Mekong Regional Director

EarthRights International (ERI) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment. A key part of who we are organizationally is our three-pronged approach to making change: training of communities and legal activists, strategic legal work to defend human rights and demand corporate accountability, and campaigns and advocacy to change corporate and state behavior and to achieve systemic policy change. Our work focuses on climate justice and accountability, earth rights defenders, and corporate accountability.

About the Role

The Mekong Regional Director, a senior executive position reporting directly to the Executive Director, is responsible for implementing EarthRights’ regional strategy by providing vision, direction, and management oversight for all Mekong programs, ensuring their development, continuous improvement, and effectiveness in alignment with EarthRights values and strategic goals. S/he fosters a positive, cohesive working environment for multidisciplinary and cross-cultural team members, and facilitates coordination and program support among the US, Amazon, and Mekong Offices.

The Mekong Regional Director collaborates closely with Program Directors, Operations Director and other senior management to integrate training, legal, and campaign efforts while ensuring appropriate support systems are in place for staff and partners. S/he is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders and funders at national, regional, and global levels.

This opportunity calls for someone with people management skills, cross-cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to global human and environmental rights. They should have a track record of leading change, implementing strategic initiatives, and fostering continuous improvement in an organization.

EarthRights’ values of thoughtfulness, inclusion, accessibility, and humility are infused into all our interactions inside and outside the organization. We are looking for team members with a shared commitment to these values.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• With support from the executive director, develop and execute a compelling strategic approach for EarthRights in the Mekong region, in alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative strategies and programs that address pressing human rights and environmental issues at local, regional, and global levels.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, legal developments, and policy changes in the field of human rights and environmental justice and adapt the office’s strategies accordingly.
• Foster partnerships and collaborations with grassroots organizations, civil society, communities, and other stakeholders to amplify impact and promote systemic change.
• Represent EarthRights to international representatives, such as UN agencies, other INGOs, government representatives, and current and prospective funders.

Management

• Have oversight and ultimately approve organizational policies and policy changes at the regional level, before submission to executive leadership.
• Oversight of implementation and decision-making on new projects, according to established procedures.
• Approval of annual work plans and budgets; supervising and conducting Performance Evaluations and Appraisals of the management team.
• Manage and resolve any conflicts that arise among staff.
• Create and support an environment that values diverse cultural backgrounds and skills, and integrates gender mainstreaming practices.
• Ensure consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with and provide regular reporting to key donors.
• Identify trends and opportunities that may affect the organization’s effectiveness.

Communications and Public Relations

• Serve as a primary spokesperson for the Mekong Office.
• Funder and Donor relations: meeting, attending conferences, events, public speaking, communication and public relations with donors, funders and targeted audiences.
• Coordinate with the communications team and US Office to craft compelling stories and raise the visibility of EarthRights Mekong work through public relations, as appropriate.
• Network with other human rights, environment, social justice, and other related NGOs.

Other expectations

• The Mekong Regional Director works across time zones, including travel, calls, and correspondence outside conventional working hours. S/he may travel both regionally and internationally up to 40%, with up to two trips annually to EarthRights’ US office in Washington D.C.

Competencies and Qualifications

• Candidates should possess significant leadership experience, organizational management expertise, attention to detail, a sense of humor, collaborative leadership, decision-making abilities, thoughtfulness, confidence, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to work well with committed colleagues with diverse perspectives.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years of progressive experience managing an office or organization with 15 or more employees.
• Experience navigating the political and civil society environment in Southeast Asia, preferably Mekong countries.
• Experience with inclusive planning and organizational development.
• Track record of overseeing organizational financial activity and systems, including budgeting, forecasting, modeling, accounting, and reporting,
• Ability to navigate complex compliance and risk management issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including across lines of cultural difference.
• Demonstrated success in managing people and motivating teams through organizational change.
• Demonstrated success in having created change in organizational policy, operations, technology and/or culture in service of measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with current and potential funders and raising funds for organizational initiatives,
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strategic relationships with external stakeholders at the national and/or regional level.
• Understanding of gender and cultural diversity considerations within key responsibilities, with a commitment to addressing inequalities in the workplace and programs.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of professionalism while fostering a casual, fun work environment.
• Good knowledge of human resource management strategies and tools.
• Ability to gain and apply knowledge of statutory requirements in regional countries, considering local culture and traditions.
• High energy, maturity, and leadership skills with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.
• Demonstrated an ability to track progress against targets.
• Ability to travel globally up to 35% of the time.
• Understanding of advocacy, strategic litigation, movement building, community organizing is preferred.
• Experience in a global organization is preferred, particularly in a senior management role.
• English fluency is a must. Thai or Burmese is beneficial.

Equal Opportunity Statement

EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and actively encourages people of or, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand. EarthRights will support the provision of a visa for candidates who may require one.

Contract length: Open-ended.

Salary range: 1,744,000 – 2,180,000 THB gross per annum.