The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967 with the purpose of promoting regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region. ASEAN comprises ten (10) countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor-Leste as its 11th member with an “Observer” status. It was proclaimed a community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” signed by the ASEAN Leaders during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2015. The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 calls for the ASEAN Community in forging ahead together, and to work towards building a community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible.

The ASEAN Secretariat was established in 1976 by the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Member States with basic functions of providing greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities. It is also envisioned to be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people.

In alignment with the ASEAN 2025 and Key Aspirations of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Assistant Director/Head of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Monitoring Division. 

Remuneration and Benefits:
Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 5,567 and attractive remuneration package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalization & life insurance, children’s education and gratuity. Subject to good performance during the probation, the candidate will be offered a fixed term contract of three (3) years, inclusive of the six-month probationary period. Please note that ASEAN Secretariat Staff shall not be retained in active service beyond the age of 60 years.

1. The Assistant Director (ADR) ASCC Monitoring Division reports directly to the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and he/she will be responsible for the following duties:1. Implementing the Division’s priorities, monitoring, reporting, and analytical work      
   • Plan, manage, and approve priorities and activities of the Division and staff.
   • Provide guidance/direction for staffs on professional matters.
   • Foster teamwork and collaboration within the Division, and with ASCC Analysis Division for research and analytical work.
   • Conduct mapping exercise, provide training opportunities for individual staff and technical assistance for AMS and ASEC staff in order to strengthen their research capacities.
   • Manage effectively all resources of the Division, including human, financial, and physical resources.
   • Participate in and contribute to inter-Division, Directorate and Deparment management meetings.
   • Coordinate with all ASCC divisions in preparing and submission of ASCCD-wide inputs for the ASSC  Blueprint/Strategic Plan Implementation Monitoring Report, the ASEAN Annual Report, the SG Report to ASEAN Summit, and the ASCCD operating budget, Research Papers on ASCC matters, amongst others.

   2. Providing policy and technical advice and promoting cooperation with relevant organisations 

   • Provide policy and technical advice relevant to M&E (e.g. results-based monitoring and review), promote cooperation with relevant organisations, and provide input into the drafting of sectoral workplans (and similar documents) and their respective monitoring and evaluation/ analysis exercises.
   • Assist with project development, implementation and review, as and when requested, by providing technical input into programmes, projects and research opportunities with research institutions and think tanks, etc (for example as technical resource persons for workshops).
   • Share inputs and advice to the ASCC Analysis Division and other requesting divisions and offices on areas needing research, further study and analysis based on the results of monitoring and review of the ASCC Blueprint/Strategic Plan and implementation focused and-results-based monitoring of relevant declarations and agreements.

   3.  Overseeing the development and implementation of the M&E System and related initiatives to M&E  

   • Implement, mobilise resources, and conduct activities for the development and deployment of the ASCC M&E System, including its framework, guidelines, tools, database and capacity building.
   • Coordinate with dialogue and development partners, international organisations and donors where necessary, think tanks and other stakeholders for programmes and/or projects to support the implementation of the M&E System.
   • Prepare and submit reports resulting from the regular monitoring of the ASCC Blueprint/Strategic Plan, Declarations and Agreements, as well as from the Mid-Term Evaluation and End-of-Term Evaluation of the ASCC Blueprint/Strategic Plan.

   4.  Servicing the relevant bodies of the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community 

   • Ensure that concerned ASEAN Bodies are provided with appropriate substantive and administrative support as required.
   • Serve as the focal point and effectively engage with ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners and other stakeholders, on areas according to its mandate, drawing on input from other Divisions as necessary.
   • Represent the ASEAN Secretariat at ASEAN and international forums as required.

   5. Assist with Directorate responsibilities, including interim supervision of ASCC Analysis Division

   • Assist with managing the overall operations of the ASCC Analysis and Monitoring Directorate including determining priorities, setting goals and work priorities, and oversee the quality of work outputs.
   • Assist SG of ASEAN and DSG ASCC on other cross-sectoral and cross-pillar matters.
   • Plan, manage, and approve priorities and activities of the ASCC Analysis Division and staff with the assistance of the OIC of ASCC Analysis Division.
   • Assist with the implementation and editorial decisions, including review, of all issues of The ASEAN magazine.
   • Assist with the programme implementation of the Culture of Prevention, ASCC Research and Development Platforms Programme, complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its related activities, and ASCC Analysis-related publications and outreach activities.

1. • At least a Master’s Degree (PhD preferable) in Development Studies, Public Policy/ Administration, Social Sciences, Economics, or other appropriate specialist discipline related to the areas of work of ASCC with strong monitoring & evaluation, as well as research and analytical skills.
   • Extensive experience in research, monitoring and evaluation, analysis of complex issues with a minimum of six (6) years high-level experience in a recognized specialized field.
   • Solid understanding of international and regional issues. Knowledge of ASEAN is an advantage.
   • Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff in a complex work environment.
   • Sound financial, physical and human resource management skills.
   • Strong corporate, strategic and business planning skills.
   • Strong leadership, management and administration capabilities.
   • Strong interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including experience in cross-cultural environments and international settings.
   • Proven ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with government representatives, public and private sector organisations and other stakeholders.
   • Commitment to consultative and collaborative approaches and work practices.
   • Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.
   • Excellent command of English, written and spoken.
   • Ability to travel.