Assistant Director Human Rights Division

The Assistant Director Human Rights Division manages the operational activities of the Division, supports ASEAN Member States on human rights matters, facilitates cross-pillar coordination, manages AICHR programmes, and liaises with ASEAN-IPR Secretariat. The role requires leadership in advancing human rights cooperation in ASEAN and ensuring effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operational activities of the Division including overall management and coordination
• Determine work priorities and ensure timely and high-quality delivery of the Division’s work
• Monitor human rights issues and prepare internal quarterly updates
• Maintain coordination and collaboration with relevant ASEAN Secretariat divisions and external organisations
• Support ASEAN Member States on human rights matters including preparation of talking points, briefing notes and speeches
• Assist senior officials on matters pertaining to ASEAN 2045 and AICHR frameworks
• Provide impartial and professional support to advance human rights cooperation in ASEAN
• Assist in development and implementation of human rights instruments and regional frameworks
• Provide inputs to draft statements, declarations and documents relating to human rights
• Advise on external affairs and partnership building with Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, CSOs/NGOs and other stakeholders
• Facilitate dissemination of awareness on human rights issues
• Coordinate follow-up actions to ASEAN Meeting decisions and agreements
• Attend and summarise reports of relevant meetings related to human rights
• Manage development and implementation of AICHR’s programmes and activities
• Facilitate and service meetings of AICHR and follow up on decisions
• Maintain high-quality record-keeping for institutional memory of AICHR
• Assist in development and implementation of AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plans and annual Priority Programmes
• Ensure governance of funding and resources in compliance with ASEAN Secretariat Financial Rules and Procedures
• Propose, assess and assist in project formulation and implementation of AICHR activities
• Ensure effective communication between AICHR, ASEAN bodies and external parties
• Provide updates and assessment reports on AICHR work to the Secretary-General of ASEAN
• Manage Division’s work in liaison with ASEAN-IPR Secretariat
• Support Secretary-General of ASEAN in capacity as ex-officio of ASEAN-IPR Governing Council
• Support participation of senior officials at ASEAN-IPR Governing Council Meetings
• Attend ASEAN-IPR Governing Council meetings as assigned
• Manage Division as Desk Officer for ASEAN-IPR
• Responsible for appraisal and approval procedures and reporting of ASEAN-IPR projects funded by external resources
• Provide inputs for internal briefings, talking points, monitoring matrices and progress reports related to ASEAN-IPR and peace and reconciliation thematic issues
• Perform other duties as directed by Secretary-General of ASEAN, DSG APSC, and DIR PSD

Requirements

• Advanced degree in human rights, law, international relations, political science, public policy, public administration or another relevant field
• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience, including management or supervisory experience
• A sound understanding of human rights in the international and regional fora
• Sound understanding of the workings of international and intergovernmental organisations, including institutional mandates, diplomatic procedures and protocols
• Demonstrated ability to exercise impartiality, objectivity, discretion and sound judgement in politically sensitive environments
• Ability to work constructively with diverse and differing views while maintaining the institutional responsibilities and professional independence of the ASEAN Secretariat
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborative work practices
• Demonstrated good interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with Member States, colleagues, stakeholders and partners
• Demonstrated ability to motivate staff, foster career development goals of staff, identify training/professional/technical development needs of staff and/or conduct both formal and on-the-job training
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement, maintain accuracy and professionalism under pressure, and adhere to deadlines
• English proficiency and computer literacy are prerequisites
• Experience in cross-cultural environments and international settings is an advantage

Skills

• Human Rights Expertise
• International Law
• Political Science
• Public Policy
• Public Administration
• Human Rights Management
• Supervision Experience
• International Organisations Knowledge
• Diplomatic Procedures
• Institutional Mandates Knowledge
• Impartiality in Sensitive Environments
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Team Leadership
• Staff Development
• Training Delivery
• Judgment and Decision Making
• English Language Proficiency
• Computer Literacy

Languages

English