Deputy Facility Director

KEY INFORMATION
Position: Deputy Facility Director 
Reports to: Facility Director
Location: Phnom Penh, with some travel to Cambodian provinces
Duration: One year, with possibility for extension up to an additional three years based on performance and program requirements
Employment type: Full time
Contractual arrangement: Open to both Cambodian nationals and international applicants
 
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The CAPRED Facility is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience.
 
The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country's economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE).
 
CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture; Trade and Investment and Infrastructure Development; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Deputy Facility Director will support the Facility Director in providing overall strategic, technical, and operational leadership of the CAPRED Facility. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Deputy Facility Director plays a key role in ensuring the effective management and delivery of CAPRED's portfolio of interventions, maintaining alignment with Facility objectives, and fostering collaboration across technical, operational, and cross-cutting functions.
 
The role is responsible for supporting implementation performance, strengthening internal coordination and processes, encouraging adaptive and participatory management and organisational learning, and ensuring that Facility resources are effectively deployed to achieve results. The Deputy Facility Director will represent CAPRED with government counterparts, DFAT, private sector partners, and other stakeholders as delegated and may act on behalf of the Facility Director when required.

The position requires a highly capable leader with strong programme management experience, sound judgement, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to operate effectively within a complex and dynamic development environment. 
  
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Strategy and management

• Help the Facility Director set CAPRED's direction and priorities.
• Turn CAPRED's End of Facility Outcomes into clear, well-designed investments and activities.
• Guide annual planning, budgeting, forecasting and portfolio reviews so resources match priorities.
• Keep technical, cross-cutting and operations teams working towards common goals.
• Track performance, resolve bottlenecks and act early on risks.
• Use evidence and learning to adjust CAPRED's work and improve results.
• Act for the Facility Director when delegated, including during absences.

Program delivery and operations

• Oversee cross cutting units (operations, MEL, communication, GEDSI and climate resilience) as well as additional delegated work and keep delivery timely, efficient and sound.
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer on finance, procurement, grants, contracts, human resources, administration and compliance.
• Coordinate work plans, budgets, forecasts, reports and performance reviews.
• Prepare clear, accurate reports and other required material for DFAT and Cowater, including Payment by Results submissions.
• Spot delivery problems early and bring the right teams together to solve them.
• Set clear expectations and build a cooperative, accountable workplace.

Technical quality, learning and performance

• Help portfolio leads design evidence-based work that serves CAPRED's aims and are sustainable.
• Oversee portfolios, strategic initiatives or cross-cutting work assigned by the Facility Director.
• Build GEDSI, climate resilience, safeguarding and sustainability into CAPRED's work.
• Work with MERL and Communications to produce useful evidence, share lessons and explain CAPRED's work clearly.
• Improve the design, delivery and performance of interventions.
• Make room for new ideas, honest reflection and shared learning.

Stakeholders and partnerships

• Build strong working relationships with the Royal Government of Cambodia, DFAT, businesses, development partners, researchers and civil society.
• Use policy discussions and partnerships to advance CAPRED's aims.
• Find practical opportunities for joint work, new ideas and investment.
• Represent CAPRED at meetings, working groups, forums and consultations as requested.
• Explain CAPRED's results, lessons and priorities to key audiences.

People and teams

• Lead and mentor staff, with clear expectations and room to grow.
• Help manage staff performance with the Facility Director, Chief Operating Officer and relevant managers.
• Build an inclusive workplace that puts GEDSI principles into practice.
• Improve how teams work together and support staff wellbeing.

Compliance, risk and governance

• Make sure CAPRED's work follows DFAT, Cowater and CAPRED rules and contract terms.
• Manage operational, financial, safeguarding, reputational and delivery risks.
• Uphold sound governance, accountability, transparency, ethics and value for money.
• Keep clear records and be ready for audit.
• Make environmental sustainability and climate action part of CAPRED's programs and operations.

 WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• A quick learner with strong intellectual curiosity and a passion for development, inclusion, and evidence-based programming.
• Proven ability to work as a collaborative and trusted member of a diverse and highly skilled senior management team with the ability to foster teamwork and team cohesion.
• Excellent communication skills — you can explain complex ideas simply and engage diverse audiences.
• Detail-oriented and organised, able to manage multiple tasks with a proactive and solution-focused mindset.
• Comfortable with uncertainty and complexity, ready to adapt, decide, and grow in a fast-paced environment.

 SELECTION CRITERIA  

• Strong Demonstrated experience in program management, senior leadership, or executive management within a development context.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing program operations, GEDSI, MERL and other cross-cutting themes such as climate resilience.
• The candidate must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate complex, multi-sectoral initiatives involving diverse stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into implementation and results.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior government officials, donors, private sector actors, and development partners.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, economic development, public policy, or a related field, preferably within the Asia-Pacific region.
• At least 5 years of senior management experience with responsibility for program delivery, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience managing donor-funded programs, preferably DFAT-funded programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of GEDSI principles and inclusive development approaches.

Desirable

• Experience working in Cambodia or Southeast Asia.
• Experience supporting policy reform, institutional strengthening, or private sector development initiatives.
• Understanding of adaptive management, results measurement, and learning approaches.
• Master's degree or higher in economics, public policy, international development, business administration, management, or a related discipline.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to apply: Please visit the Cowater Careers Page at Career Opportunities - Careers. Open the advertisement, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click ”Apply Now” to submit your application.

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter, including the names and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees, and indicate “Deputy Facility Director” as the position you are applying for in the releveant subject/title field.

Please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application process will close once the position is filled, but not before 30 October 2026, 5 PM Cambodia time.
 
Please note that applications may be retained in a candidate pool for future hiring needs. Unsuccessful candidates for this position may be considered for future employment opportunities with similar qualifications. 
 
Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.
 
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.
 
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.