UN Women is seeking a Regional Programme Coordinator and Thailand Programme Manager for the WE RISE Together (WRT) programme in Bangkok, Thailand.
The role focuses on coordinating programme implementation across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam, while also providing strategic oversight for WRT activities in Thailand.
The position sits within UN Women’s work on Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), with a particular focus on gender-responsive procurement, market access, partnerships, policy engagement and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).
It is suited to an experienced programme professional with a background in development programmes, women’s economic empowerment and inclusive or gender-responsive procurement.
UN Women WRT Programme: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UN Women |
| Position | Regional Programme Coordinator and Thailand Programme Manager, WE RISE Together |
| Programme | WE RISE Together Phase 2 (WRT 2.0) |
| Location | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Office | UN Women Bangkok |
| Regional coverage | Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam |
| Programme period | 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2029 |
| Education | Master’s degree or equivalent, or a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience |
| Relevant experience | At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in development programmes and projects |
| Languages | Fluency in English and Thai required |
| Supervision | WRT Programme Associate |
The programme is funded and supported by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) and implemented by UN Women. WRT 2.0 aims to expand women’s access to, participation in and leadership of market opportunities in the Mekong Subregion.
What is the WE RISE Together programme?
WE RISE Together Phase 2 works across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam to advance Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP). Its work is organised around three broad outcomes: greater awareness and adoption of GRP practices, stronger national policies and practices supporting women-owned businesses and gender-responsive enterprises, and increased market connections for those businesses.
The programme also has a GEDSI Strategy designed to guide the integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion across its activities.
For the Regional Programme Coordinator, this means working across countries while maintaining a direct focus on programme management and strategic oversight in Thailand.
What does the Regional Programme Coordinator do?
The role combines regional coordination, programme management, monitoring, reporting, partnership development and technical support.
At the regional level, the coordinator will work with WRT teams in the four participating countries and support implementation according to results-based management principles and UN Women’s rules and regulations. The position also involves managing programme budgets and connecting country-level activities with regional initiatives and cross-country learning.
For Thailand, the position provides oversight of programme management, including budget and results management. It also provides technical guidance on public gender-responsive procurement and SME policies, supports partner engagement and helps develop country-level work plans aligned with the wider WRT programme.
The position also contributes to reporting and donor engagement. Responsibilities include coordinating cross-country results, monitoring activities and finances, supporting donor and UN Women reporting, reviewing partner reports, monitoring budget implementation and maintaining records of programme risks and mitigation measures. The coordinator will also serve as a focal point for donor engagement.
Partnerships, advocacy and knowledge management
A significant part of the role involves working with organisations and stakeholders involved in women’s economic empowerment.
The coordinator will support advocacy strategies, policy dialogues and stakeholder engagement, particularly in Thailand, Viet Nam and the regional platform. The role also includes engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Mekong-Australia Partnership stakeholders, as well as developing partnerships with UN agencies, multilateral organisations, government institutions, civil society and private-sector organisations.
The position also contributes to technical materials and capacity-building activities related to gender-responsive procurement and GEDSI. It supports knowledge exchange between Mekong countries and helps collect lessons and good practices from programme implementation.
Who is eligible for this UN Women role?
Applicants need a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as public administration, law, economics, human rights, gender equality, management or social sciences. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead. A project or programme management certification is listed as an added advantage.
The experience requirements are substantial. Candidates must have at least five years of progressively responsible experience at national or international level in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects.
Experience in women’s economic empowerment and inclusive and gender-responsive procurement, inclusive trade or SME development is required. The source also identifies experience in gender equality or social development and GEDSI implementation as desirable.
Experience with advocacy and policy influencing, government or intergovernmental bodies, results-based management and the private sector may also strengthen a candidate’s background.
Language requirement
Fluency in both English and Thai is required for this position. The source also calls for excellent written and communication skills.
This is therefore a particularly important requirement for anyone assessing their suitability for the Bangkok-based role.
Competencies UN Women is looking for
The position requires more than programme management experience. UN Women lists core values including integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
Core competencies include gender awareness and sensitivity, accountability, creative problem solving, effective communication, inclusive collaboration, stakeholder engagement and leading by example.
Functional competencies include programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; results-based management; partnership building; knowledge of UN or other programme management systems; and expertise related to gender equality, GEDSI, women’s economic empowerment and private-sector management.
What should applicants know before applying?
Applicants should pay close attention to the application form requirements. UN Women states that all sections of the application form, including education and employment history, must be completed. The source warns that incomplete sections may result in disqualification from the recruitment and selection process.
UN Women also states that selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Candidates may be asked to provide additional information for these checks.
The organisation says it is committed to a diverse and inclusive working environment and recruits based on qualifications, competence, integrity and organisational need. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during recruitment can include that information in their application.
