Community Engagement Officer (livelihood)

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks

Community Engagement Officer (Livelihood)

About Asylum Access

We are human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency and power.

Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and equips them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Department Description

The Community Engagement Team (CE) implements Asylum Access Thailand’s (AAT)’s empowerment and capacity building programs through various projects; Psychological First Aid (PFA), Refugee Leadership, and Livelihood Projects and is working closely with refugee communities and local businesses.

Position Description

The Community Engagement Officer (Livelihood) implements two project components under the CE’s Refugee Empowerment Group (REG) which includes:

1. the CHAMALiiN handicraft project that offers women from refugee communities in Bangkok the opportunity to become economically empowered through traditional arts

2. Click Aroi, a project that enhances refugees’ skills in traditional cooking, and provides training on business skills and entrepreneurship.

The Community Engagement Officer (Livelihood) coordinates efforts with our implementing partners and local stakeholders to increase support of refugees’ in their pursuit of small business activities and to mitigate the social and economic uncertainty many refugees are facing.

Key Responsibilities

• • Implementing the REG’s project components according the annual work plan,

  • Providing regular updates on REG progress, challenges and lessons learnt to the Community Engagement Coordinator and other team members as needed,

  • Coordinating for monthly REG events in close collaboration with implementing partners, local stakeholders and refugee communities that allow refugees to gain a small scale income,

  • Organizing (bi-annual) capacity-building training to REG project participants from refugee communities, in close cooperation with local experts,

  • Promoting the involvement of community volunteers through small customized training sessions and the gradual handover of more responsibility,

  • Working closely with the AAT Communication Officer to boost REG business activities via social media (REG instagram and facebook),

  • Building strategic connections to local business in order to increase the self-reliance of the REG,

  • Monitoring the data of REG business activities on a monthly basis, in collaboration with the CE Officer and the AAT Finance Officers,

  • Maintaining good relationships with implementing partners and refugee communities.

  Additional Responsibilities

  • Providing inputs to donor reports, CE’s annual planning processes and MEAL procedures,
  • Handling the REG project administration in line with AAT’s operational and financial policies.

Reports to: Community Engagement Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, Community Development, Business Administration, or a related discipline,
• At least 1 year of relevant work experience in project management, community engagement, economic empowerment or related fields, preferably with a focus on refugee or marginalized communities,
• Strong organizational, project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously,
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, local businesses, and community volunteers.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills to establish strategic connections with local businesses and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and marketing strategies for promoting project activities and engaging with stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently under minimal supervision,
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel within Bangkok as required for project activities and engagements with stakeholders and availability to work occasionally on weekends,
• Commitment to human rights principles and the mission of Asylum Access.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background of working in community livelihoods/entrepreneurship strategies, and working with social enterprises is an asset,
• Knowledge of community development principles and approaches, particularly in the context of empowerment and capacity-building programs,
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) procedures and data management for tracking project progress and outcomes,
• Proficiency in written and spoken Thai or other language skills relevant to the refugee communities in Bangkok would be advantageous.

Salary and Benefits

Position comes with a competitive nonprofit salary, and a robust benefits package. The range of salary is between 33,000THB- 35,000THB.

Hours and Location of Work

The Community Engagement Officer (Livelihood) is a full-time and hybrid position based in our office in Bangkok, Thailand. Candidates should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to facilitate project activities in the evenings or during weekends.

Application Instructions to Candidates

Upload your resume and a cover letter via Asylum Access online portal BambooHR.  In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date, and how you learned about the position.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply.

For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org_._