The Knowledge for Development Foundation (K4D) is hosting a three-day writing workshop for
Indigenous journalists from South and Southeast Asia, taking place from April 22–24, 2025.

This workshop focuses on long-form journalism and ethical storytelling from an Indigenous
perspective. Participants will receive hands-on training, attend lectures by experienced
journalists, editors, and at the end of the workshop, develop a story idea to be published in an
online volume.

We are seeking early-career Indigenous journalists, who are passionate about journalism and
writing. Travel and accommodation expenses for the workshop will be covered.

Eligibility Criteria:
● Applicants must belong to an Indigenous community.
● Applicants must have 2–3 years of reporting experience.
● Applicants must have a basic proficiency in written English.

How to Apply:
Please send your cover letter, CV, and two writing samples to info@knowledge4development.org
by March 7, 2025. Selected candidates will be notified by March 21, 2025.

The post Call for Applications: Writing Workshop for Indigenous Journalists first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

The post JOB OPPORTUNITY: TOR of Mangrove Conservation Assistant first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Open Development Initiative is looking to hire a local Myanmar Coordinator to help manage our OD Myanmar activities.

This position will provide program support and technical assistance to the Director and work alongside the lead partner Landesa, their local team and the national Open Development Myanmar platform.

To explore the position >>>

The post JOB OPPORTUNITY: OD Myanmar Coordinator first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Date and Time: September 22, 3PM Bangkok time (UTC+7)

Room: Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 874 9655 9902
• Passcode: 937851

Description:

We are witnessing the beginnings of the innovation cycle of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the beginnings of the AI for development hype cycle. The transformer model is considered by experts as a leap in the science of machine learning. The public roll-out of AI centered around language modelling and computer vision, such as ChatGPT and Mid-Journey, is being adopted by the public at an unprecedented rate.

As with the advent of the Internet, global adoption of ICTs, digitalization, platformization, and datafication, the international development community is grappling with the tensions between adoption and potential harms. The international development community is grappling with identifying applications for socio-economic benefits and critical questions amidst popular hyperbole.

There are many questions to consider:

1. What does the adoption of AI mean for our region? Are there issues of a regional dimension?
2. What are the concerns around AI hegemony?
3. What should the paradigm be for AI governance? Is “good” governance of AI technology even possible?
4. Does pushing AI ethics and capacities mean we give up the frontline against datafication?
5. What critical perspectives can civil society take up? What critical research can we embark on?
6. What are the platforms for policy/governance discourse – at the global, regional, and national levels?

See original post 

The post DRAPAC Series: Critical Perspectives on AI Adoption and Governance first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

OVERVIEW

The Knowledge for Development Foundation (K4D) is a newly established not-for-profit organization based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The K4D promotes the development of data-driven and knowledge-based approaches to capacity building for underprivileged and vulnerable groups of people. 

The K4D will work on priority areas relating to knowledge systems and education in areas such as mangrove protection, forest, climate, and livelihoods for marginalized and indigenous communities in Thailand and regionally. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Finance and Administration Manager will be responsible for leading the financial, administrative and human resources management for our K4D office and operations to ensure financial due diligence as well as office management. S/he will be responsible for managing and overseeing the financial and grant management functions of the multiple projects for K4D Thailand. S/he will ensure that K4D financial and grants activities are effectively implemented and that K4D and donor, and project-specific policies and procedures are adhered to. S/he will oversee general execution, management, monitoring, and closeout of grants.

ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement the policy manuals for HR, finance, travel and procurement.
• Effectively manage all accounting and financial functions in compliance with donor requirements and regulations, and K4D policies. 
• Ensure program compliance with Thai laws, including Thai employment law and accounting regulations 
• Develop processes for effective budget planning, expenditures monitoring, and variance analysis.
• Oversee monthly requests for funds, based on budget and cash flow projections.
• Oversee preparation and submission of the monthly financial expenditure reports.
• Review vouchers for expenditures to ensure that expenses are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the project.
• Supervise accounting and grants staff and conduct training as needed.
• Develop and implement a monitoring system for grants contracts and agreements; including administrative and financial (e.g. budgeting/expenditures) monitoring.
• Review solicitations and grant packages including technical and budget documents.
• Ensure quality control and rigorous monitoring and evaluation of grant agreements.
• Provide capacity building in aspects related to compliance, accounting and finance, and grants management to staff and sub-recipients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in accounting, finance, or relevant field.
• At least 7 years of experience in finance and grants management of donor-funded programs, and with international development programs.
• Office management experiences and ability to liaise with staff, in person and remotely.
• Excellent computer software skills in MS Excel, Word, and accounting software (QBs accounting software is preferred).
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures preferred.

SKILLS:

• Excellent management and organizational skills are essential.
• Strong analytical and computer skills, especially spreadsheet and financial analysis. 
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and show initiative.

SALARY:

The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent fringe benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

The position is for an immediate start. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis till a suitable candidate is found. Interested candidates are encouraged to send their applications as soon as possible. Please send an up-to-date CV and a motivation letter demonstrating your skills and experience for this position to Human Resources at job@ewmi-odi.org.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. For further details of our compliance policies please see: https://ewmi.org/Compliance. 

The post TOR: Finance and Administration Manager first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

OVERVIEW

The Open Development Initiative (ODI) program of the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) is supporting a Mangroves for Coastal Resilience Initiative, which aims to conduct a coastal and riparian stakeholder mapping in order to enhance evidence-based policy advocacy to strengthen the governance structures and tenure rights of communities who rely on mangrove areas for their livelihoods. 

The priority areas of this work will encompass the development of a mapping tool or platform to track mangroves, forest, climate, and livelihood datasets; capacity development of stakeholders and evidence-based policy advocacy both in Thailand and across the target regional project areas. The Mangrove Conservation Coordinator will provide program support in Thailand and lead the technical and policy work alongside team members based in Thailand and regionally. 

Key responsibilities: stakeholder engagement, building local partnerships in Thailand, regional collaborations, research and data sharing, policy and advocacy campaigning, training and capacity building support. More specifically these responsibilities include:

• Provide program support and coordination for the project. 
• Contribute to the design and translation of appropriate surveys and data models for use in the field to gather information including datasets relating to mangrove conservation, environmental policy and management, and land use classifications.
• Liaise and build relationships with local civil society partners and government representatives to engage them in the program and policy reform.
• Support development of training materials to build local/regional stakeholders’ capacity in applied mangrove conservation.
• Coordinate national research and data collection within Thailand and regionally to contribute content and data of mangrove areas, forest, climate and livelihood issues. 
• Facilitate civil society engagement in Thailand on advocacy to protect mangroves and other coastal areas.
• Engage in national-level mangrove networks and local Indigenous Peoples’ efforts to support evidence-based policy development in Thailand.
• Provide additional support as and when needed.

Reporting requirements: 

• Provide monthly progress reports and updates during team meetings.  
• Prepare semi-annual and annual reports as required by the program. 
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the program.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of marine science/ coastal and science management/ biodiversity conservation or other related subjects with at least 2 years of experience; Masters preferred. 
• Understanding of marine protected area management and conservation initiatives in Thailand.
• Understanding of legal frameworks and policies that govern mangroves and other riparian ecosystems within Asia.
• Experience in facilitating workshops, public consultations, focus group discussions, and report writing. 
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; high self-motivation, honesty and integrity, transparency, accountability, flexibility, willingness to learn from others, able to work under pressure and demonstrate good teamwork.
• Ability to liaise and work alongside government representatives and civil society organizations.
• Computer literacy in MS Office and preferred experience in R-studio, SPSS and other data analysis software 
• Fluency in spoken and written Thai and English required.

How to apply:

The position is for an immediate start. Applications  will be accepted on a rolling basis till a suitable candidate is found. Interested candidates are encouraged to send their applications as soon as possible. Please send an up-to-date CV and cover letter demonstrating your skills and experience for this position to Human Resources at job@ewmi-odi.org by March 31, 2023. 

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. For further details of our compliance policies please see: https://ewmi.org/Compliance. 

The post TOR: Mangrove Conservation Coordinator first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Fostering Innovation and collaboration between emerging digital identity companies across the APAC region. 

The goal of the event is to foster innovation and collaboration between emerging digital identity companies and projects across the APAC region.

The post Save the Date: APAC Digital Identity unConference first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

EngageMedia is inviting digital rights advocates to kick off 2023 with a series of panel discussions, breakout sessions, and conversations with changemakers in the Asia-Pacific Digital Rights Forum, to be held from January 12 to 14, 2023.

The three-day event, which will be held in a hybrid format, aims to create online and physical spaces for changemakers to further discuss and collaborate on solutions to the region’s most pressing digital rights issues today. The digital rights themes, partnerships, and collaborations from the regional forum will be integral in shaping the upcoming Asia-Pacific Digital Rights Festival, to be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in May 2023.

January 12 and 13: Online regional convening

The first two days will be held online and will focus on digital rights issues and themes most relevant for changemakers across the Asia-Pacific, as well as discussions on building regional solidarity. Participants can also expect to take an active role by sharing their insights in breakout sessions focusing on critical digital rights issues:

Day 1 Breakout Sessions

• Extremism & Hate Speech in the Asia-Pacific
• Unpacking Gender Justice
• Climate Justice and the Internet: The Asia-Pacific Context
• Digital Authoritarianism and its Impact in the Global South
• Understanding Data Justice
• Online Disinformation in the Asia-Pacific

Day 2 Breakout Sessions

• Online Media Freedom & Censorship in Asia
• Challenging Big Tech
• Youth Engagement on Digital Rights
• Digital Labour Situation in the Asia-Pacific
• Introduction to Digital Safety
• Open and Secure Technology Focus Group Discussion

January 14: Parallel, in-person solidarity events

The third day of the forum will feature parallel, in-person solidarity events in five locations:

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Dhaka, Bangladesh
3. Jakarta, Indonesia
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5. Manila, Philippines

Participants will have the opportunity to meet other changemakers and delve deeper into the digital rights issues in their respective countries. At the end of the day, participants from the parallel, in-person events will have a chance to meet virtually and share their contexts, learnings, and actions with the wider group.

More information >>

The post Registrations Open: Join the Asia-Pacific Digital Rights Forum first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

Deadline: 22 January 2023

Mekong Commons is inviting applications for our 3-day online writeshop to be held in February 2023. Up to 20 places are available.
Selected applicants will receive a grant to participate in the online writeshop to learn about writing engaging stories, and to plan, research and finish their article. Their final articles will be edited and published by the MekongCommons.com in the subsequent months.

When?
In February 2023

Who is it for?
The call is open for all writers and researchers based in the Mekong Region to build their writing capacity and produce a written story on current environmental and development issues about the Mekong Region.

Aims of the writeshop
The Mekong Commons writeshop aims to bring together Mekong writers and researchers to think critically, learn how to plan, draft and finish engaging and compelling stories about current environmental and development topics in the Mekong Region. Those less experienced or early career writers and local community reporters will be given preference. We particularly welcome stories that link the Mekong Common’s themes of ecology, society and development to the topics that bring in perspectives of living with disabilities, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and gender.

How to apply?
To apply (in English) please submit:
• A 300-word summary (pitch) of your proposed story
• One relevant photograph of the relevant place
• A quote from someone you interviewed who is in the story
• Explain (in not more than 250 words) why this story is important to you
• Your brief biography (no more than 100 words) of your current work and/or background.

By the end of the three-day online writeshop, which involves short lectures and mentored breakout groups with experienced writers, applicants will be able to finish their articles. Therefore, applicants need to come prepared to the workshop with an overview of the environmental topic they plan to write about including key story elements: main idea, photographs and quotes from interviews).
We will support writers with editorial assistance and publish the final articles in www.MekongCommons.com.

Application form can be downloaded here.

For inquiries or to submit the application, please send email to: mekongcommons@gmail.com

View original post

The post Open call: Grants for writing workshop by Mekong Commons first appeared on Open Development Mekong.

“The Networking and Storytelling Platform for Women Leaders in Water Governance” is being developed to allow for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, connection, and learning to support women’s leadership in water and river governance in the Mekong region.

With support from SPIDER, and collaboration with International Rivers, we are looking for Steering Committee members who can provide strategic insights and leadership to develop the platform in a way that supports the principles of environmental justice and gender and social inclusion. Members will guide the development of the platform as an iterative process from prototype, through development and testing, and to launch. The official language of the Steering Committee will be English, although the platform is designed to be multilingual, and members will be requested to provide direction on best ways to ensure multilingual approaches through the development phases.

The role itself is voluntary, however, funds are available to support technology and access costs and travel (when necessary) for members of the Steering Committee.

🔎 Read more about the Platform Steering Committee Role Description: https://bit.ly/3P1RsH3 

✍️ Send us EoI  👉 https://forms.gle/za2pmKmpqJuxPTTw9 by December 28, 2022.

📧 Contact us via contact@ewmi-odi.org for more information.

The post Call for EoI: Networking and Storytelling Platform for Women Leaders in Water Governance first appeared on Open Development Mekong.