THE ASIA FOUNDATION (TAF)
Position Description
TITLE: Program Officer
UNIT: Vietnam Country Office
LOCATION: Hanoi, Vietnam
REPORTS TO: Governance and Inclusive Growth
SUPERVISES: N/A
CONTRACT: 24 months (starting December 1, 2024) – renewable
Background to The Asia Foundation Governance and Inclusive Growth Programs:
The Asia Foundation’s Governance and Inclusive Growth Programs engage with the private sector as a means of ensuring programmatic and operational relevance and the achievement of mutual strategic goals and objectives. To achieve this goal, the Foundation’s Governance and Inclusive Growth Programs engage with multiple private sector stakeholders to build cross sectoral support in the following ways:
The Asia Foundation (Governance and Inclusive Growth Programs) is a prime sub-contractor to the Creative Associates International in implementing the Vietnam Local Capacity Development Activity which is funded by USAID and runs from November 2023 to November 2028. The project supports strengthening the capacity of stakeholders and embracing their involvement in implementing sustainable solutions to address local priority issues and improve public service delivery, benefiting local citizens and businesses in target provinces and cities of Vietnam.
SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary role of the Program Officer will be to assist and support the Senior Program Specialist (Governance and Inclusive Growth Programs) in implementing The Asia Foundation’s activities under the Vietnam Local Capacity Development Activity. This includes but is not limited to working with the private sector and their representative associations to identify and elevate priority issues in the realms of local economic governance, public service delivery and public procurement, identifying capacity strengthening opportunities for private sector stakeholders to deliver sustainable solutions in addressing the identified local priority issues and building cross-sectoral support.
The Program Officer will be based in Hanoi office and will be required to visit/travel to Governance and Inclusive Growth Programs’ provinces as needed to cooperate and collaborate with various stakeholders.
RELATIONSHIPS
The Program Officer is a member of the Governance and Inclusive Growth team and reports to the Senior Program Specialist.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience:

• Minimum 7 years’ working with domestic and international private sector and Vietnamese government.
• Experience in program development and management with an international organization, private sector or government agency in a field related to Governance and Inclusive Growth.
• Ability to solve problems as well as exercise considerable analysis and judgement to identify solutions.
• Keen understanding of issues related to local economic governance, local capacity development and public service delivery.
• Ability to manage projects and budgets.

Education:
Master’s degree in law, economics, business administration, political sciences, or similar field (bachelor’s degree with more than 10 years of experience in field may be accepted).
Other:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proactive and independent work style essential.
• Fluency in English and Vietnamese.

JOB FUNCTIONS
As a member of the Governance and Inclusive Growth team, the Program Officer will provide support for program development and implementation in line with the policies and procedures of The Asia Foundation worldwide.
Program Development and Administration

• Assist in needs assessments, exploration of program opportunities, and identification of potential grantee organizations and partners.
• Assist in convening key business actors for problem-solving and planning with local governments and academic institutions.
• Design program activities that encourage the private sector to identify business opportunities within the program’s priorities and challenges.
• Develop capacity building plans and lead their implementation.
• Networking and relationship building with private sector businesses, chambers and business associations.
• Build and maintain a database and networks of private sector partners.
• Support and contribute to studies, research, surveys and analyses carried out by the Program.
• Provide technical and administrative support in managing sub-awards and contracts.
• Review grantee reports and critically evaluate program outcomes.
• Understand and implement requirements placed on The Asia Foundation by USAID and outside donors.
• Draft reports to donors.
• Provide translation and interpretation as needed.

External Relations

• Assist in developing and maintaining good public relations.
• Develop and maintain contacts with Vietnamese and international organizations and government agencies, and the private sector.
• Attend and represent The Asia Foundation at conferences, events, and donor coordination meetings, as directed by the Senior Program Specialist – Governance and Inclusive Growth or the Country Representative.

Other
Perform other program and administrative tasks as directed by the Senior Program Specialist – Governance and Inclusive Growth or Country Representative.
The occupant of this position is entitled to a number of benefits including a competitive remuneration and, on top of the compulsory social/health insurance, The Asia Foundation provides personal accident and health insurance for staff and their immediate family members.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter outlining their interest in the position along with a CV to Mr. Filip Graovac at filip.graovac@asiafoundation.org or via fax at (24) 3943-3257. Further details of our programs are available at:
http://www.asiafoundation.org/country/overview/vietnam
Deadline for submission: November 22, 2024