ThaiNGO

Vacancy Announcement

Food Safety Specialist

Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC) Department

Mekong Institute

MI is an intergovernmental organization owned and operated by the six Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries it serves, with a mission to provide capacity development services and products that enhance regional development, cooperation and integration. To respond to changes and evolving needs in the GMS, MI currently prioritizes the regional integration of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam workforces for more equitable and inclusive economic growth. Further, MI is expanding its traditional portfolio to position itself as a GMS-based knowledge-centre of excellence with increased institutional capacity for policy research and other services related to economic integration and development disparities.

Role of Department

The role of the Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC) Department is to produce and deliver capacity development programs and products  (training, research, network building, fora, dialogue facilitation, action research, policy research, etc.) that are up to date, reflecting regional and global understanding of ADC issues, and relevant for the GMS region. The department is responsible for the following deliverables:

Capacity development activities that are donor-funded (project-based and customized stand-alone activities), and the fee-based Professional Development Series.

Publications including policy papers, training of trainer packages, research publications and MI Professional Series papers.

Position description

Reporting to the Director of ADC Department, the role of the Program Specialist is to design and develop capacity development programs, deliver capacity development activities as required, and conduct evaluation and feedback sessions to continually improve subsequent capacity development programs. She/he also implements development projects and conducts research for use as case studies in capacity development programs and policy dialogues.

Main deliverables, responsibilities and tasks

Key deliverables

Continuous improvement in the ADC program through the development and testing of new capacity development products

Successful completion of capacity development activities

Timely submission of reports

Research and publications that contribute to MI’s body of knowledge and external reputation

Primary responsibilities and deliverables

Contribute to the formulation of program concepts, proposals and budgets

Design and coordinate program delivery specifications to ensure that high quality capacity development contents and methodologies are delivered together with qualified resource persons (session planning, field visit plans/sites, online training packages, etc.)

Take the Team Leader or Lead Facilitator role for designated activities, facilitating all necessary tasks. This includes coordinating with other members of the department, working with resource persons in preparing session plans and materials, facilitating activities, and synthesising and evaluating each capacity development session or module.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of all capacity development packages used for department programs

In coordination with M&E Officer, design evaluation methods for capacity development activities

Provide information needed for capacity development activity budgets

In collaboration with MI local partners, conduct research on emerging issues related to thematic area and develop case studies to be used for capacity development or policy dialogue

Represent MI in external relationships through publications, attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.

Ensure the quality of project completion reports, evaluation reports, and post activity follow up in accordance with MI standards and or as required by development partners

Write information on thematic area for MI website and contribute to MI publications (Mekong Connection, Course Design Statement, Brochures, etc.)

Under the guidance of the Executive Director, establish and maintain good relations with MI Coordinating Agencies and concerned development partners, and collaborating agencies

Deputize for the Department Director as requested and automatically become Officer-in-Charge of department during his/her absence

Any other reasonable task requested by management

Required qualifications, skills and experience

Essential

PhD or Advanced degree in agricultural policy, food science, food chemistry, food technology, or related field

At least 5 years experience implementing food safety projects, developing policies related to food safety, and taking a lead in training program design and delivery

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in proposal writing, training curriculum design and development, and training delivery (as team leader and as resource person/trainer)

Experience in conducting/coordinating research activities

Fluency in written and spoken English

Proven ability to work in a team

ASEAN national with regional experience an advantage

If you have the skills and experience to exceed in this position, and are passionate about equitable and inclusive economic growth in GMS, please send your CV and cover letter to hr@mekonginstitute.org and cc. to maria@mekonginstitute.org, titled ‘Food Safety Specialist’.

Deadline of Application: March 14, 2016

Please note that only applications successful in progressing to the next stage will be responded to.