Liaison Manager

ABOUT THE CHARITY

Care for Children's vision is to see ‘a world of children in families’.

We develop strategic partnerships with governments to help create a positive alternative to institutional care through local family-based care. Care for Children has been operating since 1998, helping a generation of orphaned and abandoned children to be placed into good, local families. Care for Children currently works in China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Care for Children is recruiting a highly qualified Government Liaison Manager who will play a key role in supporting our efforts in Vietnam through close communication and coordination with the Vietnamese government at all levels involved with child welfare as well as  other related stakeholders. They will work closely with the country manager establishing a sound and steady platform for promotion and smooth implementation of the family placement project in Vietnam through high quality information exchange, coordination, multi-stakeholder engagement, facilitating effective INGO representation, collective engagement, and advocacy. Additionally, they will contribute to operational planning and implementation of the family placement project, as outlined in the project agreement between Care for Children and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the operational structure and functions of each level of government within Vietnam.
• Build on the established positive working relationship between ‘Care for Children’ and the Government as well as any related bodies, typically with the goal of working through any potential challenges or concerns.
• Act as focal point for information/experience in connecting partnerships within the government at all levels.
• Identify any obstacles relating to communication between government at all levels and Care for Children
• Construct a communication schedule and compile reports on events or updates of the project to learn and improve future processes.
• Help to stabilize the implementation of family placement project through engaging the government at all levels in constructive ways
• Coordinate with relevant government sectors in relation to organising training workshops, events, coaching sessions and project field visits.
• Read, synthesise, and analyse government policy, particularly any upcoming updates.
• Contribute to operational planning and implementation of the Family Placement Project.
• Provide coaching and support to Care for Children colleagues in relation to enhancing knowledge and skills for working in partnership with government
• Be flexible and ready to do jobs that are outside of this job description.

REQUIREMENTS

• Vietnamese national, fluent in both Vietnamese and English, with strong interpersonal communication, and negotiation skills.
• Proven in-country experience liaising with the Vietnamese government and a strong track record in advocacy at government level. Experience of working with government sectors involved with child welfare will be desirable.
• A degree in a relevant field, or over 3 years’ INGO experience in working with government projects at grassroots level.
• Demonstrated representation and coordination experience.
• Significant experience in reviewing government policy and key messaging documents relating to child safeguarding and welfare promotion.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Be flexible to travel at short notice.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to take complex information and adapt and apply to different audiences.
• A good level of IT skills and working knowledge of Microsoft packages in the workplace (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• A team player, who is comfortable and competent to work with various staff members in Vietnam.
• A passion to positively transform child welfare systems to see orphaned and abandoned children given a home and a family.

Personal note from Executive Director:

“You will be joining Care for Children’s team at a very exciting time as we lay the foundations for projects that seek to positively and permanently change child welfare systems in China & South-East Asia in favour of family-based care in the community for disadvantaged children. Change is often challenging, but our pioneering projects have a big vision, and will require both passion and perseverance from everyone in the team, but the results will ensure that thousands of the most vulnerable children in these countries will have the opportunity to grow up in a secure and loving family environment.”

Dr. Robert Glover
Founder & Executive Director

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume in English outlining your relevant experience and qualificationto Mr Clayton Green – Country Manager. Email clayton@careforchildren.com

Application deadline: 10th December 2021