ThaiNGO

POSITION TITLE:               Chief of Party, Regional Innovation Mechanism Project

LOCATION:                        Bangkok, Thailand

UNIT:                                 Global Enterprise

REPORTS TO:                   Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives

GENERAL:

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock matches innovative approaches in agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development with the unique needs of its partners. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Winrock is seeking candidates for a Chief of Party position to manage a Regional Innovation Mechanism project in Asia. The project will develop regional innovation mechanisms to facilitate the delivery of prizes and challenges, open innovation activities, support commercialization and entrepreneurship, and other activities to boost innovation ecosystems and support innovators in Asia across a wide range of development areas. The mechanism will serve as a means for the engagement and collaborative ideation of participants from higher education, civil society, and the private sector.  

CHIEF OF PARTY

Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International is recruiting applicants for Chief of Party for its Global Enterprise unit for the anticipated USAID-funded Regional Innovation Mechanism project in Asia. Responsibilities, duties and qualifications are described in the attached position description.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Key liaison between the project, USAID/RDMA and participating USAID bilateral missions in the ASIA reason.

- Provide overall technical leadership and vision to achieve the results of the project.  

- Analyze project impact and challenges to adaptively manage the project to meet or exceed results.

- Develop relationships with different partners, collaborators, and clients to ensure coordinated implementation of project activities  and represent the Winrock Team at key meetings.

- Prepare annual work plans, progress reports, success stories and project presentations. Monitor the implementation of work plans. Ensure all deliverables are submitted to USAID are of high quality and on time.

- Oversee and be responsible for financial and administrative aspects of the project including managing the budget.

- Provide supervision, support, and direction to long- and short-term staff.

- Ensure compliance with established Winrock policies and USAID regulations.

- Manage subcontracts and ensure all deliverables are provided.

- Interact directly and on a regular basis with USAID and other stakeholders.

- Participate in regular visits throughout the region to meet with USAID bilateral missions and assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals.

- Coordinate and communicate on a regular basis with Winrock’s Home Office.

- Represent Winrock International and the project to USAID.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Represent Winrock at meetings and events as required and keep HQ informed regarding new opportunities in the country and region.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:              

Master’s degree in business management, economics, information technology or relevant discipline.

Work Experience:            

- Minimum ten years’ experience working on innovation and technology projects of similar size and scope in Asia required.

- Track record strengthening innovative institutions and platforms in Asia.

- Ten years or more of progressively responsible supervisory work experience including direct supervision of professional and support staff and assembling teams working on multi-faceted international development projects.

- Sustainable management experience and knowledge of project management, private sector development, and working in a multi-cultural environment.

- Proven record of mobilizing investment capital and achieving development impact in similar projects focusing on development and technology, technology dissemination, private sector development, impact investing, and related fields.

- Five years’ experience working on USAID funded projects; experience managing at least $10M.

- Familiarity of USAID’s policies and procedures.

Skills:                    

- Technical understanding of technology, innovation, and private sector and market development in Asia, particularly ASEAN countries.

- Must have the ability to build coalitions and networks that can deliver synergies and sustainable solutions across a range of development issues such as food security, environment, health, education, governance, energy access, etc.

- Understanding of impact investing, enterprise incubation, and the use of prizes and challenges to address development challenges.

- Ability to diplomatically supervise staff and coordinate programs with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

- Excellent management, communication, and organization skills are required.

- Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are required.

- Must be comfortable in high-level representational role as well as interacting with beneficiaries.

- Experience with networking and cooperating with other USAID and donor-funded projects.

Other:                      

- Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.

- Fluency in English and strong written English is required.

- Language skills in one or more Asian languages a plus.

READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Instructions: with your resume, please submit answers to the following questions:

1) What are the greatest challenges or constraints keeping innovations from taking off in South and Southeast Asia? And

2) What unique qualification prepares you to address this problem.  The two responses must fit on a single page, 11 font 1 inch margins.

Applications will not be complete without the answers and will not be considered.

SALARY:

The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants may go to Winrock’s Job Page at www.winrock.org to complete an online application, submit a current resume and cover letter referencing “CoP RIM Asia” by January 15, 2016.

Winrock International is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.