Program Specialist

Vacancy – Program Specialist, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Mekong Institute

MI is an intergovernmental organization that contributes to regional cooperation and integration through capacity development, dialogue, and advocacy for the acceleration of sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Founded and represented by Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, MI’s strategies are aligned with the core tenets of the GMS Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030, ASEAN Economic Community, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

MI supports these frameworks through the implementation of projects across the areas of Agricultural Development and Commercialization, Trade and Investment Facilitation, and Sustainable Energy and Environment, while addressing issues of social inclusion and vulnerability, digital economy and innovation, and labor mobility to cement holistic and sustainable development impacts in the subregion and beyond.

Program Specialist, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department

Reporting to the Director of TIF, the role of the Program Specialist is to work with subject experts to design and development of capacity development programs, deliver capacity development activities as required, and conduct evaluation and feedback sessions to continually improve subsequent capacity development programs. She/he also conducts research for use as case studies in capacity development programs and policy dialogues.

Main deliverables, responsibilities and tasks

Key deliverables

• Continuous improvement in the TIF program through the development and testing of new capacity development products.
• Concept notes for new project and activity development.
• Relevant and high-quality content of capacity development activities.
• Delivery of content in capacity development activities.
• Timely submission of reports on assigned activities and contribution to 6 monthly report to MI Council.
• Research and publications that contribute to MI’s body of knowledge and external reputation.
• Consolidated M&E reports based on collected data.

Primary responsibilities and deliverables

• Contribute to the formulation program concepts, proposals and budgets
• Design and coordinate program delivery specifications to ensure that high quality capacity development contents and methodologies are delivered together with qualified resource persons (session planning, resource persons, field visit sites, facilitators, online training packages, etc.).
• Take the Team Leader or Lead Facilitator role for designated activities, facilitating all necessary tasks. This includes coordinating with other members of the department, working with resource persons in preparing session plans and materials, facilitating activities, and synthesizing and evaluating each capacity development session or module.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of all capacity building packages used for department programs.
• In coordination with M&E Officer, design evaluation methods for capacity building activities.
• Provide information needed capacity development activity budgets
• In collaboration with MI local partners, conduct research on emerging issues related to thematic area and develop case studies to be used for capacity development or policy dialogue.
• Represent MI in external relationships through publications, attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.
• Ensure the quality of project completion reports, evaluation reports, and post activity follow up in accordance with MI standards and or as required by development partners.
• Write information on thematic area for MI website and contribute to MI publications (Mekong Connection, Course Design Statement, Brochures, etc.)
• Under the guidance of the Executive Director establish and maintain good relations with MI Coordinating Agencies and concerned development partners, and collaborating agencies.
• Deputize for the Director of TIF as requested and automatically become Officer in Charge of department during absence of the Director of TIF.
• Any other reasonable task requested by the management.

Required qualifications, skills and experience

Essential

• PhD or Advanced degree in a subject relevant to the department's program (trade, economics, regional development etc.)
• Knowledge of the international trade, SME development, trade agreements, trade policy and relevant knowledge in the GMS, region, ASEAN and global.
• Understanding of technical concepts related to project management such as logical frameworks, results-based management, evidence-based advocacy, and research methodology
• Minimum of five-year experience in:
  
  • Program planning and management
  • Implementing capacity development activities
  • Leading and conducting a variety of research studies and evaluations
• Proven experience in project implementation in the technical area
• High level English written and spoken analytical skills
• Good negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work in a team and coordinate with others
• Proficient user of all Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Experience of working in the GMS and/or ASEAN

If you have the skills and experience to exceed in this position, and are passionate about equitable and inclusive economic growth in GMS, please send your CV and cover letter, to [email protected], titled ‘TIF Program Specialist’.

Applications are being considered on a rolling basis. please submit your updated CV, expected salary and a recent photo.

Please note that only applications successful in progressing to the next stage will be responded to.