Job Reference Number :

PEGD/SPO/003

Opening Date :

29/01/2026

Job Title :

Senior Program Officer PEGD

Closing Date :

28/02/2026

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 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.

The project “A People-Centred ASEAN Towards 2045: Advancing Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Wellbeing for All” (the Project) was approved by the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) and Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD). The project supports the development of the end-term reviews of the four sectoral bodies’ work plans for 2021-2025, and the development of the new work plans for 2026-2030, as well as a common research agenda and joint public communications strategy. The project is being implemented by the ASEAN Secretariat through the Poverty Eradication and Gender Division (PEGD) and the Aus4ASEAN Futures.

The project will recruit a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to be embedded within PEGD. The SPO will support the implementation of this project and other PEGD-managed initiatives under Aus4ASEAN Futures while supporting the development of new project proposals aligned with ASEAN priorities and coherence with Aus4ASEAN Futures outcomes and cross-cutting themes.

Remuneration and Benefits:
An attractive lump-sum remuneration at the Senior Officer level will be offered commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Subject to good performance during the probation, the candidate will be offered up to 36 months contract, inclusive of six-month probationary period.

Responsibilities

1. Coordinate the operational activities of the Project and other PEGD-managed initiatives under Aus4ASEAN Futures in the areas of gender equality and empowerment of all women, rights of women and children, social welfare and development, and rural development and poverty eradication.
  - Oversee logistical planning and coordination of project workshops, consultations, and events in collaboration with PEGD, IA, and PPMSU, and coordinate day-to-day administrative and logistical support for project activities.
  - Coordinate the organising meetings, workshops, consultations, and dissemination events, coordinating with IA, PEGD, and PPMSU.
  - Develop document meetings and consolidate technical inputs from ASBs and stakeholders
  - Coordinate communication and coordination with AMS and relevant ASEAN bodies, project consultants, or implementing agency for project coordination and implementation.
  - Coordinate the collection and compiling of data for project monitoring and reporting.
2. Coordinate the delivery of required support for ACW, ACWC, SOMRDPE and SOMSWD in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Project and other PEGD-managed initiatives under Aus4ASEAN Futures.
  - Develop and produce documents and written materials related to the meetings, such as administrative notes, logistical arrangement, agenda, information Papers, concept Papers, and other communication materials.
  - Coordinate communication and coordination with other ASEAN bodies on cross-sectoral issues, to follow-up work relevant to other bodies and to update relevant decisions.
  - Coordinate planning and implementation of project activities across the four ASBs.
  - Provide technical and strategic input to ensure coherence and quality of deliverables.
  - Prepare documents and coordinate related to logistical arrangements for the meetings.
  - Prepare meeting and/or mission reports.
  - Coordinate the follow-up actions and decisions of the meetings with relevant internal and external parties.
3. Coordinate data collection and coordination efforts for M&E processes across PEGD’s Aus4ASEAN Futures portfolio, with an emphasis on the integration and advocacy of inclusive development –including gender equality and women’s empowerment, the rights of women and children, social welfare and development (including disability inclusion, active ageing, and social protection), rural development and poverty eradication.
  - Lead coordination on M&E data collection and reporting for PEGD-managed projects under Aus4ASEAN Futures.
  - Coordinate updates and monitor progress of the implementation of sectoral workplans (and similar documents) including the ASCC Blueprint and provide reporting inputs to Head of Division and Director.
  - Prepare and submit to relevant Divisions within the ASEAN Secretariat the up-to-date information on the ASEAN cooperation on socio-cultural issues, with regard to areas under purview, with the Head of the Division regularly informed of the essential developments.
  - Prepare information, materials and publications for public dissemination through the ASEAN Website and other means in consultation with Community Relations Division and other relevant ASEAN Secretariat Directorates and Divisions to raise higher profile of the ASEAN Cooperation in Social and Human Development, in realising the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
4. Respond and facilitate requests from ASEAN Secretariat divisions, ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners and International Organisations, as assigned.
  - Provide timely and prompt updates and responses to queries from Member States and external sources with respect to ASEAN Cooperation, with regard to areas under purview.
  - Preparation and submit to relevant Divisions within the ASEAN Secretariat the up-to-date information on the ASEAN Cooperation, with regard to areas under purview, with the Head of the Division informed of the essential developments.
  - Prepare information, materials and publications for public dissemination through the ASEAN Website and other means in consultation with Community Relations Division and other relevant ASEAN Secretariat Directorates and Divisions to raise higher profile of the ASEAN Cooperation in Social and Human Development, in realising the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
  - Regularly update the Knowledge and Data Management System (KDMS) and maintain and update database of focal points and projects.
5. Provide policy and technical advice and recommendations, as assigned.
  - Negotiate and initiate collaborative activities with other relevant organisations and dialogue partners with emphasis on resource mobilization and strategic partnership.
  - Contribute to the development and finalisation of the strategic plans/ programmes/proposals by ensuring results-orientation and quality of design, which require the position holder to develop project concepts/ideas.
  - Appraise, plan and execute the activities of the strategic plans/ programmes/work plan in respective areas under purview.
  - Liaise with the project consultants or implementing agency for project coordination and implementation.
  - Coordinate the update of status of project funds from donors according to planned/ estimated costing of activities, and the status of the Project Financial Report.
  - Produce solid analysis and knowledge products on the identified priority issues of sectoral bodies and the thematic areas under the purview of the division in consultation with the Head of Division.
  - Provide supervision and coaching to subordinates to ensure timely and quality of work and their professional development.
  - Provide substantive feedback and consult with the Head of Division on matters for betterment of the sectoral work.

Qualifications

- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Public Policy, Management, Economics or other appropriate specialist discipline with a minimum of three (3) years professional experience at a high-level specialised field in poverty reduction, rural development, social welfare, and gender equality and empowerment of all women, or other related area, having extensive supervisory experience within management position is an advantage.
- Bachelor’s degree with at least five (5) years relevant work experience, shall also be considered.
- Preferably having experience in ASEAN and other intergovernmental organisations on managing projects and programmes, as well as partnerships and stakeholder engagements.
- High-level technical skills and knowledge in area of responsibility.
- Demonstrated skills in problem solving, planning and the development of policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to motivate staff and work effectively with people at all levels of the organisation.
- Experience in identifying training and professional/technical development needs of staff.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct both formal and on the job training and foster the career development goals of staff.
- Demonstrated sound oral and written communication skills and sound 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.
- Competency in computer skills with adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook where relevant to the position.
- Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.
- Excellent command of English, written and spoken.