Power Sector Planning Specialist

Location: Thailand

Program area: Environmental Resilience

Deadline: July 2, 2021

The Asia Foundation’s Thailand office is seeking a qualified, talented consultant for a power sector planning specialist for the USAID Mekong Safeguards program.

The power sector planning specialist will jointly lead USAID Mekong Safeguards, a program under a unique strategic regional collaboration initiative between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) reporting to the chief of party for USAID Mekong Safeguards.

USAID Mekong Safeguards is a five-year project working with major banks, governments, and developers in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar on large energy and transportation infrastructure investments to strengthen environmental and social standards and adopt clean technologies in Southeast Asia’s Lower Mekong Subregion. The program is an exciting opportunity to support new and improved ways governments, financiers, developers, and CSO’s can invest and build sustainable energy and transportation infrastructure. Through the USAID-DFAT collaboration, the size of the program is $10.6 million.

The power sector planning specialist is a vital specialist role for the program. This consultant will lead a team advising and liaising with government, utilities and energy authorities in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The primary purpose is to advise government on incorporating environmental, social and governance standards into strategic and long-term government energy sector planning.

Though based in Bangkok, there may be opportunities to travel to countries across the Greater Mekong Subregion, including China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. S/he will report directly to the chief of party for USAID Mekong Safeguards.

Responsibilities

Manage collaboration with senior team members ensuring continuous advocacy and contact with relevant government authorities.
Advise government on incorporating environmental, social and governance standards into strategic and long-term government energy sector planning.
Conduct demand-side scenario analysis for government power development plans.
Produce government-facing presentations and reports on power development planning with the goal of impacting decisionmaking on energy infrastructure procurement.
Organize and collaborate with teams in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, and with firms in the United States.

Qualifications

At least 7 years of experience in power sector planning, preferably working with utilities or government energy authorities. Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Policy or similar technical field.
Fluent English speaking, reading and writing; knowledge of Thai or Lao is desirable.
Experience with USAID and/or DFAT preferred.
Experience in managing programs or initiatives to support regional cooperation or regional policy agendas in Asia.
Ability to work under pressure and against hard deadlines.
Experience working in Thailand is preferred.
Women are highly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and CV by July 2, 2021 to poonsook.pantitanonta@asiafoundation.org with the position title listed in the subject line. The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, EOE/M/F/D/V. No phone calls, please.