TITLE:          Program Officer                     

REPORTS TO:        Director, Environment Theme

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Environmental programming represents a growing programming area for The Asia Foundation.  Drawing upon the Foundation’s unique governance programming approach, the Environment Theme explores and develops new opportunities and supports program implementation in three core programming areas, including: 1) natural resources management; 2) disaster risk management/climate resilience, and 3) green growth/climate mitigation.

The Program Officer for Environment will be a key member of a small but evolving team responsible for cultivating new programming opportunities, providing technical support for ongoing programs throughout the Asia region, and for contributing in the day-to-day operations of the Environment program unit. The Program Officer will have both leadership and support functions, with leadership functions determined based on specific areas of expertise and general ability, as well a priority relative to available team resources. Core team activities include:

Program Development: Cultivate and maintain networks with donors and prospective partners; develop and/or refine program designs and strategies; review and respond to relevant proposal solicitations; explore institutional synergies; conduct relevant research and analysis; generate program concepts and subsequent program designs; ground-truth assumptions; and maintaining knowledge of current events on relevant issues;

Technical Support and Capacity Development: Identify and/or respond to resource gaps or implementation challenges, conduct program assessments or evaluations (through direct or mobilized assistance), develop briefs or other staff development opportunities to enhance the environmental programming capacity of existing staff in field offices, and draft/review project reports;

Event Management: Develop and implement of workshops, seminars, roundtables and conferences in Asia and the US;

Program administration:  Update the multi-year strategic plan, annual plan and budget, quarterly and annual program reports for the Environment Theme, program logistics, correspondence and information management;

Program Outreach: Generate and update program website content and outreach materials; generate blogs and other publication; provide presentations at conferences, workshops, and other public events; and represent the Environment theme to all counterparts.

The Program Officer will be expected to demonstrate leadership, including thought leadership, in one or more technical areas of the Environment unit’s area of responsibility, as exemplified by program development and technical support, publish blogs, and staff development briefs.   The Program Officer must be able to work as an integral member of the team, where team is defined and redefined by the nature of the task at hand, often in collaboration with country office staff or strategic partner organizations across the Asia region.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATION

The Program Officer will report to the Director of the Environment theme unit. S/he will regularly consult with other members of the Environment, program staff in the Foundation’s country offices throughout Asia working on environment, program staff in other theme and technical units in Asia and the US interested collaborating with the environment team, San-Francisco-based units including Public Sector Development Services (PSDS), Corporate and Foundation Relations, Bangkok-based units for finance, human resources, and administrative services, as well as the overall Thailand-based team.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION

The Program Officer will meet frequently with current and prospective local partners, in TAF countries throughout Asia where environmental programs are conducted or under development. S/he will also engage with consultants, strategic partners, academic specialists and program advisors to discuss existing and prospective programs, program development opportunities, and political and other issues related to Foundation programming. The Program Officer will also be expected to meet with counterparts in other international development agencies, government officials at national and sub-national level, and other individuals whose knowledge and perspectives inform Foundation programs. The Program Officer will meet frequently with counterparts in existing and potential donor agencies, to update them on program progress, learn more about their program priorities, or present proposals for prospective funding.

REQUIREMENTS

·Thai nationality;

·Minimum five years of professional experience in international development, policy or related profession with a focus on environmental policy or governance, preferably in one or more areas of natural resource management, climate resilience, disaster management, green growth, climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and related topics;

·Ability to write English at a very advanced level, i.e. that necessary for writing publications in English; other language skills a plus;

·Master’s degree in environmental governance, environmental policy, sustainable development, environmental economics, international development, or other appropriate field; Understanding of current environmental issues facing Asia, as well as ability to self-educate on new, unfamiliar, or rapidly evolving program areas;

·Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills; experience living and working and/or studying in internationally preferred;

·Strong organizational skills; ability y to plan and carry out responsibilities with a minimum of supervision, as well as work as part of a team environment;

·Proficiency in MS Word and Excel, PowerPoint, email and Internet applications;

·Willingness and ability to travel within Asia and abroad.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send on your CV, which should include mention of two referees, along with a cover letter to inquiry.country.thailand@asiafoundation.org.  Applications should be received by Wednesday, July 22, 2016. (Only short-listed candidates will be notified).