Role description

The Head of International Projects (HIP) is a new role working on Migrant Justice Institute’s global research, advocacy and engagement activities to strengthen migrant workers’ access to justice and supply chain accountability for exploitation. Our international projects complement Migrant Justice’s work within Australia, led by the Legal Director.

In September 2022, we will launch a new multi-year project to strengthen migrant workers’ access to justice for wage theft. The HIP will lead much of the work on the project, with two key components. The first is establishing a new transnational advocacy forum on access to justice for wage theft that empowers and connects civil society, unions and other organizations and builds capacity of Forum members to exert influence in key regional and international government and industry meetings. This includes placing wage theft on the agenda of key business and intergovernmental forums, alongside modern slavery and forced labour concerns.

Working closely with the Co Executive Directors, the HIP will also strategically develop and maintain relationships with advocates and partners in a range of countries, as well as with governments, business, international organisations and donors. This includes representing Migrant Justice in senior meetings and international and regional forums, and identifying opportunities in which Migrant Justice can support and amplify the work of local advocates to maximise impact.

The second component involves leading legal and empirical research to develop evidence-based models for law and policy reform by government and business. The HIP will draft public reports and other materials that build capacity among advocates, lawyers and unions to drive change within their jurisdictions and internationally and support the global advocacy movement for justice for migrant worker exploitation.

This role presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher, legal expert and dynamic strategic advocate to transform understandings of migrant worker exploitation and drive impactful new approaches to achieving justice.

Responsibilities

Research, analysis and publications

• Lead legal and empirical research to illuminate how laws and institutions operate in practice to impede migrant workers’ access to labour remedies, in particular for wage theft.
• Through research, analysis and broad consultation, develop evidence-based models for laws, government policies and institutional reforms that will tangibly improve remediation outcomes for migrant workers at the national level, with a particular focus on strengthening labour rights and access to justice for wage theft.
• Write engaging expert reports, policy guides, submissions and other materials for public and specialist audiences, including advocates, governments, international organizations, business and donors.

Advocacy and engagement

• Collaborate with, and build capacity of, allies to compellingly argue for evidence-based law and policy reforms within their national context, as well as at the international level. This will include establishing and maintaining a 2-year transnational advocacy forum focused on access to justice for wage theft, including migrant organisations, unions, lawyers, international organisations, donors, and academics. (Funding for the first year of the project has been secured, with second-year funding in progress.)
• Engage with the business community to drive a distinctive focus and action on labour exploitation and remediation of wage theft within supply chains, including leveraging business responsibilities and commitments in relation to modern slavery, forced labour and trafficking.
• Build Migrant Justice’s relationships with allies, as well as with government, the business community, international organisations and donors, and publicly represent the organisation at high-level bilateral meetings and in national, regional and international forums.
• Coordinate and convene webinars and online/in-person meetings, managing internal operations and communications support.

Program management and development

• Supervise a small number of junior staff who may provide assistance to the HIP, including currently a part-time research assistant and interns.
• Support the Co Executive Directors to secure further financial resources for the international projects, including through developing and maintaining donor relationships and drafting grant applications.
• With the Co Executive Directors, develop, implement and evaluate the international projects’ strategic and operational plans and manage budgets, grant acquittals and donor reports (with assistance from Finance).
• Work with senior staff to build a culture of impact, innovation, integrity, reflection, communication and collaboration at the Migrant Justice Institute, in which all staff feel supported, respected and valued.

Required capabilities & qualifications

Essential:

• Law degree (LLB, JD or equivalent).
• At least five years of work experience, including in a legal and/or policy setting on labour rights, migrant rights, or business accountability.
• Demonstrated excellence in prior roles, including working strategically to deliver key outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous research and communicate findings, including:
  • Empirical research, including research design and project management, interviewing, data collection, and data analysis
  • International and comparative legal and policy research and analysis
  • Effective communication of findings with detailed recommendations.
• Exceptional English-language written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write clearly and compellingly for a range of audiences and formats (such as research reports, policy guides, blog posts, briefing documents to government and business, social media posts).
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage relationships of trust with a range of stakeholders in a cross-cultural context, including migrant workers, unions, CSOs, international organisations, government, business and donors.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as collaborate effectively and supportively in a team.
• Ability to bring a creative entrepreneurial approach to building new programs in a new organisation, and to pitch in as part of a small passionate team.

Desirable:

• Proficiency in language(s) other than English.
• Experience successfully building an innovative new project or program.
• Knowledge of labour rights and one or more national wage recovery processes.
• Experience working in transnational partnerships or in a regional or global context.
• Experience building and/or managing a stakeholder network.

Terms of the role

• The Migrant Justice Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. We know our team and our work are stronger with a diversity of backgrounds and experience and we particularly encourage candidates with lived experience of migration to apply.
• The position is fixed term for 12 months, with possible extension dependent on funding and performance. The role can be undertaken at 0.8FTE (4 days per week worked flexibly) or full time, with a six month probationary period. We will also consider applications to work at 0.6FTE, 0.7FTE and 0.9FTE. Some availability during Australian business hours will be required.
• The role may be undertaken in our Sydney or Melbourne office or remotely.
• 4 weeks’ annual leave, plus one additional week of ex gratia leave over the Christmas/New Year period.
• Full time annual salary package equivalent to up to AUD 125,200 (inclusive of all employment benefits including superannuation, taxation and local allowances or payments), depending on qualifications, experience and other relevant considerations. Please note that this remuneration package is subject to local laws and obligations and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
• The position requires availability for online meetings for up to 2 hours between 8am and 6pm Sydney time, at least twice a week. It will also involve some domestic and international travel and work outside normal business hours to accommodate global time zones.
• The Migrant Justice Institute offers flexible working arrangements, opportunities for professional development and mentoring, and a workplace culture that is collaborative, dynamic, values diversity and is committed to learning and looking after each other.

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

A position description is attached.