POSITION TITLE: Director for Biodiversity Knowledge Management
DURATION OF CONTRACT: Three years (renewable)
DEPARTMENT: Biodiversity Knowledge Management
DUTY STATION: Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
REPORTING TO: Executive Director
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.
The Director for Biodiversity Knowledge Management shall provide overarching leadership, strategic guidance, and supervision to the evolving Biodiversity Knowledge Management Department (BKMD) of the ACB. The Director will hold direct responsibility and accountability for shaping and advancing the department’s strategic directions.
This role entails spearheading the maintenance of institutional frameworks that facilitate the sharing of biodiversity information, experiences, best practices, and lessons learned on critical biodiversity issues, ensuring efficient access for the AMS. Where necessary, the Director will oversee the updating and validation of these frameworks while fostering linkages and networks with relevant organisations.
The BKMD Director will also deliver data and analyses on biological diversity to support the AMS in formulating sound strategies for biodiversity conservation and management across the region.
The ACB seeks dynamic, innovative, and dedicated candidates for this position, which carries responsibility for the department’s day-to-day operations. The BKMD Director shall report directly to the Executive Director.
B. SCOPE AND DUTIES
- Administer, manage, and ensure that the BKMD fulfills its purpose and supervise the department in achieving the following major thrusts: Biodiversity Science and Technical Analysis, Biodiversity Information and Geospatial Technologies, and Knowledge Management;
- Supervise the maintenance of the ASEAN Clearing-House Mechanism (ASEAN CHM) and its accompanying databases, supervise the updating of the ASEAN Biodiversity Dashboard and oversee the delivery of outputs of all other components of the ACB Knowledge Management Plan assigned to other ACB departments;
- Initiate the conceptualisation and supervise the implementation of the department’s annual work plans and the monitoring of related budgets;
- Mobilise and lead in the preparation of all unit documents and reports for submission and for presentation to relevant ASEAN Working Groups and the ACB Governing Board;
- Collaborate with all other departments of the Centre in the implementation of joint projects;
- Lead the development and preparation of the ACB’s flagship publication, the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook series, and other scientific and technical publications of the Centre;
- Establish and maintain linkages with international and regional organisations with a view to maintaining a network of data and information partners;
- Facilitate coordination with ASEAN scientists engaged by the ACB under its various programmes and projects, and serve as the secretariat for the ACB Scientific Advisory Committee (ACB SAC);
- Develop the capacity building concept and initiate the design and delivery of training modules and courses related to biodiversity information management;
- Initiate partnerships to add value to data mobilisation, analysis, and visualisation. mobilise the preparation of Memorandums of Cooperation with relevant partners as necessary;
- Coordinate and provide biodiversity-related scientific and technical advisory services to other ACB departments and as appropriate, to AMS as inputs to policy and programmes development and planning, as well as for communication, education and public awareness purposes;
- Represent the Centre in related activities in the international and regional biodiversity arena, and
- Perform such other duties as may be required by the Executive Director.
C. QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Work Experience
- Master’s degree in natural sciences, environmental management, information and communication technology, and other related fields and 15 years of related work experience, or its equivalent requirements:
- Bar eligibility and 15 years of related work experience; or
- PhD in natural sciences, environmental management, information and communication technology, and other related fields, and 13 years related work experience.
- Must have excellent knowledge and experience on environmental issues in the ASEAN context, particularly on biodiversity conservation, sustainable management, and fair, and equitable use of natural resources;
- Must have 10 years of relevant working experience at the senior management level, preferably in international organisations of a multidisciplinary/ multilateral nature, or recognised environmentally-aligned non-government organisations, five (5) years of which should be on managerial and supervisory capacity;
- Must have significant exposure to and experience in implementing common standards on curating biodiversity-related information, open-source tools and data sharing; and
- Must have a regional exposure in establishing effective partnerships and collaboration with institutions dealing with environment or biodiversity concerns.
Skills
- Excellent leadership and management skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Proven ability to coordinate and supervise multiple parties in implementing technical activities in partnership with a variety of stakeholder groups, including government, civil society, private sector, academic and research institutes, the broader donor community, and local beneficiaries.
- Systematic and results-driven;
- Strong networking capabilities and exposure to global open-access data and biodiversity information clearing-houses
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of any of the ASEAN Member States.
D. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
a. Core Values
- Strong work ethics, professionalism, and respect for diversity
- Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity
- Prudence, dependability, and accountability
- Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly
b. Core Competencies
- Strong managerial and supervisory capacity, communication, leadership, teamwork, analytical, planning and organising, innovative, accountability, creativity, commitment to continuous learning and technological awareness.
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 on how his/her qualifications and experiences make him/her suitable for the position. Address the letter to Executive Director Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor. JP 2026-18 Director for Biodiversity Knowledge Management 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 31 August 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.
