ThaiNGO

Regional Program Officer - ASEAN

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region is focused on good governance, women’s empowerment and gender equality, inclusive economic growth, environment and climate action, and regional and international relations.

Led by the ASEAN program team, the Foundation is implementing the ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership (APSP) program. APSP is a six-year (2019-2025) AUD 10.5 million initiative of the Australian Government with the goal to support Australian engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on security cooperation; and to enhance ASEAN’s ability to lead more coordinated, cohesive and inclusive responses to transnational political security issues. APSP focuses on four policy areas of 1) cybersecurity; 2) maritime security; 3) women, peace and security (WPS); and 4) transnational crime; and works directly with ASEAN sectoral bodies and other ASEAN entities to develop and deliver activities under these policy areas. 

The Foundation is looking for a Regional Program Officer who will support the delivery of the APSP program. The Regional Program Officer will work as a member of the Foundation’s ASEAN program team, under the supervision of Regional Program Manager, and may be drawn into other ASEAN cooperation related activities as well. S/he will collaborate and engage closely with all team members towards effective and efficient implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of program activities.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Support Regional Program Manager in overall management of APSP, with focus on monitoring activity timeline and expenditure, and program reporting.
• Support and work with all team members toward effective implementation of activities of APSP. This includes, but not limited to:
  • Support Policy Area Leads in developing or reviewing activity proposals and concept notes, activity materials (such as invitation letter, administrative note, guideline for speakers, guideline for group discussion), activity outcome documents, and completion report (if required).
  • Support Policy Area Leads in organizing activities in the host country.
  • Lead and/or coordinate implementation of activities that do not fall into particular policy area, as needed.
  • Engage with ASEAN and Australian counterparts in the course of activity planning and implementation.
• Support the management of contracting and sub-grants, including but not limited to ensuring effective use and value for money of program funds, coordinating with the finance team on contracting and sub-grant issuance, and monitoring of the status of deliverables, reporting requirement (if any) and payment.  
• Support effective documentation, data management and effective communication of results in collaboration with all team members.
• Support Women Peace & Security (WPS) and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Advisor of APSP in mainstreaming GEDSI into activity implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Contribute to the preparation of APSP’s semi-annual review, annual report and final evaluation, as well as any other report required by the donor.
• Work with Regional Program Manager and all team members to establish or maintain strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders. 
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and other events relevant to the program.
• Support other activities or programs of TAF as required.

Requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) is preferred.

Professional experience and competencies

• A minimum of 7 years of program management experience in an international organization, donor agency, international non-governmental organization or equivalent, with at least 3 years of experience in regional or multi-country programs.    
• Demonstrated understanding, knowledge and experience related to ASEAN mechanisms and processes as well as cooperation between ASEAN and external partners. Proven professional experience with ASEAN is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work productively, independently, and remotely; to be responsive to requests; and to be result-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, while consistently deliver quality output.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.

Language

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.

Other

• Willingness and ability to travel within the Southeast Asia region.
• Successful candidate is required to be legally authorized to work in the ASEAN member state s/he resides.

How to apply:

The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Please send your cover letter and resume to Pitchanuch.supavanich@asiafoundation.org by 7 March 2024 (GMT+7), with the subject title “Application – Regional Program Officer – ASEAN”. Only candidates that are shortlisted will be contacted by email for the interview.