Associate - Asia Pacific Observatory

Start Date : On a Rolling Basis

Duration : 6 Months

Type of Work : Full time preferred, part-time can be discussed to coordinate with studies

Location : Mekong Countries or Remote (candidate must be able to work across time zones (Europe & Asia) when needed)

Background

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) is an independent civil society organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Austria, South Africa, Colombia and Malta, and a globally dispersed Secretariat working in around 40 countries.

GI-TOC comprises a network of more than 708 independent global and regional experts working on human rights, democracy, governance, and development issues where organized crime has become increasingly pertinent. GI-TOC provides a platform to promote greater debate and innovative approaches as the building blocks to an inclusive global strategy against organized crime. GI-TOC commissions and shares research globally; curates a robust resource library of 2,000 reports and tools specific to organized crime; and uses its convening power to unite both the private and public sectors against organized crime.

The Observatory of Illicit Economies in Asia-Pacific (APA – Obs) was launched in Bangkok in 2020 and has a strong focus on the Mekong subregion that includes Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The APA-Obs is a platform that monitors organized crime trends across the Asia-Pacific region and that aims to connect and empower civil society actors who are working on issues related to organized crime and corruption.

APA-Obs is building a new Network of civil society actors across the Mekong region. Part of our mission is to support others in the civil society, academic, and journalistic environment to identify needs, support capacity and relationship building efforts to counter organized crime more safely and effectively. APA-Obs supports local stakeholders and actors in their monitoring of national dynamics and wider regional and international organized crime trends. It also promotes information sharing and cooperation across stakeholders and countries and works to bring South East Asian perspectives to the multilateral level.

APA-Obs is based in Bangkok, Thailand. It coordinates a network of civil society experts which are based across the Mekong, in ASEAN and beyond.

Job Summary

APA-Obs is currently implementing the Mekong Network to Counter Transnational Crime (MNET-CTC) program. This program is funded by Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership.

APA-Obs is looking for Associates to support the delivery of the Mekong Network to Counter Transnational Crime (MNET-CTC) programme. The Associate will be working under the direct supervision of the Head of the MNET-CTC Programme and South East Asia Coordinator.

Main Responsibilities and Specific Tasks

• Conduct desk-based English and local-language research in support of reports, presentations on a variety of topics, e.g. drug trafficking, child exploitation, financial crime in the Mekong
• Proofread and format documents
• Draft short analytical insights and articles
  
• Provide first drafts of presentations
• Map stakeholders in relevant sub-regions
• Organize meetings and webinars
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the team as needed, e.g. note taking, travel booking
• Communications and social media support
• Attendance of conferences and meetings (online and in person) with and on behalf of the team

Requisite Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience and skills :

• University degree in a relevant field, e.g. criminology, sociology, journalism, intelligence, security, international relations or similar  – can be underway
• Analytical skills, experience in desk research
• Some understanding of organized crime within South East Asia
• Good level of English; fluent in at least one regional language
• Knowledge of the latest Microsoft software especially MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Good communication skills and a team player
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Motivated and enthusiastic to work in a fast-paced environment 
• Flexibility to work across time zones when needed
  

GI-TOC operates a flexible working environment and encourages staff to achieve a suitable work life balance and supports professional development and learning. 

The GI-TOC makes use of BambooHR's ATS system to receive and review your application.  All correspondence related to your application will be sent via our domain globalinitiative.bamboohr.com.