Job Description for

UEP Project Assistant

Position:        Project Assistant

Project:           Urban Education Project (UEP)

Location:        Bangkok, Thailand                 

Reports to:     Urban Education Project Director, Thailand

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people.  The organisation was founded in November 1980 and is present in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. The style of JRS service is direct and personal, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons, while not neglecting their immediate and urgent needs. JRS offers opportunities to a wide variety of staff, local and international, while maintaining a realistic and localised scheme of salary/stipend, insurance, etc.  

In Thailand, JRS manages four programmes spread throughout urban and rural areas serving refugees and asylum seekers. JRS Thailand country office is in Bangkok, with Project offices Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang and in Bangkok. The main areas of work include education, psychosocial services, protection, and emergency assistance. For more information about JRS in Asia Pacific and Thailand, visit:https://jrs.net/en/country/thailand/

Project Description:

The overall goal of UEP is to better prepare the forcibly displaced (i.e., urban refugees and asylum seekers) for integration into Thai society, return to their country of origin, or resettlement to a third country. In pursuit of this goal, the project works on community-based language training and collaborates with both international and local stakeholders to provide language and vocational skills training. The project also provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing educational certification such as high school equivalencies.

Purpose:

JRS Thailand’s Urban Education Project (UEP) aims to empower forcibly displaced “persons for others” through education.

Role:

The UEP Project Assistant will be responsible for assisting the Project team with day-to-day project operations, with a focus on meaningful community engagement, alongside administrative and financial duties. The UEP Project Assistant is expected to perform his/her duties in accordance with humanitarian standards.

Responsibilities:

Community engagement

• Establish and maintain a supportive environment for community members at the project site
• Ensure that enquiries from community members are thoughtfully addressed or referred to relevant project staff, and are systematically recorded
• Update relevant project staff about highlights and challenges of community members, on a regularly basis
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of community members’ information in the project database
• Attend and actively contribute to the monthly project meetings
• Attend and actively participate in meetings or events outside regular working hours, occasionally.

Project implementation and administration

• Assist project team in the execution of project activities, as deemed necessary
• Arrange facilities or venues for project activities, including but not limited to, training, workshops, and meetings.
• Support in the procurement or purchasing and maintenance of project supplies and equipment
• Liaise with suppliers and partners regarding project site and office maintenance
• Maintain organized filing and security of relevant documents
• Fulfill other tasks as assigned by the Project Director

Financial administration

• Monitor the project’s financial records to ensure that data is accurate and up to date
• Assist the Project Director with monthly forecasts and frontend
• Prepare relevant documents for proper disbursement of stipends, allowances and other forms of payment
• Disburse stipends and allowances to community members, as well as other forms of payment related to the project
• Prepare and submit accurate monthly financial reports to the Project Director
• Coordinate with the Country Office Finance team to ensure financial data is correct.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum bachelor's degree in any field, preferably in social sciences or humanities
• Fresh graduates are welcome to apply.
• Genuine commitment to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of the PWS (people we serve)
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Strong self-awareness and self-management skills and willingness to learn
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in performing his/her duties
• Honesty, integrity and ability to multi-task
• Willingness to travel to/from project site and concerned communities
• Fluent in both Thai and English
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and the ability to operate spreadsheets, financial software and word processing programs.
• Experience in volunteer work or community work is an advantage
• Experience in office administration, accounting and bookkeeping is an advantage

Workplace:

• Project site: Good Shepherd Sisters compound, Soi Bot Mae Phra Fatima, Din Daeng, Bangkok
• Head office: Xavier Hall, 12 Rajavithi, Phaya Thai, Bangkok

Work hours: 09:00 – 17:00

Length of contract: 1 year, with 3-month probation and a possibility of renewal

Interested candidates must apply by sending cover letter and CV (including 3 references) with front picture and address how you satisfy the criteria described above.  

JRS advocates for equality and non-discrimination and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Application are to be sent to : jrsthailandco@gmail.com  

Application close on 7 July 2025.Early application are encouraged.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.