Monroe Consulting Group, an executive recruitment firm, is partnering with an organisation within the Professional Services sector to hire a Lead, Advocacy and External Engagement (East Malaysia). This opportunity is based in East Malaysia, supporting strategic advocacy and external engagement initiatives across the region.

Position Overview
This role leads advocacy and stakeholder engagement efforts to advance justice system responses and policy reform in East Malaysia.
It plays a critical role in influencing protections for vulnerable workers and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration aligned to national priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Coordination

Lead and coordinate organisation's advocacy and external engagement efforts in East Malaysia in alignment with national strategies set by the Head of Policy & External Engagement.
Provide strategic input to the Project Manager on advocacy priorities, stakeholder engagement, and policy reform opportunities.
Guide cross-functional collaboration to ensure external engagements contribute directly to program outcomes.

Advocacy Strategy & Knowledge Development

Develop and implement advocacy strategies aligned with organisation's Protection Model, Advocacy Goals, and East Malaysia Program Goals.
Activate and mobilise stakeholders to influence government action on forced labour and labour trafficking issues.
Prepare high-quality briefing materials, strategic analyses, and advocacy plans for engagement with government, private sector partners, and development actors.
Adapt national advocacy frameworks to East Malaysia's legal, political, and governance contexts.
Monitor policy reforms, media coverage, and emerging trends at state and national levels, recommending strategic adjustments as needed.
Contribute to organisation's advocacy communities of practice and regional or global coordination forums, documenting best practices and lessons learned.

Coalition Building & Partnerships

Map and engage key stakeholders with influence over labour protection and anti-trafficking efforts in Sabah and Sarawak.
Identify, establish, and manage strategic collaborations with government, civil society, and private sector partners.
Represent organisation in meetings, forums, and coalitions to advance justice system improvements and shared advocacy objectives.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues, round tables, and joint initiatives to promote systemic change.
Support partnership activities, including coordination and monitoring of sub-grants, in close collaboration with the Partnerships Lead based in Kuala Lumpur.
Serve as the primary liaison between East Malaysian partners and Malaysia national advocacy team.

Training, Capacity Building & Media Engagement

Contribute to the development of advocacy tools, training materials, and capacity-building resources.
Deliver or coordinate training's in collaboration with program teams and technical specialists.
Support initiatives to strengthen media engagement in East Malaysia, equipping journalists to report on trafficking issues through a rights-based lens.

Documentation, Monitoring & Reporting

Maintain comprehensive records of strategic relationships, advocacy activities, and outcomes.
Track progress against advocacy goals and contribute to quarterly and annual reports.
Support periodic reviews to assess achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
Ensure alignment with MERL frameworks and reporting requirements.

Collaboration & Internal Coordination

Maintain regular coordination with the Head of Policy & External Engagement to ensure alignment between national and East Malaysia strategies.
Collaborate closely with Advocacy, Partnerships, and Communications teams based in Kuala Lumpur to ensure consistency and shared learning.
Proactively flag emerging political, policy, or stakeholder risks requiring escalation.

Reporting & Supervisory Structure

Reports to the Project Manager, Sarawak.

Authority & Decision-Making

Represent organisation in approved advocacy and stakeholder engagements in East Malaysia.
Support relationship management and partnership coordination, escalating high-level engagements as required.
Prepare and disseminate advocacy materials, briefing documents, and reports.
Coordinate advocacy-related travel, events, and stakeholder meetings within approved guidelines.

Key Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.
Bachelor's degree in humanities, law, human rights, social work, international development, or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum 5 year's experience in advocacy, project implementation, or stakeholder engagement involving government and community-based organisations.
Proven experience in capacity building, partnership development, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

Technical / Functional Expertise

Strong knowledge of forced labour, human trafficking, international instruments, and relevant Malaysian legal frameworks.
In-depth understanding of federal and state government structures and operating environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Soft Skills & Leadership Competencies

Strong organisational skills with high accountability and attention to detail.
Excellent time management and ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
Sound analytical judgement and problem-solving capability.
Ability to work independently in remote or decentralised settings.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
High integrity, humility, and servant leadership mindset.
Passionate commitment to organisation's mission and Theory of Change.