Thailand: Rapid Start Up Team Leader, Mekong Partnership for the Environment Project (MPE)
Country: Thailand
Closing date: 08 Nov 2013
Rapid Start Up Team Leader, Mekong Partnership for the Environment Project (MPE)
City ; Bangkok
Description
Pact is seeking a Rapid Start Up Team Leader for the upcoming USAID-funded Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE) project in Asia. This position is contingent upon award. The position will be responsible for technical leadership and administrative oversight of the project start up and serve as the principal institutional liaison to USAID and other project stakeholders. The purpose of MPE Project is to advance informed multi-stakeholder dialogues in Lower Mekong Initiative partner counties on the anticipated social and environmental costs and benefits of regional development project. (Availability for regional travel required with this position.)
RESPONSIBILITIES:• Lead Pact’s Rapid Start Up Team (RST), consisting of key personnel and senior staff, consultants, and representatives from Pact’s home office and regional technical experts and staff for management, grants and contracts, program delivery, and M&E• Provide overall management and direction of project start up activities, providing feedback and support to project staff in its day-to-day operations• Quickly introduce the project and establish foundations for strong, working relationships with stakeholders including national governments, regional bodies, relevant networks and civil society, and other major stakeholders in the region• Develop communication materials and protocols for the project• Responsible for finalizing agreements with project’s strategic and technical assistance partners and incorporating their inputs into work planning within 60 days of award• Organize with USAID the post-award debriefing• Ensure efficient recruitment the remaining project staff, set up of office, and roll out of related management and administration systems• Responsible for all major start-up activities including detailed Year 1 Work plan and Performance Management (M&E) Plan in coordination with the RDMA office and partners within 60 days of award; lead the first strategic and activity planning session• Develop the procurement manual with the Grants Manager and start-up grants team within 60 days of award. • Lead development of various project specific plans including the Project Coordination, Sustainability and Communications, and Private Sector plans as well as the Gender and Social Inclusion and Conflict Mitigation Strategies within 90 days of award• Ensure high-quality programming through coordination of technical guidance and support that is grounded in the program’s strategic objectives and adheres to expected technical quality and reporting requirements • Ensure cost-effective use of Pact and donor resources; guide and oversee the alignment of the budget to expected results• Provide input into and ensure that all donor and Pact internal reporting requirements on program impact are met and assist implementing partners/grantees in setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner• Ensure effective coordination and communication between the technical team and other organizational departments• Act as Pact liaison to donors, governments, and partners; represent Pact at conferences, agencies, meetings and other fora, including relevant organizational and external Communities of Practice.• Provide regular written/oral program progress updates, as requested• Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in leading and managing international development programs or projects of similar scope and scale to the project described in this RFA. • A graduate degree (Master’s Degree or higher preferred) in a similarly related field of study, such as environmental governance, natural resources management, sustainable development, environmental economics, international development, public/business administration, or governance.• Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of similar-size international donor support programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting, and preferably experience in managing complex, multi-national/regional activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions.• Proven ability to communicate, coordinate and effectively work with diverse stakeholders, from government officials to civil society organizations to academics to the private sector.• Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of regional stakeholders.• Strong institutional capacity building skills.• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in a local Asian language preferred.• Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures as related to program management preferred.• Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of Asia strongly preferred.
How to apply:
To apply for this position, please visit our website at www.pactworld.org
