Regional Program Officer, ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, our work is focused on governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation.

Led by the ASEAN program team, the Foundation is implementing the ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership (APSP) program. APSP is a six-year (2019 to 2025) AUD 10.5 million initiative of the Australian Government to support Australian engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on security cooperation and to enhance ASEAN’s ability to lead more coordinated, cohesive, and inclusive responses to transnational political security issues. APSP focuses on four policy areas: cybersecurity, maritime security, women, peace, and security (WPS), and transnational crime, and works directly with ASEAN sectoral bodies and other ASEAN entities to develop and deliver activities under these policy areas. 

The Foundation is looking for a regional program officer who will support the delivery of the APSP program. The regional program officer will work as a member of the Foundation’s ASEAN program team under the supervision of the regional program manager and may be drawn into other ASEAN cooperation-related activities as well. They will collaborate and engage closely with all team members towards effective and efficient implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program activities. This position is full-time and has an initial one-year contract with the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

• Support the regional program manager in the overall management of APSP, focusing on monitoring activity timeline and expenditure and program reporting.
• Support and work with all team members toward effective implementation of APSP activities. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Support Policy Area Leads in developing or reviewing activity proposals and concept notes, activity materials (such as invitation letters, administrative notes, speaker guidelines, and group discussion guidelines), activity outcome documents, and completion reports (if required).
  • Support Policy Area Leads in organizing activities in the host country.
  • Lead and/or coordinate implementing activities that do not fall into a particular policy area, as needed.
  • Engage with ASEAN and Australian counterparts during activity planning and implementation.
• Support the management of contracting and sub-grants, including but not limited to ensuring effective use and value for money of program funds, coordinating with the finance team on contracting and sub-grant issuance, and monitoring the status of deliverables, reporting requirements (if any), and payment.
• Support effective documentation, data management, and effective communication of results in collaboration with all team members.
• Support the women, peace, and security (WPS) and gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) advisor for APSP in mainstreaming GEDSI into activity implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Contribute to the preparation of APSP’s semiannual review, annual report, final evaluation, and any other report required by the donor.
• Work with the regional program manager and all team members to establish or maintain strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and other events relevant to the program.
• Support other activities or programs as required.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) is preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of program management experience in an international organization, donor agency, international nongovernmental organization, or equivalent, with at least three years of experience in regional or multicountry programs.   
• Demonstrated understanding, knowledge, and experience related to ASEAN mechanisms and processes and cooperation between ASEAN and external partners. Proven professional experience with ASEAN is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work productively, independently, and remotely; to be responsive to requests; and to be result-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines while consistently delivering quality output.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong internal and external relationships.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the Southeast Asia region.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the ASEAN member state where they reside.