Myanmar: Volunteer Opportunity with Burma/Myanmar-based Human Rights Organisation

Conditions of the position:

Location: Yangon, Myanmar/Burma
Starting date: 15th February 2018
Duration: Minimum 6 months
Status: Volunteer/intern
Benefits: Monthly Living Allowance of 500 $ USD. Visa expenses[1].
Commitment: Full-time. Leave in accordance with AJAR’s staff policy.
Focus: Research, writing, editing, communications, fundraising

AJAR

Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) is a non-profit organization based in Jakarta, Indonesia, working to strengthen accountability and respect for human rights in the Asia Pacific region. AJAR focuses its work in countries attempting to build a stable democratic base following prolonged conflict, dictatorships and authoritarian regimes. AJAR believes that peace and democracy can only be sustained if impunity, corruption, and human rights violations are addressed. We seek to empower those working to end human rights violations and impunity by increasing the skills, knowledge and resources they need to be successful.

In Myanmar/Burma, AJAR promotes gender justice and accountability for torture in collaboration with local partners. AJAR uses participatory methods to strengthen women survivors of conflict, torture survivors and other victims of mass human rights violations. More generally, AJAR conducts projects aimed at supporting survivors, documenting human rights violations and promoting peace, justice and accountability.

Duties:

The Volunteer shall conduct the following tasks under the supervision of the Burma/Myanmar Program Manager:

Conduct research in relation to AJAR’s work such as human rights documentation, reparations, support for torture survivors, transitional justice, and access to justice, and others
Support AJAR’s advocacy, publications and communications efforts by drafting written materials such as press statements, outreach materials, reports, analysis, briefing papers, etc.
Develop training materials for AJAR’s trainings and workshops
Support AJAR’s monitoring, evaluation and reporting efforts by providing technical support, including writing and editing, of internal activity reports and donor reports
Support AJAR’s fundraising efforts by producing written materials for fundraising proposals
Facilitate communication between AJAR Yangon-based staff and AJAR regional staff
Provide support for strategic planning of AJAR’s work in Myanmar/Burma
Advise AJAR by providing relevant updated information on the political and legal context in Myanmar/Burma
Observe relevant meetings, workshops and conferences for AJAR as necessary

Requirements:

University degree in a field relevant to AJAR’s work, such as human rights, criminal law, gender studies, political science, psychology, or similar
Experience in working in a field relevant to AJAR’s work, such as human rights, women’s rights, civil rights, justice sector, or similar
Excellent level of English, in particular in writing
Demonstrated skills in research, analysis, synthesis, drafting and editing of written materials
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills, cultural sensitivity, and capacity to adapt to foreign environments and work with colleagues of various cultural and educational backgrounds
Fair understanding of Burma/Myanmar political context
Strong commitment to justice, human rights and gender equality
Sensitivity to ethnic, religious and gender issues relevant to the Burma/Myanmar context
Strong sense of ethics
Reliable, independent, sense of responsibility

[1] Please note that AJAR is not in a position to provide assistance in obtaining a visa.

Please send your application to Polly Dewhirst, interim Burma/Myanmar Program Manager, at pdewhirst@asia-ajar.org as soon as possible, including:

• a detailed CV (résumé)
• two references, including contact details, that AJAR may contact
• at least 1 written document in English produced by you with no outside help (such as publications, research reports, articles…) (abstract of 500-2000 words)