Organization profile
Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. Be part of a growing international organization that is dedicated to tackling this global challenge.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based international organization with headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons. As the only international organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons, ICMP maintains field programs throughout the world. To learn more about ICMP click here.


Vietnam Project
Through its project in Vietnam, ICMP will work with the Vietnamese Government to improve institutional capacity to develop and sustain an effective DNA-based system to locate and identify missing persons from the Vietnam-American war. The project will provide advanced DNA extraction and testing methods adapted to the Vietnam context and implemented in Vietnam; support a long-term strategy in coordination with the government to enhance the efficacy and efficiency of human identification efforts in the context of the Vietnam-American War, and provide training and capacity building efforts in the area of human identification.

This is a Senior Program Coordinator position in a program funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) that will help Vietnamese government (GVN) partners to strengthen key components needed for large-scale, DNA-based identifications of missing persons from the Vietnam-American war including a centralized data system, civil society engagement, family reference genetic sample (FRS) outreach, the collection, recovery and forensic examination of mortal remains, and DNA identification. Recognizing the inherent limitations of the standard DNA testing that has been applied to date in Vietnam, the program will work in concert with GVN partners to adapt proven methods of DNA extraction to the Vietnamese context and establish a foundation for the use and implementation of next generation DNA sequencing technologies and integrated data management systems.


The Program Coordinator is responsible for the effective and efficient planning and coordination of ICMP activities, and for deputizing the Program Manager (Vietnam) in support of the government relations activities of the Vietnam Program.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Program Manager (Vietnam) duties and responsibilities will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following:


1. Supports the Program Manager (Vietnam) in project planning, coordination and reporting

• Contributes to the planning and facilitates the timely delivery of the activities of the Program;
• Contributes to the writing of meeting minutes and following up on actions to be taken with regard to decisions adopted;
• Supports the production of timely and accurate reporting for the Program.

2. Supports government relations and public engagement activities

• Contributes to the monitoring, research and analysis of legal and policy developments related to the issue of missing persons;
• Facilitates and coordinates the project regulatory approval process in Vietnam including the writing and submission of project related documents;
• Facilitates the host state agreement or similar mechanisms for ICMP’s official local presence in Vietnam;
• Facilitate, as appropriate, the participation of national government representatives, other international organizations, as well as civil society, technical experts or other partners and stakeholders.

3. Provides support and works closely with the Program Manager (Vietnam) on activity implementation;

• Navigates local procedures at the collaborated Vietnamese government institutions to facilitate the implementation of the project activities;
• Aids in the application of ICMP procedures for the implementation of project activities;
• Provides overall administration and logistics support for the implementation of the project, such as:
  • Arranges contracts for meeting venues, translation, catering, interpretation, and other support services;
  • Arranges ground and air transportation, hotels, invitations, visas, and other event details for project events in Vietnam or The Netherlands;
  • Handles overall event management for large meetings
• Drafts official documents, emails and represents ICMP at events and community engagement sessions as delegated by the Program Manager;
• Contributes to the English – Vietnamese translation of project documents;
• Contributes to the review, update and maintenance of ICMP logistics, procurement, travel and office management policies and procedures.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A university degree in Project Management, Political Sciences, Public Administration or relevant. A postgraduate degree is desirable
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in project management, including experience in the public sector (government institutions, non-governmental organizations, international organizations) in a multicultural and international environment within the justice, human rights or development sphere.

• Project Management experience – Experience being responsible for deliverables, keeping schedules, and coordinating teams;
• Human rights/Missing persons experience – General knowledge, exposure to the issue and to stakeholders on the issue of missing persons in Vietnam;
• Demonstrable experience maintaining and developing constructive and working relationships with government officials, including judicial authorities;
• Writing – Experience preparing external reports;
• Coordination and Logistics – experience organizing activities, such as meetings, consultations, missions and visits that require the preparation of agendas and the coordination of logistical inputs.

Other Requirements

• Professional fluency in English and Vietnamese language;
• Excellent diplomatic and communications skills - Proactive, confident and with an ability to adapt to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders;
• Ability to work both independently, in disciplined manner, and strong commitment to achievement of targets on deadline;
• Capacity to work collaboratively, building trust and with a client orientation;
  
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
• Technological awareness and proven planning and organizing skills;
• Good analytical and writing skills with the ability to report on meetings accurately and succinctly;
• Effective time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple activities in a fast-paced environment;
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Teams;
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender, with a particular focus on project planning;
• Ability to travel at short notice and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings;
• Commitment to the underlying objective of helping the authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner.

Expected start date: 01 November 2024
VN close date: 31 October 2024


This is a project funded position under Vietnam Project with initial funding until 30 September 2025 with a competitive base salary at the Local Professional (LP) level on the ICMP Vietnam salary scale - a total annual pay of USD 39,820, generous paid leave and extensive health insurance benefits for the incumbent and any eligible dependent. The position is not eligible for applicable expatriate benefits. For more details, please see the ICMP website.


ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.


ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice, or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length.


Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.