Legal Officer, Women’s Housing Rights Officer (WHRO), Bookkeeper

CENTRE ON HOUSING RIGHTS AND EVICTIONS

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) is an international human rights NGO working to protect and promote the human right to adequate housing for everyone, everywhere. COHRE has regional Programmes in Africa, the Americas and in Asia. Established in 1994, COHRE is now an important voice in the global human rights movement.

The Legal Officer will take a lead role in COHRE’s legal and policy advocacy work on housing and land rights in Cambodia, and will be involved in legal and policy advocacy in other COHRE focus countries (Burma, East Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines) and in the region as required.

Job Description
The Legal Officer will work under the guidance of the COHRE director and will have as primary tasks the following:

1. Stay abreast of legal & policy developments in Cambodia and provide legal analysis
2. Take a lead role in legal advocacy work in Cambodia and assist with legal advocacy in other COHRE focus countries as required.
3. Take a lead role on case work in Cambodia
4. Conduct training on key topics under his/her brief
5. Assist colleagues in other training related to COHRE objectives
6. Contribute to project reports and proposals as required
7. Undertake any other tasks agreed with the Director of COHRE Asia Programme

Essential qualifications needed:

1. Bachelor Degree of Cambodian law and excellent knowledge of international human rights law
2. Knowledge of housing and land issues in Cambodia
3. Excellent command of both Khmer and English orally and in writing
4. At least 2 years of relevant work experience
5. Work experience in an NGO environment, preferably in a human rights related NGO
6. Excellent computer skills an ability to use in particular word processing, excel, power point and the internet

Desirable qualifications:

1. Good computer skills and ability to use in particular internet, Microsoft, Excel, Power point
2. Willing to work within a multicultural environment.
3. Exposure to regional work

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. This is a one year fulltime contract with the possibility of extension. The first 3 months is a probation period.

COHRE is seeking a Women’s Housing Rights Officer (WHRO) for its Asia Programme (AP). The WHRO will be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The WHRO will report to the COHRE Asia Programme Director.

The WHRO will:

• Develop and implement a detailed Plan of Action, including a range of activities aimed at protecting and promoting women’s housing rights in Southeast Asia.
• Develop strong and effective networks and coalitions of activists, community-based organisations, NGOs and other institutions focusing on women’s housing rights in Southeast Asia
• Monitor and report on developments in the region relevant to women’s housing rights, including evictions and other housing rights violations and strategies employed by communities​and organisations to resist violations
• Develop and disseminate relevant information on women’s housing rights via the internet, media outlets and networks
• Conduct research, in conjunction with local partner organisations, on violations of women’s housing rights, including violations within the context of forced evictions, and violations in the context of domestic violence.
• Actively identify and pursue fundraising opportunities, in close cooperation with COHRE’s overall fundraising programme, to ensure the long-term viability of the position
• Ensure the WHRO’s work is effectively integrated into other COHRE programmes, particularly the Women’s Housing Rights initiative and COHRE’s broad strategic goals

Essential Qualifications needed:

• At least two years experience working in housing, land and related rights with a focus on women and housing rights in Cambodia
• A university degree in law, social science, women’s studies or other relevant discipline
• Knowledge of international human rights standards
• Experience with women’s rights, housing, land, displacement and/or eviction issues
• Self-motivated and well-organised, with writing and communication skills of a high order
• Commitment to COHRE’s aims
• Fluency in both spoken and written English and Khmer is ESSENTIAL
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to deliver under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Willingness to travel regularly
• Knowledge of other Southeast Asian languages an advantage
• Experience working on women and housing rights in other Southeast Asian countries desirable

This is a one-year fulltime position with the possibility of extension. The first 3 months is a probation period.

The Bookkeeper will work under the guidance and supervision of the Administrator of the COHRE Office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and will have as primary tasks:

1. To check all incoming invoices and receipts
2. To write Payment Requests
3. To record all financial transactions (in the cash book and in electronic form)
4. To file documents (hard copy and electronic file) including invoices, receipts, check, and other documents related to the COHRE accounts
5. To produce and compile reports showing statistics, such as cash receipts and expenditures
6. To assist in the preparation of budget for program activities
7. To assist in checking financial reports from COHRE partners and from COHRE headquarters
8. To implement other tasks assigned by the Administrator of the regional office

Essential ualifications needed:

1. A Bachelors degree in Accounting and/or Finance.
2. At least three years experience with an INGO or NGO in accounting and finance.
3. Proficiency in accounting software.
4. Strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet and database management.
5. Ability to work in a team
6. Excellent written and and spoken skills in both Khmer and English

This is a one year full time position with the possibility of extension. The first 3 months is a probation period.

Interested candidates should send a brief covering letter and curriculum vitae to Yi Sothea, Administrator, COHRE Asia Programme at sothea@cohre.org and copied to RolandoModina, Director, COHRE Asia Programme at rolando@cohre.org,. Applications must be received by 12 April 2010.

For further information on COHRE’s work in Cambodia, visit www.org/cambodia