintain constructive relationships with key governmental, intergovernmental and nongovernmental players in Malaysia

• Collaborate with the Country Director to represent AAM in meetings with partners, such as UNHCR, NGOs, and other civil society actors

Communications duties:

Collaborate with the Country Director to:

• Develop and implement AAM’s Communications Plan

• Draft AAM periodic reports, newsletters and other information materials for internal records to ensure compliance with organizational monitoring and evaluation standards and for sharing with funders, partners and the public

• Liaise with HQ communications team to provide information about AAM’s work

• Maintain AAM’s social media accounts

• Foster relationships with the social media including journalists

• Oversee the collection and storage of information about our work in the form of success stories, photos, quotes by clients, partners and other stakeholders for use in AAM advocacy work, reporting and general communication

• Undertake other responsibilities related to communications as assigned by the Country Director

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in law, public policy, international studies, human rights or refugee rights

• Strong research, writing and communication skills

• Proven ability to take initiative and ownership of projects, manage multiple deadlines, and work effectively with a high attention to detail

• Positive and outgoing attitude with ability to work well in a diverse and multicultural office

• Basic working knowledge of Gmail, Google Drive, MS Office and related tools (Docs, Sheets, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in developing or working to implement policy advocacy strategies in the nonprofit sector

• Experience in organizing campaigns or events

• Experience in developing communications materials

Hours and Location of Work

This position is based out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the entire duration of the commitment.

This position requires a minimum commitment of 6 months. Candidates with the ability to provide 1-year commitment will be preferred.

Compensation and Start Date

This is a full-time, unpaid volunteer position.

The start date for this position is as soon as possible. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates can send in the resume, cover letter and a concise writing sample to apply@asylumaccess.org with “Policy Advocacy VA - Malaysia” on the subject line.

Please specify the duration of your availability and the proposed start date in the application. (Example : Available to volunteer for 6 months starting August 2018).

Please note that all Asylum Access VLA positions are unpaid; we are happy to work with successful applicants to arrange for funding or school credit where available. The VLA will be responsible for expenses incurred relating to obtaining their visa. AAM will be responsible for government and legal service fees in obtaining work permit only. Details and orientation on required documents and procedure in applying for visa and work permit will be shared with successful candidates.

Asylum Access takes protection & safeguarding extremely seriously. Employment is subject to our Child & Vulnerable Adult protection standards including where possible, background checks. Adherence to our Safeguarding Policy is mandatory for all staff, volunteers, and interns.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer**