Job Opening: ILGA Asia is looking for a Research Officer (Deadline extended)

Terms of Reference

Title: Research Officer (Full-time)

Location: home-based (remote working) until international travel restrictions are lifted for Thailand

Application Deadline: 10th September 2021 (23.59 ICT)

Languages Required: English

Starting Date: 1st October 2021

Salary & Benefits: 60,000 THB per month, Health insurance, Social security contribution

Duration of Initial Contract: 3 months on probation followed by a 9-month contract; the contract is renewable on an annual basis

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Background

ILGA Asia is the Asian Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association, representing East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. The Region was first established in Mumbai in 2002. Our vision is a world where Asia is a safe place for all, where all can live in freedom and equality, be properly informed in the nature of sexual orientation and gender identity & expression and sex characteristic (SOGIESC) rights, have access to justice, and diversity is respected.

Our missions

• To promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination and stigmatization based on SOGIESC in Asia and including the specific provisions of the UN conventions and covenants specified in the Constitution of ILGA; 

• To work for the equality of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression and sex characteristic, as well as liberation from all forms of discrimination and stigmatization; and

• To empower and support LGBTI communities, organizations, and individuals in Asia, while encouraging community building and networking.

To ensure an effective and evidence-based approach to advocacy and campaigning, ILGA Asia would like to further strengthen our research capacity in the upcoming years. The successful candidate of this position is expected to help build and grow ILGA Asia’s research capacity generally, exploring opportunities for research, ensuring ILGA Asia’s research is informed by and relevant to Asian LGBTI communities as well as widely visible and promoted in public, academic, government, and media circles, sensitive to the needs of the global LGBTI movement and in-line with ILGA Asia’ Strategic Plan.

Key responsibilities

• To lead on the development and implementation of overarching research strategies to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities on specific countries or other geographical or thematic areas in Asia, including strategies to identify the most effective ways to address LGBTI human rights concerns; and to lead on designing specific projects and producing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating plans for both these and initiatives originated by others.

• To monitor, research, investigate and analyze SOGIESC-related human rights developments in order to provide timely, accurate, independent and impartial assessments and expert advice on the human rights situation in the relevant countries or other geographical or thematic areas.

• To organize, take part in and lead, where agreed, field research and other missions, leading specifically on information-gathering, fact-finding, analysis and assessment of SOGIESC-related human rights concerns, including in response to crisis situations. 

• To write reports and other materials for publication and internal use and contribute to and provide expert advice in relation to written and other materials produced by other programmes.

• To manage research, oversee the research work carried out by the team and member organizations and, as appropriate, to contribute to the selection of external consultants and supervise, support, coordinate and provide expert advice on their work.

• To contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective information management system.

• To contribute to the development of programme-wide strategies and plans for research and campaigning and provide input into internal discussions on the ILGA Asia’s mission, policy, organizational and other issues in order to increase the effectiveness of ILGA Asia's work.

• In consultation with management, to participate in the coordination of the work of the team, including through setting priorities, preparing work plans, monitoring their progress and contributing to maintaining basic budgets.

• To contribute to the overall flexibility of resource use and provide cover for other programme staff as agreed with management.

• To perform all necessary administrative tasks to ensure effective self-servicing, participate in the recruitment and induction of new staff and consultants and perform other corporate tasks as appropriate.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in an area such as social sciences, sociology, research analysis, law, business, political science, economics, or public health – or the demonstrated equivalent level of professional experience – is required;

• Strong writing skill in English to an academic level is a requirement; proficiency in 1 or 2 other Asian languages is an asset; 

• Strong capacity to independently conduct and oversee complex research projects with varying methodologies

• Ability to handles substantial amounts of data – both quantitative and qualitative, and produce detailed, and derive actionable insight from, content analytics reports;

• Ability to deal in a sensitive and understanding manner with a variety of people, including LGBTI survivors of human rights violations and others who may be distressed;

• Have knowledge of international human rights law and a deep awareness of the nuances and community developments in language and concepts relating to SOGIESC; 

• Strong awareness around gender issues and knowledge of LGBTI movement dynamics is an asset as is experienced in culturally appropriate, community-based or community-led research;

• Experience of working in a team and understanding of the importance of efficient communications for the coordination and effective functioning of teams;

• Ability to represent ILGA Asia to external stakeholders; and to communicate ILGA Asia's concerns, positions and, where relevant, strategies to external and internal stakeholders;

• Experience in managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities;

• The first-hand experience, either as a volunteer or an employee, in an LGBTI organization, is highly desirable.

LGBTIQ D/deaf and disabled people; lesbian and bisexual women; intersex persons; trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary persons; PLHIVs (persons living with HIV) and persons from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply, to increase the representation of people among LGBTI communities in our work.

Shortlisted applicants will be directly contacted by ILGA Asia for the next steps in the recruitment process. Applicants who are not selected will also be informed by ILGA Asia accordingly. We kindly request applicants to not be in touch with ILGA Asia Secretariat or Board Members and to bear with us as we go through the recruitment process.

Guidelines for Submission

The application for this position must be done online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ilgaasiaresearchofficer2021, along with 3 pieces of writing samples submitted in your application, by 3rd September 2021 (23.59 ICT).   

For more information, please send an email to info@ilgaasia.org.