ThaiNGO

Mekong Institute

Vacancy Announcement

Program Assistant

Mekong Institute

MI is an intergovernmental organization that contributes to regional cooperation and integration through capacity development, dialogue, and advocacy for sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

Founded and represented by the Mekong countries (Cambodia, P. R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), MI aligns its strategies with the core tenets of the GMS Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030, ASEAN Economic Community, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

MI supports these frameworks through the implementation of projects across the areas of Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC), Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF), and Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE) while addressing issues of social inclusion and vulnerability, digital economy and innovation, and labor mobility. This comprehensive approach cements holistic and sustainable developmental impacts in the subregion and beyond.

The Regional Public Health Laboratory Network (RPHLN)

The network was established in 2019 to address the absence of a regional public health laboratory network in the South-East Asia region as the ASEAN Plus Three of Laboratory Network anchored in the ASEAN platform was abolished. The aim was to provide support in strengthening of national laboratory systems of GHSA Member Countries in the Asia and Pacific region for the timely detection of pathogens with potential infectious disease outbreaks and for improved routine diagnostics services.  Current membership includes 14 member states, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Pakistan.  RPHL Network Secretariat is located at the National Institute of Public Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.

It has served a valuable role in connecting laboratory professionals and partners together, sharing timely information and key technical issues, maximizing resources and synergy efforts, accelerating countries’ efforts in achieving IHR 2005 implementation, and progressing toward the Global Health Security Agenda 2024 Target. The network will be providing technical assistance to ensure an effective implementation under this grant.

Position Description

The Grant Cycle 7 Integrated Laboratory Systems Strengthening Strategic Initiative (Lab SI) has allocated US$ 3.25 million [2024-2026] to support integrated laboratory systems strengthening of 14 RPHLN members in the Asia-Pacific.

The Program Coordinator’s role in assisting and supporting an implementation of  the GC7 to facilitate capacity building of Member of the RPHL Network through targeted programs, tailored to individual country needs, enhance region-specific guidance, documentation of best practices and embedding of knowledge sharing through enhancement of a knowledge sharing platform, and to strengthen the RPHLN Secretariat, to ensure the Secretariat and broader Network are sufficiently resourced and capacitated to sustainably advance regional cooperation and collaboration and positioned to respond to emerging health threats within the region before they become pandemics.

S/he must possess strong interpersonal skills with fair understanding of the RPHL Network and key stakeholders.

Main deliverables, Responsibilities, and Tasks

Under supervision of the Regional Program Director, RPHL Network Secretariat, h/she will be working full time stationed at the RPHL Network Secretariat, Department of Medical Sciences.

The incumbent shall perform the following tasks:

• Provide an administrative support to the RPHL Network Secretariat;
• Prepare logistic arrangement for meetings/events of the RPHL Network;
• Coordinate with the Department of Medical Sciences as deemed necessary;
• Communicate/liaise with members & partners;
• Organize/keep systematically tracking of all documents related to the Network;
• Attend meetings of partners as assigned by the supervisor;
• Maintain/respond to email communication of the Network;
• Support on website maintenance
• Any other as assigned by supervisor

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor degree or higher diploma in related field
• Computer fluency with Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work well in the team
• Organization and prioritizing skills
• Customer service oriented
• Courtesy, patience, attention to details and alert
• Very good knowledge of written and spoken English

Desirable

• Ability to speak any of the GMS or RPHL country languages
• Good team work

If you possess the skills, expertise, and experience to thrive in this role and are passionate about promoting equitable and inclusive economic growth in the GMS, we invite you to submit your CV and cover letter to recruitment@mekonginstitute.org by September 12, 2024, with the subject line "Program Assistant for RPHL Project".

Only candidates who successfully advance to the next stage will receive a response.