Linkage Manager/Advisor – South

Title: Linkage Manager/Advisor – South

Program: USAID Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) Project

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The USAID LinkSME project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), supports the Government of Vietnam (GVN) in its efforts to develop, adopt, and implement policy and regulatory reforms to provide a more favorable environment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It also supports private sector development, cooperating with business support organizations (BSOs) and the GVN to improve the performance of SMEs and integrate them into lead-firm supply chains. The project is implemented by the International Executive Service Corps (www.iesc.org), under a contract with USAID and an operating license issued by the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee. Click here for more information.

Since its inception, the project has been facilitating the creation and development of relationships between larger manufacturers/distributors and domestic SMEs that could potentially supply to them. The goal is to have these larger manufacturers and distributors (referred to as lead firms) establish and deepen supply ties with the domestic economy. A key performance indicator for the project is the number and value of transactions that it facilitates between lead firms and SMEs.

To facilitate these transactions, the project needs to identify, and enter into relationships with, lead firms that are strongly interested in expanding local sources of supply from Vietnamese SMEs. Once a relationship has been established between the lead firm and the LinkSME project (usually through a memorandum of understanding), the project will work closely with the lead firm to understand its sourcing needs and to identify SMEs that meet, or could potentially meet, these needs.

The project identifies potential SME suppliers through its existing network of companies it has pre-evaluated and its relationships with various trade associations and BSOs that maintain databases on members/beneficiaries. Often, identified SMEs have potential but are not necessarily ready to enter into a supplier relationship with a particular lead firm. In such cases the project often works several months with SMEs to the point where they can meet the specifications and other requirements identified by the lead firm. An increasing amount of this support to SMEs is offered in partnership with various trade associations and other BSOs.

So far, the project’s most active lead firm partners are operating primarily in the metal sector. However, over the past year the project has significantly expanded efforts to establish relationships with lead firms in the electronics, textile/garment, agro-processing, wood products, and plastic product sectors.

The project seeks a Linkage Manager/Advisor (LIMA) to coordinate and support LinkSME in this effort in the southern part of the country. The LIMA will work out of the project’s office in Ho Chi Minh City but will be expected to travel as required to perform the duties and meet the responsibilities as described below.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engaging Lead Firms:

• Identify, reach out to, and establish relationships with lead firms that are willing to partner with LinkSME in the various sectors mentioned above.
• Manage relationships with lead firm partners, e.g., tracking and facilitating their progress with establishing potential linkages and tracking the results of linkages that occur.
• Facilitate budding relationships between lead firms and their potential partners, identifying issues and offering solutions as to quality, pricing, logistics, etc.

Supporting SMEs

• Identify and evaluate, in coordination with BSOs, potential SME suppliers based on different sourcing requests from lead firms.
• Introduce SMEs to lead firms for subsequent steps (e.g., visits, submission of bids, negotiations).
• Facilitate audits of SMEs when necessary to determine the technical assistance necessary to meet lead firm requirements.
• Facilitate and manage technical assistance to SMEs, where applicable in cooperation with BSOs in the project's network, by preparing the terms of reference and recruiting industrial/management consultants, monitoring their activities, and reviewing their deliverables.

Supporting Events

• Identify, in coordination with BSOs, opportunities for LinkSME to organize or support matchmaking events for SMEs and lead firms.
• Coordinate with event-organization firms to facilitate participation of selected SMEs, and applicable business associations.
• Facilitate and coordinate, where applicable in cooperation with BSOs, pre-event activities such as recruiting participants, addressing logistics, or preparing promotional/information materials.
• Participate in matchmaking events to facilitate the effective participation of all participants (lead firms and SMEs) and ensure a high-quality event.
• Ensure post-event support by preparing event reports and following up with both participating lead firms and SMEs to encourage potential linkages.

Contributing to Project Management

• Offering inputs/suggestions on the project planning documents and project activity budget.
• Regularly providing quantitative data and other information in support of project tracking and reporting efforts.
• Contributing to weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, or ad hoc reports for USAID and government counterparts
• Sharing achievements and lessons learned on linkages with team/stakeholders

In addition to the above the LIMA may be required to perform other tasks in furtherance of project directives reasonably related to integration of SMEs into global supply chains.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Vietnamese national or foreigner with the right to work in Vietnam;
• Fluency in written and spoken English required with a working knowledge of Vietnamese desired;
• University degree in Engineering, Business Management or related field required, with an advanced degree desired;
• Experience in supply chain management, supplier development, commercial contracting, sales, or business development;
• Familiarity with the foreign firms’ operations, sourcing requirements and procurement process and skills in commercial contracting, negotiations, and sales;
• Ability to understand and engage with lead firms on the technical aspects of their sourcing requirements;
• Knowledge or familiarity with sectors into which the project is expanding operations, such as agro-processing, furniture, plastics, and garment/textiles;
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and organizational skills; and
• Maturity, professionalism, positive attitude, and self-motivation.

Please note that CVs and cover letters should be submitted in English. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Early applications by March 20, 2022 are strongly encouraged.

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