Call for Expression of Interest

Project: Communications Support to ARMAC

Title: Communications Specialist

Contract Type: Independent Consultant

Duty Station: Home-based

Duration of Assignment: 30 days over a period of 6 months

The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) wishes to invite interested individuals to submit Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the Communications Specialist/Consultant position.

Background

The ARMAC was established by the ASEAN Leaders at the 21^st ASEAN Summit in 2012. The ASEAN Leaders envisioned ARMAC to serve as a center of excellence to encourage efforts to address the problems of explosive remnants of war (ERW) for interested AMSs with the following mandate and functions:

• Enhance awareness programs on the dangers of ERW among affected communities;
• Facilitate appropriate medical and rehabilitation assistance for victims of ERW, upon request from the affected ASEAN Member States; and
• Assist interested ASEAN Member States in research and knowledge sharing on the effects of ERW and efforts to address them, including through writing proposals for technical assistance projects and funding, at their specific and individual request.

Scope of Work, and Expected Deliverables

Responding to 2 of the mandates above, ARMAC is looking for a communications specialist to research and write articles, reports, blurbs, and other content related to ARMAC programs and operations. Likewise, s/he will curate compelling and engaging content for our audience, proofread and edit materials. More importantly, she will develop a communication strategy to capture ARMAC’s work, and broadcast this to the world.

Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Officer/Mine Action, the Communications Specialist shall primarily carry out the following tasks.

• Develop and implement a communication strategy that includes printed and online media content;
• Develop a writing/publishing style guide to ensure that ARMAC produce high-quality content, report, and knowledge products;
• Research and write articles, newsletters, magazines, press releases, online content for ARMAC’s website and social media pages;
• Work with internal/external actors to brainstorm content, ideas, in line with the ARMAC’s communications strategy and in support of ongoing and upcoming initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with national/regional press/publications/journalists; and
• Other tasks as may be assigned by ARMAC staff and Executive Director.

Qualifications and Requirements

 S/he should have a Bachelors and/or Masters degree in communication, journalism, public relations, or other related fields. A minimum of 5 years’ experiences in communication strategy development is essential, content writing for all media platforms. S/he should have proven social media and networking expertise, and excellent written and verbal communication skills (close to native English speaker). We require someone with a strategic and creative mindset.

S/he should be able to work well under pressure with short deadlines. We require someone who is attentive to detail, and possess above-average interpersonal, coordination and planning skills.

Demonstrated knowledge of ASEAN region’s mine action sector, and previous work experience within the sector is an asset but not required. Experience working with the government, non-government, and civil society actors is required.

Submitting Applications

Please send your application together to recruitment@aseanmineaction.org with the subject “Communications Specialist” not later than Friday, 31 August 2022 (12:00 midnight Phnom Penh, Cambodia local time).

Proposal letter describing how you meet the criteria citing previous work done in the field of expertise;

·       Portfolio of previous work with similar functionalities; and

·       Latest CV showing assignments in the last 2 years.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. For more information about the ARMAC, please visit www.aseanmineaction.org

On 4-5 August, ARMAC staff participated in a 2- day workshop on “Strengthening a strategic approach to address the rights and needs of mine/ERW survivors, affected families and persons with disabilities in Cambodia” which was organized by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority. The workshop showcased current policies and programs, challenges, and recommendations to improve the delivery of victim assistance in Cambodia.

ARMAC supports strategic framework initiated by the relevant national stakeholders to ensure mine/ERW victims are given equal opportunities to access essential services.

Phnom Penh, 3 August 2022: The ARMAC Permanent Secretariat was pleased to welcome a visit from a delegation from the Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, led by H.E. Kurt Kunz, Ambassador of Switzerland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN.  During the meeting, the Executive Director of ARMAC, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth, provided an overview of ARMAC’s history and mandates, and described the outcomes from ARMAC’s recent strategy stakeholder workshops held in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.  Mr. Prum Suonpraseth discussed mutual areas of interest between ARMAC and the Government of Switzerland, and the possibility of ARMAC collaborating with Switzerland in support of the recently published ASEAN-Switzerland Plan of Action.

On 2-3 August, ARMAC staff participated in a 2-day workshop organized by the Cambodian Mine Action Authority and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. The workshop aimed to strengthen the participants’ ability to mainstream gender and diversity considerations in their work. The workshop discussed concepts of gender norms and diversity in Cambodia, gender-age-disability data, and safeguarding awareness.

ARMAC supports an inclusive workplace and environment where women, men are given equal opportunities.

Job Vacancy

The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was established by the ASEAN leaders during the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh in 2012. The Permanent Secretariat (PS) of ARMAC is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. ARMAC which is guided by the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN Political Security Blueprint 2025, aims to serve as a Center of Excellence in mine action/Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) with the following mandate and functions:

1. Enhance awareness programs on the dangers of ERW among affected communities;
2. Facilitate appropriate medical and rehabilitation assistance for victims of ERW, upon request from the affected ASEAN Member States; and
3. Assist interested ASEAN Member States in research and knowledge sharing on the effects of ERW and efforts to address them, including through writing proposals for technical assistance projects and funding, at their specific and individual

ARMAC has received the funding support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), to implement the project “Enhance Victim Assistance Programmes in the ASEAN Member States”. Now, ARMAC is inviting applicants of ASEAN nationalities to submit the application for the post of Project Officer

Location             : The Permanent Secretariat of ARMAC, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Report to : Project Manager

Contract period : 2-year with possible extension

Job Purpose       : The purpose of this position is to deliver outputs and achievement of objectives identified in the project under the guidance of the Project Manager, and to assist the Project Manager and ARMAC Permanent Secretariat in project implementation, monitoring and reporting in line with the approved project proposal.

Remuneration and Benefits:

The successful candidate, subject to initial three (3) months probationary period, will be offered an attractive remuneration package to be negotiated and commensurate to the experience and qualification of the candidates.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants can download the detailed Position Description (PD) from the ARMAC’s website or request from, and send the application indicating the applied position together with a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae to the following address or email address:

ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) #29, Street 115, Sangkat Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Email: recruitment@aseanmineaction.org

To learn more about ARMAC please visit our website: http://aseanmineaction.org

Other link:

https://bongthom.com/job_detail/view_details_18793.html?preview=true

Application Deadline: 19 August 2022 (5 pm Cambodia time – GMT+7).

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for further interview.

23 June to 21 July 2022 – Online Psychosocial Support Training Course

In collaboration with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), academic institutions, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) through its Victim Assistance (VA) Project had successfully completed the four remaining sessions of the first online Psychosocial Support Training Course.  The last session was held on 21 July and students had an opportunity to discuss “Addiction”.

Dr. Evelyn Boon, SingHealth’s Senior Principal Psychologist, and trauma expert once again led the technical facilitation for the session.

On 11 July 2022, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) organized a Special Meeting of the Steering Committee to discuss the findings and recommendations of the Mid-Term Review conducted by an independent evaluator and the outcome of the stakeholders’ workshops in the affected member states. The output of the meeting is a Report that will be submitted to the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) by end of July/August. ARMAC Chair H.E Mr. Ung Rachana presided over the meeting which was fully attended by all representatives of ASEAN member states.

Nay Pyi Taw, 8 July 2022:

On 8 July 2022, the project, “Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in the ASEAN Member States” with the theme to support the establishment of regional ERW Victim Assistance Regional Network supported by ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC), in collaboration with the General of Department of Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar co-hosted the hybrid National Consultative Meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Meeting is the third planned national consultative meetings to promote the establishment of the Regional Victim Assistance Network, following the first three that had earlier been held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Hanoi, Viet Nam and Bangkok, Thailand respectively.

The participants shared knowledge and best practices on victim services implementation in the country as well as the establishment of the Regional VAN through the lens of the International Mine Action Standard (IMAS) 13.10, and integrated approach to victim assistance and voice of victims.

The Meeting was led by the Executive Director of ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth and Mr. Aung Kyaw Moe, Director General of Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement of the Republic of Union of Myanmar. Attending as the Guest of Honor to the Opening of the National Consultative Meeting were the Union Minister and Deputy Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement of the Republic of Union of Myanmar, Her Excellency Dr. Thet Thet Khine and H.E. Mr. U Aung Tun Khaing, together with permanent secretaries and DGs from other relevant ministries.

The meeting brought together over 60 participants in-person and online from all relevant national and international networks and stakeholders (including EO survivors/victims) working with and/or supporting the victim of EO and other persons with disabilities.

Hanoi, Viet Nam

On the 5th of July, ARMAC held its strategy stakeholder meeting in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The meeting drew representatives from over 8 government and non-government organizations to provide inputs into the preparation of ARMAC’s first five-year strategic plan.

The meeting is the third of a series of workshops that will encompass stakeholders across mine-affected AMSs. A special session meeting is taking place on 11 July where the outcome from the country consultations will be one of the key points to be discussed.

The goal of ARMAC is to reduce the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war throughout the region through enhanced awareness in communities, victim assistance, and the sharing of knowledge amongst AMSs.

Bangkok, 1 July 2022

ARMAC Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ms. Helene Budliger Artieda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR (Residence in Bangkok) while he was on-route from attending the Intersessional Meeting of the APMBC and UN NDM 25th held in Geneva, Switzerland from 20-24 June 2022.

The official trip is meant to cement and further advance cooperation between the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center and the Swiss Federal Government as well as other international organizations and partners based in Geneva.

ARMAC ED updated the Ambassador on the progress and achievements made by ARMAC and the Strategy Plan that ARMAC is currently formulating by embarking on a wide range of consultations with AMSs and relevant partners/stakeholders in the region.

ARMAC ED thanked the Ambassador for the financial contribution made by the Swiss Government to support the operations of ARMAC Permanent Secretariat in 2022 and also exchanged views on the soon-to-be adopted ASEAN-Switzerland Plan of Action where ARMAC could play a crucial and contributing role in helping to advance ASEAN-Switzerland cooperation in area of humanitarian mine action.