The Working People’s Coalition (WPC) is a loose network of organizations, networks, and federations working on labour and labour related issues, with a focus on informal, low paid and migrant workers. It is an independent entity not affiliated with any organization, federation or political party. The WPC is open to all organizations who are in broad agreement with the Working Peoples Charter and are working with informal labour, including in organizing, support, research, training, skilling etc., irrespective of their affiliation or sector. WPC is a member of Habitat International Coalition (HIC) since 2022.
Habitat International Coalition (HIC) is the global, independent and non-profit Member organisation for the defence, promotion, full and progressive realisation of human rights related to habitat, in particular the human right to adequate housing. Through solidarity, coordination, networking, capacity-sharing and collective, cross-regional action of social movements and civil society organizations, HIC seeks systemic change and works to develop and advocate transformative practices, norms and standards. HIC and its Members work across four thematic areas of human rights related to habitat: housing and land, social production of habitat, habitat and gender, and habitat and sustainable environment. HIC operates locally through Members and within regional and UN bodies as a non-governmental organisation in consultative status with UN-ECOSOC (since 1993).
Background: in 2023, WPC and HIC initiated the Asia Habitat Dialogues with the aim of facilitating a space among social movements and civil society organisations in Asia for regional political reflection on habitat-related human rights, expressions of solidarity, and the identification of joint priorities, emphasising the importance of viewing habitat-related issues through a comprehensive lens that transcends traditional boundaries. The Asia Habitat Dialogues included mapping 28 organisations that work on housing and habitat-related matters, and holding 4 online dialogues, the themes of which were identified through the mapping process. With the first phase having concluded, WPC and HIC are now looking for a part-time program officer to guide a collective reflection and assessment with all participants to identify the objectives for the second phase, and together with the HIC and WPC team facilitate and coordinate the implementation of the second phase.
The work:
- Organize and facilitate a reflection session based on the first phase of the Asia Habitat Dialogues, that elicits participants’ priorities and recommendations
- Based on the reflection session and collective comments, develop a work plan for the second phase of the Asia Habitat Dialogues process
- Mobilise, engage & build relationships with civil society organisations and social movements working on habitat-related human rights in South- and SouthEast Asia
- Coordinate and implement the next phase of the Asia Habitat Dialogues with the support of the HIC General Secretariat & WPC teams (e.g. strategy formulation, engagement and relationship building with organisations in the region, conceptualisation of learning content and online dialogue structures).
- Lead in proactive adaptations based on ongoing monitoring and evaluation and participant feedback
- Engage in regional policy (e.g. UN ESCAP) and key national policy formulations and developments, analysing and synthesising these in relation to civil society strategies
- Contribute to proposal writing and fundraising where relevant
Requirements:
- Education: Post-graduate or equivalent in social sciences, social work, public policy, architecture, town and regional planning, geography with a focus related to housing, land and habitat-related human rights, from a recognised institution and/or professional expertise and experience in the above fields.
- Experience: at least 8-10 years with demonstrated capacity in civil society facilitation processes, network building, conceptualizing learning and online exchanges, strategic thinking and strategy formulation, research on habitat-related human rights, policy advocacy
- Communication: Excellent speaking and writing skills in English. Fluency is at least one or more South- and SouthEast Asian languages is an advantage. Excellent communication skills, and ability to do outreach networking
- Technical skills: Excellent computer, online and social media skills, including managing zoom meetings, collaborative online documents (e.g. google suite)
The candidate has a deep commitment to social justice and is an activist who is interested in social and policy change. The candidate is proactive, time-efficient and propositive, leading the Asia program while working well within a team of 2-3 HIC support staff members dedicating a limited percentage of their time to the Asia Habitat Program. Further interpersonal skills include: good time management, ability to translate strategic guidance from HIC & WPC into practice, ability to work well cross-culturally within a democratic space with accountability and diligence.
Work Conditions and Location
The position will commence in mid July or 1 August 2024. The program officer will ideally be based in India or a country in South Asia or South East Asia. The work will be online and require networking with organizations across time-zones in Asia and collaboration with the HIC General Secretariat.
This is a 50% position (20 hours per week), with a contract running up to 30 April 2025, and a monthly remuneration of 500 Euros. Benefits will need to be organised separately by the candidate.
Application Details
Applicants are invited to send
- (1) cover letter elaborating on their suitability and motivation to apply for the above position;
- (2) CV outlining relevant experience and skills;
- (3) the contact details of at least one reference.
Applications must be submitted by Sunday 7 July 2024 (midnight GMT) to the HIC General Secretariat – gs@hic-net.org.
Please e-mail applications in Word or PDF format, with ‘Asia Program Officer Recruitment’ in the subject line.
Only qualified applicants will be shortlisted and contacted.
