PACT Country Associate

Arup has an exciting opportunity for an individual with demonstrated project management skills and experience in climate mitigation and low-carbon development to serve as Country Associate for the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme.

The UK PACT programme is funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It aims to improve the effectiveness of key institutions (public, private and civil society) in partner countries so that they can deliver accelerated emission reductions and raise the ambition of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets. Specifically, the programme will deliver the following results:

• An increase in the capacity and capability of partner institutions (national, sub-national and civil society) to deliver enhanced and accelerated climate actions; and
• An increase in in-country buy-in to urgently facilitate low-carbon development.

Purpose of the position

The PACT Country Associate is responsible for supporting the PACT Country Fund Manager in the management, monitoring and coordination of UK PACT activities in Thailand. They will be a part of the Arup team contracted to deliver on positioning, representation and promotion of the UK PACT programme in Thailand.

The position will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, with some national travel.

Primary responsibilities

In this role, you will be a key in-country member of the Arup PACT team, working closely with the PACT Country Fund Manager and the wider Fund Management Team. You will support the effective management of day-to-day activities, including project implementation and reporting, pipeline development, stakeholder engagement, and context analysis, to contribute to the overall success of the programme.

Specifically, you will:

Project Management; Identification, Selection and Design of Interventions

• Support the PACT Country Fund Manager and Country Programmes core team in coordinating grant funding windows, and lead market engagement efforts to ensure relevant local stakeholders are informed about and well-positioned to apply for PACT funding opportunities.
• Contribute to the project screening and selection process, particularly about assessing deliverability and impact potential on the ground.
• Support the PACT Country Fund Manager in ensuring timely project implementation and regular reporting to FCDO through quarterly updates.
• These reports should capture overall progress, achievements against outputs, key activities and plans for the next period, budget performance, expenditure forecasts, and identified risks, as well as highlight results, impacts, and lessons learned
• Support the PACT Country Fund Manager and core team in completing any required local due diligence for Implementing Partners and assist in providing initial briefings to potential Implementation Partners.
• Support defence against fraud, corruption and safeguarding risks, conducting spot checks and other processes to ensure FCDO grant funding is spent as intended and that Implementing Partners meet FCDO compliance requirements.
• Support the PACT Country Fund Manager in identifying opportunities to extend, scale up, or replicate successful projects, and collaborate with Implementing Partners to implement these initiatives with FCDO approval.

Programme Reporting

• Support Implementing Partners on project reporting (technical, financial, results and risk), ensuring reporting meets FCDO requirements.

• Support the identification and management of country- and project-specific risks by collaborating with FCDO teams both in-country and in the UK, as well as with the Team Leader and core team.

   

Strategy Development and Engagement:

• Support on continuous context analysis and assessment of local market capacity to identify the most appropriate avenues for interventions and pathways to climate change impact within each key strategic sector.
• Support further demand scoping for PACT-funded projects in-country, including through stakeholder mapping and engagement, identification of complementary existing programmes (funded by the UK and other donors) to avoid programme duplication, and horizon scanning.

Stakeholder Relationships:

• Support the PACT Country Fund Manager in promoting PACT funding opportunities to potential Implementing Partners, communicating project and programme outputs to intended beneficiaries, and engaging with UK stakeholders on low-carbon development initiatives where relevant
• Working closely with the PACT Country Manager, contribute to, and where appropriate lead in, managing day-to-day interactions with local stakeholders, specifically supporting on relationships with project applicants and grant recipients/implementing partners.
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the local FCDO team within the British High Commission to collaboratively design and generate buy-in for the programme activities.
• Lead or support the development of communications materials including newsletters, case studies, social media content, and presentations to showcase programme impact.
• Coordinate with the UK PACT Regional Communications Team to ensure alignment with programme branding and messaging
• Organise and support events, workshops, and public engagements to raise awareness and foster collaboration
• Monitor media coverage and public perception of UK PACT activities in Thailand, and provide insights to inform strategic outreach

Is this the right fit for you?

• Strong understanding of Thailand’s political, economic, and institutional landscape, particularly in climate mitigation and low-carbon development
• Familiarity with Thailand’s governance systems and experience in climate change adaptation/mitigation or green finance initiatives is an advantage
• Proven project management and stakeholder engagement skills; experience in grant management is desirable
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Fluency in Thai (spoken and written) is essential, with the ability to engage confidently with local stakeholders, government officials, and implementing partners
• Professional fluency in English (spoken and written)
• Experience in communications, public relations, or outreach, preferably within an international development or climate-related context
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable working in dynamic environments
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to engage effectively across diverse stakeholder groups and levels of seniority