ThaiNGO

THE ASIA FOUNDATION

Position Description

TITLE:    Program Officer – Foreign Policy                        REPORTS TO:  Country Representative

CONSULTS:  Director of Management, Senior Program Officers, Senior Director for International Relations (based in Washington), TAF Country Offices in ASEAN         

CONTRACT TERM:  2 years initially, with possibility of extension

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Asia Foundation’s Thailand Office is seeking qualified, talented Thai applicants for the position of Program Officer for Foreign Policy, focused on Thailand’s foreign policy, Mekong subregional dynamics, regional architecture, and ASEAN.

The Foundation’ Thailand office has several programs on international relations and foreign policy, particularly on ASEAN and strengthening Thailand’s relations with major powers. The Foundation is also initiating a new program on the future of regional architecture in the Mekong region, with a strong focus on ACMECS. These programs support Thai leaders in government, civil society, and academic institutions to explore new dynamics and challenges in regional architecture, including on water governance, energy transformation, infrastructure development, and social/environmental safeguards for development. In addition, the Foundation currently manages a program focusing on safeguards for infrastructure development in the region, in cooperation with Chinese and US organizations.

This Program Officer role will develop and manage new Thailand-based programs and research on regional cooperation in the greater Mekong region, with a focus on regional architecture, water, energy, infrastructure and safeguards. This position will also manage programs on Thailand’s engagement in the region and with major external powers on these issues. As such, the ideal candidate will have experience with Thailand’s foreign policy, current regional architecture (e.g., ACMECS, ASEAN, LMC, LMI, among others), and the links between international relations and water/energy/infrastructure issues.  The Program Officer is also expected to have extensive engagement with the 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 policy-makers, diplomats, researchers, civil society and private sector, on regional architecture, Thai foreign policy, and international relations.
• Design, manage and/or lead research efforts on these and related issues.
• Ongoing engagement with Thai leaders 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 Mekong subregion.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Foundation’s philosophy is to hire the most capable and talented people as first priority. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience and expertise in the field of diplomacy/international relations. Beyond this, candidates with experience in the following fields may also be considered: economics, political science, development, public policy, government service, energy, and social science research. 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 Thai foreign policy, international relations, and regional architecture
• Knowledge of Mekong sub-regional issues, particularly water governance, energy, infrastructure development, and regional architecture
• Experience working for, or engaging with, Thai Government ministries involved in regional cooperation, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant line ministries
• Experience in managing programs or initiatives to support regional cooperation or regional policy agendas
• Experience conducting research, and publishing research outputs
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment
• Entrepreneurial, with a track-record of building new programs or initiatives
• 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 and diplomats. The person in this role will be the Thailand office’s key person in maintaining relations with officials and experts in Thailand, and across the region who are involved in Mekong regional issues and architecture. 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).