Job Reference Number :

/PEGD/OFR/004

Opening Date :

29/01/2026

Job Title :

Program Officer PEGD

Closing Date :

15/02/2026

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 11^th 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 Program Officer (PO) to be embedded within PEGD. The PO 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 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.

1. 1.  Provide technical and administrative support 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.
      • Provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support for project activities
      • Assist in organising meetings, workshops, consultations, and dissemination events, coordinating with IA, PEGD, and PPMSU
      • Document meetings and collect technical inputs from ASBs and stakeholders
      • Liaise with the country coordinators and focal points, project consultants, or implementing agency for project coordination and implementation.
      • Assist in the collection and compiling of data for project monitoring and reporting.
   2.  Provide technical and administrative support for ACW, ACWC, SOMRDPE and SOMSWD in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Project and other PEGD-managed initiatives under Aus4ASEAN Futures.
      • Support the drafting of documents and written materials related to the meetings, such as administrative notes, logistical arrangement, agenda, information Papers, concept Papers, and other communication materials.
      • Support communication and coordination with AMS and relevant ASEAN bodies. 
      • Provide technical support for planning and implementation of project activities across the four ASBs.
      • 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. Provide technical and administrative support for 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.
      • Assist in collecting and compiling data for project for PEGD-managed projects under Aus4ASEAN Futures.
      • Assist in collecting data and reporting progress of the implementation of sectoral workplans (and similar documents) including the ASCC Blueprint.
      • 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.

1. • Master’s degree in social science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Welfare and Development, Gender and Women’s Studies, Programme Management, or an appropriate related field or discipline; o
   • Bachelor’s degree in social science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Welfare and Development, Gender and Women’s Studies, Programme Management or an appropriate related field or discipline with a minimum two (2) years relevant work experience in technical role.
   • Demonstrated knowledge, research and technical skills in administering and overseeing project and programme management.
   • Demonstrated commitment to collaborative work practices in multi-cultural environment.
   • Proven skills in problem solving in a complex organisational environment and in work planning.
   • Demonstrated ability to plan and organise tasks and work flows, with proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.
   • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with stakeholders.
   • Competency in computer skills with adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook where relevant to the position.
   • English proficiency and computer literacy are pre-requisites for this position. 
   • Experience working on ASEAN or other intergovernmental organisations particularly on project management is desirable.