General Duties:
Reporting to the Secretary-General, the Director of Research and Planning is responsible for directing the strategic planning activities of the APO and conducting programs such as research and think tank functions, new productivity initiatives, surveys, and workshops that meet the future needs of APO member economies, as well as coordinating program development within the Secretariat.
Responsibilities:
1. Direct advanced strategic planning and research activities to plan new productivity initiatives that meet the future needs of member economies;
2. Plan and coordinate the preparation, organization, and implementation of annual and two-year programs to ensure the alignment of program outcomes with the APO strategic plan;
3. Identify the needs and expectations of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) of member countries for strategic planning purposes;
4. Direct institutional capacity-building initiatives and devise programs to strengthen NPOs;
5. Direct think tank-related activities through collaborative research and ensure timely publication of research papers on emerging concepts relating to productivity;
6. Conduct annual evaluations and impact evaluation studies of APO programs for submission to the Governing Body Meeting and Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs;
7. Develop new initiatives in accordance with the needs and expectations of member economies;
8. Manage all personnel and administrative affairs of the department; and
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Secretary-General.
Qualifications and Experience:
1. A Master’s degree in business administration, technology management, economics, or other similar fields from a reputable university.
2. Fifteen years of professional experience in the field of economic development and/or productivity, of which eight years should have been as a senior manager involved in strategic planning using advanced methodologies, with at least five of those years in an international environment with diverse nationalities and cultures.
3. Excellent communication skills approaching native level in English, the official working language of the APO.
4. Knowledge of the use of foresight tools for advanced strategic planning would be a strong advantage.
5. Proven successful business development skills.
6. A future-oriented perspective.
The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 20 member countries. With a Secretariat led by the Secretary-General located in Tokyo, Japan, the APO contributes to sustainable economic development in the Asia-Pacific region by developing and implementing about 150 programs and projects annually. We are looking for exceptional people who are passionate about transforming the future of the economies of our member countries through smart initiatives.
How to apply:
Please fill out the application form and send it with a cover letter in English stating which position you are applying for, why you are applying, and how you may qualify for the position.
No other supporting documents, such as copies of letters, certificates, publications, or writing samples should be submitted, as they will not be considered as part of the application process.
Applications must reach the APO Secretariat to the designated e-mail address HR-2017B@apo-tokyo.org by 30 July 2017.
Only those who are shortlisted will be contacted and application documents will not be returned.
For more details, please visit our website http://www.apo-tokyo.org/careers/.
