Business Development Specialist

Background
The Vietnam Environmental Administration, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) will start implementation of a ADB loaned project entitled “Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors – Viet Nam component” over a period of 8 years, 2011-2019. The objective of the project is to achieve climate resilient sustainable forest ecosystems in the Central Annamites benefiting local livelihoods and downstream users while the intended outcome is sustainably managed biodiversity corridors in Quang Nam, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue. The Project consists of four outputs: (1) Institutional and Community Strengthening; (2) Biodiversity Corridor Restoration and Protection; (3) Livelihoods Improvement and Small-Scale Infrastructure Support; and (4) Project Management and Support Services.

Business Development Specialist (short-term – 9pm)
Under the Project Director/Deputy Director/Coordinator, the business development specialist will provide assistance to local producers/beneficiaries to:

1. Identify local products and review community level commodity production plans and priorities for non-timber forest products (NTFPs) planting and other livelihood options;
2. Review  value  chains  and  market  linkages  of  various  products  that  are  locally produced or have potential for production;
3. Establish contact between major commodity buyers and community/producer group representatives to explore market opportunities;
4. Identify  opportunities  for  improving  value  addition  and  village/commune-based processing of primary products to gain a better market value for primary producers;
5. Support the Provincial and District level project offices in identifying appropriate producer groups, processor groups, farmer group enterprises, that have potential in the longer term of formalized collaborative structures with commercial registration;
6. Actively explore establishment of market opportunities between primary producers/groups and end processors to improve farm gate value of products and materials sold by beneficiaries to end processors (NTFPs, agro processed products, wood products);
7. Assist in the identification of more post-harvest processing technologies appropriate to specific products;
8. Collaborate with private sector organizations and the market research institutes in identifying and documenting: (a) successful models of public-private partnerships b) village level production / processing / marketing groups, and (c) other potential areas of interest for improving livelihoods and adding value to primary products from the biodiversity corridor areas.

Qualifications
1. Master ‘s Degree and having more than 5 years of professional experience in Business Development or other relevant areas;
2. In-depth knowledge and understanding of Business Development in Quang Nam, Quang Tri va Thua Thien Hue;
3. Excellent research and writing skills;
4. Good interpersonal and communication skills;
5. Good English command;
6. Ability to manage priorities and workload within general schedule of work, instructions and standardized practices;
7. Ability to work with minimum supervision, and maintain composure under pressure.

Reporting:
The National Consultants will report on a monthly basis to the National Project Director/Deputy Director and documentation in Vietnamese and English language.

Those who are interested in the above position should submit their detailed Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter in English and Vietnamese before the 28nd of March 2012 to following the address and/or the email:
Centre Project Management Unit
Room 302, N5 Building, 99 Le Duan, Hanoi
Email: [email protected]

Note: Applications will not be returned for non-selected candidates