ThaiNGO

Job Title:                              Research & Policy Officer, Labour Migration (Thai)

Duration:                              1 year, with possibility of extension

Responsible to:                   Manager for Research, Technology and Worker Voice

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.

3. 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 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 Research and Policy Officer’s responsibilities will fall mainly within the second and third components, supporting members of the Issara Labs and Outreach and Empowerment teams.  The position will report to the Manager for Research, Technology and Worker Voice.

Specific aspects of the scope of the work include:

1. Support teams with policy and legal updates, information and analysis related to migrant workers in Thailand
   1. Stay on top of legal and policy developments from the Ministry of Labour and other ministries and departments related to recruitment and labour migration of migrant workers across all industries, particularly seafood processing, fishing, poultry, and others.
   2. Translate laws and policies from Thai to English and write up summaries and analysis for internal purposes.
   3. Develop systems to ensure relevant staff are notified of policy updates in a timely manner.
   4. Conduct trainings on particular legal or policy issues to build the capacity of relevant staff to do their jobs better.

2. Serve as the focal point for Issara’s 24/7 Thai/Lao language hotline
   1. Intake all calls into the Thai/Lao language hotline for assisting Thai and Lao workers within Issara supply chain factories and other workers throughout Thailand.
   2. Lead field missions to build relationships with Thai and Lao workers in target areas and get them connected to Issara’s hotline and other communication channels.

3. Support the Burmese and Cambodian hotline operators with their handling of calls and processing of cases received through Issara’s 24/7 Burmese and Khmer language hotlines with information and advice on Thai laws and policies
   1. Support the hotline operators with information and advice as they handle cases, to inform the information and options they provide to migrant workers by phone. Common issues include Thai labour law violations, exploitation during international recruitment, forced labour, human trafficking, worker benefits under law, and other issues.
   2. Confidently and in a professional manner, correspond by phone or attend in-person meetings with Thai government authorities, employers/managers, law enforcement, Department of Labour and other government officials related to specific hotline cases in order to discuss problems, negotiate on behalf of workers for better conditions, and work on specific cases with partners.

4. Support the outreach and empowerment staff with on the ground field missions to migrant areas
   1. Travel together with the Burmese and Cambodian outreach and empowerment staff to sites of interest in Thailand, including factories, migrant registration centres, markets, migrant housing areas, and government offices.
   2. During field missions, take full responsibility for ensuring clear communication with Thai government officials, security guards, and other actors in particular areas.

5. Support the Issara Labs team with research assistance for publications
   1. Perform desk research, conduct interviews and travel with teams to conduct field work related to time-bound qualitative and quantitative research studies on a range of issues related to migrant workers, including topics such as fishing work and recruitment.
   2. Analyse Thai government data and reporting to write literature reviews, industry briefs, and to support the design of research methodologies.
   3. Draft sections of reports for publication.

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 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 Research and Policy Officer should have the following required skills and abilities:

• Fluency in English and Thai languages;
• Knowledge of Thai laws and policies related to immigration, labour legislation and human trafficking;
• Experience conducting research, including desk research and field interviews;
• Data entry and/or analysis skills using SPSS or other software;
• Openness to or experience working in multi-cultural teams; and
• Ability to confidently and professionally handle engagements with key Issara stakeholders related to labour migration and law enforcement.

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)