Job Description
KEY INFORMATION
Position: Team Leader (ARF D4)
Duration: 16 months
Base City: Hanoi, Vietnam
Start Date: March 15, 2026
Reports to: Contractor Representative, Cowater
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program is a flagship initiative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Program promotes women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in the ethnically diverse north-west region of Vietnam, through the integration of a market systems development (MSD) approach. The primary beneficiaries are women living in the provinces of Son La and Lao Cai, while an overarching emphasis is placed on the inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities.
The Program is in its second five-year (2022-2027), $37 million, phase (GREAT 2) will continue its focus on agriculture and tourism, in sectors that lend themselves to opportunities for advancing WEE and working with multiple stakeholders to address constraints, generate opportunities, drive market growth and increase the productive value of the sector. Cross-sector strategies such as women’s leadership, access to finance, digital transformation, policy advocacy, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and behaviour change communication will inform the sector strategies.
The Programs works very closely in coordination with provincial government agencies to ensure alignment and impact support national and provincial Government of Vietnam plans and goals.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The Team Leader will provide overall strategic leadership to the Program ensuring Program coherence, compliance, and delivery of high-level, long-term and impactful engagement with the Government of Vietnam, DFAT, and all implementing partners and relevant stakeholders.
The Program is entering into its final 16-month period, this role will be essential in providing leadership to the team in robust partner contracting, monitoring and evaluation of grants, and closing out the Program in a sustainable and timely manner.
Reporting directly to the Contractor Representative, they provide oversight, advice and direction to the implementation and ongoing development of the program.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical:
- Lead the planning and implementation of a market systems development (MSD) for women’s economic empowerment (WEE) program and provide strategic and technical oversight to the program to ensure that program interventions are designed and delivered in line with MSD principles.
- Broker successful collaborations and/or negotiations with the private sector and government at both provincial and central level.
- Lead and coordinate strategic planning across the program portfolio.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination between all program stakeholders, including the internal team, partners, Government, international and local short-term advisors and Cowater International.
- Oversee strategic research, focally in the areas of MSD and WEE.
Managerial:
- Maintain and manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders, Government of Vietnam officials (centrally and provincially), DFAT, and implementing partners.
- Provide high level advice to DFAT and the Government of Vietnam on strategic direction and implementation of the Program.
- Ensure the Program is accountable to DFAT, provincial and central Government in Vietnam, and Cowater.
- Ensure contract oversight with sub-contractors and grantees follow DFAT and Cowater procurement guidelines and best practice.
- Ensure the program is implemented and delivered professionally based on approved plans and in a timely and value for money manner warranting coherence and synergies across program objectives including:
- Providing flexible support to DFAT, provincial and central Government and Vietnam (advice, strategic advice, management, and implementation of program activities).
- Ensuring program activities are in accordance with the objectives and principles of the program’s design and strategic plans.
- Providing technical leadership and advice in the areas of market systems and private sector engagement to staff, partners and DFAT.
- Assessing continually, evaluations in the wider context, including the policy landscape and other social, political, and economic changes that may have an impact on program delivery.
- Ensuring efficient and accountable operational management systems are in place with high quality reporting and forecasting.
- Managing program resources (human and financial) effectively, efficiently, ethically, and economically to ensure optimum delivery.
- Leading the senior management team, providing performance management, motivation, learning, development opportunities and direction.
- Ensure the timely and value for money sourcing of short-term regional and international experts for the delivery of technical assistance and capacity building activities.
- Providing high quality reporting to DFAT, ensuring all reports and technical inputs integrate evidence-based M&E results.
- Ensure effective implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation systems in line with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning plan (MERL), as well as the documentation of lessons and results to be disseminated effectively including clear, interesting, and evidence-based progress reports to DFAT and other partners.
- Lead and support coordination of the Program’s partner investment committee.
- Ensure the Program cooperates with other relevant DFAT, donor and government funded programs and that strong working relationships are developed, particularly with DFAT and the Government of Vietnam at national and provincial levels.
- Supporting the Steering Committee to fulfill their functions including by ensuring timely, evidence-based, high-quality secretariat function and support.
- Proactively managing program risks, through regular monitoring and updating of the risk register and implementation of effective mitigation strategies, in consultation with DFAT and other key stakeholders; and
- Managing cross-cutting issues and DFAT environmental and social safeguards relevant to the program.
- Leading and overseeing the close-out of the Program. Leading and supporting the team with donor and provincial government close out requirements, and ensuring a sustainable exit for partners and provincial counterparts. Ensuring close coordination with Cowater HQ and DFAT on all close out planning and activities.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
The Team Leader will have the following skills, knowledge, and experience:
- Experience in management and implementation of large development programs.
- Experience leading a team of 15-20 team members.
- Demonstrated technical expertise in gender equality and social inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, market systems development, or related field, including experience working with ethnic minority women.
- Experience working in agriculture value chains and/or tourism development programs.
- High level policy, analytical and political economy analysis skills.
- Experience engaging directly with host-country Government officials and departments.
- Proven experience managing multiple partnerships and developing and maintaining strong stakeholder relations.
- Demonstrated success working with government and the private sector to improve inclusive livelihoods, particularly for women.
- Excellent skills in leading and managing multi-cultural teams and working in a cross-cultural environment.
- High level interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts clearly and concisely.
- Experience working with DFAT on planning, reporting, and communications would be highly regarded.
- Experience closing out a Program.
- Experience working in the Southeast Asia region, with an understanding of the particular vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minority women and demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Experience working in Vietnam essential.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please attached your cover letter and CV through the “Apply Now” link on our Cowater website below.
Closing Date: Applications will close on 30 January 2026.
Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for interview.
Women, persons with a disability and Indigenous Peoples are highly encouraged to apply.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. Individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the recruitment process by including their request in the cover letter. Cowater International adheres to the highest standards of protection of children and vulnerable adults in the delivery of programs and services. Cowater is committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
Cowater International upholds standards of ethical conduct and has zero tolerance against fraud and bribery. Prior to any offer of employment, applicants will be subject to appropriate background checks
About the Organization
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.
