JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Reference Number :

EER/RT4DOFR/052

Opening Date :

04/12/2025

Job Title :

EERD Officer for RT4D Program

Closing Date :

21/12/2025

Job Description :

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 eleven countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor-Leste being admitted as an ASEAN Member State during the 47th ASEAN Summit on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was proclaimed a Community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, signed by the ASEAN Leaders during their 27th Summit 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 Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), established in 2010 by ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, include an economic cooperation chapter to support the implementation of the Agreement. The AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP), one of initiative under Regional Trade for Development (RT4D), funded by Australia and New Zealand, supports eligible ASEAN Member States in fulfilling their FTA commitments and to assist the ASEAN Secretariat in servicing the AANZFTA and to ensure full benefits of AANZFTA is realised.

To ensure effective implementation and coordination of this initiative, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting Indonesian citizens or ASEAN nationals who are already residing and eligible to work in Indonesia to apply for the position of External Economic Relations Officer for RT4D Program. This position will be funded by the AIS Program support for the ASEAN Secretariat.

Remuneration and Benefits:
An attractive lump-sum remuneration package at the level of Officer of the ASEAN Secretariat will be offered commensurate with experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. Upon completion of the six-month probationary period, will be offered a fixed term contract of two (2) years, inclusive of the probationary period, subject to availability of the project fund.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Officer for RT4D Program and Assistant Director/Head of External Economic Relations Division, ASEAN Economic Community Department, the Officer shall:

1. Policy and Analysis

Assist in conducting research, technical support, and substantive analyses to support the implementation of the AANZFTA Agreement.

Support the preparation of discussion papers, policy papers, progress reports, and Chair’s report related to the AANZFTA Agreement, SEOM-CER and AEM-CER Consultations.

Support and coordinate follow-up actions and decisions of the FJC, EC-SC and other relevant subsidiary bodies, SEOM-CER and AEM-CER Consultations.

2. AIS Program and Project Management

Support coordination and technical support between the FJC, EC-SC and other AANZFTA relevant subsidiary bodies, and RT4D facility in developing, implementing and/or reviewing the AISP Planning and Reporting architecture, including AANZFTA Strategic Directions and Priorities, annual Economic Cooperation Work Plan (ECWP), Annual Progress Report.

Support coordination for the implementation of AISP projects listed in the ECWP of EC-SC and other relevant AANZFTA subsidiary bodies, including, among others, preparation of the activity design, its approval process, managing activity outputs, supporting project monitoring and evaluation, and project reporting.

Support coordination with relevant ASEC Division in developing workplan and annual budget, annual reporting, including financial monitoring and reporting, of the AISP Stream Two – ASEAN Secretariat Support.

3. Management of the Rapid Response Fund

Provide administrative, technical and coordination support for activity design process with the relevant desk officers in the ASEAN Secretariat for the use of the Rapid Response Fund.

Support the approval process of the activity design and implementation of activity supported by Rapid Response Fund, including its reporting requirements.

Assist in drafting and finalising expenditure reports for the use of the Rapid Response Fund.

4. Public Communications

Develop documents and/or materials for the participation of the ASEAN Secretariat at seminars, workshops, and training courses as required.

Respond to inquiries from researchers/private sectors/public sectors.

Prepare communication materials including press release, joint media statements, public reports, as necessary.

Support the maintenance of the content of AANZFTA website and reports on AANZFTA website analytics to identify opportunities for enhancement.

Support coordination with the RT4D facility to map out and plan annual communication activities.

Support coordination with the RT4D facility and relevant desk officers in managing information sharing related to AANZFTA implementation, AISP project output through the AANZFTA website.

5. Undertake other ASEAN Secretariat tasks as required

Prepare necessary documents for the meetings of AEM-CER, SEOM-ER, AANZFTA FJC, EC-SC and other relevant SBs, if needed, including intersessional meetings, bilateral meetings, as well as other AANZFTA meetings as necessary.

Support the enhancement of economic relations and monitor the implementation of the AANZFTA Agreement.

Support and coordinate ASEAN Secretariat in various meetings and/or events related to ASEAN-Australia and ASEAN-New Zealand relations to support effective implementation of the AANZFTA.

Provide other necessary ASEAN Secretariat support as required.

Qualifications

Advanced degree in the area of International Economics, International Trade, or International Trade and Investment Law or an appropriate related field or discipline; or Bachelor’s degree with a minimum two (2) years progressive work experience in relevant area.

Demonstrated knowledge and policy, research, project management, and technical skills in the relevant area and ability to acquire them.

Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Demonstrated ability to write and develop ideas in a structured, logical, concise, and efficient manner.

Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, monitor and review policy and procedures.

Demonstrated ability to plan and organise tasks and work flows, meticulous, with proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.

Strong written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills, including experience in cross-cultural environment and international settings.

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with stakeholders.

Demonstrated commitment to collaborative work practices.

Strong administrative capabilities.

Competency in computer skills with adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook where relevant to the position.

Sound command of English, written and spoken.

© Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements