Job Description

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967 with the purpose of promoting regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region. ASEAN comprises eleven countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor-Leste being admitted as an ASEAN Member State during the 47th ASEAN Summit on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was proclaimed a Community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, signed by the ASEAN Leaders during their 27th Summit 2015.

The ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future articulates the collective aspiration of the ASEAN Community to realise a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN by 2045, envisioning a developed ASEAN as the epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific region.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, and supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Assistant Director/Head of Monitoring, Surveillance and Coordination Division.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Director (ADR) reports to the Director of ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate. He/she will be responsible for the following duties:1.

1. Undertake and coordinate monitoring and surveillance of regional economic integration in ASEAN:

Lead the implementation, operationalisation and continuous enhancement of the ASEAN Economic Community Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Framework 2045.
Develop, maintain and communicate methodologies, guidelines, reporting frameworks and mechanisms to ensure consistency, transparency and comparability in the monitoring and reporting of AEC implementation across sectoral bodies.
Analyse implementation progress, identify emerging implementation challenges, delivery risks and policy bottlenecks, and formulate recommendations to support evidence-based decision making and timely corrective actions.
Coordinate the preparation of periodic reports, progress and updates on regional economic integration for high-level ASEAN meetings including the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI), the Senior Economic Official Meetings (SEOM), the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) and the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC).
Supervise the development, maintenance, utilization and further enhancement of the AEC MEAL Framework Digital System to support performance and outcomes monitoring and reporting of ASEAN economic integration.
Develop and manage projects and technical assistance programs from Development and Dialogue Partners related to monitoring and surveillance of regional economic integration.
Collaborate with the ASEAN Political Security Community Analysis & Monitoring Division, the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community Analysis & Monitoring Directorate and the ASEAN Connectivity Division to strengthen the monitoring of relevant cross-pillar regional integration initiatives.
Lead the adoption of innovative digital tools, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, to strengthen the efficiency, effectiveness and timeliness of monitoring and reporting processes on ASEAN economic integration.

2. Provide strategic coordination and governance support for ASEAN economic integration initiative:

Serve as the focal point within the ASEAN Secretariat for coordinating institutional arrangements and governance processes related to the implementation of the AEC Strategic Plan(s).
Lead the preparation and coordination of the Committee of the Whole (CoW) as the principal internal coordination mechanism of the ASEAN Economic Community Pillar, including the identification and consolidation of cross-cutting issues, coordination of inputs from relevant divisions and departments, and follow-up of decisions and actions arising from CoW discussions.
Facilitate collaboration among AEC divisions, ASEAN Secretariat departments and relevant ASEAN bodies to promote policy coherence, alignment and effective implementation of cross-sectoral and cross-pillar initiatives.
Lead the preparation and coordination for the AEC Council meetings including the follow-up actions or matter arisings from their decisions.
Support and coordinate the work of ASEAN economic integration higher bodies, including the HLTF-EI, SEOM, and AEM, and facilitate follow-up actions arising from their decisions.
Coordinate the development and implementation of cross-cutting initiatives, frameworks and partnerships that strengthen ASEAN economic integration governance and institutional effectiveness.
Promote whole-of-Secretariat approaches to ASEAN economic integration by fostering collaboration, information sharing and alignment across relevant divisions and pillars/departments.

3. Provide relevant inputs in support of a strong economic research and policy analysis program at the ASEAN Secretariat:

Identify emerging implementation issues, performance gaps and policy questions arising from monitoring exercises and recommend priority areas for further research and analysis by relevant AIMD divisions.
Provide monitoring evidence, implementation data and performance insights to support analytical work undertaken by AMTIED and AMFSED.
Facilitate the translation of analytical findings and evaluation results into actionable recommendations to strengthen implementation and policy delivery.
Coordinate with relevant ASEAN Secretariat divisions to identify cross-sectoral and cross-pillar issues requiring analytical support and policy interventions.
Champion organisational learning through the dissemination of monitoring findings, evaluation results, lessons learned and good practices across ASEAN Sectoral Bodies.

4. Ensure effective reporting, information dissemination, communication and advocacy on ASEAN economic integration:

Lead the preparation and dissemination of high quality monitoring reports on the progress of implementation and outcomes of the AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030 both for internal and external audience including ASEAN Leaders, Ministers, Senior Officials and other stakeholders.
Translate monitoring findings, implementation progress and evaluation outcomes into policy-relevant communication products, including briefing notes, policy briefs, presentations, dashboards and strategic reports.
Develop and implement communication and advocacy initiatives to enhance awareness, understanding and visibility of ASEAN economic integration efforts, achievements and priorities among policymakers, stakeholders and the public.
Prepare briefing notes, talking points and strategic inputs on relevant regional economic integration issues to support intervention by the Secretary General and Deputies Secretary General in relevant ministerial meetings.
Represent the ASEAN Secretariat in relevant regional and international forums to communicate ASEAN economic integration progress, achievements and future priorities.

Qualifications

Advanced university degree (preferably PhD) with strong academic qualifications in Economics, Public Administration, Public Policy, Evaluation studies or Business Analytics.
Extensive knowledge and substantive senior-level experience, with minimum of six (6) years in conducting economic research, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, or project management gained in international/regional development institutions, research institutes, public sector, academe, and development and research consulting.
Strong understanding of and demonstrated ability to leverage digital and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence to improve monitoring, evaluation, reporting and organisational learning.
Demonstrated skills in development of policies and procedures.
Sound financial, material and human resource management and supervisory skills.
Proven ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with government officials, public and private sector organizations, and other stakeholders.
Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.
High-level interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including experience in cross-cultural environment and international settings.
Commitment to teamwork and collaborative work practices.
Sound understanding of international and regional issues, and knowledge of and commitment to ASEAN ideals.
Competency in computer skills with adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook.
Excellent command of English, written and spoken

Remuneration and Benefits:

Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 5,567 and 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

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) jobs

Assistant Director Monitoring, Surveillance and Coordination