ThaiNGO

Job Title:                              Business and Human Rights Manager (Thailand)

Duration:                              1 year, with possibility of extension

Responsible to:                   Director, Business and Human Rights

Duty Station:                       Bangkok, Thailand

BACKGROUND

The Issara Institute is an independent non-profit organization based in Thailand, Myanmar, and the United States tackling issues of human trafficking and forced labour in global supply chains through data, technology, partnership, and innovation.  The Institute was established in 2014 by a team of anti-trafficking experts coming out of the United Nations who created an alliance of private sector, civil society, and government partners committed to addressing labour issues in global supply chains with practical, measurable, and scalable results.  It is staffed by leading regional and international experts in labour rights, business consulting, and ethical sourcing, with additional technical advisors in the US and UK supporting the Institute’s work on an ongoing basis.

Issara Institute programming runs 3 inter-linked components:

1. Business and Human Rights, including engagement of global brand, retailer, and importer partners in a collaborative approach to identifying and addressing risks of trafficking and other labour abuses in their Asian supply chains – through real-time supply chain monitoring (Issara Inclusive Labour Monitoring), factory/workplace assessments, and collaborative improvement solutions that build more ethical supplier businesses and industries.

2. Issara Labs [Intelligence and Innovation], includes research, technology, and worker voice tools and channels (the Issara multi-lingual hotline, Golden Dreams Android smartphone app, and social media) to better understand labour conditions in supply chains. People – including worker voice and feedback – are at the center of Issara’s data and intelligence work, and we conduct a wide range of research, analytics, and technology development related to human trafficking and global supply chains – the people, the policies, the impact, and how to eliminate it.

Outreach and Empowerment – ‘Freedom of Choice’ is Issara’s philosophy for supporting victims of labour exploitation, whether support is provided directly by Issara or referral partners.  The objective is to empower victims with the widest range of options, information, and resources for them to make their own informed choices about their recovery and their futures.  Outreach with migrant worker communities ensures that 

1. workers of all types have access to information about their rights under the law, and how to get assistance if they need it.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Business & Human Rights Manager (Thai) will lead Issara’s Thailand Business & Human Rights team, which carries out the supply chain-oriented work of Issara’s Strategic Partners Program in Thailand. Through this work, the Business & Human Rights Manager will have a rare opportunity to work with leading Thailand-based businesses, brands, and SMEs across the country and across numerous industries (seafood, garments, agriculture, electronics, etc), helping them strengthen their ethical and responsible sourcing, working conditions, and recruitment. The Manager is also expected to be able to be a supportive and empowering supervisor and advocate for the Business and Human Rights Thai team.  The position will report to the Director, Business and Human Rights.

Specific aspects of the scope of work of the Business & Human Rights Manager (Thai) include:

• Ensure high-quality relationships with Thai businesses as part of Issara Institute’s supply chain work and Strategic Partners Program.
• Lead the conduct of workplace assessment interviews with management and human resource departments (HR) of local businesses (in Thai language) within export-oriented supply chains.
• Design, refine, and lead capacity building programs on business and human rights for company HR staff, line managers, supervisors, and others.
• Lead meetings and strategy sessions with the senior management of Thai suppliers, being able to provide business advice, critiques, and recommendations with professionalism and confidence.
• Lead the development of new tools and corrective and preventive actions to strengthen supplier policies and processes for Thai and foreign migrant workers.
• Train business and human rights staff on a range of important skills, from the usage of Issara ILM technology and data collection systems, to strengthening business acumen and professional delivery of business advisory services.
• Run weekly update meetings between the worker voice team and the business and human rights team, and ensure complete, quality documentation of all case updates.
• Run monthly Business and Human Rights account update meetings to the senior management team, highlighting developments, improvements, challenges, and trends, as well as key KPIs.
• Ensure the correct interpretation of Thai laws and policies, as well as buyer standards and codes of conduct, and provide quality assurance of legal and policy analyses relevant to Thai suppliers.
• Monitor Business and Human Rights team reporting and case documentation, and ensure timely, complete, and quality field reporting with sufficient data cross-checks and verification related to business workplace visits.
• Oversee the creation of Thai-language materials for local business partners and others.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERTISE

We have a lean, dynamic, seasoned team that is committed to change, innovation, and impact.  We are conscientious, we hold a high standard of care for our beneficiaries, and understand that we have to be able to work effectively with business partners spanning the largest multinational corporations to the smallest grassroots CBOs.  Our work ecosystem is multi-cultural, respectful, and energetic, whether we are working on tasks in teams, or working alone.  We aim to ensure that there are many opportunities for sharing, learning, and growth on our team, and are looking for individuals who would flourish in our unique environment.

The Business & Human Rights Manager (Thai) should have experience in business and human rights and/or corporate social responsibility; a strong understanding of supply chains, ethical sourcing, and sustainability; excellent English language skills; and, experience working in a professional, multicultural environment.  He/she must be able to handle confidential data with discretion and be willing to travel within Thailand.  At least 10 years’ working experience is required, with at least 5 years’ experience in a management role.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a CV, the names and contact details of three references, and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and relevant expertise to admin@issarainstitute.org.

Closing Date               :      19 April 2026 (11:59 PM, Bangkok Time)