Executive Director

A. About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through Disaster  Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 as a regional technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and expanded its role over the years. It employs a wide range of professional expertise required for DRR and CR.

ADPC develops and implements cross-sectoral projects/programs on the strategic themes of risk governance, urban resilience, climate resilience, health risk management, and preparedness for response and resilient recovery. The strategic themes are complemented and underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of gender and diversity, regional and transboundary cooperation, and poverty and livelihoods.

Through its work, ADPC supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the agenda defined at the WorldHumanitarian Summit in 2016, and other relevant international frameworks.

For details, please refer to the ADPC website.

B. Position Introduction

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer and the most senior position of the organization, recruited internationally. It's a regular staff position with a contract term of two (2), which may be extended subject to performance, financial status of the organization,  and approval by the ADPCBoard of Trustees (BoT).

The annual salary package for this position is approximately USD 110,000, with an additional Post Adjustment (PA) following the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Based at the ADPC’s headquarters in Bangkok, this position is exempt from tax on salary in Thailand. The expected start date is 3 January 2025.

C. Statement of Intent

The Executive Director guides ADPC in carrying out its mandates to achieve the organization’s  vision, mission, and goals by ensuring that sufficient technical and financial resources are available to implement appropriately formulated programs and projects aligned with the strategic objectives and priorities defined in ADPC’s strategic and regional documents. The Executive Director is the Secretary to the BoT and Chair of the Executive Committee (ExCom).

This position calls for a dedicated professional who comes with a strong experience in the areas of organizational leadership and management, resources mobilization, an overall understanding of the landscap of regional climate and disaster hazards, resilient development challenges, and capacity-building of governments and other stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific.

Note: This position description does not intend to cover every aspect but rather to highlight the most important areas of individual and shared responsibilities.

D. Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for the operation and management of the organization, specifically performing the following essential duties:

Governance and Strategic Leadership

• Support the BoT Chair in communicating with the members and conducting the BoT meetings; 
• Present, on behalf of the ExCom, draft work plan and budget as well as any administrative, strategic, or thematic documents, guidelines, policies, and reports for approval;
• Provide the BoT members with quarterly updates on the implementation status of the approved annual work plan, resource mobilization, achievement of targets outlined at the yearlyBoT meetings, and issues or challenges that need advice and support from the BoT members;
• With guidance and inputs from the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC), the Advisory Council (AC), and the ExCom, take the lead in revising/updating the ADPC’s  strategic documents as and when needed;
• Chair the ExCommeetings and ensure the implementation of actions taken during each meeting;
• Guide the implementation of ADPC’s strategic documents to achieve the strategic objectives;
• Represent ADPC at the highest possible levels of governmental, international,and non- governmental institutions and fora, ensuring ADPC’s role within the regional and global DRR and CR stakeholders and partners is understood effectively;
• Ensure annual program performance against pre-defined institutional indicators and provide analysis and impact of performance; and
• Ensure compliance with fudiciary controls to monitor the use of resources, and in case of any fiscal deficits, take immediate measures to balance the deficit in consultation with the ExCom, with a timely communication to the BoT about the same.

Resource Mobilization and Partnership Management

• Build and maintain effective alliances, partnerships, and operational collaboration with governments, development partners, private/business sector, and civil society organizations for implementing the DRR and CR priorities at the regional, national, and sub-national levels in Asia and the Pacific;
• Lead resource mobilization efforts by engaging with bilateral, multilateral, and private sector donors to successfully generate funds for implementing large-scale DRR and CR programs;
• Provide leadership and guidance for ADPC’s institutional accreditation of various financing mechanisms for accessing funds for DRR and CR, leading to advancing the development of new funding streams and broadening the donor base for ADPC;
• Represent ADPC at the diplomatic core and other similar entities, including the forums organized by embassies and donor and UN agencies; and
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the BoT concerning governance, strategic leadership, resource mobilization, and partnership management.

Capacity-Building in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience

• Collaborate with countries in Asia and the Pacific region to identify specific capacity needs for enhancing DRR and CR;
• Guide the organization in successfully developing and implementing capacity building programs tailored to the unique challenges of the region;
• Lead the initiatives on developing partnerships with national institutions across the region to enhance their DRR and CR capabilities;

Innovation and Institutional Strengthening in Disaster Management Programs

• Promote innovation in DRR and CR through the incorporation of advanced technologies, data analytics, and best practices;
• Support research and development initiatives that focus on creating sustainable and resilient development in the region.

E. Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, development studies, environment, disaster risk reduction, or other related fields.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in DRR, CR, Sustainable Development, or other related fields.Work experience in Asia and the Pacific is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in leading an international organization is required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with strategic vision and proven skills in managing international, intergovernmental, international non-governmental, or multinational private sector organizations.
• Proven track record of mobilizing large-scale financial resources and of change management and accomplishments at regional or international level.
• In-depth knowledge of global and regional development and policy issues vis-à-vis DRR and CR.
• Demonstrated experience in developing partnerships with regional and national institutions for implementing capacity-building initiatives on DRR and CR.

F. Competencies

Core competencies

Professionalism: Identifies opportunities and risks in the different sectors of DRR and CR; negotiates and applies good judgment; efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender and equality perspectives across all areas of work.

• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with ADPC Strategy; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; complies with organizational regulations and rules; supports other staff, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.

Managerial competencies

• Communicates links between ADPC’s strategic documents and the work of different departments/units; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities; provides an environment in which other scan talk and act without fear of repercussion; operates with transparency; places confidence in colleagues, staff members, and clients; treats  sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Institutional competencies

Demonstrates the highest level of commitment and respect for persons of concern to ADPC, partners, and colleagues in all aspects of work; embraces the uniqueness of all individuals along several dimensions, including race, religious beliefs, ethnicity, age, gender, physical abilities, socio-economic status, disability, or any other distinguishing features; understands that each individual has an equal opportunity to make decisions, participate in social activities, perform any work at the organization and to make the most of their life and talents; fosters a positive and collaborative environment.

G. Reporting Relationships

The Executive Director will report to the BoT Chair and work closely with the ADPC ExCom.

H. How to apply:

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form (downloadable from https://www.adpc.net/igo/contents/HRA/ADPC-JoinUS.asp#sthash.7nHwjYd8.dpbs), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s), and cover letter to adpcjobs@adpc.net by midnight Bangkok time on 23 June 2024.

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. 

ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment. 

Note: Applicants who submit incomplete documents required as listed above will not be considered.