Mekong Institute Vacancy Announcement

Project Manager

Mekong Institute

Mekong Institute (MI) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes regional cooperation and integration through capacity development, dialogue, and advocacy to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). MI is mandated and represented by Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. 

MI’s work aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ASEAN Communitybuilding efforts, the GMS Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030, and other relevant regional and subregional cooperation frameworks. 

MI implements projects across Agricultural Development and Commercialization, Trade and Investment Facilitation, and Sustainable Energy and Environment, while mainstreaming social inclusion, digital innovation, labor mobility, and sustainability to achieve long-term regional impact.

Project Overview

The Mekong CONNECT project, funded by the Mekong–Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation Fund, aims to enhance agricultural supply chain sustainability, resilience, and efficiency in the Mekong region. The project promotes the integration of smart agricultural technologies, strengthens public–private partnerships (PPPs), and builds the capacity of key stakeholders.

Key interventions include pilot implementations, capacity-building and coaching programs, and regional dialogue and knowledge-exchange platforms to support agricultural modernization and inclusive economic development in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. 

As the project enters its second and third years of implementation, MI is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead high-quality and effective project delivery and ensure achievement of results. 

Position Overview

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the strategic, technical, financial, and operational management and implementation of the Mekong CONNECT project during Years 2–3. The role requires strong leadership, coordination across multi-country regional and national stakeholders, effective engagement with public and private sector partners, and rigorous financial and operational oversight, reporting, and learning in line with donor requirements to ensure achievement of project objectives.

The Project Manager position will report directly to the Director of the Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC) Department and work closely with the Mekong– ROK Cooperation Fund Secretariat and multi-country focal points.

Key Responsibilities

1.  Project Leadership and Strategic Management 

a)  Lead the overall implementation of the project and ensure alignment with the approved objectives, results framework, timelines, and budget. Develop, update, and operationalize annual and quarterly detailed work plans to ensure for timely delivery of outputs and outcomes

b)  Oversee resource planning, risk management, monitoring, and evaluation

c)  Ensure compliance with donor, government, and MI internal reporting requirements

d)  Coordinate effectively with the Project Management Unit (PMU), technical teams, and country-level implementation partners 

e)  Manage consultants, experts, and project staff

f)  Provide technical supervision and guidance on the implementation of Mekong CONNECT practices and technologies

2.  Stakeholder Engagement and Public-Private Partnerships

a)  Serve as the primary point of contact for governmentagencies, academic institutions, private sector partners, development partners, regional, and international stakeholders

b)  Facilitate and strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) to enhance sustainability, innovations, and scalability of project interventions

c)  Organize and lead regular coordination meetings with national focal points and regional stakeholders 

3.  Capacity Building and Technical Support

a)  Oversee the design and delivery of training curricula, workshops, and coaching initiatives in partnership with universities and research institutes in the Mekong region and the Republic of Korea (ROK) 

b)  Ensure technical quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of capacity-building methodologies, and learning tools

c)  Coordinate with resource persons, experts, and academic institutions to ensure effective knowledge transfer

4.  Pilot Implementation and Knowledge Management

a)  Supervise the installation and implementation of climate-smart and digital agriculture pilot initiatives across CLMTV countries

b)  Promote systematic knowledge exchange and the documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and case studies

c)  Oversee knowledge products, including the Mekong Agri CONNECT Digest and other learning outputs

5.  Financial and Operational Management

a)  Manage the project budget and ensure efficient allocation of resources and compliance with donor requirements and MI financial policies 

b)  Oversee financial reporting, audits, and procurement processes in coordination with MI finance and operations teams  

c)  Provide regular financial and operational updates to the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund Secretariat

6.  Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting

a)  Update and implement the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework 

b)  Track progress against results indicators and support adaptive management

c)  Prepare and submit high-quality quarterly, mid-term, annual, and final reports and other reports as required by the donor and MI

d)  Incorporate stakeholder feedback and evidence into adaptive management strategies 

7.  Other Duties

• Provide mutual technical and operational support for other program teams as circumstances required
• Perform additional tasks related to agricultural development and commercialization department as assigned by the supervisor

Key Deliverables

• Updated annual work plans and budgets 
• Quarterly, mid-term, and final project reports, including financial and MEL findings
• Training curricula, learning tools, and capacity-building materials
• Knowledge products, case studies, and learning briefs
• Regular progress reports covering implementation status, stakeholder engagement, challenges, and recommendations 

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experiences

• Postgraduate degree in Project Management, Agriculture, Development Studies, or a related field 
• Minimum seven (7) years of practical experience in managing large-scale, multicountry development projects, preferably in the Mekong region or ASEAN
• Proven expertise in public-private partnerships (PPPs), capacity building, and technology adoption in agriculture
• Strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture, agricultural commercialization, and regional value chains
• Excellent multi-stakeholder engagement and coordination abilities
• Solid knowledge of project financial management, budgeting, and donor compliance, and reporting
• Experience with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks and methodologies.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Willingness and ability to travel within GMS countries

Salary and Benefits

Salary

The salary shall be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and in accordance with the approved budget allocation for this position, up to a maximum of USD 3,500 per month. The final salary shall be specified in the employment contract. As MI is an intergovernmental organization, income tax exemption applies only to non-Thai staff, in accordance with applicable regulations. 

Benefits

The following benefits are provided subject to the availability of the approved project budget, in accordance with MI’s Human Resources Policies:

Apply

If you possess the qualifications and experience required for this position and are committed to advancing equitable and inclusive economic growth in the GMS, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your CV and cover letter via https://forms.office.com/r/MFwBQJEZWE Applications must be received no later than March 8, 2026 (midnight, Bangkok time). Please select the position titled “Project Manager (Mekong CONNECT Project)” when completing the application form. Only candidates shortlisted for the next stage will be contacted.