Job Description

THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT
INVITES ASEAN NATIONALS TO APPLY

FOR THE FOLLOWING VACANCY

SENIOR OFFICER
TRADE FACILITATION DIVISION

Background

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 ten

(10) countries in Southeast Asia. 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 Community Vision 2025 calls for the ASEAN Community in

forging ahead together, and to work towards building a community that is politically cohesive,

economically integrated and socially responsible.

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 2025 and Key Aspirations of the three ASEAN pillars of Political

Security Community, Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community, supported by the

Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified

ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Senior Officer Trade Facilitation Division.

Duties and Responsibility:

Reporting to Assistant Director (ADR)/Head of Trade Facilitation Division, the Senior Officer shall

be responsible to:

1. Provide policy support for ASEAN Member States on the implementation of the AEC

2025 Trade Facilitation Strategic Action Plan and other relevant international and

ASEAN commitments

• Provide policy inputs to relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies on areas that could improve the

flow of goods, including the application of digital and sustainable trade facilitation,

streamlining of Non-Tariff Measures (NTM), elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), and

modernisation and simplification of customs procedures.

• Provide policy inputs on the implementation of international and regional trade facilitation

agreements, including, but not limited to, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement.

• Provide policy reports on trade facilitation issues, such as NTMs, NTBs, digital and

sustainable trade facilitation, the use of electronic platforms for trade documents and

electronic commerce.

• Prepare internal policy briefs for high-level meetings.

2. Provide research support on trade facilitation best practices

• Assist AMSs on the implementation of the ASEAN Seamless Trade Facilitation Indicators

as a tool to monitor the progress of trade facilitation in the region and to identify trade

facilitation procedures that could contribute to the reduction of trade transaction costs and

increase of intra-ASEAN trade.

• Work with research partners to design, implement, and analyse studies with relevance to

trade facilitation and its associated areas.

• Provide advisory opinions on trade facilitation areas, as well as serving as the resource

persons on trade facilitation issues.

3. Coordinate and provide support for the implementation of technical assistance

programmes

• Identify trade facilitation areas requiring technical assistance from Dialogue Partners.

• Provide inputs for the development of technical assistance programmes.

• Support the implementation of technical assistance programmes.

• Review the implementation of programmes and propose follow-ups in line with needs.

• Coordinate trade facilitation activities and initiatives for the implementation of ASEAN

international and regional commitments.

4. Provide meeting support for the relevant ASEAN bodies

• Prepare and present policy papers.

• Coordinate the participation of ASEAN sectoral bodies and AMS, and the relevant

external organisations.

• Prepare agenda and/or report of the meeting for adoption.

• Coordinate responses and follow-ups from the meetings of the relevant sectoral bodies.

• Coordinate the organisations of the relevant workshops or other events that relate to

ASEAN trade facilitation meetings.

Qualifications and experience:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in International Trade,

Economics, Business administration or an appropriate related field or discipline, with a

minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience; or a bachelor’s degree with at

least five (5) years of relevant working experience, in policy and technical skills, in Trade

Facilitation and international customs and trade procedures.

• Extensive supervisory experience, within a management position with a minimum of three

years of high-level experience in a technical role.

• Demonstrated knowledge and policy, research, and technical skills in relevant areas and

abilities to acquire them.

• Understanding of international and regional issues, and knowledge of and commitment to

ASEAN ideals.

• High-level interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, including experience in

cross-cultural environments and international settings.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with government

representatives, public and private sector organisations and other stakeholders.

• Proven skills in problem-solving in a complex organisational environment and in work

planning.

• Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.

• Commitment to teamwork and collaborative work practices.

• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

• Familiarity with econometric and statistical tools.
  

Remuneration and Benefits:

Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 3,639 and an attractive remuneration

package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalisation & 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.

How to apply:

Send your application to asean.hr@asean.org highlighting your suitability and potential

contribution to the position together with a detailed CV, certified true copies of educational

certificates and transcript for Bachelor and Master degree, including PhD (if any), and

complete ASEC Employment Application Form attached with recent photograph. Applications

sent without ALL the documents mentioned above will NOT be considered.

Please indicate on the subject heading: Application for Senior Officer Trade Facilitation.

Application documents should reach the ASEAN Secretariat by 6 April 2022. The Selection

Committee’s decision is final and only shortlisted candidates will be notified.