Malaysia: Policy Advocacy Consultant - Asylum Access Malaysia

About Asylum Access

Asylum Access is a leading refugee human rights organization headquartered in Oakland, CA with substantial operations in three countries plus partnerships in additional countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Asylum Access works to make human rights a reality for refugees in first countries of refuge. Our unique combination of policy advocacy and legal empowerment creates legal environments that help refugees live safely, move freely and work legally. By helping refugees assert their rights, we are putting power back into their hands. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that gives refugees the tools to provide for themselves and make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access envisions a world where refugees are seen as people with rights, not just people with needs. Asylum Access believes that by empowering refugees to assert their human rights, we can create effective, lasting solutions for refugees around the world.

Position Description

The Policy Advocacy Consultant of Asylum Access Malaysia (AAM) assists our Malaysian operation to deliver a range of Policy Advocacy and Communications initiatives, with the aim of improving access to rights for refugees in Malaysia, and of positioning AAM as a leading voice on refugee rights. The role also includes leading on AAM’s communication plan and supporting program leaders in recording client case studies for advocacy purposes.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Country Director in 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;

• Conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise and develop an engagement plan particularly with key influential government, intergovernmental and nongovernmental stakeholders in Malaysia;

• Engagement with other NGOs, bodies/agencies and other civil society actors as with regional and international human rights mechanisms including through CEDAW, CRC, UPR, APRRN, AICHR;

• Conduct research on Malaysian government initiatives that relate to refugee rights in particular the right to work and track developments & government commitments to establishing refugee rights through Hansard, UPR, public statements;

• Leading the planning and development process of building a refugee rights coalition made up of refugee service organisations in Malaysia;

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

• Update and maintain AAM Social media accounts and draft AAM periodic reports, newsletters and other informational materials for internal records and for sharing with funders, partners and the public.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in law, human rights or relevant disciplines;

• A minimum of 3 years experience in policy advocacy programming and communication initiatives;

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

• Experience in drafting reports, policy briefs or outreach materials;

• Proven knowledge and experience in international law and governance regarding refugee rights (knowledge of refugee context in Malaysia is a plus);

• Experience in supporting inter-organizational collaboration and coalition building;

• Experience in developing engaging and informative communication materials designed to raise awareness;

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

• A positive, proactive and outgoing attitude with the ability to work well in a diverse and multicultural environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the field of refugee work in Asia;

• Proficiency in Malay

• Fluency in English

• Working knowledge of Google Drive (Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Sheets) , Microsoft Office and related tools

Duration of Contract and Location of Work

The position is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a period of 9 months. Deliverables and work plan will be discussed with the Country Director. This position requires a minimum commitment of 6 months.

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Send your resume and cover letter to apply@asylumaccess.org with the subject line “AAM Policy Advocacy Consultant” by October 12, 2018. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, and how you learned about the position.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants in need of accommodation during the interview can contact HR at apply@asylumaccess.org.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org