Position Vacancy Announcement

Program Officer, China’s Global Engagement

 

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, Asia plays a crucial global role. China is expanding its partnerships in the region through investment, trade, and development cooperation. Would you be excited to apply your skills and knowledge of China’s global engagement to improve lives, expand opportunities, and help societies flourish across this dynamic region?

You could have this opportunity at The Asia Foundation. Founded in 1954, The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region addresses five overarching goals—strengthen governance, empower women, expand economic opportunity, increase environmental resilience, and promote regional cooperation. Together with our partners, we are committed to Asia’s continued development as a peaceful, just, and thriving region of the world. Headquartered in San Francisco, The Asia Foundation works through a network of offices in 18 Asian countries and in Washington, D.C.

The Foundation began programming in China in 1979. In 1994, with the expansion of its programming in China, the Foundation opened a resident country office in Beijing. On June 30, 2017, the Foundation received the certificate for Beijing Representative Office issued by the Beijing Public Security Bureau. Over the past four decades, the Foundation has provided thousands of grants and supported a large number of development projects in China. Working with local partners, the Foundation is committed to a thriving China, to advancing shared goals of expanded opportunity, and to enduring cooperation within Asia and the world.

Around the early 2010s, The Asia Foundation launched its program on China’s Global Engagement, responding proactively to China’s rising contribution to global growth, development, and innovation.  The Foundation supports China’s “Going Abroad” policy and practice with programs that promote understanding of Chinese development cooperation, support sustainable practices by Chinese businesses overseas, and build the capacity of Chinese NGOs to respond to long-term development needs and immediate humanitarian crises in Asia.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Asia Foundation Beijing Representative Office is seeking a Chinese national to fill a Program Officer position. The Program Officer (PO) reports to the Country Representative (CR) in China. The PO will be responsible for the management of the Foundation’s program activities related to China’s global engagement, responsible investment in Asia and other topics as identified and agreed upon.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

  • Report directly to the CR in China.
  • Supervise the Program Associate (PA) of the China’s global engagement program.
  • Daily contact with all staff within the Foundation’s Beijing Representative Office.
  • Interact with other units and teams at the Foundation’s headquarters in San Francisco and the office in Washington D.C., as well as other Asia-based offices.

External

  • Frequent contact with public and private-sector donors globally; Chinese government agencies; civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, business associations and companies; other development partners.
  • Occasional interaction with Chinese and international media.

 

JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Planning/Fundraising/Partnership Development

  • Lead the strategic planning of the Foundation’s China’s global engagement program portfolio in China, including strategic directions on the scope of work, partnerships, and fundraising.
  • Stay abreast and up to date on China’s global engagement approaches and activities, especially Asia. Read, write, and research on relevant themes as required.
  • Work with the CR, fundraising units at the headquarters, other Asia-based offices and the PA to explore, establish and maintain donor relations. Take lead in proposal development.
  • Build high-level strategic partnerships through intensive relationship building and frequent liaison with government, civil society, academia, private sector and development agencies at international, national, and regional levels.
  • Cooperate with the Foundation’s other program teams to identify and establish synergies between different strategic areas.

Program Management/Implementation/Evaluation

  • Responsible for the effective, efficient and quality implementation of programs.
  • Coordinate the overall monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of programs, including establishing M&E framework, developing M&E tools, and implementing M&E activities, in consultation with internal/external M&E experts.
  • Supervise compliance and effective management of grants.
  • Coordinate with internal and external technical advisors to provide technical assistance to the implementation of program activities as needed.
  • Ensure timely and quality program management, including budget management, expenditure monitoring, and timely submission of reports to donors.
  • Frequent field visits to observe, monitor and evaluate program activities.
  • Brief and discuss with the CR on a regular basis regarding program implementation and the future direction of the respective portfolio.

Representation

  • Represent the Asia Foundation in international and/or domestic conferences and other outreach events as requested.
  • Represent the Asia Foundation vis-à-vis Chinese and international press on relevant topics as requested.

Communication

  • Develop issue-related journal papers and blogs to be published on the Foundation’s English website, Chinese microsite and WeChat public account.
  • Develop program portfolio summaries and strategic papers as requested.
  • Contribute to the development of annual work plans and reports in Chinese to be submitted to the relevant Chinese authorities.

Other

  • Other duties as assigned by the CR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Knowledge and experience related to China’s global engagement approaches, including responsible investment in Asia, bilateral and multilateral development cooperation, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Belt and Road Initiative, south-south cooperation.
  • Minimum master’s degree in Development Studies, International Relations Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Public Administration, or related social science field.
  • Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in program management and development with an emphasis on China’s development cooperation programs or responsible overseas investment.
  • Proven development program management skills, including the ability to develop and manage work plans and budgets.
  • Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills with ability to work independently.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.
  • Experience working for an international organization preferred.
  • Experience with both public and private-sector fundraising preferred.
  • Fluency in both written and spoken Chinese and English.
  • Strong proposal and report writing skills; good academic writing skills an asset.
  • Must be a team player as well as a self-starter.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
  • Willingness to travel for work within and outside China.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft applications (including, but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Why work at The Asia Foundation?

At a critical moment in history, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development, stability, and growth of the Asia region. You will help promote a more constructive engagement between government and citizens and advance learning and awareness about The Asia Foundation. You will work with and learn from dedicated, smart, and accomplished colleagues and local partners, and, in the process, improve your skills and expertise.

How to Apply?

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, detailed resume, at least one writing sample and names of references, all in English, to [email protected]. Please list applicant name and “PO Global Engagement” in the e-mail subject line.  Application deadline: 5:30pm Beijing time, Friday, May 24, 2019.   Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

The Asia Foundation offers competitive benefits and salary commensurate with experience. We are an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of different gender identities and ethnicities are equally encouraged to apply.

For additional information about The Asia Foundation and its Beijing Representative Office, please visit our website at: http://www.asiafoundation.org/ | http://china.asiafoundation.org , or follow our WeChat public account (ID: tafbeijing).