Overview

The US-ASEAN Business Council Inc. (Council) was established in 1984 as a non-profit organization. On behalf of its members, the Council conducts research and analysis of economic, environmental, financial, political, and social, conditions in the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam comprise the ten nations of ASEAN. The Council utilizes the results of its research and analysis to assist its member companies by providing educational programs, technical information for product innovation, and trade and investment related activities. Through its foundation, the Council provides support for humanitarian efforts, community engagement, and educational scholarships. The Council has become the leading voice of the U.S. private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the U.S. and the ten countries of Southeast Asia.

The Council supports the interests of over 180 member companies by providing advocacy, thought leadership, research, education, intelligence, and building key business relationships. Worldwide, the Council's members generate over $7 trillion in revenue and employ more than 13 million people. The Council is the first U.S.-based organization formally recognized in the ASEAN Charter and meets annually with the Digital, Finance, Trade, and Energy Ministers at their annual meetings. The Council produces research papers on cybersecurity, energy, environment, financial services, health, information communications technology, life sciences, sustainability, and other leading-edge topics and activities in ASEAN. The Council currently has 19 employees in the United States and 35 employees in ASEAN. Members companies include Abbott, AIG, Boeing, BowerGroupAsia, Chubb, Citi, ExxonMobil, Google, IBM, MSD/Merck, Organon, S&P Global, and UL. The Council has offices in Washington, DC, New York, NY, Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore.

Council management encourages innovation, makes strategic investments, communicates, and regularly engages with internal and external stakeholders, streamlined processes. US-ABC's people-centered philosophy and flexible business model aligns with the still prevailing longer-term trends of remote work and enhanced technology. The Council continues to grow, thanks to the support of its current members and an influx of new members. Its technology investments promote greater regional teamwork amongst the seven ASEAN offices and spark greater creativity.

Building on the growing interest in the region and a proven, dedicated team effort, the Council continues to step up its efforts by moving advocacy efforts aggressively forward with tangible benefits to our member companies. Fueling the momentum is the transfer of APEC leadership to the United States in 2023, with APEC ministerial meetings in Detroit, Seattle, and Palm Springs, culminating with the APEC Leaders' Summit in San Francisco. Spring 2023 also marked the return of the US-ABC Ambassadors' Tours which will visit these APEC ministerial cities. In summary, the US-ABC is charged with advancing and protecting $7 trillion in commercial interests in Southeast Asia.

The US-ASEAN Business Council believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce drives innovation and creates a culture of respect and understanding. We are committed to fostering an environment where all employees feel valued, respected and supported, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age or background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and to bring their unique perspectives to our organization.

Essential Duty Elements

The Associate Position – Philippines is a hybrid, full-time position, reporting to the Chief Representative. The incumbent serves, prepares, and reports results to the Chief Representative. The position may require occasional domestic and/or regional travel. Currently, there are no supervisory responsibilities.

The Associate supports the Council’s programs and initiatives pertaining to specific countries and industry sectors represented by the Council’s members. The Associate will monitor media/press in issue areas s/he is assigned. S/he will identify partnership opportunities with relevant stakeholders including the Philippine government, ASEAN governments and other trade/sector-specific organizations and associations deemed relevant. S/he will also identify, monitor and address policy challenges and opportunities affecting those stakeholders and is expected to have the ability to develop and grow contacts with them. In addition, s/he is expected to develop contacts with leading business executives, academics, think tank leaders and the media in Philippines and beyond. S/he will interact regularly with the leadership of the Council’s Philippine Committee and with the ASEAN-based liaisons as well as representatives of the Council’s member companies throughout ASEAN, Asia and the United States. S/he will also provide support to the membership team’s goals of expanding the Council and assist in the retention of current Council members, potential upgrades and recruitment of new members.

Responsibilities

Advocacy Support:

• Monitor key information sources in the Philippines and provide necessary update in the Council’s advocacy monitoring systems
• Prepare research and briefing documents for the Philippine Office
• Support US-ABC advocacy efforts, and policy development and analysis projects of the Philippine office

Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build contacts with Philippines government officials and policy makers
• Establish a network of industry partners and develop relationships with key industry associations.
• Build relationships with Philippines, U.S., and ASEAN working level staff in key government agencies
• Monitor government appointments, election results, and changes in positions in relevant government agencies
• Maintain the Philippine Office’s stakeholder database
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date Council databases, including web pages and membership directory
• Keep abreast with key corporate and business development in member companies

Event Management and Programming:

• Assist in the development and execution of programming such as roundtables, briefings, seminars, workshops, and business missions.
• Provide logistical and other support activities for compiling work plans, business missions, industry sector missions, and events.
• Support the Philippines team in executing in-person events and forums.
• Work with staff in the Philippines, Washington, DC, and throughout Southeast Asia to ensure project completion and escalate as needed.

Administrative Support:

• Draft member communication reports, meeting notes, and readouts
• Maintain an up-to-date Philippine Output Tracker.
• Work with the Manager to complete administrative tasks, including expense reports.
• Handle scheduling appointments and follow-ups.
• Handle general office operations, including managing office supplies, equipment, and facilities.
• Other Council business as needed and requested from time to time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, East Asian Studies or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
• Exposure to American companies is preferred.
• A minimum requirement for this ASEAN based position is the ability to work legally in the Philippines on a permanent basis and have a valid passport to be able to travel outside of the country.
• Must understand and abide by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States and USABC’s Commitment to Diversity, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy.
• 1-2 years of work experience as well as government, government relations, research, business development and/or multinational management.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing programs and budgets and tracking and advocating on key policy issues.

Preferred Skills

• Must be able to work independently without significant direction and achieve concrete results.
• Must be organized, detail-oriented and be able to successfully handle multiple tasks at the same time and function in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to work beyond normal business hours in order to speak with colleagues in Southeast Asia and the United States, participate in regular staff calls and consult with Council members based in Asia and the United States
• Needs to be member-focused and maintain good and open working relationships with the Council’s 180 member companies and their representatives.
• Must be fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Should be able to demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality English-language publications.
• Must have excellent research skills and be able to learn and absorb quickly. Excellent working knowledge of Internet research and MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required.
• Must be able to interact with all organizational levels including senior management of member companies, senior business leaders from ASEAN countries, senior government leaders from ASEAN countries, academics, think tanks and media.
• Must have a good sense of logistics and ability to plan, run and execute programs.
• Must be a strategic thinker who understands key variables and can execute a plan to move members’ issues forward.
• Needs to have knowledge of Southeast Asia, including its history, culture, politics and business environment.
• Knowledge of ASEAN as an organization and its key programs and players is a plus.

Additional Notes:

**Due to the position’s potential travel requirements, the incumbent must always maintain awareness of and proof of compliance with all immigration (visa), CDC and WHO vaccination or other health requirements recommended for worldwide travel or be willing to fund job-related travel from personal funds. **

Application Procedure

To apply to the Council’s Associate - Philippines position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (no more than two pages). Please note hiring for this 2025 position remains contingent on sufficient personnel budget.