Executive director

Extended deadline

Background and Rationale
 
As a leading regional resource center, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) works towards the realization of disaster reduction for safer communities and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. Since its inception in 1986, ADPC has been recognized as the major independent center in the region for promoting disaster awareness and the development of local capabilities to foster institutionalized disaster management and mitigation policies. ADPC was originally established as an outreach center of the Asian Institute of Technology after a feasibility study conducted jointly by two agencies of the United Nations, the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (current the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and the World Meteorological Organization in January 1986. Funding for the study was provided by the United Nations Development Program in response to requests from countries in the region for international assistance to strengthen their national disaster management systems. Thus, the initial role conceived for the center was mandated by an expressed need to assist countries of the Asia and the Pacific region in formulating their policies and developing their capabilities in all aspects of disaster management.

The Executive Director has overall accountability for the work of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center ensuring its efficiency and effectiveness of organization management and implementation of projects. 

Evaluator(s) and Supervisor(s)

Board of Foundation and Board of Trustees

Required Qualifications / Selection Criteria

- Advanced degree in one or more of the following areas: Disaster Management, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Management, Public Administration and Development or professional experience in related field
- Experience in policy and institutional development in multi-cultural context
- International experience at a senior level preferably in the Asia-Pacific region
- Working knowledge of or experience with development sector preferably in disaster risk reduction
- Experience in development cooperation and resource mobilization, strategy development and co-ordination
- Demonstrated high-level experience in dealing with regional governments, institutions and development partners
- High-level skill in presentation at international forum
- Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-cultural organisations, and capacity for creative solutions to complex problems
- Outstanding skills in leadership, organisational management and development, communication, interpersonal, cross-cultural management, and negotiation
- Experience in organisational change is an advantage
- Executive experience in development of organisation management systems such as institutional arrangement, financial systems, information technology strategies and systems, and human resource management systems
- Fluency in all aspects of the English language is essential

Duties and Responsibilities

- Direct the organization for the achievement of its Vision and Mission for the Safer communities and sustainable development thought disaster risk reduction
- Create a positive, enthusiastic, organisational culture that encourages efficiency, innovation, professionalism and creativity.
- Act on behalf of the ADPC on resource mobilisation and programme implementation and on matters recommended by the Board of Trustees (BOT)
- Report to the BOT on management, financial, project implementation, and other relevant issues.
- Act as a representative of ADPC at regional and international meetings and conferences, and sign MOUs and partnership agreements on behalf of the ADPC
- Meet with donors and potential donors to strengthen partnerships for the provision of cooperation and required financial and technical resources support
- Oversee and lead internal restructuring for better efficiency of overall management, this includes but not limited to restructuring of organization policies, empowerment of management staff, transparent procedures, effective internal and external information and communication, and maximising ADPC capacity.
- Actively pursue the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the ADPC by driving and promoting it both internally and externally through meetings, conferences and forums both internally and internationally
- Ensures that the ADPC meets requirements for planning, implementation and co-ordination so that the objectives of its programmes can be achieved according to best practice.
- Co-ordinates disaster risk reduction and development activities in the region