JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the guidance of the Head, Lower Mekong Sub-Region (LMS), the CM will manage the resources and finances of the Thailand Country Office, which is co-located with the IUCN Asia Regional Office (ARO) in Bangkok, to ensure effective and timely development, planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of an integrated and coherent programme. The CM will assist the Head, LMS in developing new project concepts and proposals, and in monitoring performance in achieving programmatic and financial objectives.
As head of the IUCN Thailand country office, the CM manages the country programme portfolio and develops internal and external partnerships to support resource mobilisation. He/she is responsible for ensuring that office operations and portfolio delivery achieve their strategic objectives, contribute to LMS programme, sustain overall financial health, and comply with institutional policies and procedures.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
a) Programme development and management
- Lead and manage the country programme to ensure it contributes to IUCN regional and global agendas, responds to national and stakeholder priorities, and mobilises key resources and capacities to achieve programmatic results.
- Manage country staff to ensure quality assurance for project portfolio and compliance with IUCN policies and standards, in the entire programming cycle from planning and implementation to monitoring and reporting.
- Monitor Thailand’s environmental, political, social, and economic settings and trends to guide IUCN programme development and management; and,
- Contribute to the development of transboundary and regional projects and programmes under the coordination of the Head, LMS and in collaboration with the Science and Strategy Group (SSG) at ARO.
b) Resource mobilisation and strategic finance
- Establish new partnerships for mobilising resources to expand the country’s project portfolio under its priority programme areas and strategic themes;
- Secure the long-term financial health of the country office and programme through sustained and diversified funding streams, along with novel business development models;
- Lead country-level strategic financial planning, monitoring and application of relevant control and compliance measures in coordination with the Head, Regional Finance; and,
- Serve as member of the sub-regional management team for inter-country resource mobilisation under the overall coordination of the Head, LMS.
c) External representation
- Serve as the official representative for IUCN in Thailand, and maintain strong working relations with the Thai government, with guidance from the Secretariat’s regional and global senior leadership;
- Ensure that Host Country Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding/Agreement are maintained to provide the appropriate legal basis for IUCN presence and operations in Thailand;
- Serve as the public face of IUCN in Thailand and maintain high-level visibility of programmatic vision and outcomes, by articulating the Union’s key messages on IUCN expertise, knowledge products and convening roles that contribute to strategic and concrete benefits for the country; and,
- Provide policy advice to the government and key stakeholders on environment-related multilateral agreements, conventions and treaties that Thailand has ratified.
d) Engagement with members and partners
- Grow the IUCN membership base in Thailand, explore and identify opportunities for strategic collaboration, and liaise with the regional and global membership units;
- Support the Thailand IUCN National Committee through regular dialogues and communications, as well as facilitation of members’ engagement in IUCN events, activities and initiatives;
- Nurture partnerships and programmatic linkages with government agencies, the wider community of NGO and business stakeholders, and members of the international community in Thailand; and,
- Enhance country office’s collaboration with IUCN Members and Commissions and other IUCN constituencies at country, regional and global levels in accordance with the IUCN’s “One Programme Approach”.
e) General administration
- Manage the human, financial, technical and administrative resources in the country office to effectively and efficiently achieve its programmatic targets;
- Ensure the country office’s overall compliance with applicable corporate services policies and procedures, standards and safeguards assurance, risk management, and other oversight/control mechanisms;
- Supervise the country team including human resources planning, talent management and performance assessment;
- Work with sub-regional and regional management teams for continuous improving the country office’s organisational and operational arrangements vis-a-vis IUCN Asia in general;
- Serve as an effective role model for ethical professional conduct to promote core values of integrity and trust, transparency, professionalism and accountability, equality, inclusiveness and respect for diversity; and,
- Perform any other duties as assigned by and agreed with the Regional Director.
REQUIREMENTS
a) Academic and work experience
- Advanced university degree (i.e. post-Bachelor’s level) on a subject related to nature conservation and sustainable development, plus relevant professional trainings completed and/or certifications acquired;
- Professional areas of expertise and interest in any of the following: conservation of nature and biodiversity, protection and management of terrestrial, water and marine ecosystems, forest and agriculture landscapes, climate and environmental risks, conservation finance and economics, and governance and rights;
- At least 8 years in mid-to-senior management roles for environment-related programmes/organisations in Thailand;
- Additional professional experience working for and/or collaborating with regional or international organisations, as well as in multi-country work settings; and,Ability to quickly prepare written outputs, such as background papers, regular and ad hoc reports, correspondence with governments, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, communication/visibility material, presentations, and policy proposals.
b) Professional competencies
- Solid knowledge of Thailand’s key environment and development challenges as shaped by geopolitical, socio-economic and policy contexts;
- Demonstrated experience on programme leadership, partnership development and stakeholder engagement; and office management and staff supervision;
- Track record of successful resource mobilisation, including strategic fundraising and donor engagement;
- Demonstrated capacity to manage relationships with senior government officials, NGO and business sectors, technical and scientific organisations, and donors and funders; and,
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills for diverse audiences in key public events, mass media and communication platforms.
c) Other qualifications
- Network of in-country professional contacts and institutional linkages relevant to role performance;
- Native Thai speaker and advanced level of spoken and written English language skills;
- Proficiency in computer systems and software, communication technologies, and tools and web-based applications for data and information management;
- Commitment to fostering a culture of high performance and accountability, demonstrated in the ability to manage by results, effectively delegate and motivate staff, and to give feedback and take decisive action;
- Effective role model for ethical professional conduct to promote core values of integrity and trust, transparency, professionalism and accountability, equality, inclusiveness and respect for diversity; and
- Willingness to undertake occasional travel, domestically and internationally.