Country Representative, Malaysia
THE ASIA FOUNDATION (TAF) is a non-profit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia through addressing five overarching goals—strengthen governance, empower women, expand economic opportunity, increase environmental resilience, and promote regional cooperation. Headquartered in San Francisco, The Asia Foundation works through a network of offices in 17 Asian countries and in Washington, DC. Please visit our website www.asiafoundation.org for more information.
The Foundation is currently searching for dedicated, highly motivated candidates to serve as Country Representative, Malaysia. The position is based in Kuala Lumpur.
The Country Representative, Malaysia, oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s work in Malaysia and Singapore, including managing country office operations and the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on a diverse portfolio of innovative programs. In leading the Malaysia office, the Country Representative is also responsible for the development and cultivation of effective working relationships with the host government, key private sector, bilateral and multilateral donors, national institutions, partner agencies, diplomatic missions, academic and national institutions, and the media. The Country Representative plays a lead role in fundraising, taking responsibility for diversifying funding sources through proactive fundraising strategies. The position also involves oversight of financial systems, grant management, administration, security, recruitment, staff supervision and appraisal. The position involves strategic management of an existing portfolio of regional programs, ensuring programs achieve donor, Foundation, and partner objectives and compliance with all necessary regulations. The Country Representative ensures compliance with Foundation policies, including but not limited to ethics, conflict of interest, prevention of fraud, gender equality, child protection, and sexual harassment policies. Most importantly, the Country Representative establishes the operating ethos for a country office, fostering staff morale and a positive and healthy office atmosphere.
Applicants should have 10 (or more) years of experience in Asia working on international development, international policy, or a related field; a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as International Development, International Relations, Government, Business, Public Policy, Foreign Affairs, Political Science, Law, or Economics. Experience with corporate or private foundation donors, including cultivation and relationship management, and demonstrated personal capacity to work effectively at a policy level, including experience managing teams and building trust and influence in government, industry, and policy analysis circles in Malaysia, will be an asset. In addition to outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English, the ideal candidate will be proficient in Malay, with some familiarity with Malaysian labor law. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to develop essential relationships with key stakeholders, and good conflict management skills are also expected.
Closing date: 11 July 2025
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Interested candidates should submit a resume with a cover letter.
