Aquaculture Value Chain Advisor cum Field Coordinator

AQUACULTURE VALUE CHAIN ADVISOR CUM FIELD COORDINATOR – TRA VINH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

(Full time employment contract)

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, we have built a long-term country presence in over 24 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses, and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services - empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

sNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995, and currently has over 30 national and international staff. SNV Vietnam’s team works hand-in-hand with communities, government agencies, and businesses in more than 50 provinces, including the remotest and poorest areas of the country. We operate from a country office in Hanoi and project offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong province. Our work focuses on three sectors – Agri-Food, Energy, and Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH).

The Tra Vinh Community Development Project

SNV Vietnam is expected to begin to implement a long-term Community Development Project (CDP) assigned by a near-shore wind power project developer – the Tra Vinh Wind Power No. 1 Joint Stock Company (TWPC) and Climate Fund Managers (CFM). The objective of the CDP is to deliver net positive environmental and social impacts in the areas and communities where TPWC is operational and therefore an associated CDP is required. The project areas are in Truong Long Hoa, Dan Thanh and Long Toan communes of Duyen Hai town and Ngu Lac commune of Duyen Hai district, Tra Vinh province.

The CDP is expected to focus on improving local livelihoods by investingin market-based approaches and the development of inclusive value-chains for sustainable aquaculture and horticulture, as the main livelihood sources in the area. Interventions will have a strong emphasis on promoting climate resilient approaches and on women’s economic empowerment in the respective value-chains in the target areas.

SNV is looking for an Aquaculture Value Chain Advisor cum Field Coordinator who will be based in Duyen Hai Town, Tra Vinh province to support the project manager (PM) with: 1) the development of inclusive value chain approaches that benefit smallholder and ethnic minority farmers in the project area that cover aquaculture, peanut and shallot production and 2) the project implementation in field. As the main focus is on aquaculture, the incumbent candidate must have a strong aquaculture background.

1. Value Chain Advisor Tasks (50%)

The value chain advisor is expected to perform the following tasks working closely with project staff (including Project Manager, project officer and field support staff as well as local government, donors, and stakeholders:

1.1  Responsible for all value chain activities:

• Establish and strengthen the development of farmer groups, cooperatives, connect farmer groups/coops to value-chains, support the development of inclusive business plans.
• Establish and maintain relationships with private partners. Develop MOUs to be signed with private companies and monitor implementation of MoUs.
• Facilitate meetings and workshops with businesses and lead the value chain development activities.
• Support marketing and branding for project supported products.

1.2  Provide capacity building in sustainable aquaculture production and inclusive business

The incumbent will work closely with provincial aquaculture  department and aquaculture experts to:

• Provide regular technical advices, recommendations for the sustainable of aquaculture productions to local farmers
• Prepare of technical report on the training and meeting minutes (agenda, participant list, photos, evaluation)
• Advise aquaculture businesses on sustainable practice
• Provide facilitation services to project partners and farmers

1.3  Other business technical assistance

• Mobilize funds to sustain and scale up aquaculture and horticulture businesses
• Responsible for the horticulture value chain development activities in the field and provide monthly report to PM
• Support local farmers and project partners to join trade fairs, exhibitions, coffee events, etc
• Promote and participate in public-private-producer partnership for inclusive value chain development
• Prepare monthly report to project manager and contribute to regular project reports to donors
• Contribute to the development of SNV’s portfolio on aquaculture in Vietnam
• Resource mobilization activities for SNV Vietnam as per set targets

Other tasks as required by the Project Manager or Sector Leader.

2. Field coordinator task (50%)

The Field Coordinator task will include the coordination of day to day implementation of the project on the ground, working closely with local communities, government, project partners, donor and key stakeholders (such as donors, companies, NGOs, development partner agencies etc.).

2.1  Establishing and strengthening relationships

The candidate will be expected to develop and strengthen working relationships with key partners to ensure smooth implementation, including with: government agencies at provincial, district and grassroots levels, as well as with other key relevant partners and stakeholders such as companies, other development partners/projects, NGOs and local communities.

2.2  Organising project activities/field work

• The Field Coordinator needs to develop detailed implementation plans e.g. for value chain actors, communes, with target villages or groups of beneficiaries.
• The Field Coordinator will organise project activities and field work (such as surveys, trainings, agricultural extension, forest protection, and community development) activities with local partners and communities on the ground. This will involve basic administrative tasks such as preparing permission letters, identifying venues for workshops, or other suppliers of goods/services that the project may need in line with relevant SNV procedures and cost norms under guidance by SNV colleagues and Project Manager.
• Supporting implementation and documentation of project activities/field work such as accompanying consultants and other project staff on field visits, supporting facilitation of events, acting as a resource person for surveys, workshops or other project activities in the field.

2.3  Accounting, financial management and reporting

Work closely with project officer and finance department on basic project financial accounting, monitoring and reporting tasks

Prepare monthly report to project manager and brief reports on project activities to contribute to SNV newsletters and participation to workshops, conferences.

• Bachelor degree  (Master degree prefered) in a field related to aquaculture, economics, rural development or business
• At least 8 years’ experience working in aquaculture, mangrove forest systems, value chain development. A proven experience in aquaculture value chain is highly desired.
• Specific working knowledge and professional experience relevant to key activities in this project and familiar with Mekong delta region will be a distinct advantage
• Proven record of working with local stakeholders (donors, government, local farmers, private companies)
• Understanding of project management, coordination procedures, administrative systems, M&E systems and finance processes
• Experience in organising field activities such as trainings, agriculture extension, community development activities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English and Vietnamese (spoken & written)
• Computer proficiency in Windows and Office based programs

• Type of Contract: This is a full-time position for national candidates for 12 months with the possibility of extension.
• The position will be based in Duyen Hai town of Tra Vinh province
• Start date: As soon as possible, subject to approval of funds from the donors.

Please send your application letter and CV, together with an indication of your current salary and compensation package before April 10, 2023 by clicking on the link AQUACULTURE VALUE CHAIN ADVISOR CUM FIELD COORDINATOR