Community Outreach Officer

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks Community Outreach Officer

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 organisations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organisations 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

Asylum Access Malaysia's Community Outreach (CO) Department works on the front lines with refugee communities to inform and empower them to use their knowledge and skills to improve their situation in the country of refuge. Through the Community Legal Empowerment and Protection (CLEP) tools, we build the capacity of our clients to advocate for and exercise their rights and to take full advantage of the services and support that is available to them. The Community Outreach Team also works closely with other service providers for refugees needs, employers on employment disputes, non-governmental organisations and also government stakeholders in resolving refugees disputes. Internally, the CO team facilitate services with other departments at AAM, both by gathering information from community members that will enhance our legal services work as well as by assisting clients who are unable to visit our office.

Position Description

The Community Outreach Officer is a key member of the Community Outreach department at Asylum Access Malaysia, providing vital aid in network strengthening, building capacity of clients as well as bridging the gap between stakeholders, policy makers, and community-based organisations and individuals. The main role of this community Outreach Officer will be in building the strategic partnership with the local community and achieving a sustainable protection for the refugee community.

Key Responsibilities

• Development of a strategic programme for local integration (60%)

  • Design and develop a local integration programme with the aim of bridging local and refugee communities to create sustainable protection strategies at the grassroots level.
  • Develop participatory partnership engagement with refugee communities in partnership with local communities, government agencies, private sector organisations or institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
  • Coordinate strategies and solutions related to integration conflicts on the ground between refugees and local communities.

• Advocacy (20%)

  • Work with local stakeholders such as government agencies, associations and other stakeholders to develop sustainable and equitable partnerships.
  • Raise awareness on the refugee rights issues among local communities and other stakeholders.
  • Identify local partners or stakeholders who can conspire on building capacity and skills for advocacy on refugee rights.

• Assist in facilitating workshops and casework (15%)

  • Assist in organising Community Legal Empowerment and Protection (CLEP) Workshops for refugee communities in and outside Klang Valley.
  • Assist the Community Outreach Team in communicating with individual clients on their enquiries and providing them with the information they need or advising them on referrals to other service providers.

• Additional Obligations (5%)

  • Assisting the Development Department with administrative tasks, including organising thank you letters, sending out mail and backing the annual fundraiser appeals and reports where necessary.
  • Other duties as assigned

Reports to: Community Outreach Manager of AAM

Minimum Qualifications

• Fluent in English and Malay, including solid writing skills in both languages;
• Proven experience in community development and community support.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the local context in the area of migration and refugee rights.
• Solid project management skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, lead projects to completion and take initiative;
• Good knowledge of Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, Docs) and Microsoft Office;
• Interest in international human rights and/or refugee rights and/or related issues;
• Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups;
• Motivation towards Asylum Access Malaysia's mission, vision and approach to work;
• Ability to organise and work with diverse and multicultural teams

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 2 years' experience in community work.

• Experience in project management on humanitarian or human rights issues.

• Knowledge of Malaysian labour law and other relevant laws.

• Experience in networking with government and non-government agencies

• Proven experience in building relationships and networks

• Willingness to work under pressure and with a high degree of autonomy;

Salary and Benefits

The position comes with a competitive nonprofit salary, and a robust benefits package including paid time off and professional development funds. The salary scale ranges from RM 2800 to RM 3000 per month depending on experience.

Hours and Location of Work

This is a full-time (40 hours in a week) position based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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 organisation, visit www.asylumaccess.or