ABOUT MEKONG INSTITUTE

Mekong Institute (MI) is an intergovernmental organization owned and operated by the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries, with a mission to provide capacity development services and products that enhance regional development, cooperation, and integration. To respond to the changes and evolving needs in the GMS, MI currently prioritizes the regional integration of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam workforces for more equitable and inclusive economic growth. Further, MI is expanding its traditional portfolio to position itself as a GMS-based knowledge center of excellence with increased institutional capacity for policy research and other services related to economic integration and development disparities.

PROGRAM SPECIALIST (SME DEVELOPMENT & TRADE FACILITATION), TRADE AND INVESTMENT FACILITATION DEPARTMENT

MI carries out capacity building for regional cooperation programs in three interrelated models: Learning Program, Research and Policy Dialogue.
The Program Specialist is responsible for designing, planning, managing and monitoring Programs/Projects under his/her designated thematic area (SME Development and Trade Facilitation).  

KEY TASKS

• Plan, lead and coordinate learning programs, workshops, structured learning visits and seminars under his/her assigned thematic area.  
• Develop/formulate new SME development and trade facilitation project concept, project proposals and budget.
• Make continuous improvement of training curriculum under the Trade Facilitation program; design and coordinate program delivery specifications to ensure that high quality training content and methodologies are delivered together with qualified resource persons (session planning, resource persons, field visits sites, facilitators, on-line training packages, etc.).
• As team leader/lead facilitator, facilitate training sessions under his/her thematic area. This includes delivering technical sessions, preparing session plan and training materials, facilitating learning activities and preparing the synthesis/evaluation of each training session/module.
• Lead/ conduct research on emerging issues related to his/her thematic area and develop case studies to be used in his/her training program.
• In coordination with M&E specialist, design project monitoring and evaluation tools, and administer pre-test and post-test of capacity development activities to provide data for M&E system.
• Prepare project completion report, evaluation report and post-training follow up activities in accordance with MI standard and/or as required by development partners.
• Establish and maintain good relationship with MI Coordinating Agencies in the GMS countries and concerned development partners and collaborating agencies.
• Write SME and trade related information for MI website and contribute to MI publications (Mekong Connection, Course Design Statement, Brochures, etc.).
• Other related tasks as assigned by the Director of TIF Department or the Executive Director of Mekong Institute.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master Degree or PhD in Economics, Business/Trade or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of experience preferably in capacity building and training and/or research on SME development. logistics development and trade facilitation.
• Good understanding of issues related to SME development, transport and logistics, trade policy, Special Economic Zones, GMs/ASEAN economy, etc.
• Proven experience in SME development, trade capacity building and research.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in written and verbal English.

Please visit www.mekonginstitute.org for the full Terms of Reference.

- Program Specialist: http://www.mekonginstitute.org/join-us/program-specialist-sme-development-and-trade-facilitation-tif/