POSITION TITLE : Project Development Division Director
DEPARTMENT : Programmes Department
DIVISION : Project Development Division
DUTY STATION : ACB Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR : Director for Programmes
TERMS OF REFERENCE
A. Background
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), established in 2005, is ASEAN’s response to the challenge of biodiversity loss. It is an intergovernmental organisation that facilitates cooperation and coordination among the ASEAN Member States (AMS) and with regional and international organisations on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such natural treasures.
With the expansion of the dialogue and cooperation partners of the ACB, the Project Development Division continues to develop more relevant initiatives in ASEAN and strengthen its efforts in supporting the actions towards biodiversity conservation. Through these efforts, the ACB continuously supports the different partners by implementing joint action plans with ASEAN.
The Project Development Division Director (PDDD) provides strategic leadership in grant acquisition, proposal development, and donor compliance to advance the ACB’s mission of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing, among others. The role ensures that ACB designs, develops, and secures institutional grants and competitive funding opportunities, while maintaining alignment with ASEAN priorities and international biodiversity commitments. The PDDD is responsible for grant-focused resource mobilisation ensuring competitive proposals, transparent compliance, and effective project design and implementation.
B. Scope of Duties
Under the guidance of the Executive Director and direct supervision of the Director for Programmes, the PDDD shall have the following responsibilities:
- Grant Strategy and Project Pipeline Development
a. Develop a strategic project pipeline aligned with the ACB’s thematic priorities.
b. Review partnership offers and proposals of institutional donors, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, governments, CSOs, and academic institutions received and solicited by the ACB and submit recommendations to the Executive Committee
c. Lead the preparation of high-quality concept notes, proposals, and tender bids for submission to ASEAN bodies, donor agencies, and institutional partners, including due diligence requirements by donor/partner agencies.
d. Coordinate and facilitate proposal development workshops, brainstorming, and negotiations with working groups and stakeholders, both internal and external
e. Apply appropriate frameworks to ensure project design quality and measurable impact
f. ensure a smooth and well- documented transition from project development to implementation by securing the complete and systematic turnover of project information, decisions, and commitments
g. Support the conduct of policy studies and research projects linked to grant- funded initiatives
h. Lead the preparation and negotiations of partnership agreements and other donor requirements at the project development and appraisal stage, including project work and financial plans
i. Oversee documentation of resource mobilisation instruments and legal agreements - Donor Relations Management and Retention (Institutional Grants)
a. Maintain strong relationships with partners such as institutional donors, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, governments, CSOs, and academic institutions,
b. Supervise donor databases and systems to track grant opportunities and partnerships
c. Represent the ACB in donor-related meetings, conferences, and technical workshops, including project formulation activities, locally and internationally.
d. In close coordination and collaboration with the Resource Mobilisation Division, develop and maintain a database of donors and partners engaged and being targeted for collaboration, including their areas of interest, thematic focus, and geographic priorities, to ensure an up-to-date and dynamic donors and partners landscape of the ACB
e. Oversee donor reporting, ensuring strict compliance with requirements and deadlines
f. Act as the interface among project implementation units to ensure grant compliance
g. Monitor donor requirements, funding trends, and policy changes to advise leadership and programme teams.
h. Oversee contract management systems and risk management procedures. - Capacity Building and Staff Development
a. Supervise staff, providing mentoring, coaching, and performance reviews.
b. In close coordination with the Human Resource Division, identify training needs and develop individual development plans for staff engaged in grant development and management
c. Design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives to strengthen grant-writing and compliance capacity within the Project Development Division and/or partner organisations
d. Monitor time and task management to promote staff work-life balance and retention
C. Qualifications
Education and Work Experience
● Master’s Degree in Natural or Social Sciences, Environmental Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Economics, or any other related course and five years of related work experience in project management
or its equivalency requirements:
- Completed Academic Requirements in a Master’s Degree in Natural or Social Sciences, Environmental Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Economics, or any other related course and seven years of related work experience in project management; or
- 18 units earned in a Master’s degree in Natural or Social Sciences or any other related course and nine years of related work experience in project management; or
- Related Bachelor’s Degree in Natural or Social Sciences, Environmental Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Economics, or any other related course and 12 years of related work experience in project management
- Non-Related Bachelor’s Degree and 15 years of related work experience in project management
● At least two years of supervisory experience, with demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage performance, and oversee day-to-day operations of the Division
● Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation
● Relevant work experience in a regional/international organisation, preferably an ASEAN centre, is an advantage.
● Proven experience in programme/project planning, design, and conduct of special projects and studies on biodiversity conservation, including policy papers consistent with ASEAN goals
● Familiarity with the ASEAN as an organisation and have demonstrated engagement with dialogue and development partners
Skills
● Excellent English communication, writing, and presentation skills
● Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to work effectively in multicultural environmentsStrong understanding of corporate social responsibility and donor engagement practices.
● Ability to prioritise workload, work independently, and manage multiple tasks effectively.
● Adept at working with international partners and within multicultural settings.
● Possess partnership-building skills
Nationality
● Must be a citizen of any of the ASEAN Member States.
D. Competency Requirements
Core Values
● Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity
● Sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age
● Fairness, prudence, dependability, and accountability
Core Competencies:
● Strong managerial and supervisory capacity
● Strategic planning and grant-writing expertise
● Communication and interpersonal skills
● Teamwork and conflict resolution
● Analytical, planning, and organising skills
● Accountability and personal credibility
● Innovative and technological awareness
● Flexibility and adaptability
● Effective problem-solving and decision-making
● Organisational awareness and alignment with ACB values
E. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should prepare the following and send all to acb.hr@aseanbiodiversity.org:
- A letter of intent of no more than two pages, elaborating how his/her qualifications and experiences make him/her suitable for the position. Address the letter to Executive Director Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor. JP 2026-04 Project Development Division Director is to be indicated in the aforesaid letter.
- Updated curriculum vitae and diploma, or transcript of records
- A completed Job Application Form (which can be downloaded here)
The deadline for submission of completed applications is 15 April 2026. Only applications with complete documentary requirements (Letter of Intent, completed Job Application Form, and curriculum vitae) will be processed. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered. All applicants will be given notice as to the status of their application. Previous applicants may apply again.
F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The ACB does not ask for payment at any stage of its recruitment process (application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fees) nor authorises anyone to officially receive applications from prospective candidates, except through the ACB Human Resources Division. The public is strongly advised to be vigilant when dealing with financial transactions online and to report any suspicious individuals or accounts representing the ACB.
