Reporting Lines: Reports to Executive Director and dotted line management relationship with the Managing Director, both based in Head Office in Washington, D.C.

Coordinates with: Finance Director; Communications Manager, and Development Manager (all U.S.-based)

Supervises: Training, Legal and Campaigns Directors; Earth Rights Defender Coordinator; Management and Operations Director and dotted line management relationship with Global Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Learning and Accountability Manager (all Thailand-based)

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand with regional and Washington, D.C. travel

Application Deadline: 14 September 2017

Early applications encouraged. EarthRights International (ERI) will continue accepting applications past the deadline if the position is not filled.

 

Job Purpose

To develop and implement ERI’s regional strategy, by providing vision and strategic direction to all of ERI’s Mekong-Myanmar programs, management and operations. This includes ERI’s campaigns, legal advocacy and training. Responsible and accountable for the strategic direction and effective management of the regional program ensuring development, continued improvement in quality and impact of programmes and program support in line with ERI Policies.

Job Summary

The Regional Director facilitates a positive and cohesive working environment with multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural team members. The Regional Director plays a senior program and management role, working closely with Program Directors and the Management and Operations Director to ensure integration across training, legal and campaigns in tandem with ensuring that management and operations support systems are appropriate. The Regional Director also helps ensure integration for US head office program support to the Thailand and Myanmar offices, including through the Global Program Committee and Global Management Committee.

Primary Responsibilities

Accountability

• Accountable to the Executive Director and Board for the delivery and effective management of programs and budgets. Shaped by advice and guidance from the Programs Directors, Management and Operations Director, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Learning and Accountability Manager (“Mekong-Myanmar Management Team”).

Strategy Development, Integration and Implementation

• Provides strategic leadership and management of ERI’s regional program including campaigns, legal advocacy, and training programs.
• Facilitates the development of regional program and management plans in collaboration with the Mekong-Myanmar Management Team, and ensuring program integration at all levels

People Management

• Line manage the Campaign, Legal and Training Directors and ensure compliance with ERI’s policies and procedures, including but not limited to the Global Policy Manual, Employee and Managers Manuals and Security Policies.
• Creates and supports an environment that enhances the strength of diverse cultural backgrounds and skills, and integrates gender mainstreaming practices.

Public Engagement

• Takes the lead in publicly representing ERI’s regional program nationally and regionally. Builds influential relationships and supports networks to shift power to project affected communities.
• Accountable for ensuring that appropriate systems are in place to allow a strong flow of positive and consistent programme content to influence and communicate with internal audiences and external stakeholders, including but not limited to project affected communities, NGO partners, government, media, donors and supporters.

Programme and Delivery

• Work closely with Program Directors to develop and deliver ERI’s programmes.
• Stay informed of relevant geographic, thematic and political developments for the successful carrying out of duties and responsibilities of the position
• Contribute to further strengthening of operational policies and practices
• Oversee integration of program support from the US Office.
• Oversee compliance with local laws across the region.
• Develop appropriate strategies to seek out and maintain funding sources.
• Accountable for all donor relations in the region.

 

Qualifications

Education: Advanced Degree or Equivalent Experience

Experience and Core Competencies:

• A strong commitment to ERI’s mission and vision, a broad understanding of the work culture in the NGO sector.
• Leadership qualities and people management expertise to provide direction and effective support to a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Ability to set a high standard of professionalism with a sense of humor.
• Help foster a casual and fun work environment.
• Five years progressively responsible experience in the management of an organization with 10 employees or more.
• Experience of leading the implementation of operational improvements and the persistence to achieve change in a challenging environment.
• Basic knowledge of human resource management strategies and tools.
• Good understanding of information systems and information technology.
• Ability to gain and apply knowledge of the statutory requirements of countries in the region and of the impact of local culture and tradition.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including high-level interpersonal and representational capabilities; fluency in written and spoken English essential.
• Ability to operate and think strategically, coupled with proven analytical skills and the use of these to problem solve and make firm decisions.
• An understanding of gender and cultural diversity considerations within key areas of responsibility and commitment to addressing inequalities in the workplace and the program.

Desired (but not required):

• Working in the Global South or small political spaces
• Working knowledge of Thai or Burmese

 

We offer:

• A competitive, non-profit sector salary
• Medical insurance coverage
• Annual & post-employment resettlement benefit
• Paid vacation, sick and personal days

 

To apply

Submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, and a list of at least three references to:  apply-sea@earthrights.org and include subject title “Regional Director”.

EarthRights International (ERI) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of earth rights. We specialize in fact-finding, legal actions against perpetrators of earth rights abuses, training for grassroots and community leaders, community organizing and advocacy campaigns. Through these strategies, ERI seeks to end earth rights abuses, to provide real solutions for real people, and to promote and protect human rights and the environment in the communities where we work.

ERI was founded in 1995 along the Thai-Burma border, using innovative legal strategies and mechanisms in order to bring justice to indigenous Burmese communities abused by the military regime and its corporate partners in the name of development.  Today, ERI has offices in Chiang Mai, Thailand; Washington D.C.; Lima, Peru; as well as staff based in Yangon, Myanmar and Phnom Penh Cambodia. Our diverse staff of approximately 60 full-time members is comprised of environmental and human rights lawyers, local human rights investigators, teachers, international campaigners, and community organizers