Associate, Asia Program

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of over 150 organizations dedicated to advancing the forest, land, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, and in particular the women within these groups. RRI’s members capitalize on each other’s strengths, expertise, and geographic reach to achieve solutions more effectively and efficiently. RRI leverages the power of its global coalition to amplify the voices of local peoples and proactively engage governments, multilateral institutions, and private sector actors to adopt institutional and market reforms that support the realization of rights.

If you are passionate about working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples in the Global South to strengthen their rights, development, and environmental efforts, this could be the place for you. For more information, check out our current openings.

People of color, people from Indigenous and local communities, women, and LGBTQ+ persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

Associate, Asia Program

The Associate will support the Asia Program's initiatives, focusing on sub-granting, operational, logistics and administrative support for the different projects and activities of the Asia program. The Associate will work under the supervision of the Director for Asia, in close collaboration with all members of the Asia team, and coordinating with colleagues across RRI.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC with the option of telework two days per week (Mondays and Fridays). Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the US and located in the DC metro area prior to the start date.

Applications will be accepted immediately and interviews conducted on a rolling basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Associate’s primary responsibility is to lead administrative support for the Asia Program, assisting the Regional Program Director, Facilitators, and consultants in all operational, administrative, and contracting needs, as required. The Associate will: 

1. Manage Contracting Processes (55%):

• Lead administrative coordination and execution of contracting with partners/collaborators/consultants from initiation to closure, including due diligence, drafting contracts, managing payments, and drafting all correspondence pertaining to agreements with partners as may be required.
• Orient key contract stakeholders to terms and provisions of their agreement.
• Track and ensure that all contract deliverables, including but not limited to narrative and financial reports, and all interim and final project outputs are submitted in a timely manner.
• Assist with the monitoring and evaluation of contract activities and outcomes.
• Maintain and regularly update files with contract/grant agreements and related documents such as deliverables and submissions expected from the project. 
• Draft amendments to contracts as needed.

2. Provide General Administrative Support (25%):

• Organize logistics for meetings, workshops, and events organized by the Asia team, including travel arrangements, and venue and catering preparations.
• Draft and manage all communications related to event participation, logistical details, and agendas.
• Manage event budgets and expenditures, lead on bookings/contracts and travel arrangements, and organize travel expense reimbursements, as appropriate.
• Document highlights, and draft reports/briefs from meetings, workshops, and events organized by the Aisa team.
• Provide logistical and administration support for organization-wide events, as needed, and especially to facilitate participation of Asia coalition members.

3. Meetings and Events Support for Asia Program (10%):

• Organize logistics for meetings, workshops, and events organized by the Asia team, including travel arrangements, and venue and catering preparations.
• Draft and manage all communications related to event participation, logistical details, and agendas.
• Manage event budgets and expenditures, lead on bookings/contracts and travel arrangements, and organize travel expense reimbursements, as appropriate.
• Document highlights, and draft reports/briefs from meetings, workshops, and events organized by the Aisa team.
• Provide logistical and administration support for organization-wide events, as needed, and especially to facilitate participation of Asia coalition members.

4. Budget Management (5%):

• Assist the Asia Director in preparing and managing the program budget.
• Track program obligations and expenditures, ensuring they align with budget allocations.
• Ensure that invoices/expenses are processed in a timely manner.

5. Coordination, Communications, and Research and Analysis (5%):

• Engage in regular team meetings, providing updates and contributing to strategic planning and monitoring processes.
• Coordinate with regional partners and stakeholders to support program implementation and advocacy efforts.
• Work with the Communications Team to produce publications, reports, and resources about the Asia program, including draft and translating correspondence with partners and collaborators from Asia. Manage translation of other documents to relevant languages of Asia.
• Conduct research and analysis on relevant topics to support program activities and strategic objectives.
• Monitor regional developments and trends related to the rights and resources of indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, and reports for internal and external use.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.  The Asia program will welcome applicants who have equivalent work experience or a combination of formal studies and work experience.   
• 2-3 years work experience in non-governmental organization (NGO) required.  Experience within an international organization, NGO or with civil society organizations (CSOs) in an Asian country is strongly preferred.
• Experience in providing operational and administrative support required.  Experience in sub-grant management is preferred.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize competing demands and projects required.
• Effective communication skills; able to communicate complex ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Professional-level fluency in English is required.  Proficiency in one other Asian language, with a preference for Bahasa Indonesia, Hindi, Tamil, Nepali, and Thai is a plus.
• Highly experienced and proficient in the use of basic computer applications (Word and Excel) required.  Experience in other computer applications and platforms preferred. 
• Effective interpersonal skills; able to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Able to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating with and supporting teammates, while maintaining an inclusive demeanor.
• Able to work independently.
• Able to travel overseas, particularly to Asia.

Salary: Starting at $55,000 USD, depending on experience

Benefits

Rights and Resources recognizes the value of benefits to employees and their families. We take great pride in offering our dedicated and committed employees a competitive benefits package. Our comprehensive benefit programs provide you with a reliable, effective, and affordable array of choices that will meet your needs and those of your family.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 100% coverage of employee premiums for the following: short-term/long-term disability insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, and the employee assistant program
• If eligible, 401(k) retirement plan (US) with employer match
• 25+ days of PTO, in addition to paid holidays
• Flextime and teleworking options
• Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year after 1 full year of employment
• Dynamic growth opportunities with merit-based promotion philosophy