Job Description
IESC is a U.S. based nonprofit that creates and expands economic opportunities, helping to lift those we support out of poverty. We believe that helping enterprises grow is the most sustainable way for communities to have access to jobs and for families and people to have opportunities for a better quality of life. We have helped businesses in a variety of sectors, create or save more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries across the world. Our major funder today is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.
IESC is seeking a Project Director (equivalent Chief of Party) for a USDA/FAS funded Food for Progress trade project in the Vietnam. The Project Director will oversee all project management, technical, and administrative activities. The anticipated 5-year project goal is to expand trade of agricultural products (domestic, regional, and international). The project director role requires demonstrable experience with project design and delivery of cost-efficient technical solutions that demonstrate return on investment; access to trade finance and trade-related investment solutions to catalyze economic growth; and effective solutions that maximize digital technologies to benefit extension services, market information, and access to finance that benefit the agricultural sector. The project director role requires astute diplomatic skills to facilitate collaboration and connectivity among stakeholders, including ensuring buy-in and partnership with the Government of Vietnam ministries and agencies assigned to the project. Prior experience in Vietnam is preferred, prior work in Southeast Asia is critical for an understanding of the complex working relationship between donor-funded projects and host-government institutions and the funder-client.
The Project Director is based in Vietnam and reports to the IESC Associate Vice President and Practice Lead, or Director for Trade and Enterprise in Washington, DC. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, the Project Director serves as the primary interlocutor between IESC headquarters, local partners, and host organizations.
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provide overall leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and deliverables;
- Serve as the primary liaison to USDA/FAS, Vietnam government counterparts, international and national stakeholders, implementing partners, and private sector stakeholders;
- Act as spokesperson for the project and present its work regionally and globally;
- Supervise and oversee all technical, operational, and financial aspects of the project;
- Oversee establishment and management of a project steering committee, facilitated by the project in close collaboration with USDA and composed of key stakeholders;
- Oversee activities to ensure overall technical quality control and an integrated vision across all components of the project;
- Supervise Vietnamese technical specialists, managerial, and administrative team to successfully define, own, and achieve results;
- Develop and oversee work planning, performance management, and strategic communications;
- Ensure high-quality monitoring and evaluation of project impact and timely submission of donor reports and deliverables; and,
- Travel regularly to the project delivery sites to observe and guide technical assistance quality delivery.
Qualifications
- Graduate degree in trade-focused public policy, international agriculture or commerce, or related field, specialization in trade policy and regulation adherence highly preferred. Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience acceptable;
- Minimum eight years of relevant professional experience in international development, with a focus on agricultural trade facilitation, agricultural market strengthening and economic growth;
- Experience in leading USTR, USAID, USDA, or other bilateral-funded projects budgeted at $10 million or more over a five-year period;
- Experience with project design and delivery of cost-efficient technical solutions that demonstrate return on investment; access to trade finance and trade-related investment solutions to catalyze economic growth; and effective solutions that maximize digital technologies to benefit extension services, market information, and access to finance that benefit the agricultural sector;
- Regional country project management/multiple offices of a project of $15 million or greater.
- Prior work experience or collaboration with private sector companies and businesses, and experience in the agriculture sector is required;
- Experience working in Vietnam and/or Southeast Asia region is highly preferred.
- English fluency required;
- Demonstrated leadership and integrity, proven organizational skills; and,
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and experience in managing and leading large and diverse teams to fulfill the project’s diverse technical and managerial requirements and to coordinate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
About the Organization
IESC is a U.S. based nonprofit that creates and expands economic opportunities, helping to lift those we support out of poverty. We believe that helping enterprises grow is the most sustainable way for communities to have access to jobs and for families and people to have opportunities for a better quality of life. We have helped businesses in a variety of sectors, create or save more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries across the world. Our major funder today is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.
