ThaiNGO

THE ASIA FOUNDATION

Position Description

TITLE:    Program Officer (or Senior Program Officer) - Regional Security Cooperation      

REPORTS TO:  Country Representative

CONSULTS:  Program Manager ASEAN, other Program Officers, TAF Country Offices in ASEAN                   

CONTRACT TERM:  2 years initially, with possibility of extension

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Asia Foundation’s (TAF) Thailand Office is seeking qualified, talented Thai applicants for the position of Program Officer for Regional Security Cooperation. The position could be elevated to Senior Program Officer, depending on the qualifications of the preferred candidate.

The Foundation is exploring new programs to support forward-looking, constructive engagement between governments in the region to improve security cooperation.  TAF plans to support new research, capacity building, and dialogue initiatives, in Thailand and across ASEAN, that will involve leaders in government, think tanks, civil society, and academic institutions to explore new dynamics and challenges in regional architecture, security cooperation, and cybersecurity.

This Program Officer role will develop and manage new regional initiatives, and Thailand-focused programs on key security issues on regional cooperation in the greater Mekong region, with a focus on regional architecture, security cooperation, and cybersecurity. This position will focus extensively on ASEAN, Thailand’s engagement in the region, and key security-cooperation developments in the region.  The Program Officer is also expected to have extensive engagement with Thai government officials, and will ideally have strong knowledge of Thai policy-making processes. Likely program areas may include:

• Organizing policy dialogues that bring together researchers, policy-makers, civil society and officials, on regional architecture, and security cooperation;
• Design, manage and/or lead research efforts on these and related issues;
• Ongoing engagement with Thai leaders, ASEAN officials, experts on related issues, and the international community;
• Provide advice or technical support for Thai leaders and government agencies, as needed;
• Analysis of key international trends, and impact on Thailand and the ASEAN region.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Foundation’s philosophy is to hire the most capable and talented people as first priority. Successful candidates will have work experience and academic qualifications in any of the following fields:  security cooperation and analysis (including traditional and non-traditional security issues); peace processes; and international relations. Furthermore, the Foundation is particularly interested in candidates who are comfortable with public speaking, publishing, and engaging with government.  Key qualifications include:

• Extensive knowledge of regional security cooperation issues
• Experience working for, or engaging with, Thai Government ministries involved in regional cooperation
• Experience in managing programs or initiatives to support regional cooperation or regional policy agendas
• Experience conducting research, and publishing research outputs
• Entrepreneurial approach, including track-record of building new networks and learning quickly about new policy areas
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Thai citizen (required)
• Advanced university degree (masters or doctorate) preferred but not required.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Intellectual Leadership:  The person in this role will shape program direction, lead intellectual and policy discussions, and strengthen partnerships with research organizations, civil society, Thai Government, and the international community. The position will also play a key role in raising the Foundation’s influence and profile, through contact with the media, influential stakeholders, and the international community.

Flexible, Response Program Management:  This position will play an important role in managing flexible programs that respond to opportunities and requests.

Relationship Building:  This position will play an important role in building relations with experts, and officials in Thailand, and around the region. The person should also be comfortable in engaging with senior government officials. This relationship-building must be done in close collaboration with key partner embassies/donors, in a way that is complementary and supportive to the diplomatic efforts.

Please send a cover letter specifying the position to which you are applying with your resume by email to:  poonsook.pantitanonta@asiafoundation.org  by Monday, April 22, 2019. (Only short-listed candidates will be notified).