ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference

Post title:                      Advocacy Coordinator

Duty station:                Bangkok, Thailand

Contract Duration:       October 2019 - March 2020 (possibility of extension dependent on funding)

Reports to:                  Executive Director
Application Deadline:  14 October 2019

Background

The Asia and Pacific Transgender Network was launched in December 2009, when 15 transgender women from 10 Asia and Pacific countries and regions came together to champion the health, legal and social rights of transgender women. A milestone in the history of transgender people in the region, they demanded recognition as a distinct demographic group with their unique needs, separate from the MSM umbrella.

Since it was founded in 2009, APTN has grown to become a credible platform and voices for transgender people in Asia and the Pacific, working to ensure that their needs and rights are represented politically, socially, culturally and economically. The network serves as a platform for transgender people to advocate for access to health, legal gender recognition, legislative reform, social justice and human rights and to exchange information and strategies with each other. 

APTN addresses transgender specific issues including vulnerability to gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination, risks for HIV infection, and health issues stemming from almost complete lack of access to appropriate health and medical care. APTN recognises the issue of HIV affecting the lives of transgender people and advocates for improved access to appropriate prevention, treatment and care services, linked with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The Network has published several key reports, policy and technical briefs in partnership with other groups and multilateral organisations highlighting key issues affecting transgender people and has developed a set of recommendations to protect and promote transgender rights.

APTN envision a society that upholds, respects, and protects the diversity, safety, equality, and dignity of trans /transgender people, the mission of APTN is to mobilize and advocate for the human rights of trans/transgender people in the Pacific and Asia Region.

The main duties and responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Executive Director assumes primary responsibility for shaping and implement APTN efforts to influence and bring about change in the awareness, attitudes, behaviors and policies to advance the rights of trans people,  The Advocacy Coordinator will support the APTN to increase the visibility of the experiences of transgender people in the Asia and Pacific.  This will include working closely with country partners in the region to support country level advocacy initiatives through the development of an advocacy strategy and a comprehensive mapping of transgender NGOs and other national and/or international NGOS involved in the delivery of services for transgender people and form networks and partnerships with mainstream civil society organisations. The Advocacy Coordinator will also produce key programme material for the purposes of policy advocacy with and for APTN partners and maintain project documentation and undertake the following tasks:

• Develop, design, plan and implement a regional and country including Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal and Indonesia and key countries in Asia advocacy plan as per APTN strategic plan priorities

• Collaborate with all APTN team and partners to define key issues, messaging and communication channels for public advocacy issues.

• Finalised APTN country mapping of transgender NGOs and other national and/or international NGOS involved in the delivery of services for transgender people and form networks and partnerships with mainstream civil society organisations.

• Undertake research and mapping of National Human Rights Initiatives in the region working on transgender issues.

• Identify new and strengthen existing partnerships with key stakeholders to support advocacy activities

• Manage the re-development of the Trans Health Blueprint report into curriculum that will be utilised by individuals, community based organisations and health providers to ensure that the transgender community has access to quality, knowledge and services.

• Support the finalisation and develop dissemination plan of the Key Populations Advocacy Multi Country Research reports

• Identify conferences and meetings and support the development of policy briefings, fact sheets and talking points, to facilitate the sharing of information of APTN’s programme and advocacy initiatives and to create an enabling environment for trans people. This includes, maintaining and updating APTN’s calendar of events

• Assisting the Media and Communications Officer in developing APTN bi-annual newsletter, and updating APTN online media platforms, including social media

• Coordinate the development of a Human Rights Violations tool with partners and APTN team

• Produce recorded advocacy tool, videos, montage, key informant interviews for APTN communications platform, print and media. This includes, developing storyboard and outline of capturing trans stories

• Support the Media and Communications Officer in the development of statements, media releases, and related advocacy actions as appropriate

• Provide support to the Executive Director and APTN governing bodies on APTN’s key advocacy messages

Requirements:

Education: University degree and/or equivalent experience in social science, development and/or gender studies, public health or other relevant fields

 Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in the communications and/or media, journalism;

• Candidate should be able to work independently – with minimum supervision and guidance from supervisors.

• Demonstrated and extensive programme and/or policy advocacy is an added advantage.

• Documented experience working with transgender organizations and/or related issues on human rights

• Proven experience in coordinating with various stakeholders and production of advocacy materials including writing reports, press releases, joint statements, and speeches and their dissemination

• Experience of working with community based organisations is highly preferred;

• Engagement with UN, and other international rights organizations on human rights issues will be an asset

• Excellent computer skills, and proficiency with social media and Proven experience in producing the page layout and design of materials such as reports, posters, newsletters, etc would be considered a strong asset

• Excellent written and oral English communication skills are required.

• Coordinating projects that are time-based with regional partners whose first language may not be English

LGBIQ and particularly Transgender people from the Global South people are highly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to apply@weareaptn.org on or before 14 October 2019, and indicate ‘KPRA Advocacy Coordinator’ in the subject of the email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

TOR approved by the Executive Director on 8 July 2019.