Executive Director
Position Summary Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
Concept Statement
The Executive Director is the chief executive of the organization. The Executive Director enacts MI’s vision and role in accelerating sustainable social and economic development and poverty alleviation in the GMS.
The Executive Director provides strategic and organizational leadership to establish MI as the pre-eminent center of excellence in research and knowledge dissemination that serves the development needs of the GMS.
The Executive Director is highly knowledgeable of the broad economic and management principles underpinning MI’s programs and projects and has the ability to effectively present these principles and expound MI’s course content to prospective development partners.
The Executive Director is Responsible to:
- Mekong Institute Council
- Mekong Institute Steering Committee
- Purpose of Position
- To lead and develop MI as a center of excellence through the provision and facilitation of trainings, research studies and policy dialogues in the broad areas of trade and investment; agricultural development and commercialization; as well as innovation and technology; among others
- To ensure that MI’s mission, objectives and values, as set out in the MI Charter and established by the Council and Steering Committee, are fulfilled in a cost-efficient, timely and professional manner
- To manage MI staff, assets and resources to ensure that the organization provides sustainable, cost-effective and quality training services that meet the priority development needs of the GMS
- To provide leadership in marketing MI’s services to governments within and outside GMS, as well as other bilateral and multilateral development organizations
- To be a catalyst in developing and implementing new ideas and strategies—in compliance with the Council’s policies and the MI Charter—to ensure the continuing financial viability of the organization
- To coordinate and facilitate the Quarterly Executive meetings, as well as oversee the organization and implementation of high-level regional activities such as the bi-annual Governing Board meeting and annual Mekong Forum
- To lead and regularly coordinate the Senior Management Team (SMT) meetings and provide guidance on strategic planning and direction.
- To seek financial and technical support from development partners for the implementation of new initiatives in accordance with MI’s Strategic Plan
- Responsible for:
- The management of MI staff, assets and resources
- The fulfillment of requirements and partnership agreements between MI and donor organizations or agencies
- The accomplishment of MI’s financial, academic, legal and other contractual obligations and responsibilities
- The protection and promotion of MI’s Charter and Council policies
- The engagement with other third-party representatives in promoting MI services
- Principal Tasks and Accountabilities:
- Provide leadership in the review, preparation, presentation and implementation of MI’s five-year strategic plan, annual work program, operational plan, budget framework, strategic direction and monitoring and evaluation of operational programs
- Mobilize resources and funds required to support MI’s programs and projects
- Provide leadership in the formulation and staff compliance of administrative and operational policies, procedures and practices
- Develop institutional capacity and quality assurance for the alignment of MI’s thematic areas with the MI strategic plan
- Lead MI’s efforts in building relationships with other regional international organizations, think tanks, research institutes and bilateral agencies in the region and beyond
- Review MI’s organizational structure and operational manual when needed and recommend changes and realignments to the MI Council where necessary to ensure efficient operations through optimum allocation of available staffing resources
- Develop and recommend institutional and programmatic policies and objectives for consideration by the Council
- Ensure that all approved plans and programs are fully implemented by directing and coordinating all MI activities
- Enhance MI’s status and visibility through attendance and presentations at international, regional and national conferences, workshops, policy dialogue meetings and other similar fora
- Monitor current and emerging trends in the region to ensure that MI programs remain relevant and responsive to capacity building needs and development initiatives
- Oversee the cost-effective and sustainable management of MI’s financial resources. This includes the presentation of MI’s annual budget for Council approval
- Provide advice to the Steering Committee on the appointment of external auditors, and ensure that all sound recommendations of the auditors are fully complied
- Ensure that all services delivered by MI are of high quality and meet all its legal and contractual obligations. S/he must also ascertain that all activities comply with the laws of the country in which they take place
- Foster good relations and maintain close liaison with all key stakeholders, including Council and Steering Committee members, as well as representatives of GMS government agencies,
- bilateral and multilateral development agencies and donors, Khon Kaen University and other universities and training/research institutions
- Organize and participate in the Council and Steering Committee meetings and any other sub-committee meetings
- Perform other tasks as requested by the Council or Steering Committee
- Strong and documented management skills and experience to guide a large and diverse organization, including demonstrated ability to attract, retain and deploy the best possible staff.
- S/he must be able to set clear standards for accountability, probity, and risk management to ensure sound and transparent financial management and deliver continuing improvement of MI’s technical services
- Strong knowledge and understanding of the socioeconomic and geopolitical landscape of the GMS, with focused expertise on regional cooperation and integration and/or sustainable economic and social development in relation to the GMS Economic Cooperation Program
- Excellent communication skills to fulfill MI’s responsibility of accountability and transparency to members of the Council, Steering Committee and donor partners
- Strong advocacy skills to be utilized in public speaking, media interviews and presentation of MI’s services to international and regional bodies.
- Holds a minimum of 15 years relevant work experience, of which at least 6 years were in executive/senior management positions, preferably with a background of leading large-scale development projects and/or training and research organizations
- A PhD/post graduate degree in economics, trade, business, management, international relations, education or another related fields
- Formerly or currently a resident of any GMS member countries and is willing to relocate to the MI Headquarters in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
