Mekong Regional Program Manager (Secondment)

Department purpose: The Oxfam in Asia regional platform contributes to and implements Oxfam’s Global Objectives and Strategy and leads the implementation of Oxfam in Asia’s Strategic Framework, by providing vision and strategic direction to all of Oxfam’s work in Asia. This includes Oxfam’s humanitarian responses and the localization of humanitarian leadership, long-term development programming, and influencing work. Responsible and accountable for the strategic direction and effective management of the programming in Asia, effective management of financial and human resources in line with Oxfam policy, and providing high-level support and representation for advocacy, fundraising, and any other representational purposes in support of Oxfam’s work and interests while ensuring gender justice and feminist principles are adopted.

Team purpose: The Mekong Regional Water Governance Program (MRWGP) focuses on inclusive and equitable water governance, addressing climate change, water security, and social accountability. MRWGP oversees regional projects funded by DFAT and SDC, ensuring sustainable water governance across Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar.  The Mekong Inclusive Water Governance and Climate Resilience Program 3 (IP3) (2025-2029) integrates water governance and climate resilience for regional policy impact. The program aims for - More sustainable and resilient livelihoods of riparian communities in the Mekong Sub-region and prioritises three interconnected pillars. Pillar 1: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Feminist Influencing; Pillar 2: Inclusive Water Resource Governance; Pillar 3. Climate Resilient Communities.

Job purpose: This is a six-month secondment opportunity to replace the existing Manager who is on extended leave.  The Mekong Regional Program Manager (Water Security, Climate & GEDSI) oversees project delivery, strategic planning, and reporting across five countries in the Mekong Sub-region. The role ensures alignment within Oxfam Asia Strategic Framework, manages the Project Management Unit (PMU), and maintains key partnerships with donors and regional and national partners and Oxfam Country Teams to advance equitable water governance.

DIMENSIONS of the Role

Program Leadership & Strategic Oversight: Provides overall leadership and management of the Mekong Regional Water Governance Program, ensuring alignment with Oxfam’s regional strategy and global priorities. Oversees the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the regional program, ensuring program quality and compliance with funder requirements and Oxfam standards.

Financial & Resource Management: Manages a USD 2.5 million annual budget, ensuring financial accountability, donor compliance, and efficient allocation of resources. Oversees risk management, ensuring the integrity of financial, operational, and programmatic decisions.

External Engagement & Representation: Represents Oxfam to donors, governments, civil society networks, and media, advocating for inclusive and sustainable water governance. Builds and maintains partnerships to ensure Oxfam’s influence in regional policy discussions.

Impact, Learning & Fundraising: Ensures a strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework to demonstrate impact and inform adaptive programming. Leads fundraising efforts by developing funding proposals and maintaining strong donor relationships to secure long-term program sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• Provide overall leadership and management of the Mekong Regional Water Governance Program, ensuring alignment with Oxfam’s strategic priorities.
• Lead the strategic development and implementation of Oxfam’s Mekong Regional Water Governance Program, ensuring integration with the Asia Regional Strategic Framework and Asia Influencing Strategy.
• Oversee risk management, ensuring risk monitoring, ownership, and mitigation of program risks.
• Engage with government agencies and policymakers to align program strategies with relevant regulatory and policy frameworks.
• Integrate gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) across all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Lead innovation, learning, and impact across project partners, and stakeholders.

Accountability

• Ensure effective financial and contract management, overseeing grant disbursement, compliance, and budgetary alignment with donor and Oxfam policies.
• Oversight of 2026 annual plan implementation ensuring alignment with budgets, maintaining financial accountability and sustainable program delivery.
• Ensure Oxfam Partner Agreements are monitored and adapted to maintain effectiveness and impact.
• Ensure HR policies and local labour laws are followed, supporting fair and effective staff management in line with Oxfam’s standards.
• Assess and manage workloads, staff well-being, and operational risks, ensuring a safe and productive work environment.

Program Quality and Impact

• Ensure gender, disability, and diversity considerations are integrated into all project phases, supporting partners in mainstreaming GEDSI.
• Implement and oversee monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) frameworks, ensuring data-driven decision-making and adaptive programming.
• Ensure full compliance with Oxfam’s program management standards, including reporting, financial oversight, evaluation, and documentation.

Representation and Partnerships

• Represent Oxfam and the Mekong Regional Water Governance Program in regional and international policy dialogues, donor forums, and advocacy platforms.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and academic institutions to strengthen program impact.
• Serve as a key liaison with institutional donors, ensuring strong engagement, funding sustainability, and policy alignment.

Job Requirements

Essential

• Self-Awareness
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment
• Relationship building
• Senior-Level Project & Program Management: Proven ability to lead and manage complex, multi-year, multi-donor projects in an international NGO setting. Extensive experience in cross-cultural project management at a senior level.
• Strategic Leadership & Planning: Demonstrated experience in leading strategic planning and implementation in a regional or multi-country context. Ability to navigate politically sensitive environments, ensuring programs align with regional governance and stakeholder interests.
• Technical Expertise in Water Governance & Climate Resilience: Strong technical knowledge in water management, climate resilience, or a related field relevant to Mekong regional challenges. Experience in integrating GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) principles into programming at a regional level.
• Financial & Risk Management: High-level capacity to manage large budgets and complex financial frameworks, ensuring donor compliance and accountability. Ability to interpret and communicate financial reports, providing strategic financial oversight.
• Remote & Matrix Management: Proven experience managing multi-country, dispersed teams across different organizational structures.  Skilled in distance and matrix management, ensuring effective coordination and performance across different locations.
• Communication, Facilitation & Capacity Building: Strong facilitation, communication, and coaching skills, with the ability to lead training and learning processes.  Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in a Mekong language is an advantage.
• Analytical & Decision-Making Abilities: Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to make informed decisions in complex and evolving contexts. Ability to adapt to political, economic, and environmental challenges, ensuring program resilience and sustainability.

How to apply

Please upload an up-to-date CV and a cover letter, clearly explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile through the website:

https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job-invite/14200/

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted- usually within 2 weeks of the closing date.

About us

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

We are an international confederation of 20 organizations (affiliates) plus the Oxfam International Secretariat, working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

All our work is led by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

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Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam International Secretariat also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, if a job applicant has been employed by another member of the scheme, we will request information from that organization about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.