The ASEAN Secretariat was established in 1976 by the Foreign Minister of ASEAN 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.
In alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Strategic Plans of the three ASEAN pillars of Political Security Community, Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community, and ASEAN Connectivity, supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Senior Officer Analysis and Monitoring on Trade, Industry and Emerging Issues Division (SO AMTIED).
Remuneration and Benefits:
The successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 3,893 and an attractive remuneration package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalization & life insurance, children’s education and gratuity. Subject to good performance during the probation, the candidate will be offered a fixed-term contract of three (3) years, inclusive of the six-month probationary period. Please note that ASEAN Secretariat Staff shall not be retained in active service beyond the age of 60 years.
1. Undertake timely, high-quality economic research, policy analysis and strategic assessments on trade, industry, geoeconomics and emerging economic issues:
- Monitor and assess fast-moving regional and global developments and translate complex developments into clear, actionable policy insights for ASEAN decision-makers.
- Assess the potential implications of geopolitical, geoeconomic, trade, industrial, regulatory and technological developments for ASEAN and formulate appropriate policy considerations.
- Undertake research and policy analysis to support ASEAN’s economic integration agenda and the development of ASEAN initiatives, policy processes and strategic priorities.
- Apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches, data and evidence to support policy analysis and recommendations.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of AMTIED’s knowledge base on trade, industry, geoeconomics and emerging economic issues; and
- Demonstrate agility in taking on new and unfamiliar subject areas, rapidly building substantive knowledge to provide credible and timely analysis and advice.
2. Monitor and respond to emerging economic and geoeconomic developments:
- Monitor emerging regional and global developments that may have implications for ASEAN’s economic integration, competitiveness, trade, investment, industries and economic security.
- Provide rapid and substantive analytical support in response to emerging issues, crises and requests from ASEAN Leaders, Ministers, Senior Officials and relevant ASEAN bodies.
- Provide rapid-response analytical and coordination support for major external developments and crisis situations.
- Contribute to cross-sectoral and cross-pillar analytical work on emerging and crisis-related issues, including, but not limited to, economic security, energy and food security, supply chains, connectivity and resilience; and
- Support the Division’s capacity to anticipate and respond to emerging economic challenges.
3. Provide policy advice and substantive support to ASEAN decision-makers:
- Prepare high-quality and concise briefing materials, talking points, policy papers, information papers, analytical assessments and other substantive inputs for ASEAN Leaders, Ministers, Senior Officials and relevant ASEAN meetings.
- Provide timely analytical inputs and policy advice to support ASEAN’s consideration of economic, trade, industrial, geoeconomic and emerging policy issues.
- Present analytical findings and policy recommendations clearly and effectively to senior officials and other stakeholders.
- Provide substantive support to the development, review and implementation of ASEAN initiatives, strategic priorities and policy frameworks; and
- Ensure that analytical and policy outputs are accurate, well-structured, policy-relevant and delivered within often compressed timelines.
4. Support coordination, research partnerships and stakeholder engagement across ASEAN and with external partners:
- Coordinate with relevant ASEAN Secretariat Departments and Divisions, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and ASEAN Member States on analytical and policy issues within the Division’s portfolio.
- Support cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination on issues requiring integrated economic, political-security and socio-cultural perspectives.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, international organisations, research institutions, think tanks, private sector stakeholders and other relevant partners.
- Develop and manage research and policy projects with external partners, including Dialogue Partners, international organisations, research institutions and think tanks.
- Identify and mobilise external expertise where specialised knowledge or analytical capacity is required.
- Organise and contribute to policy dialogues, workshops and seminars to facilitate exchange of views and disseminate research and policy findings; and
- Develop and maintain professional networks to facilitate information exchange, policy dialogue and access to relevant expertise.
5. Contribute to ASEAN’s policy processes, knowledge management and representation:
- Support the development and implementation of ASEAN initiatives, policy processes and strategic priorities, including cross-cutting and emerging areas.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Division’s institutional knowledge and continuity, including by capturing and sharing relevant research, policy developments, lessons learned and analytical insights.
- Represent the ASEAN Secretariat in regional and international meetings, conferences, workshops and other fora related to trade, industry, geoeconomics and emerging economic issues, as assigned; and
- Contribute to the Division’s institutional resilience and capacity to anticipate and respond to evolving regional and global economic developments.
6. Other relevant duties as assigned:
- Undertake other substantive assignments and responsibilities as may be assigned in support of the ASEAN Secretariat’s work and priorities; and
- Be prepared to assume new areas of work as ASEAN’s priorities and the regional and global economic environment evolve.
- Advanced degree in economics, public policy, international relations, development studies, political economy or a related field, with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience; or a Bachelor's degree, with five (5) years of relevant professional experience.
- Strong professional experience in economic research, policy analysis, international trade, industry, economic policy or related areas, preferably gained in international or regional organisations, government, research institutions, think tanks, private sector, academia or consulting.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex and rapidly evolving economic, trade, industrial, geoeconomic and policy developments and translate them into clear, concise and actionable policy advice.
- Excellent analytical, research and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality policy papers, analytical assessments, briefing materials and other substantive outputs within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of new and unfamiliar subject areas and apply that knowledge effectively to emerging policy questions.
- Strong understanding of regional and global economic, trade and investment developments, with familiarity with ASEAN economic integration and/or international economic policy.
- Strong quantitative and/or evidence-based analytical skills, including the ability to work with economic and statistical data and relevant analytical tools and software.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural and highly collaborative international environment, including across institutional and sectoral boundaries.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior officials, experts, government representatives, private sector stakeholders and international organisations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, exercise sound judgement, and deliver accurate, high-quality outputs under compressed timelines and pressure.
- Demonstrated agility, adaptability and intellectual curiosity, with the ability to respond constructively to changing priorities and emerging issues.
- Proven ability to work independently whilst also contributing effectively to a small, high-performing team.
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken; and
- Supervisory or team-leadership experience would be an advantage.