ABOUT GROW ASIA

 

Grow Asia is a multi-stakeholder partnership platform established by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to support the transformation of food systems to become more inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient. With a regional office in Singapore and five country chapters across Asia, Grow Asia convenes public, private, and civil society leaders to build partnerships, mobilize investment, and deliver collaborative programs that reach millions of smallholder farmers across the region.

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The Grow Asia network operates across five Country Chapters and 44 Working Groups in Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Viet Nam and is already reaching more than 3.7 million smallholders with training, technology, and market led solutions. In 2020, Grow Asia was accredited as an Entity Associated with ASEAN. This accreditation recognizes the important bridging role Grow Asia plays in the region, particularly in facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships and acting as an efficient deployment mechanism for blended finance and targeted technical assistance.

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THE ROLE

 

Grow Asia is seeking a senior Head of External Relations to lead strategic communications, donor engagement, partner relationships, and high-level events across the region and globally. The role sits at the intersection of Grow Asia’s donor stewardship, strategic communications, and partner engagement, enhancing Grow Asia’s reputation as an influential and trusted platform among public sector institutions, philanthropic organizations, multilateral agencies, and selected private sector partners.

 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of External Relations works closely with the Heads of Programs and Finance, and Country Leadership teams. The position is supported by a small team of Regional Managers and junior communications staff (covering digital and day‑to‑day content), and a range of experienced consultancies and agency partners.

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This is a leadership role for a relationship‑driven, externally facing professional who thrives in complexity, understands international development ecosystems, and can translate ambition into innovative and impactful partnerships and visible results at the farm gate.

 

We are seeking a dynamic communicator with deep networks and experience of engaging with diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate will be an independent thinker and problem solver, who thrives in a highly collaborative environment, and is adept at distilling complex ideas and programs into world class communications and events. Excellent management skills and the ability to see opportunities and challenges from multiple perspectives is a must.

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RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

 

1. External Communications, Events, and Visibility

• Oversee Grow Asia’s external communications and engagement strategy, with a clear emphasis on events, convenings, and high-level stakeholder engagement.

• Lead the strategic design and execution of major events, including governance meetings, investment forums, and high-level regional or global engagements.

• Support Grow Asia’s participation in key external platforms (e.g. global summits, regional policy fora, UN- ASEAN- and WEF-related events), including preparation of messaging, briefings, and talking points.

• Act as a senior representative and spokesperson for Grow Asia on the public stage and at high-level meetings.

• Guide internal teams and country chapters in translating technical work into compelling narratives for partners and stakeholders.

• Oversee agency partners and short-term consultants supporting events, messaging, and strategic communications.

• Ensure digital and routine communications are effectively delegated to and managed by junior staff, maintaining strategic oversight without operational overload.

 

2. Strategic Partnerships and Donor Engagement

• Lead Grow Asia’s regional approach to partnership development and donor engagement, with a focus on public sector institutions, international development partners, and philanthropic organizations.

• Build, steward, and deepen long-term, trust-based relationships with high-value donors and strategic partners across government, multilaterals, foundations, and development finance actors.

• Represent Grow Asia in senior-level discussions with partners, building on the organization’s reputation as a credible platform for collaboration and delivery in a rapidly evolving development and climate landscape.

• Work closely with the Executive Director and Programs team to align partnerships with Grow Asia’s mission, priorities, and catalytic initiatives.

• Coordinate and oversee partnership pipelines and engagement processes, supported by regional managers and appropriate tools for tracking and follow-up.

• Collaborate with global partners, including the World Economic Forum and ASEAN-related bodies, to expand Grow Asia’s influence and ecosystem

 

3. Membership, Governance, and Stakeholder Value

• Oversee Grow Asia’s Membership and Governance engagement at a strategic level, ensuring senior participation and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Serve as a primary liaison between the Co-Chairs and Members of Grow Asia’s Advisory Councils, Country Chapters, and working groups.

• Work with internal teams to ensure members and partners experience clear value through engagement, visibility, and collaboration opportunities.

• Monitor external trends in agri-food systems, climate finance, and development cooperation to keep Grow Asia relevant and forward-looking.

 

4. Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and mentor a small regional team, including partnership and digital communications managers, fostering clarity, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Work closely with country leadership teams to support capacity development, coordination, and alignment across the network.

• Provide strategic direction while enabling others to execute, leveraging consultants and agencies where appropriate.

• Contribute as a member of Grow Asia’s senior leadership team to organizational strategy, culture, and effectiveness.

 

EXPERIENCE AND PROFILE

 

The successful candidate will bring:

• At least 10 years of senior experience in partnerships, external affairs, communications, or stakeholder engagement within international development, sustainability, or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience working with public sector institutions, multilateral organizations, and philanthropic donors, ideally in Southeast Asia.

• Strong track record of building and sustaining high-level relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Experience leading external engagement and high-profile events in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Strategic judgment, political acumen, and the ability to navigate ambiguity and evolving priorities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional regional language skills are an asset.

• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to empower teams and partners rather than centralize execution.

 

WHAT WE OFFER

• A senior leadership role in a respected and influential regional platform.

• The opportunity to shape partnerships and external engagement in one of the world’s most dynamic food systems regions.

• A collaborative, mission-driven organizational culture with strong regional and global networks.

• Competitive compensation and benefits.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Qualified applicants are invited to send your resume, cover letter, and samples of your published editorial work or digital content to careers@growasia.org by 27 February 2026. We ask that you kindly include your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line (e.g., “Application: Head of External Relations – Your Name”). Due to the volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

 

As a multi-stakeholder platform, we believe all voices matter, and we actively seek to bring them to the table. Aligned with this ethos, Grow Asia is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity.