Southeast Asia Coordination Officer

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JOB TITLE:

SOUTHEAST ASIA COORDINATION OFFICER

ABOUT GAIA

GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries whose ultimate vision is

a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped.

We recognize that our planet's finite resources, fragile biosphere, and the health of people and other living beings are endangered by polluting and inefficient production practices, and health-threatening disposal methods. Because of this, we oppose incinerators, landfills, and other end-of-pipe interventions. Our goal is clean production and creating a closed-loop, materials-efficient economy where all products are reused, repaired, or recycled.

ABOUT YOU

The Southeast Asia Coordination Officer as part of the GAIA Asia Pacific programs team, will be responsible for coordinating with member organizations in Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam, in promoting Zero Waste systems in the region.

They are expected to have excellent interpersonal skills in order to coordinate with diverse personalities in their official function as Coordination Officer by leveraging familiarity in working with civil society organizations, government institutions, and other stakeholders in the environment and climate space.

Reporting:

Working under the direction of the Deputy Director for Programs, the Southeast Asia Coordinator Officer will also closely work with program and project leads. The Southeast Asia Coordination Officer will be part of the Programs Unit. 

Responsibilities:

The scope of the position includes but is not limited to the following responsibilities:

Member Coordination & Network Support (35%)

• Serve as the primary liaison for GAIA's network of member organizations in Southeast Asia, with a dedicated focus on grassroots groups and NGOs in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
• Facilitate regular communication and information sharing between the GAIA secretariat and members to promote Zero Waste systems and other network initiatives.
• Identify and assess member needs, challenges, and opportunities, relaying critical information to the Deputy Director for Programs and relevant project leads.
• Actively invite and encourage members to participate in regional working groups, events, and campaigns that align with their work.
• Amplify the work of member organizations by identifying key achievements and stories to be shared through GAIA's communications channels, such as social media and newsletters.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy (35%)

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse range of external stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government institutions, and partners in the environmental and climate space.
• Represent GAIA in meetings, forums, and conferences to advocate for a just, zero-waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights.
• Facilitate dialogue and build coalitions between GAIA members and key government or institutional partners to advance clean production policies.
• Support the development of solidarity messages and joint advocacy efforts with partners on pressing waste, environment, and climate policy issues.

Project Management & Execution (20%)

• Develop and maintain project work plans, track timelines, and monitor the progress of deliverables for multiple ongoing projects simultaneously.
• Utilize digital project management tools to organize project documents, coordinate tasks, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Prepare and write project accomplishment reports for internal and external stakeholders, highlighting progress toward program goals.
• In coordination with program leads, manage and prioritize multiple tasks to ensure the successful execution of project activities and campaigns.

Internal Collaboration & Reporting (10%)

• Work closely and collaboratively with the Deputy Director for Programs, providing regular updates on member activities, stakeholder engagement, and project progress.
• Coordinate with the Regional Coordinator to ensure alignment with broader regional strategies and objectives.
• Provide support and input to various program and project leads within the Programs Unit to foster a highly collaborative team environment.
• Participate actively in team meetings, contributing to strategic planning and sharing insights from the field to enhance program quality and impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience, and 3+ years working on coordination and organizing work
• Given the amount of work to be done in the coordination work for Southeast Asia, Southeast Asian nationals are preferred
• Excellent grasp of the geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam
• Understanding of the waste, environment, climate  and policy issues at local, national and regional levels is preferred
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative team environment
• Have knowledge on digital tools and office applications for project management
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to be on top of several ongoing projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication, facilitation, listening and report writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated communication and project management skills
• Passion for social and environmental justice