Director

Mekong Institute
The Mekong Institute (MI) is the only inter-governmental GMS-based development learning institute, founded by the six GMS Governments, offering standard and on-demand human resource development programs with focus on regional cooperation and transnational development issues.
The MI residential training center is in the Khon Kaen University Campus, Khon Kaen, Thailand with well-established Coordinating Agencies in the six GMS countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province of China). Due to the transformation of MI from independent organization to Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), MI seeks qualified candidates for the new IGO Director Position.

The Director
The Director is the Chief Executive officer of a unique and respected regional training institute. The Director brings a vision to the Institute’s role in accelerating sustainable social and economic development and poverty alleviation in the GMS and is able to articulate and implement that vision. It is expected that the Director provides strategic and organizational leadership to build the Institute into a pre-eminent centre of excellence in training and research serving the development needs of the GMS.
1. Responsibilities:
- To lead and develop the Institute as a centre of excellence providing training and research in four thematic areas: Trade and Investment Facilitation, Human Migration, Rural Development and Transnational Project Management.
- To ensure that the Mission, Purposes and Values of the Mekong Institute, as set out in the MI Charter and established by the Council, are met in a cost efficient, timely and profitable manner.
- To manage the staff, assets and resources of the Mekong Institute to ensure that the Institute provides sustainable, cost-effective and quality human resource development services which meet the priority development needs of the GMS.
- To provide leadership in marketing the Institute’s programs and services to governments of the GMS, to other governments and to bilateral and multilateral development and finance agencies.
- To provide leadership and act as a catalyst in developing and implementing new ideas and strategies to ensure the continuing financial viability of the Institute, in compliance with Council’s policy and the Institute’s Charter.

2. Scope of Authority
(a) Supervision requirements: The Director directly supervises four Program Managers and three Section Heads, as well as staff in the Office of the Director. S/he is responsible for their performance appraisal to be carried out in line with MI procedures.
(b) Level of autonomy: The Director has final authority on Secretariat matters. Wider decisions are subject to the approval of the MI Steering Committee.
(c) Level of problem solving required: Problem solving is very complex and a great deal of initiative, creativity, and diplomacy is required of the incumbent.
(d) Level and type of communications required: Communications are wide, within and outside the organization, and include high-level written communications. Excellent presentation and diplomatic skills are required.

3. Post-Specific Qualifications
The Director preferably be recruited from one of the GMS Countries with the following qualifications.
- Advanced (post graduate) degree in one or more of the following areas: Education Management, Human Resource Development, International Development and International Trade and Investment
- Outstanding achievement in policy development at chief or senior executive level, and proven record of high-level management, preferably of an international organization, ideally related to human resources development.
- Experience in development cooperation and resource mobilization, strategy development and co-ordination.
- High-level experience in dealing with regional and extra-regional governments and institutions and in negotiating with development partners.
- Understanding of the development needs and aspirations of the GMS member countries with proven experience dealing with GMS regional development issues.
- Demonstrated high-level skill in managing international/regional organizations, and capacity for the development of creative solutions to complex problems.
- Outstanding leadership, management, organizational, communication, interpersonal, cross-cultural and negotiating skills.
- Executive experience in development of organization management systems such as institutional arrangement, financial systems, information technology strategies and systems, and human resource management systems.
Language: Fluency in all aspects of the English language is essential, proficiency in one or more of the GMS languages are an advantage.

4. Compensation Package
The term of employment of the Director shall be three years, but the Director shall be eligible for reappointment for a further term of up to three years if the Council so decides.
MI offers attractive compensation package including annual salary range from US$ 88,000 – 100,000 (tax free for non-Thai), post allowance, provident fund, travel and relocation benefits.
Please submit your CV and letter of intent via email to [email protected] and [email protected]. The closing date for applications is on April 23, 2010.
For more information about the Mekong Institute and its programs, please visit MI website at www.mekonginstitute.org