KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Senior Project Officer - Advocate Pillar
Sector: Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Duration/Level of Effort: Full-time Position
Location: Remote or on-site in Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam)
Deadline to apply: 18/June/2025    
 
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The Southeast Asia Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Platform is a pivotal initiative supported by a AUD20 million investment from the Australian Government over five years (2024 to 2029). The Platform aims to enhance GBV prevention efforts across Southeast Asia by fostering collaboration among governments, civil society organisations, international bodies, and other stakeholders. We are guided by the principles of being locally driven, evidence-based, inclusive and diverse, survivor-centred and trauma informed, adaptable, collaborative, minimising harm, accessible and innovative. We seek to build capacity, amplify evidence, and innovate in the prevention of GBV.     
 
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The Senior Project Officer for the Advocate Pillar will provide technical and coordination support to advance the Platform’s advocacy objectives on GBV primary prevention in Southeast Asia. Working under the supervision of the Advocate Pillar Lead, the Senior Project Officer will contribute to the implementation of strategies that promote evidence-informed advocacy, meaningful engagement, and stronger regional collaboration on GBV prevention.
 
They will help drive the work of the Advocate Pillar by fostering inclusive dialogues, mutual learning, and shared advocacy spaces among practitioners, policymakers, and catalysts. Through these efforts, the Platform aims to facilitate alignment, partnerships, and collective action needed for expanded multi-stakeholder collaboration across countries and sectors.
 
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Support the implementation of the Advocate Pillar strategy, ensuring activities align with the Platform’s principles, objectives, budget plans, and timelines.
• Support the planning and execution of Advocate Pillar activities such as regional and national dialogues, learning events, and webinars, including identifying and coordinating with resource persons and participants, drafting concept notes, and documenting key insights.
• Support all project management for the Advocate Pillar including maintaining the work plan and budget, supporting with logistics and administration and coordinating with the operations team.
• Identify and act on emerging advocacy opportunities in national, regional, and global spaces to strategically position the Platform and amplify the agendas of WROs, CSOs, and other GBV prevention practitioners.
• Contribute to the development of advocacy strategies that influence national and regional GBV prevention policies and implementation mechanisms.
• Coordinate engagement with UN agencies, ASEAN sectoral bodies, regional mechanisms and other relevant stakeholders, including tracking policy opportunities and preparing advocacy materials or briefs.
• Support the development and promotion of funding advocacy materials that are informed by and developed in consultation with WROs and CSOs and assist in outreach efforts to donors and funding institutions.
• Proactively engage with cross-sectoral and cross-movement partners (e.g., climate, disability, LGBTQ+ networks) to identify shared advocacy priorities and opportunities for joint action.
• Develop knowledge and communication products, such as advocacy guidance notes, policy summaries, stories of prevention practice, and lessons learned, in collaboration with the Communications Director.
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting themes (e.g., disability inclusion, gender equality, climate justice), and uphold safeguarding, ethical engagement, and risk management protocols in line with DFAT guidelines and Platform policies.
• Work closely with the Advocate Pillar Lead and MEL Director to ensure the advocate pillar activities are contributing to the achievement of the overall Platform Theory of Change.
• Support the development and use of MEL tools to monitor the reach, quality, and influence of advocacy initiatives and document good practices and lessons learned. Support the collection, documentation, and analysis of data and contribute to gathering feedback from stakeholders and evidence of changes in policy, practice, relationships or discourse resulting from advocacy efforts.
• Maintain close coordination with other Platform Pillars and team members to ensure synergy, consistency, and documentation of joint actions.
• Contribute to strategic planning sessions, annual reviews, and platform-wide learning to ensure the Advocate Pillar’s activities align with broader regional GBV prevention goals.
• Support strategic coordination across various project implementation components, internal teams and external partners to ensure harmonised implementation of the Pillar plans.
• Contribute to the smooth and efficient functioning of the Advocate pillar by undertaking necessary administrative support to the Pillar Lead and team members, as required to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Project manage grants which fall under the Advocate Pillar, including maintaining open communications with grantees, ensuring compliance with partnership agreements and supporting grantee reporting in collaboration with the Partnerships team and Grants Officer.
• Support the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data regarding the Facilitate pillar activities (e.g., learning interventions, peer exchanges, trainings).
• Contribute to Platform reporting requirements.
• Perform any other related duties and responsibilities assigned by the Pillar Lead that are necessary to support the effective implementation of the program and the attainment of its stated objectives and outcomes.

 
 
Qualifications and Competencies:
Education:
 

• A bachelor's degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Development Communication, or other related fields. A postgraduate degree in a related field is desirable but not essential.
• Additional training and/or certification in related fields an advantage.

Competencies and experience:
 

• At least 5-7 years of experience in advocacy, policy engagement, or program implementation in GBV prevention, women’s rights, or gender equality in Southeast Asia.
• Strong understanding of regional mechanisms and national policy frameworks on GBV prevention.
• Demonstrated commitment to feminist principles, locally led development, and inclusive practices.
• Strong analytical and adaptive thinking skills; ability to adjust strategies based on evolving political contexts and advocacy windows.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives and lead high-quality events or consultations.
• Demonstrated project management skills including maintaining work plans and budgets, reporting, administration and logistics coordination.
• Experience managing partnerships and/or grants with diverse organisations.
• Experience working on funding advocacy, donor engagement, or resource mobilization strategies in collaboration with movements or civil society.
• Familiarity with global and regional human rights frameworks and experience supporting CSOs in navigating these mechanisms for advocacy purposes.
• Demonstrated experience or understanding of intersectional advocacy, particularly issues affecting women in all their diversity, including LBTQIA+ persons, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and others from marginalized communities.
• Experience producing knowledge products and supprting communications or advocacy campaigns.
• Familiarity with MEL systems, outcome tracking, or learning documentation, particularly as it relates to advocacy, is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and coordination skills.
• Proven ability to effectively provide administrative support and to accurately report project outputs and outcomes.
• Ability to work both independently and in a diverse and collaborative team environment.

Language:
 

• Proficiency in English and at least one Southeast Asian language, both written and oral.

 
 
APPLICATION PROCESS
This position is open for citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. We will not consider applicants from other regions/countries.
 
We strongly encourage applications from women in all their diversity, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the values of gender equality and intersectionality.
 
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 18/June/2025. For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
 
To apply, please submit the following: - Updated CV that highlights relevant experiences and achievements vis-a-vis this job description - Cover letter outlining your interest and suitability in the role.  
 
Equal Opportunity: 
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring based on merit and qualifications. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  
 
Salary Information
This position offers a salary within the range of AUD 4.000 - AUD 5.000 per month, based on the successful candidate's experience and qualifications.
 
For More Information:  For further details or to apply, please contact collaborate@prevention-platform.org or visit www.prevention-platform.org.  Join us in driving impactful GBV prevention efforts in Southeast Asia! 
 
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Montreal, Nairobi, and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.