Substantive comms support by an assistant is needed who can work together with the comms coordinator and the comms officer on daily comms activities related to the branding and visibility of the Centre which includes also promotional tasks for the Centre Director (CD). There is a need to bolster Asia’s communications team given the upcoming drafting and implementation of the new Asia strategy 2020-2022.

Candidates need fluency in Thai since some of the critical tasks of the assistant will involve coordination with local vendors, Thai language media and networks and groups in Thailand. Some tasks also include limited translation and posting of Thai language articles for the SUMERNET website. 

The CONSULTANTreports directly to the assigned Line Manager (Communications) and is under the overall supervision of the Asia Centre Director.

The CONSULTANT will work with staff at SEI Asia and with other consortiums to carry out various project activities with the responsibilities described below.

Main responsibilities

1. Support the communications coordinator with the “Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)” being produced by the Asia Centre.
2. Support the outreach for SCF strategic events in line with the SCF2 communications plan: support outreach on social media before and during events, posting on website, preparing display booths and relevant event outreach activities.
3. Assist communications activities for SEI’s Asia Centre projects Mekong programme, SUMERNET 4 All: provide support for the SUMERNET website. 
4. Support work towards enhancing the visibility of the Asia Centre and Centre Director with various branding activities including a planned newsletter, preparations of materials for events involving Centre projects where Asia staff are participating viz. workshops, conferences, bilateral meetings in the region; display booths; other needed public relations activities. 
5. Support preparation of publicity materials in advance for events and meetings, and for booth displays, to ensure the Centre’s presence in strategic conferences and events.
6. Help prepare materials for CD’s external meetings. Support will include taking minutes of meetings and photographs if necessary; organizing and compiling meeting reports for the Centre’s follow-up.
7. Assist the comms coordinator to strategize and plan to meet key people, partners and groups in Asia (especially Southeast Asia and the Mekong region) to publicize the work of the Centre as well as other duties as assigned.

Skills and qualifications required

We are looking for a CONSULTANT with the following qualifications:

• Good English language skills: writing, speaking and reading
• Excellent in writing, speaking and reading in Thai at the same level as a native speaker 
• Master’s degree with at least two years of work experience (or bachelor’s degree with at least 2-4 years of work experience) in the field of communications, social sciences communications, public relations (or related disciplines).
• Microsoft Office (especially MS Word and PowerPoint)
• Good familiarity with communication technologies and use of social media: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube
• Demonstrated planning and coordinating skills for supporting events, meeting preparations and display booths
• Familiarity with web posting and social media skills
• Basic skills in supporting the preparation of publicity materials or display booths, email communications and social media posting
• Strong ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Capacity to manage a diverse range of tasks and activities and keep deadlines

Desirable qualifications:

• Based in or having prior experience working in Asian countries
• Able to work well both independently and within a variety of teams, contexts and cultures
• Openness to working in a diverse international team
• Familiarity with environmental issues in the Asia/Mekong Region

About SEI

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an independent, international research institute founded in 1989. Its mission is to support decision-making and induce change towards sustainable development around the world by providing integrative knowledge that bridges science and policy in the field of environment and development. SEI was ranked as the second most influential environment think tank in the world in the Global Go To Think Tank Report 2018, compiled by the University of Pennsylvania's Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program.

SEI has approximately 240 employees working at research centres in seven countries around the world. SEI’s headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden. Additional SEI research centres are located in Kenya (SEI Africa) Estonia (SEI Tallinn); United Kingdom (SEI York and SEI Oxford); the United States (SEI US); Thailand (SEI Asia); and Colombia (SEI Latin America).

SEI Asia, based in Bangkok, has a diverse team of multinational experts that integrates scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships, and influence policy for resilient development. It focuses on gender and social equity, climate adaptation, reducing disaster risk, water insecurity and integrated water resources management, transitional agriculture, energy futures and city health and wellbeing. SEI Asia is an affiliate of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

Contact : rajesh.daniel@sei.org or nipa.laithong@sei.org