Policy Analyst, Methane Mitigation

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the AKCFMM Project Manager for Thailand, the Policy Analyst, Methane Mitigation (“Policy Analyst”), plays a critical role in the successful completion of the Thailand component of ASEAN-Korea Cooperation on Methane Mitigation (AKCMM), a 3-year, USD 20M regional program to be implemented in ASEAN Member States (AMS).

The Policy Analyst works closely with two other staff members to be hired under AKCMM’s Thailand component – Investment Officer, Methane Mitigation and MRV Officer, Methane Mitigation to deliver Outputs 1-4 in Thailand. These three staff members will work as part of GGGI’s Thailand country team. GGGI country teams are generally comprised of a Country Representative, several Project Managers and Officers (depending on the number of projects GGGI is implementing), and administrative focal points.

In addition to the Thailand country team, the Policy Analyst – together with his/her AKCMM colleagues – will also receive guidance from the Asia Regional Office since AKCMM is a regional project being undertaken in ASEAN Member States. Staff members from the regional office will lead the delivery of AKCMM’s regional elements and share best practices of/lessons learned from other GGGI country teams. 

The Policy Analyst’s main responsibility is to successfully complete Output 1 by establishing a Methane Reduction Committee (“committee”) in Thailand and preparing a national methane reduction plan for the committee’s adoption. By the end of the second year – preferably sooner – he/she must have delivered the final draft of the national methane reduction plan to the committee and secured its adoption.

Each ASEAN Member State will establish and operate a Methane Reduction Committee (“committee”) to serve as a steering committee at the national level. These committees are responsible for reviewing project progress in their respective countries, making decisions at key milestones, and endorsing project outputs. 

The Policy Analyst serves as the focal point of contact for committee members and, in fulfilling this role, will also develop a capacity building program aimed at enhancing the members’ capacity to understand, assess, and decide on issues pertinent to methane emissions reduction and green growth generally.

The Policy Analyst’s secondary responsibilities are as follows:

• Support the MRV Officer, Methane Mitigation, in delivering Output 2
• Support the Investment Officer, Methane Mitigation, in delivering Output 3
• Support the Program Manager, ASEAN Regional Programs, by drafting blogs, briefs, and presentation decks for Output 4
• Undertake all tasks required to comply with administrative and reporting rules of the Government of Thailand, GGGI HQ, AKCF, and the ASEAN Secretariat (with respect to Output 1).

PURPOSE 

The Policy Analyst is directly responsible for all stages of the policy design cycle and undertakes both technical and administrative tasks associated with each stage. He/she achieves a timely adoption of the methane reduction plan through a combination of (i) targets and pathways based on technically rigorous analyses/projections, (ii) well-planned committee meetings, and (iii) effective communication with members of the committee through both formal and informal channels. Specific tasks include, among others,

• Analyzing the key methane-emitting sectors in Thailand and the current baseline, a range of potential reduction targets for each sector, estimated needs with respect to investment, policy, and capacity building for each hypothetical reduction pathway, readiness/willingness of government entities and private sector to implement methane reduction activities, entry points for firms and financial institutions, inclusiveness and gender-related considerations for groups affected by the transition, etc.
  
• Adapting the policy design cycle to incorporate the preceding analysis and latest best practices (especially those of other ASEAN Member States) when developing a methane reduction plan. The successful candidate would be an individual who is able to go beyond a rigid process-oriented approach to adapt flexibly to challenges – whether they are technical or political – to reach the desired outcome.
  
• Applying the information and results (both interim and final) to obtain the committee’s adoption of the methane reduction plan and originate new projects. The AKCMM, upon completion, would have established a strong foundation for a variety of subsequent projects on methane; the Policy Analyst, as the individual who led the adoption of a methane reduction plan, will contribute to preparing proposals that would, for example, support the plan’s implementation or help develop a detailed roadmap for select sectors.

ENGAGEMENT 

The Policy Analyst will engage various stakeholders (e.g., national/provincial/municipal government agencies, bilateral/multilateral agencies, private sector firms and financial institutions, research institutions and academia, NGOs, and local communities) by:

• Analyzing the nature of relationships between GGGI and stakeholders in Thailand with respect to AKCMM – both those that already exist and those that are yet to be established but are necessary for the project’s success – and develop strategies to build, strengthen, and maintain such relationships. In doing so, he/she must clearly articulate the nature of the relationship, particularly on how their involvement adds value to the delivery of Output 1.

• Providing substantive input to potential partners (i.e., consultants, universities, think tanks, etc.) so that their activities are aligned with the goals of Output 1 specifically and AKCMM in Thailand generally. He/she must, therefore, have a complete grasp of how the adoption of the methane reduction plan and its implementation thereafter affects each stakeholder group. This will enable him/her to serve as an effective convenor and communicator, ensuring that the partners give due consideration to all stakeholders, and thereby facilitating the buy-in for the methane reduction plan as well as its adoption by the committee.

• Leading salient dialogue with government agencies, implementation partners, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders on matters related to Output 1 throughout the policy design cycle. Such dialogue may take place through various formats and frequencies; the Policy Analyst shall be flexible in adapting to stakeholders’ needs/preferences and work towards building a strong support for the adoption of the methane reduction plan.

    

DELIVERY 

The Policy Analyst will, based on guidance from and supervision of the AKCFMM Project Manager for Thailand,

• Monitor outcomes from major national/regional/international fora as well as GGGI’s project portfolio to identify emerging needs in Thailand related to methane mitigation
• Establish a Methane Reduction Committee (“committee”) and serve as its focal point
• Prepare a national methane reduction plan and ensure its adoption by the committee
• Develop a capacity building program tailored to the needs of committee members
• Identify opportunities to engage entities based in the Republic of Korea at each stage of the policy design cycle (e.g., Korean technology providers, universities, think tanks, etc.)
• Plan and manage missions to gather baseline data, consult stakeholders, validate assumptions, and assess the political/operational/technical feasibility of the methane reduction plan be delivered under Output
• Manage the delivery of Output 1 by (i) preparing a work plan, (ii) holding regular meetings with partners/stakeholders, (iii) procuring competent service providers, (iv) managing the budget and contract(s) related to the output, (v) anticipating and addressing risks, (vi) solving problems of technical or operational nature, and (vii) communicating the results effectively
• Understand and comply with all administrative and reporting rules as required by the Government of Thailand, GGGI HQ, AKCF, and the ASEAN Secretariat (with respect to Output 1)
• Support the delivery of Outputs 2, 3, and 4,
• Have an up-to-date knowledge of GGGI processes, standards, and safeguards and following/adhering to them through the policy design cycle.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in economics, environmental science, public policy, finance, international relations, statistics, or a related discipline,
• At least 6 years of experience in policy analysis, particularly in methane mitigation, climate change and environmental policies. Additional years of experience are considered advantageous.
• Proven experience collaborating with key government agencies, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Energy, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,
• Comprehensive knowledge of Thailand’s climate policy framework, including the Climate Change Master Plan, LT-LEDS, NDC, sectoral NDC action plans, and recent developments in national climate targets,
• Familiarity with government processes for drafting, finalizing, and endorsing climate-related plans, with sensitivity to political dynamics surrounding methane reduction efforts,
• Strong analytical abilities to assess governmental readiness and navigate complex political environments,
• Deep understanding of climate-related challenges in Thailand, including key methane emission sources and existing/emerging mitigation strategies,
• Ability to quickly grasp and articulate complex topics, with proven skills in producing clear, intelligible writing (candidates may be required to provide a writing sample),
• Demonstrated leadership in policy design, with a track record of facilitating stakeholder engagement and securing support for methane reduction initiatives,
• Experience in international and multi-stakeholder settings, particularly with climate policy alignment, and
• Fluency in English and Thai, with strong communication skills, especially when interacting with government and international stakeholders. 

FUNCTIONAL

• Self-motivated learner with attention to detail.
• Excellent multi-cultural literacy and interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment.  
• Leadership, teamwork, and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills.
• Problem solver, able to find and implement solutions.
• Anticipate and provide necessary technical and content-based support.
• Willingness and ability to travel.  

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM & PROJECT

Asia Regional Office (ROA)

ROA oversees a diverse portfolio of projects in the South, Southeast, and Central Asia region, assisting GGGI Member States cultivate sustainable development models to drive their economic growth. Its main functions include comprehending the unique requirements of each country, forging robust partnerships with stakeholders and collaborators involved in regional sustainable development initiatives, and developing regional projects and programs in policy and/or investment.

ASEAN-Korea Cooperation on Methane Mitigation (AKCMM)

AKCMM is a 3-year, USD 20M regional project aimed at reducing methane emissions at scale in ASEAN Member States (AMS). The project seeks to achieve this objective through the following four interventions (i.e., outputs):

• Output 1. Developing enabling policies and institutions
• Output 2. Improving measurement of methane emissions
• Output 3. Designing, financing, and implementing methane reduction sub-projects
• Output 4. Promoting regional dialogue and partnership