Myanmar Programme Manager

Responsible to: Head of Asia-Pacific Programme
Key relationships: Myanmar Programme Officer, Asia Programme Manager, PROTECT Team, Projects Team, Finance Team, Communications Team, Law & Policy Programme Team.
Contract: 1 year (renewable)
Working hours: Full time, 37.5 hours a week
Salary: USD $46,080.00 per year
Location: Yangon, Myanmar

ABOUT ARTICLE 19:

Established in 1987, ARTICLE 19 works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. Our mission is to promote and defend the universal human rights of freedom of expression and information around the world, through international advocacy, legal analysis, and regional and national projects.

In the previous five years, one of the key achievements of ARTICLE 19 has been expanding and strengthening our international reach by consolidating our presence outside the UK, recruiting national or regional staff, and establishing strong and operationally autonomous national or regional offices. Being based in the countries and regions in which we work, we believe we have a better understanding of regional and national realities and local needs and thus have greater impact on freedom of expression developments. We are able to respond more swiftly to opportunities or crises. We are closer to our partners, and thus more capable to respond to their demands and strengthen interactions and capacities.

ROLE SUMMARY:

ARTICLE 19 has worked in Myanmar since 1991. ARTICLE 19 has implemented programs to promote legislative reform, media freedom and access to information in the country, as well as activities to counter “hate speech” and discriminatory rhetoric.

In late 2020, ARTICLE 19 and three partner organisations will begin the implementation phase of PROTECT, a three-year, multi-country coalition project funded by UK DFID. The project will build and strengthen the foundations for an open society in three key countries: Kenya, Malawi and Myanmar. Under PROTECT, ARTICLE 19 will implement training, advocacy and research initiatives to promote the safety and resilience of civil society and to combat intolerance and ‘hate speech’ in Myanmar.

The Myanmar Programme Manager will be based in Myanmar, and assume primary responsibility for the implementation of the PROTECT grant in Myanmar. He or she will also ensure compliance with ARTICLE 19 policies and procedures, including those relating to financial and personnel matters, as well as the policies of the donor.

More broadly, the Myanmar Programme Manager will be a key member of ARTICLE 19’s Asia team, helping to formulating ARTICLE 19’s strategy in Myanmar and the region, representing the organisation to external stakeholders, responding to developments impacting the freedom of expression, and helping to prepare external communications such as press releases, public statements and submissions to international bodies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Personnel Management:

• Progressively take responsibility for management of ARTICLE 19 Myanmar Team members, including by conducting performance reviews and managing work plans.

Project Management:

• Plan and implement PROTECT activities, including by developing detailed work plans and coordinating the work of other team members.
• Oversee the collection and filing of PROTECT project-related information.
• Plan large events, including by coordinating partners, managing team members and serving as ARTICLE 19’s most senior representative.
• Ensure compliance with donor policies and requirements, including those relating to financial and narrative reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in line with ARTICLE 19’s financial policies and procedures, including by drafting reports for ARTICLE 19’s senior manager and donors.
• Ensure office expenditures are in line with organisational and grant budgets.
• Lead implementation of activities in line with approved workplans and logframes.

Finance and Administration:

• Develop expense reports and payment requests.
• Manage project budgets with minimal assistance.
• Oversee the maintenance of project management systems by junior team members.
• Ensure compliance with organization and donor policies and procedures, including by junior team members.

Research, Advocacy and External Communications:

• Monitor developments in Myanmar that relate to freedom of expression and information.
• Proactively identify opportunities for advocacy on developments relating to ARTICLE 19’s mission.
• Contribute to press releases, public statements, open letters, submissions to international bodies and other external communications.
• Contribute to ARTICLE 19’s regional social media presence.
• Collaborate with other ARTICLE 19 staff—in the Myanmar office or other offices—on research initiatives and the drafting of advocacy reports.
• Translate—or oversee the translation of—documents from English to Myanmar language.
• Represent ARTICLE 19 in meetings with diplomats, government officials, partners and others.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners, including NGOs, CSOs, the media, and diplomats.

Other:

• Contribute to cross-learning and collaboration with other ARTICLE 19 offices in the region and around the world.
• Contribute to the development of ARTICLE 19’s regional and global strategy.
• Undertake take any other duties commensurate with the post that may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

ESSENTIAL

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least ten years’ experience in law or human rights; with a preference for specific experience in relation to freedom of expression or information.
• Experience organising seminars or workshops.
• Experience in staff and project management, financial administration, and fundraising.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of international human rights standards relating to freedom of expression and information, as well as international human rights mechanisms.
• In depth knowledge of the political environment, cultural context and human rights situation in Myanmar.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English and Myanmar languages is a must.
• Ability to write donor reports and other documents in English language, with minimal editing needed.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to respond positively to challenges and time pressures.
• Commitment to excellence and attention to detail.

Other requirements:

• Must have the right to work in Myanmar.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural work environment and with a commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunities.
• Willingness to work outside normal working hours including weekends and evenings when necessary.

Application deadline is 30th October 2020.