THE ASIA FOUNDATION

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is an Australian Government-funded initiative that partners with Southeast Asian governments and other stakeholders to foster inclusive growth through sustainable infrastructure development. P4I works with and provides services to Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It focuses on infrastructure planning and prioritisation, project preparation and procurement, and policy and regulation through provision of rapid or longer-term infrastructure advisory services, government partnerships, and learning and networking activities. All services include the cross-cutting priorities of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and disaster risk reduction and climate change (DRRCC).

Delivered through a single cohesive team that operates from a hub in Bangkok, P4I is led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY), Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation (TAF), and Ninti One.

The new position of TAF-P4I Regional Program Officer will be added in P4I’s Bangkok hub.

Further information about P4I is available at www.partnershipsforinfrastructure.org

Summary of Position Responsibilities:

The following summary captures the multiple functions and responsibilities of the TAF-P4I Regional Program Officer.

The position is part of P4I’s Country Engagement team but will focus on the Asia Foundation engagement across P4I. This position will support the coordination of TAF’s P4I work at the country level, ensuring that P4I’s engagement reflects a sound strategic narrative in line with country context, Australia’s bilateral engagement priorities, and P4I’s objectives. The Program Officer will be expected to work closely with all P4I delivery partners and support Asia Foundation offices to leverage their local expertise, insights, and networks.

Overall Objective: To provide coordination and support to TAF teams working on P4I and to the Deputy Director of Regional Engagement.

• Work closely with the Deputy Director, Regional Engagement (Bangkok Hub) to monitor activities undertaken by TAF or with TAF involvement
• Assist with monitoring country contexts (including through liaison with Asia Foundation country offices)
• Regularly liaise with Country Representatives, Deputy Country Representatives, Program Specialists Group (PSG) members, other Asia Foundation staff, to coordinate planning, budgeting, and other measures to ensure adequate resourcing to support identified activities.
• Work closely with TAF offices on Activity design and proposal development, assisting offices with navigating the P4I Activity lifecycle and activity development process
• Monitoring and supporting the development of P4I country pipelines and coordinating with Asia Foundation country offices to identify potential inputs based on Foundation relationships and competencies in respective offices.
• Coordinate with P4I Hub (GEDSI, DRRCC and MEL teams) and relevant country and/or program teams to ensure compliance with P4I and internal TAF processes
• Coordinate with the program finance officer and relevant finance and program teams to monitor and report on P4I activities and expenditures
• Participate in relevant program coordination meetings and flag key action points for follow up to share with relevant country offices
• Develop and maintain internal project management documents, including an activity tracker, charge code list, and guidance notes

REQUIREMENTS

Required Experience:

• At least three years of professional experience with donor-funded international development assistance programs.
• Academic and professional experience in one or more Southeast Asian countries.
• Proven capacity to work cross-sectorally and beyond conventional niche approaches, with preference given to candidates with experience in political economy analysis and related analytical tools.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with The Asia Foundation and knowledge of Foundations systems, procedures, program approaches, and program design, implementation, and review tools and resources a plus.
• Language proficiency in at least one Southeast Asian language an asset.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly as a team member and independently in a complex, multi-stakeholder organization.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills and proven interpersonal and intercultural skills and sensitivity.
• Proven ability to link strong analytical approaches and understanding with practical,
• on-the-ground programming.
• Strong team-building, representational, facilitation, and problem- solving skills.

Others:

• Readiness to undertake work-related travel in Southeast Asia.
• Thai national

Contract:     Initially 1 year with possible extension.

Education: Academic qualifications in political science, political economy, public administration, public policy, public financial management, economics, law, or related international development field. Preference given to candidates with graduate-level qualifications.

Please send a cover letter specifying the position to which you are applying with your resume by email to:  poonsook.pantitanonta@asiafoundation.org by Friday, August 11, 2023. (Only short-listed candidates will be notified)