Location: Asia-Pacific

Accountability Counsel amplifies the voices of communities to protect their human rights and environment. As advocates for people harmed by internationally financed projects, we employ community driven and policy level strategies to access justice. Since our founding in 2009, our team has partnered with communities and advocates from 50 countries to defend their rights, demand justice, and achieve historic victories. We are seeking a motivated, mission-driven Policy Associate to help us secure accountability for the environmental and human rights impacts of international finance in the Asia-Pacific region.

We work toward change through three programmatic approaches. Our Policy Advocacy program advocates for accountability offices that are accessible, transparent, and fair tools for justice; advocates in our Communities program provide grassroots legal support and assist communities to use accountability offices effectively; and our Research team delivers concrete research and tools for the movement for accountability more broadly. Our respect-based approach underlies all that we do: internally, it guides how our team treats one another, and externally, it ensures that marginalized people, particularly Indigenous Peoples, women and girls, are included as full participants in community-led strategies seeking accountability.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Accountability Counsel is seeking an experienced advocate based in the Asia-Pacific region to support its Policy program. The Policy Associate will advocate to international financial institutions to increase their accountability to communities. For more information about the range of institutions on which we focus, please visit the Policy Advocacy page of our website. This position will report to the Policy Director.

The Policy Associate’s primary responsibilities will include:

  • Advancing our organizational strategy by advocating to: (1) shift policy and practice of existing accountability offices to be more effective for the communities who require them, and (2) close accountability gaps by arguing for creation of new offices where no such accountability offices currently exist;
  • Advocating for accountability for all financial flows in Asia and the Pacific that could cause environmental or human rights harm with an emphasis on financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Chinese financial institutions, and Japanese financial institutions;
  • Conducting policy analysis and drafting technical submissions recommending improvements to existing accountability office and financial institution policies and procedures;
  • Collaborating with, and supporting advocacy of, civil society organizations committed to advancing good governance for environmental and social safeguards through improved accountability;
  • Collaborating with the Accountability Counsel’s Communities Team members who are based in Asia on a regular basis and support advocacy in relation to community cases;
  • Attending and advocating at meetings and conferences to advance the goals of the Policy program;
  • Drafting written materials for internal and external use, including letters, memoranda, opinion pieces, policy analysis, and other materials; and
  • Managing fellows and interns.

WHO YOU ARE

  • Personally committed to Accountability Counsel’s mission and values and respect-based approach. You believe in the agency of communities around the world to protect their human rights and environment. You are committed to meaningfully partnering with those communities and disrupting the systems of power, privilege, and injustice that undermine their rights and interests.
  • A compelling advocate for social and/or environmental justice that is committed to centering the voices of communities in those struggles. You have a degree in a related field, such as law, development studies, international finance, or human rights and at least three years of advocacy experience in a relevant field (e.g. human rights, environmental law, environmental and social justice campaigns, international development, corporate accountability, community organizing). We are seeking someone as equally talented at sensitively working with communities at the local level, as they are effective at international advocacy.
  • Deeply grounded in the Asia-Pacific region. You have in-depth knowledge of the socio-political and economic context of the particular Asia-Pacific location in which you are based, and more broadly across the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Enthusiastic about a non-traditional style of advocacy. We are seeking an advocate who prepares and empowers communities to advocate for themselves rather than speaking for them.
  • A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport and trust across lines of difference, both internally and externally. You have a high degree of empathy, patience, and ability to work among diverse coalitions, including across different languages and timezones.
  • A critical, strategic thinker. You have excellent written, verbal, research, and analytical skills, including the ability to review and evaluate highly technical information related to international financing and related policies. You have sound judgment and the ability to think strategically in a fast-paced environment.
  • A self-directed team member who welcomes advice. You are comfortable working independently with remote supervision. You can organize and prioritize your workload. At the same time, you proactively, openly, and actively escalate issues to, and welcome feedback and direction from, the rest of Accountability Counsel’s team.
  • A transparent and empowering leader. You generously share knowledge and empower peers and partners to build their own advocacy and leadership skills, while also supporting their wellbeing.
  • At home in a lean, but collaborative nonprofit environment working at the cutting edge of international environmental and human rights law, with the ability to stay both focused and nimble in the face of change.
  • Fluent in a language commonly used in the Asia-Pacific region, and fluency or advanced language proficiency in English.

HOURS AND LOCATION

This full-time employment opportunity will begin in August 2022. To facilitate communication and collaboration with existing Accountability Counsel team members and regional partners, we have a preference for candidates located in Thailand, but we will also consider candidates based elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region. This position will require communication and collaboration with team members in Thailand, the United States, Bahrain, and Kenya. This position will require travel within the region and internationally.

COMPENSATION

Accountability Counsel is committed to competitive, equitable, transparent, and progressive compensation and benefits for staff and consultants. The compensation and benefits for this role will be commensurate with experience and location and informed by our Compensation Equity and Transparency Framework. We expect the successful candidates will qualify for the Program Associate II or Program Associate III bands (with compensation between USD45,500 and USD59,500 if the candidate is located in Bangkok or a similar cost of living setting). In addition to paid time off, team members are encouraged to take every other Friday off (Wellness Fridays) as part of our commitment to team wellbeing.

TO APPLY

If this opportunity calls out to you, please click here to submit: 1) your resume, 2) a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains why this mission calls to you and why this particular role is a fit, 3) a short writing sample (no more than 5 pages) reflecting your strengths as a compelling communicator, such as a blog or other public-facing piece of writing, and 4) a brief description of how Accountability Counsel’s respect-based approach appeals to you as you think about this role. Please address your cover letter to Margaux Day. We will review applications on a rolling basis starting on 5 July. Due to the volume of candidates anticipated and size of our organization, we regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding further steps in the application process.

Accountability Counsel is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other prohibited category. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and all qualified persons to apply for this position.

APPLICATION FORM

We are no longer accepting new applications for this role