Regional Program Officer, ASEAN Cybersecurity

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region is focused on governance, women’s empowerment and gender equality, inclusive economic growth, environment and climate action, and regional and international relations.

The Asia Foundation, led by the ASEAN program team, is implementing the ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership (APSP) program. APSP is an initiative of the Australian Government with the goal to support Australian engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on security cooperation and enhancing 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 Asia Foundation is looking for a regional program officer who will lead the development and implementation of activities under the policy areas of cybersecurity under APSP. The regional program officer will work as a member of the Foundation’s ASEAN program team led by the country representative for Thailand, with support from the regional program manager. The regional program officer will exercise overall responsibility for planning, implementing, and reporting activities under his/her policy area. This full-time position reports to the regional program manager for ASEAN Programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the effective design and implementation of activities in cybersecurity policy and ensure the contribution of activities to APSP’s end-of-investment outcomes. This includes but is not limited to developing or providing input to activity proposals, program activities, background notes, summary records, and reports, organizing workshops and meetings, identifying suitable resource persons (such as speakers and consultants) for activities, and managing a budget for activities.
• Build and maintain effective coordination and professional relationship with the donor, ASEAN partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for APSP to support ASEAN in advancing its priorities and promote ASEAN-Australia engagement on cybersecurity in line with APSP goals. This may include conducting background research and analysis of ASEAN priorities and work plans.
• Work with the regional program manager and program assistant in monitoring and reporting cybersecurity policy activities.
• Work with the WPS and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) advisor for APSP to ensure GEDSI mainstreaming into the cybersecurity policy activities.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and other events relevant to the programs.
• Support other activities or programs as required.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 5 years of experience related to cybersecurity.
• Proven experience in the delivery of development programs and/or activities related to cybersecurity, digital economy, or other digital technology-related fields, experience with multi-country/cultural and multi-sectoral and involving government agencies in Southeast Asia is preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding, knowledge, and experience related to ASEAN mechanisms, cooperation, and processes strongly preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Proven ability to work productively, independently, and remotely, to be responsive to requests, and to deliver quality outputs within tight deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the ASEAN region and possibly beyond.