Function title: Programme Officer
Division: International Cooperation and Communication Section (ICCS)
Level of post: M-11i (Riparian professional staff)
Location: MRC Secretariat, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Contract type: Fixed-term appointment
Duration: One-year contract renewable
Reporting to: Section Chief of ICCS

1. THE MEKONG RIVER COMMISSION and MRC SECRETARIAT
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established by the 1995 Agreement on Co-operation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, between the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam. In accordance with this Agreement, the Mission of MRC is: “To promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well being by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice.”

The MRC Secretariat is the technical and administrative arm of the MRC. It provides technical and administrative services to the MRC Joint Committee (JC) and the Council to achieve the MRC’s mission.

2. The International Coopertion and communication section
The ICCS assists the CEO in providing advice on direction and strategies for the organization. It covers the formulation of the Strategic Plan and advises on its implementation, ICCS covers communications, and liaision with regional initiatives and donor partners. ICCS is charged to meet the demand for improving corrdination and cooperation with regional initiatives. ICCS is also responsible for organizing all governance meetings including the Joint Committee, Council, and Donor Consultative Group Meetings.

The MRC 1005 Agreement specifies some of the functions of the Secretariat that are under the responsibility of the International Cooperation and Communication Section (ICCS), including preparation of the annual work programme and making preparations for sessions of the Council and Joint Committee. The Rules of Procedures of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat detail these responsibilities for the Secretariat by delegation from the Joint Committee. The Secretariat (ICCS) is tasked to prepare necessary strategies and plans to implement the Agreement, to solicit and negotiate funding and support from the donor community.

ICCS includes the Communications Unit with its obvious connections to basin-wide promotion and international perspective. ICCS also drives the development of basin-wide guidelines for education/awareness raising of the present and emerging water resources issues.

3. JOB SUMMARY
Under the overall supervision of the Section Chief, ICCS, the incumbent is responsible for MRC Governance Structure / Meetings, and International Cooperation areas.

4. KEY TASKS
The incumbent performs the following key tasks:

I MRC Governance Structure / Meetings:

1. Governance Meetings:
   
   1. Meetings organization: under the supervision of the section chief, the incumbent organizes the governance meetings, including Task Force, JC Preparation, Joint Committee, Council, and other as required, according to its plan and timeline. Coordinating with the member countries for dates, times, venues, and others as related. Prepare and update the governance meetings plan and execute the plan efficiently.
   2. Coordination and documentation: coordinating with the sections and programmes for the inputs / documents, or additional clarification, required for the governance meetings, finalizing the documents including briefing notes / reports, presentations, editing contributions, supervising the review process of drafted documents, integrating all comments and finalizing meeting documentations. Finalizing agendas and annotated agendas. Ensuring the documents arrive the member countries according to its timelines. Prepares and coordinate correspondences, liaising with the member countries and host country on the meeting arrangements and logistical support.
   3. Management: oversee the governance meetings front and back office to ensure it is operated according to its plan effectively; solves the problems in consultation with the section chief when there is; quality control of the reproduction and distribution of documents, minutes, and reports. Supervise the ICCS supporting staff throughout the meetings to ensure the meetings has been operated successfully.
2. Drafting contributions to governance meetings; minutes, reports, memos; and partly taking minutes, to assist the Rapporteur at the meetings;
3. Liaison with communication section of ICCS to ensure minutes and record of Governance Meetings are available on the MRC website in line with MRC’s Disclosure Policy;
4. Monitoring and supervising the implementation of protocol matters at MRC Governance Meetings as well as advising the protocol matters to other MRC meetings;
5. Supervising meeting arrangements, particularly coordinating and advising FAS on the set-up, banners, invitation cards, banquet selection, and others as related;
6. Supervising the maintenance and advising the application of monitoring and information tools such as the governance meetings database and the governance meetings preparations guidelines;
7. Supervising and providing advice on the organization of high level meetings and courtesy visits as they relate to the MRC governance structure.
8. Advising the programmes regularly on correspondences to the MRC governance body and Dialogue Partners. Update the sections / programmes when there is a change in regard to the governance matters;
9. Act as a focal point for member countries, MRCS including programmes and sections, and donor communities, for relation with Member Countries and MRC Governance body;
10. Make presentations on behalf of the ICCS, in particular when the subjects are related to the roles and responsibilities of the governance unit, and when required;
11. Assisting the organisation and preparation of the MRC Summit which is held every four years, with close internal coordination and collaboration with NMCs;
    

II International Cooperation:

1. Working with the programmes / sections for the information / documents required for the preparation of the Annual MRC Work Programme. Preparing and supporting the process of approval of the annual MRC Work Programme. Finalizing the Work Programme for publication and supervising the distribution to the MRC community. Preparing, finalizing and supervising the distribution of the MRC Quarterly Report to the Joint Committee on its activities.
2. Preparing and finalizing the annual report of MRC to the UNESCAP Assembly. Processing with the countries’ approval on the report and submitting to the UNESCAP as well as follow up on the MRC participation.
3. Assisting in co-ordinating and interacting with MRC donor community and partners on governance matters.
4. Supervising and training support staffs of ICCS on work related to the incumbent’s portfolio.

III General Management:

1. Drafting the TOR for a recruiting process of consultants.
2. Coordinating with HRS and FAS for the recruitment and selection of governance-related consultants/consulting firms, and payment arrangement.
3. Supervising the works of the governance-related consultant according to the TORs.
4. Acting as a Secretary to MRCS Senior Staff Meetings f the OCEO Secretary is unavailable.

IV Others

1. Performs other tasks as assigned by the Section Chief of ICCS or other authorized persons.

5. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY
a) Supervision requirements: The incumbent supervises ICCS supporting staff working related to governance meeting matters and international cooperation. S/he is responsible for their works, on-the-job trainings, and partly their performance appraisals in consultation with the section chief.
b) Level of autonomy: Most decisions are recommendatory, except for those made clearly in line with MRC policies and procedures.
c) Level of problem solving required: Problems range from routine to complex, problems must be solved in consultation with the Section Chief.
d) Level and type of communications required: Communications are broad, both within and outside of the organisation. Extensive written communications are involved.

6. COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS
Core Values: Integrity, Transparency, Professionalism, Results-Oriented, and Respect for Diversity
Core Competencies: Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organising, Reliability, Accountability, Creativity, Client Orientation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, and Technological Awareness.
Managerial Competencies: Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Building Trust, Managing Performance, and Judgement/Decision-making

7. POST-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

• At least university degree in International Relations, International Development, Political, Social Science, or related discipline. A Masters degree is desirable.
• At least 10 years progressive working experience relevant with governance relations management, and international cooperation and communication in particular with international development-oriented organization
• Highly experience in preparing and managing governance meetings, international conference, and related editorial and protocol matters.
• Knowledge of Southeast Asia’s social, cultural, and political structures is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of natural resources management / environmental awareness is desirable.
• Familiar with essential aspects of technical co-operation, in particular programme development, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, team management, planning skill, and coordination skills.
• Must be a reliable, accountable, and result-oriented person.
• Good sense of initiative and sound political and diplomatic judgment
• Excellent computer skill, and knowledge of database management.
• Ability to perform highly satisfactory under pressure and to meet deadlines;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English Knowledge of more than one riparian language and donor community is an advantage.

Brief information on remuneration

The remuneration package, subject to change, includes (i) annual net base salary exempt from tax by Lao authorities, starting at US$ 28,467 (M-11, step I);  (ii) Monthly fluctuation and removable Devaluation Allowance (10% of basic salary for the month of Dec 11); (iii) MRC’s contribution to staff member’s Provident Fund of 14% of basic salary upon completion of 3 years in service; (iv) Contribution of MRC to Health and Accident insurances (on shared basis with employee); (v) other entitlements and benefits such as dependency allowance, 6 weeks’ annual vacation; sick leave, maternity leave etc.

Non-resident staff members receive an additional (i) 7% of basic salary for Post Adjustment allowance; (ii) 7% of basic salary for Hardship allowance; (iii) Rental subsidy of 40% of the rent rate up to maximum of US$ 6,000 annual; (iv) Education Grant of 75% of max. expense of US$ 13,000; (v) Travel cost and Shipment expenses on assignment and upon separation; (vi) other entitlements and benefits such as Relocation Grant allowance, Home Leave Travel, Education Grant Travel, etc. 

The duration of the assignment of MRC Riparian Professional Staff is up to maximum 6 years according to 1995 Mekong Agreement and Procedural Rules.

THE MRCS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A CANDIDATE AT A LEVEL LOWER THAN
THE ADVERTIZED LEVEL OF THE POST.

The Programme Officer will be responsible for the MRC governance matters, including preparationand organisation of governance meetings, and acting as the focal person for the MRC Member Countries and Dialogue Partners. The position is based at the Office of the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The job description and other information can be obtained at MRC website http://www.mrcmekong.org/working-with-mrc/employment. Women are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Closing date for applications: 24 February 2012

Application procedures:
Only nationals of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam are eligible to apply. The application should include (i) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets the requirements of the position, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) MRC Personal History Form. The position title and section/division must be indicated in the cover letter. The application should be sent to the National Mekong Committee in the applicant’s home country.

Mekong River Commission Secretariat
P.O. Box 6101
Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR
Email: mrcs@mrcmekong.org
Closing date for applications: 28 October 2011

Cambodia National Mekong Committee
P.O.Box 623, 364 Monivong Blvd.,
Sangkat Phsar Doerm Thkouv, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel. (855-23) 216 514 Fax. (855-23) 218 506
E-mail: ou_sophanna@cnmc.gov.kh

Thai National Mekong Committee
Department of Water Resources
180/3 Rama 6 Road, Soi Phibul Watana Building
Phayathai, Bangkok 10400 Thailand
Tel. (66-2) 271 6165, 271 6620
Fax. (66-2) 298 6605
E-mail: tnmc@dwr.mail.go.th

Lao National Mekong Committee
Prime Minister’s Office, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel. (856-21) 260 981-3 Fax. (856-21) 260 984
E-mail: lnmc@lnmc.gov.la

Viet Nam National Mekong Committee
23 Hang Tre, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Tel. (84-4) 825 4785 Fax. (84-4) 825 6929
E-mail: vnmc.personnel@gmail.com