Communications Manager

Scope of Work

Communications Manager

Background

The purpose of the USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness (IPSC) Activity is to remove constraints and build the competitiveness of small and growing businesses (SGBs) in Vietnam, including those led by vulnerable populations. With this activity, USAID/Vietnam is supporting Vietnam’s competitiveness vertically at the policy, market, and firm level; and horizontally by working along the entire spectrum of enterprise growth models, from household businesses transforming into registered firms to small firms on the cusp of scaling up. Deloitte Consulting LLP (“Deloitte”) is implementing this Activity on behalf of USAID. The Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is the Vietnam Government counterpart of IPSC.

IPSC is comprised of four interrelated Objectives:

• Objective 1. Building business management capacity of SGBs, including those led by vulnerable populations.
• Objective 2. Improving efficiency and productivity by promoting innovation, technology adoption, and sustainable business models.
• Objective 3. Enhancing the business enabling environment (BEE) for a broad-based inclusive economy.
• Objective 4. Strengthening business-to-business (B2B) and cross-sectoral linkages.

Summary of Activities

The Communications Manager will oversee all IPSC communications, media and outreach activities, providing leadership in developing and managing the project’s public awareness and communications programs and overseeing the production of required products and materials. The Communications Manager will also be responsible for updating content on IPSC’s website and social media outlets.

Specific Tasks

The Communications Manager shall perform the following tasks:

• Implement IPSC’s communications strategy establishing content and quality standards for all project materials and outreach including identifying, preparing and disseminating core messages, results, and successes to target audiences.
• Work with IPSC management and pillar team members to develop communications initiatives that support implementing technical activities.
• Design, manage, and oversee implementation of communications campaigns to support IPSC’s objectives.
• Engage the media in the project’s activities to maximize coverage and communicate the project’s progress and results to various target audiences.
• Develop and update materials to promote IPSC activities for distribution across multiple platforms such as prints, electronic media, social media (including AED/MPI Portal and fanpage) by using press releases, press conferences, media interviews, site visits, success stories, beneficiary testimonials, professional photography and video.
• Support drafting Activity reports, including but not limited to weekly, quarterly, and annual reports, and other project deliverables.
• Monitor the impact of public awareness/communications activities.
• In consultation with USAID and IPSC staff, create project materials and templates as needed (project fact sheet, PowerPoint presentations, infographics, success stories, and brochures).
• Review and ensure compliance of all project materials with USAID branding/marketing guidelines.
• Train project staff in basic communications tools and skills, including effective presentations, building success story messages into everyday interactions, measuring and reporting on impact, capturing lessons learned and best practices.
• Write and distribute media advisories, press releases and other materials as requested by the media regarding IPSC activities and events.
• Manage electronic and hard copy archives of all project communications materials.
• Carry out additional tasks, as per the request of the Business Ecosystem Director within the scope and expertise.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of experience in communications and outreach, with a proven track record of successful packaging of communication materials to multiple audiences. Prior experience in the international development field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience with communication strategy development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proven ability to conduct audience research/segmentation, message development, and use of social and mass media to reach multiple audiences.
• Hands-on experience designing communication tools.
• Experience working in a team environment, possessing excellent people skills.
• Vietnamese nationality.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Vietnamese and proficiency in reporting and presenting.

Reporting Requirements

This position will report to the IPSC Chief of Party.

Place of Performance

Level of effort:               Full time

Expected start date:       August 2023

End date:                      December 2025

Location:                       Hanoi, Vietnam with travel to other provinces as required

Submission and Deadline:

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV with the Cover Letter in English to [email protected]. Please state “Application for Communications Manager – Full name” in the subject line.
• Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Deadline for applications is COB July 18, 2023, Hanoi time.

USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness Key Concepts and Definitions

• Small and Growing Business (SGB): An organization/economic unit of Vietnam, including enterprises, under the provisions of the Law on Enterprises, cooperatives operating under the provisions of the Law on Cooperatives, and business households registered in accordance with Vietnamese law, which employs no more than 500 full-time employees, has growth potential but lacks the resources of knowledge, finance, human resources, and technology to realize its goals and growth potential. 
• Pioneering SGBs or Pioneering Enterprises (PEs): A growing Vietnamese enterprise with Vietnamese-branded products, good competitiveness, the ability to lead and expand in the industry, sector, and locality, good management capacity and willingness to innovate and produce products with high added value, with the vision/objective to build a Vietnamese brand in the international market.
• Business Development Service Provider (BDSP): Agencies, organizations and enterprises in both the public and private sector with functions, duties/business lines providing non-financial services to support enterprises to improve operational efficiency and business development.
• Business Support Organization (BSO): An organization with the function and mission to connect and support business development, often including business associations/clubs, industries, etc.