Senior Policy Analyst / Counsel (East Asia)

The Organization and Role

About Access Now 

Access Now is a growing international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, including issues of privacy, security, freedom of expression, and transparency. Our policy, advocacy, technology, and operations teams have staff presences in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), North America, and South/Southeast Asia, to provide global support to our mission. 

About this role 

The Senior Policy Analyst is deeply involved in aspects of the organisation that pertain to Access Now’s policy initiatives in East Asia. The Analyst works closely with Asia Pacific policy analysts, campaigners, regional leaders, and others around the world to foster international dialogue to ensure that legislation and policies around the region respect and extend human rights in the digital age. The Senior Policy Analyst contributes to Access Now's strategy to actively engage with relevant governments and policy institutions based in or engaging with East Asia on digital rights issues and shape the policies for tech and society toward an open and free internet.

The Senior Policy Analyst demonstrates leadership in efforts to engage with key institutions, policy-makers and other stakeholders to fight for digital rights across the region. They engage in the legislative process autonomously with support from regional colleagues. The Senior Policy Analyst brings demonstrated experience in managing coalition work and they contribute to strategic development alongside managers and directors. They develop and provide tech-driven policy guidance to governments, corporations, and civil society with a view to defend and extend the digital rights of users at risk in East Asia and more widely around the world.

The Senior Policy Analyst works alongside the Asia Pacific advocacy and policy team, and in coordination with other key program teams. The role may be filled as Senior Policy Analyst, or as Senior Policy Counsel, differentiated by regional and/or preparatory distinctions. The Senior Policy Analyst reports through the Asia Pacific Policy and Advocacy Director.

What you will do

• Implement the Asia Pacific regional plan, designing and deploying policy and advocacy strategies tailored to the target institutions and stakeholders in East Asia to defend Access Now’s positions under the supervision of the Asia Pacific Policy and Advocacy Director
• Craft research and evidence based on legal, policy, and legislative analysis, leading to development of sound policy recommendations and strategies in the region
• Advise and engage with relevant governmental and other regional institutions as appropriate, and key regulators dealing with issues connecting to our policy priorities
• Coordinate with policy action and communications teams on innovative and effective regional advocacy approaches to advance digital rights in East Asia, including helping to design and execute relevant online and offline campaigns
• Collaborate closely with the Asia Pacific Policy and Advocacy Director and the global advocacy team to build and update Access Now’s global policy positions and identify the most efficient and strategic implementations in a region
• Coordinate with the global campaign team on opportunities to create global actions on programmatic issues relevant to East Asia priorities
• Follow developments in areas of importance to human rights in the digital age, spanning business & human rights, content moderation, regulation and disinformation, internet shutdowns, government surveillance, digital identity, data protection and privacy, and accountability of online platforms
• Support and collaborate with diverse groups of organisations and individuals in East Asia to advance regional community objectives on digital rights
• Coordinate and represent Access Now in stakeholder coalitions, public events, and before governmental institutions 
• Identify opportunities to build Access Now’s profile in East Asia, including by developing and managing relationships with partners, policymakers, and stakeholders
• Support the Asia Pacific Policy and Advocacy Director in advising Advocacy Directors (Policy and International Programs, Campaigns & Rapid Response, Communication & Engagement), Executive Director, and Senior Management Team on issues and strategy
• Assist in the implementation of RightsCon events and gatherings
• Other duties as assigned

Skills, education, and mindset you will bring

• 3-7 years progressive, professional-level experience with increasing levels of responsibility in regional policy and lawmaking, public policy, advocacy, campaigning, or similar function in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on East Asia - particularly Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
• Additional expertise on South Korea and Japan and/or previous work experience on matters arising from elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region or global digital policy issues is a plus (helpful, though not a requirement)
• Previous experience engaging with technology firms and other tech sector actors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan is strongly preferred; previous study experience in the region, including South Korea and Japan, is also a plus
• Solid understanding and interest in human rights, public policy, technology, and public organising in the East Asia region - with deep subject matter knowledge in at least one area
• Ability to bridge the gap between policy and technology (technical background a plus)
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to lead production of well-written policy papers and communications material
• Global perspective and ability to participate in a team with people from around the world
• Thorough understanding of the digital debates of our time and the challenges that new technologies pose to the respect and enjoyment of human rights
• Experience working in civil society, public sector, and/or a regulatory environment
• Strong organizational skills, and ability to meet and prioritize multiple deadlines in a complex and fluid environment
• Capacity to translate complex information into communications that can be accessed and understood by a layperson
• Solid non-technical understanding of security technologies, or better
• A passion for human rights and technology policy issues and a drive to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment
• Fluency in English and Mandarin required; fluency in another East Asian language (including Cantonese, Korean, Japanese) is a plus
• Appropriate education and work preparation for the role, with preference for a bachelor or master degree equivalent in law, political science, international relations or public policy preferred

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position. While preference is for applicants located in East Asia, applications from across Asia will be equally considered. The successful candidate must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. At this time most Access Now Team Members are working through hybrid office arrangements, combining remote at-home work with intermittent use of offices and/or co-working spaces. 

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation and benefits packages that align competitively with locations and regions around the world. Location-specific examples of initial placement within the salary range for this role include:

• 200,000 PHP gross monthly (Philippines)
• 8,400 SGD gross monthly (Singapore)
• 7,050,000 WON gross monthly (South Korea)
• 160,000 TWD gross monthly (Taiwan)
• 170,000 THB gross monthly (Thailand)