Job Details

Description

Country Representative South Korea

Seoul, South Korea

Full-Time 

Since 1954, the Asia Foundation has played a supporting role in South Korea’s dramatic development from aid recipient to donor nation.  In light of this transformation, and upon the 70-year anniversary of continuous partnership, the Foundation seeks a dynamic and inspiring professional to lead our South Korea office.  The Country Representative (CR) is an integral member of the Foundation’s leadership with responsibility for overseeing programming, fundraising, and day to day management related to our relationships in Korea and our office in Seoul.  This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Foundation’s approach to engagement with Korean government institutions and the private sector. 

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international nonprofit organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by seven decades of experience and deep local knowledge, our work is focused on governance, climate action, education and leadership, gender equality, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. We work in more than 20 countries through our permanent offices and programs across Asia and the Pacific, supported by a headquarters in San Francisco and an office in Washington, DC. Our funding comes from a diverse array of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.

This Country Representative sets the direction for the Foundation in South Korea, maintains critical external relationships, interacts regularly with senior officials in government, the private sector, the international development and NGO communities, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the office. The CR oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s work in Korea.  The CR will also play a critical role in strengthening regional cooperation initiatives and representing fundraising interests for other Foundation offices across Asia and the Pacific.  The CR is based in Seoul and has a direct reporting relationship to the Executive Vice President in San Francisco.  He or she will also collaborate very closely with the Vice President for Strategic Partnerships as well as engage regularly with peer CRs across Asia and the Pacific in order to effectively represent the Foundation’s work and seek resources to support international cooperation and development work across the region.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The Country Representative will have direct responsibilities in four key areas: Representation; Resource and Business Development; Strategy & Program Management; and Staff Development and Supervision.  During their first year, the primary area of work and focus for the CR will be to lead the creation of a new country strategy in consultation with key stakeholders and interlocutors across the Foundation as well as key partners in Korea.  The strategy should guide the work of the Foundation in Korea and have a focus on identifying resources that support program activities in other countries in which the Foundation works in Asia and the Pacific.  On a day-to-day basis, the incumbent will focus on building relationships in the private sector, with  Korean government ministries (with a special focus on KOICA), and with peer organizations while also overseeing limited program activities within Korea. 

The CR will supervise a small staff who have specific responsibilities related to relationship management, program and event management, office operations, and financial management. It is expected that the CR will ensure their own performance and values align with those of the Foundation, and frequently look for means of growing their own skills and abilities as related to technical expertise and organizational management.  This CR will keep strong relationships and connections with key headquarters staff (including the Executive VP/COO and the Vice President for Strategic Partnerships) and other senior Foundation staff.  The CR will be expected to keep all relevant Foundation leaders and staff informed about significant developments affecting the Foundation’s role in Korea, the safety and welfare of staff, program events, and any other relevant matters.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• A BA or BS degree is required, and a Masters degree or higher is preferred, in a relevant field such as: international development, international relations; government; business; public policy; foreign affairs; political science; law; public policy; international development; or economics.
•  10+ years of experience working in international development, international policy and relations, international business, or a related field in Asia (preferably with relevant time in Korea).
• An ability to communicate at a business level in Korean and outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English is required.
• Strong understanding of Korea and current challenges and opportunities.
• Demonstrated personal capacity to work effectively at a senior level, including a demonstrated capacity for building trust and influence with officials in government, business, and international relations and policy circles.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and attract financial resources to support international cooperation and/or international development programs.
• Strong ability to evaluate and summarize complex information into clear concepts for broad communication to multiple audiences and stakeholders. 
•  Direct experience working for or with multilateral or bilateral development or foreign policy organizations or international non-governmental organizations is strongly desired.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to develop important relationships with key stakeholders, and good conflict management skills. 
• Skilled at leading, motivating, and managing teams, as well as running effective meetings.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate is passionate about leading people and promoting and identifying funding opportunities for supporting international development programs. He or she works in a collaborative, innovative, and culturally sensitive way to advance the Foundation’s work. The successful candidate will be adept at harnessing the talents and ideas of teams and excel at fostering a culture of mutual respect and learning. She or he is a strategic thinker and clear communicator who establishes shared goals and ensures accountability in carrying out Foundation work to the highest standards. A strong ability to build relationships and networks across government, regional organizations, and with public and private donors is crucial. We are looking for someone who is adept at analyzing and solving problems, managing multiple responsibilities, prioritizing issues, and maintaining relationships while addressing competing demands. 

Why work at The Asia Foundation?

You will have the opportunity to work with a team of leading professionals who contribute to improving lives throughout Asia and the Pacific. You will help promote more effective and constructive engagement between governments and citizens, strengthen the roles in societies of women and minorities, and advance learning. You will work with and learn from dedicated, smart, and accomplished colleagues, program implementation partners, and leaders in government and civil society.  In the process, you will have many opportunities to grow as a professional.

How to Apply: 

Applications should be submitted by visiting our website.  To be considered, please upload your cover letter and resume/CV in one document. You can also upload both in separate documents but please note to do so, you will have to sign out of the system and go back into your record for additional documents.

Please apply by March 24, 2024.

The Asia Foundation offers excellent salaries commensurate with experience. We are an equal-opportunity employer. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. 

No phone calls, please.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)