Project Coordinator

Position: VCIC Project Coordinator
Working duration: 12 months (Full time), renewable based on performance
Beginning time: August 2016 (or as soon as possible)
Business places: Hanoi (travel to other provinces as required)

Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) with the support of the World Bank, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has launched the Vietnam Climate Innovation Center Project (VCIC). The team is looking to recruit an experienced and dynamic Project Coordinator to support daily management of VCIC operations and become part of the international project.

Project background

The VCIC will support Vietnam’s economic development, job creation and industrial competitiveness through support to clean technology businesses and industries. Through provision of financing and non-financial services, the VCIC will support local entrepreneurs that develop innovative technologies and business models in a range of climate technology-related areas. The VCIC will also provide a platform to create national and international business-to-business linkages, enhance knowledge sharing and facilitate trade. The VCIC will become the focal point of innovative commercial development of profitable climate-related business in Vietnam and potentially South East Asia. As a member of Climate Innovation Center Network, the VCIC will leverage existing practices and experience to support clean technology ventures and industries (see more information on the infoDev Climate Technology Program at http://www.infodev.org/climate).

The project activities consist of three components:

• Component I. Establishment, operation of VCIC and policy feedback: administrative activities in establishing VCIC; supporting policy improvement and public-private partnership in the climate change innovation field; and establishing a fund for technology incubation and commercialization of technology in responding to climate change.
• Component II. Business incubation/climate innovation technology services, including sponsor for companies: support to clean tech start-up ideation (idea incubation and competition); business incubation services including training, mentorship, connectivity and boosting investment; and supporting commercialization. Additionally, it involves sponsoring select entrepreneurs and their ideas through grant competitions.
• Component III. E-portal, database and services to support business: creation of the VCIC e-portal; setting up database on technology, market opportunities, enterprises, climate change – related experts; and dissemination, exploration and efficient use of the database.

VCIC will operate under Vietnam Government’s regulations on management and use of ODA (Decree No. 16/2016/N?-CP and other related documents). The project governing body is the Ministry of Science and Technology. The project management unit is the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NATEC). Main related parties include: Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Planning and Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Finance.

Services to be provided by the VCIC

• Entrepreneurship and Venture Acceleration, including advisory services; mentoring and business training; access to start-up facilities; and a women’s entrepreneurship program.
• Access to Finance, including proposal evaluation; proof of concept grants; access to seed funding; and access to commercial investors and banks.
• Market Growth and Access through the production of market studies and reports on climate technology markets and trends and facilitation of national and international linkages.
• Technology and Product Development, principally by facilitating access to technical services, design, prototyping and testing and a network of national and international experts.
• Policy & Regulatory Support, through research and policy advocacy.

Job Description

Project Coordinator will support Project Director in daily project management and work closely with CEO to ensure project implementation quality and compliance according to Vietnam Government and Donors regulations in project management.

Responsibilities

• Support daily project management and ensure compliance in the project;
• Develop, monitor and update project implementation plan as well as financial plan in partnership with CEO;
• Coordinate the Steering Committee meetings, including with donors and other partners;
• Advise Project Director on project progress and activities;
• Closely work with CEO to supervise consultants or contractors to ensure progress as well as quality of consulting products/services;
• Prepare and submit progress reports to Project Director directly;
• Closely work with CEO to coordinate staffs and group of experts to plan and arrange courses, training programs, seminars, national and overseas study tours;
• Collect data, information inputs for mid-term and final evaluation reports and be responsible for M&E tasks to report to PMU and the World Bank;
• Supervise and evaluate project activities, including entrepreneurs supported by project;
• Fulfill other tasks assigned by Project Director.

Requirements

• A Master degree with at least 5 years experience in science and technology, science and technology management, economics, business administration/management or related courses;
• Good understanding and experience in working with Viet Nam Government and foreign donors in Vietnamese innovation system;
• Experience and good knowledge of entrepreneur incubation and WB project is an advantage;
• Experience in working as a manager, coordinator; in writing project reports and science and evaluation documents (prefer a candidate having experience in working as a coordinator in science & technology, innovation projects);
• Ability to improve project progress, which involves organizing, mobilizing and impacting to project partners and associations;
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation;
• Excellent communication and coordination skills;
• Ability and willingness to work under tight deadlines and on urgent tasks;
• The job may require on-site visits to VCIC clients located across Vietnam;
• International and domestic travel may occur from time to time, including to interact with the global network of CICs;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English;

Application Process

Qualified candidates should submit their Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to: [email protected] no later than 17.00 Hanoi time on 28th July 2016. Please reference “Project coordinator – (full name)” in the subject line. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews.