Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI)

Programme Manager (3 Year FTC)

Hanoi, Vietnam

Reports To: SFSI Project Director, Bord Bia
Grade: OSMS


The salary scale for this role is 1,204,720,500 VND – 1,480,805,410 VND


New Entrants to the Public Sector commence on the first point of the Scale


Purpose
The Ireland-Vietnam Agrifood Partnership (IVAP) is being implemented by Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) in partnership with Bord Bia, The Irish Food Board, and funded by the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam in line with A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development.


The programme supports agri-food co-operation between Ireland and Vietnam over the period 2023 to 2027. It responds to the needs and priorities of participating institutions, leading to enhanced bilateral relationships, strengthened capabilities and trade between Ireland and Vietnam. The programme is supporting capability development actions and collaboration between multiple Irish and Vietnamese organisations, contributing to Vietnam’s objectives for sustainable food systems transformation.
Candidates interested in contributing to the transformation of Vietnam’s food system should consider this development opportunity. As IVAP Project Manager, you will be driving implementation of key aspects of the programme, working with Irish and Vietnamese Ministries, agencies, universities, cooperatives and SMEs, and subject matter experts.


IVAP builds on previous work funded by the Embassy of Ireland, which has created relationships between institutions from both countries, including government agencies and universities.


The programme is based on a number of key thematic areas and work packages, under which capability-building activities between Irish and Vietnamese counterparts take place. Each work package has its own agreed activities and deliverables. The activities of the programme include training, consultancy, study tours, educational qualifications and collaborative applied research between Irish and Vietnamese researchers and practitioners.


The objective of the programme is to strengthen elements of Vietnam’s food systems’ transformation that best correspond with Irish strengths in agri-food – such as sustainable livestock systems, food safety, agri-food innovation ecosystem and competitiveness strengthening. In terms of impacts in Vietnam, the use of Irish funding will contribute directly to key targets under the country’s food systems objectives, including support to agri-food innovation capacity, improved capability in risk-based food safety controls and strengthened capacity for sustainable primary production.


The role will be hybrid; based at the Embassy of Ireland, Hanoi and working remotely. Regular travel to Ireland, as well as domestically in Vietnam will be required.


What you’ll do

• Establishing strong working relationships with key stakeholders including Ministries (MARD and MPI especially), Vietnamese and Irish government agencies, and universities in both countries.
  
• Verification and detailed planning of proposed work packages, based on discussions with stakeholders and resources available.
  
• Documenting workflows covering all work packages, including Standard Operating Procedures.
  
• Oversight of event delivery, working closely with stakeholder organisations for training and other capability building activities.
  
• Where necessary; direct organisation of actions, including stakeholder workshops, training or consultative events.
  
• Reporting – quarterly financial reporting, half- and end-year activity reports; annual work planning.
  
• Close co-operation with SFSI, Bord Bia and Embassy of Ireland on resource allocations and commitments.
  
• In tandem with the Project Director and the SFSI executive team; working to identify new sources of Irish expertise and new Vietnamese partners, based on emerging and evolving needs.
  
• Maintenance and development of relationships with other international bodies and development partners active in fields relevant to IVAP.
  
• Ensuring project approvals, Memoranda of Understanding or other necessary agreements are in place for governance and oversight.
  
• Communicating programme activities, highlights and successes via agreed press releases and project communications channels on social media and through development of collateral based on the programme.
  
• Representation of the programme in Vietnam and Ireland, through public forums and speaking opportunities.
  
• Development of the programme to ensure that it is delivering agreed activities and outputs; and creating impacts in the Vietnamese food system and through the Vietnam-Ireland bilateral relationship.
  

About You


Essential Knowledge, Skills Capabilities


Knowledge:

• A primary degree in agri-food sciences, international business, economics, food systems, food strategy or innovation, policy, environment, sustainability or related discipline.
  
• Five years’ professional experience in an agri-food-related environment in project management, project coordination, business development or strategy roles.
  
• Professional experience working with or cooperating with key Ministries like MARD and/or MPI.
  

Skills Capabilities:

• Fluent English and Vietnamese.
  
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
  
• A willingness to undertake international travel.
  
• Strong project management and project budgeting skills.
  
• A digital-first mindset with proficiency in digital software packages, social media and AI.
  

Desirable Knowledge, Skills Capabilities


Knowledge:

• Postgraduate qualification in an international business, economics, agri-food, food strategy or related discipline.
  

Skills Capabilities:

• Digital marketing
  
• Communications
  
• Event management analytical approach with long term perspective
  

Closing Date/Time: Friday, 27 September 2024 @ 5:00pm (GMT/UTC +1)

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