Entrepreneurship in the territories: is it the right time?
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Reports To: Global Communications Director;Mekong Regional Director
Travel: Frequent travel in the region is required
Contract type: Full-time (Open-ended)
Grade: Level 6
Application Deadline: May 18, 2025
Organization Summary
EarthRights International is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, which we define as “earth rights.” We specialize in fact-finding, legal actions, training of grassroots and community leaders, and advocacy campaigns. EarthRights seeks to defend earth rights by working closely with communities to find real solutions that promote and protect human rights and the environment. We are currently seeking a Regional Communications Manager to join our team.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Global Communications Director and the Mekong Regional Director, the Mekong Communications Manager will develop and drive internal and external communications strategies for our Mekong programs and support our global development and communications efforts. The Mekong Communications Manager will work across the following focus areas: 1) Justice for communities, 2) Holding companies and financial institutions accountable for harms; 3) Protecting environmental defenders; 4) Shaping policies and legal systems and will craft creative communications strategies to progress these program aims. The Manager will be responsible for the oversight and/or production of electronic/print-based communications materials and project briefs, press releases, and event planning, with strong adherence to branding guidelines. The Mekong Communications Manager will also train, mentor, and build the capacity of staff on communications tools, such as digital and social media. The Manager will also support EarthRights’ Communications and Development programs by guiding the region’s content and communications strategies in order to elevate the public profile of our work in Southeast Asia.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as communications liaison between Mekong offices and global communications team. Elevate regional work to global prominence and proactively identify opportunities for cross-regional storytelling, as appropriate.
- Develop and implement a coherent, balanced and integrated communications strategy for EarthRights’ Mekong programs and projects, using various mechanisms and information distribution channels, such as reports, events, media relations, and digital and social media content.
- Collaborate with program teams and the global communications team to create high quality and timely communications materials such as blogs, reports, presentations, and visual communications to tell our story and elevate our work in the Mekong region.
- Act as the brand champion for Earth Rights’ Southeast Asia office and ensure that all branding guidelines are followed and that communications products are factually accurate, high in quality, and consistent with brand standards.
- Work closely with the program teams to identify communications opportunities to promote their program areas, including publishing and distributing policy briefs and documenting success stories in a creative and audience friendly manner.
- Provide communications support to partner organizations if and when needed / requested.
- Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to publish evaluation reports and disseminate insights gained throughout our programs.
- Regularly review EarthRights’ existing web and print materials, identify gaps, and in collaboration with global communication colleagues, fill those gaps with compelling new content. Collaborate with the program team to develop content for our website and social media feeds, particularly LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
- Develop media lists for our Mekong region and assist program teams with cultivating relationships with editors, journalists and bloggers to ensure a strong position presence in regional media outlets.
- Respond to media inquiries in a prompt and professional manner.
- Monitor coverage of key EarthRights Mekong issues in national and regional media and track mention of EarthRights media hits.
- Assist program staff in drafting and editing all public-facing materials related to EarthRights’ work.
- Monitor the impact of communication initiatives and identify ways to add value.
- Supervise the Mekong Human Rights Storyteller and Design and Publications Associate.
- Develop and implement communications materials and strategies that are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and empower underrepresented communities.
Accountability & Leadership
The Communications Manager is directly accountable for the following:
- Strategic Alignment & Results:
- Ensure all regional communications strategies align with EarthRights International’s mission and core values, including our commitment to diversity, equity, and the empowerment of underrepresented communities.
- Responsible for meeting defined performance indicators and delivering measurable outcomes that enhance the public profile of our Mekong programs.
- Quality & Consistency:
- Ensure that all communications outputs—print, digital, and multimedia—meet high standards of quality, factual accuracy, and consistency with branding guidelines.
- Proactively monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications initiatives, making adjustments as needed to maximize impact.
- Supervisory & Team Leadership:
- Directly supervise and provide regular performance feedback to the Mekong Human Rights Storyteller and the Design and Publications Associate, ensuring professional development and capacity building.
- Hold team members accountable for meeting deadlines, maintaining quality standards, and adhering to ethical communications practices.
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Mekong Regional Office and the global communications team, ensuring seamless coordination and integration of regional and global strategies.
- Ensure accountability in building and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets, partner organizations, and internal teams.
- Resources & Risk Management:
- Accountable for managing communications project timelines and resources efficiently, including overseeing budget and external vendor relationships if applicable.
- Team Development: Provide clear direction and continuous support to direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and effective conflict resolution.
- Performance Management: Establish and monitor clear performance metrics for the team, conducting regular reviews and providing constructive feedback to ensure high-quality deliverables and adherence to deadlines.
- Mentorship: Act as a role model in leadership, promoting collaboration, transparency, and empowerment among team members.
- Continuous Improvement:
- Develop and implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the effectiveness of communications initiatives and track progress toward strategic goals.
- Establish regular reporting mechanisms to gather feedback from stakeholders and team members, using insights to refine strategies and improve future communications efforts.
- Commit to staying current with emerging trends and best practices in communications, adjusting strategies as needed to maintain a leading edge in the field.
