The ASEAN Secretariat was established in 1976 by the Foreign Minister of ASEAN with basic functions of providing greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities. It is also envisioned to be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people.
In alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Strategic Plans of the three ASEAN pillars of Political-Security Community, Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community, and ASEAN Connectivity, and supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Assistant Director Human Rights Division.
Remuneration and Benefits:
Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 5,567 and attractive remuneration package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalization & life insurance, children’s education and gratuity. Subject to good performance during the probation, the candidate will be offered a fixed term contract of three (3) years, inclusive of the six-month probationary period. Please note that ASEAN Secretariat Staff shall not be retained in active service beyond the age of 60 years
1. Manage the operational activities of the Division
- Be responsible for overall management and coordination of the Division.
- Determine work priorities and ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of the Division’s work in accordance with ASEAN decisions, agreed mandates, applicable ASEC rules and procedures, and guidance from senior management.
- Monitor human rights issues/emerging issues of interest and the preparation of an internal quarterly update on key human rights issues in the region, as discussed by AMS.
- Maintain effective coordination and collaboration with the relevant divisions of the ASEAN Secretariat.
- Maintain contacts and liaise with relevant regional and international organisations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, as approved by AMS.
2. Ensure effective support to all ASEAN Member States on matters related to human rights
- Ensure effective support for the attendance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, DSG APSC and DIR PSD at meetings and events related to human rights and AICHR, including the preparation of talking points, briefing notes and speeches.
- Assist the Secretary-General of ASEAN, DSG APSC and DIR PSD on relevant matters pertaining to ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, including its Strategic Plans, and AICHR’s frameworks and efforts in the field of human rights.
- Provide impartial and professional support to all AMS in advancing human rights cooperation in ASEAN in accordance with agreed ASEAN mandates, decisions and priorities.
- Assist in the development and implementation of human rights instruments and regional frameworks of the ASEAN Community, including as resource persons in the ASEAN Secretariat on all matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN in line with the decisions and priorities of ASEAN and AICHR.
- Provide inputs to draft statements, declarations and documents relating to human rights across all ASEAN Community pillars.
- Provide objective and balanced advice on external affairs and partnership building, and coordinate with Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, CSOs/NGOs and other relevant stakeholders in accordance with agreed ASEAN positions, mandates and priorities.
- Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with other Divisions in the ASEAN Secretariat on matters related to human rights, including ensuring complementary and alignment of work across AICHR and ASEAN Sectoral Bodies with mandates related to human rights.
3. Service and facilitate cross-pillar and cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration on human rights
- Facilitate activities to disseminate awareness of human rights issues or social issues relevant to the ASEAN Secretariat.
- Coordinate and implement the follow-up actions to decisions and agreements made at ASEAN Meetings.
- Attend and summarise reports of discussions under relevant agendas of meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and CPR-Working Group; meetings of the ASEAN-IPR Governing Council; and other meetings related to human rights under the Division’s purview.
4. Manage the development and implementation of AICHR’s programmes and activities
- Facilitate and service meetings of AICHR and follow up on all decisions of AICHR.
- Provide impartial and professional Secretariat support to AICHR and its Representatives, while maintaining the institutional independence and responsibilities of the ASEAN Secretariat.
- Maintain high-quality and accurate record-keeping to ensure the retention of institutional memory of AICHR.
- Assist AICHR in the development and implementation of its Five-Year Work Plans and annual Priority Programmes/Activities.
- Assist AICHR in the presentation of its work plans and annual budgets submitted to the CPR/CPRWG and ensure governance of funding and resources in compliance with the ASEAN Secretariat Financial Rules and Procedures (AFARP), and the Rules of Procedure adopted by AICHR.
- Propose, assess, and assist in project formulation and implementation of the AICHR activities and develop concept papers, research papers and analysis for AICHR’s consideration and approval.
- Ensure that there are effective lines of communication between AICHR, other ASEAN bodies, external parties and other relevant stakeholders, consistent with agreed mandates and institutional positions, especially on cooperative activities, as well as disseminate information on the latest developments of ASEAN and AICHR to those concerned.
- Provide updates and assessment reports on the work of AICHR to the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
5. Manage the Division’s work in liaison with the ASEAN-IPR Secretariat on all matters related to ASEAN-IPR
- Support the Secretary-General of ASEAN in his capacity as ex-officio of the ASEAN-IPR Governing Council.
- Support the participation of DSG APSCD and DIR PSD at ASEAN-IPR Governing Council Meetings.
- Attend meetings of the ASEAN-IPR Governing Council as assigned.
- Manage the Division as Desk Officer for ASEAN-IPR.
- Responsible for appraisal and approval procedures, and reporting of ASEAN-IPR projects funded by external resources.
- Manage Division’s tasks and provide inputs for internal briefings, talking points, monitoring matrices and regular progress reports of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, including its Strategic Plans, on matters related to ASEAN-IPR and its work on different thematic issues on peace and reconciliation
6. Any other matters as directed by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, DSG APSC, and DIR PSD.
- Advanced degree in human rights, law, international relations, political science, public policy, public administration or another relevant field, with a 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, including the 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, including in situations involving differing or competing perspectives.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate staff, foster the 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 for this position.
- Experience in cross-cultural environments and international settings is an advantage.