Program Officer Organisational and Business Capacity Development

MCNV is an international NGO that provides support for health and development in Vietnam since 1968. It aims to tackle marginalisation and poverty within Vietnam and the wider South East Asian region.All programmes work towards social and economic inclusion for disadvantaged groups and use participatory approaches.MCNV has an international office in Amsterdam and employs approximately thirty staff in Vietnam. It has a representative office in Hanoi and two project offices in Quang Tri and KhanhHoa provinces.

MCNV starts a new program to improve the livelihood of low-income people in the coastal areas and islands through modernizing the seaweed aquaculture value chain in close cooperation with an ambitious Vietnamese seaweed company. The role of MCNV is to provide access to finance, build organisational capacity and entrepreneurial skills among seaweed producers to optimally benefit from an improved seaweed aquaculture value chain. To strengthen our team we are looking for a full-time (Senior) Program Officer with much experience and capacity inorganisational and entrepreneurialcapacity building among smallholder producers.

Job Duties:

- Implement the strategies and operational plans for the program, monitor progress and adjust operational plans in close cooperation with other team members and staff of the Seaweed company as well as with the Microfinance staff of MCNV/INFI.Manage the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation processes to ensure that the program’s objectives and Milestones agreed with the donor are measured and achieved.
- Develop innovative methods foroutreach to low-income community members and to disseminate information about the seaweed growing livelihood. Help develop tools for the identification and selection of new Outgrowers from among low income families and evaluate the effectiveness of these tools.Together with the seaweed company staff ensure that the right beneficiaries are targeted, found and contracted.
- Help to design curricula and implement trainings of seaweed “Outgrowers” in entrepreneurial skills, market processes and awareness.
- Together with team members organize meetings in the communities, determine the preferred organization form among groups of seaweed farmers, identify a core group and facilitate them to develop the outlines of the organization (vision, mission, regulations). Help establish the organization and facilitate and coach its organizational development; facilitate its leaders and members in how to work with the seaweed company and organize advocacy and lobby events.
- Conceive and implement actions/campaigns to promote regulatory improvements and environmental awareness amongst coastal communities and local authorities; facilitate discussions, seminars and workshops.
- Work closely with the Program Officer forMicrofinance Development to implement the Finance scheme and help design the financial and entrepreneurial capacity building of smallholders (Outcome 3).
- Encourage and study the development of this and other pro-poor value chains, derive lessons learned, good practices and advise the Program Director and Program Management Board to adjust program operation or strategies whenever needed to better reach the Program’s objectives.Prepare presentations and articles for popular and scientific media.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
•    An academic and international level of thinking in development economics, sociology and(small-scale) business development.
•    At least 5 years experience in business / value chain development among low-income populations and/orprivate-public partnerships and/or social enterprises.
•    A participatory attitude and experience in using participatory capacity building tools and techniques,
•    Good understanding and practical experience with project management from design through implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
•    Able to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.  
•    Proficiency in ICT, in particular MS-Office and social media.
•    Excellent communication skills, fluency in Vietnamese and a good level in written and spoken English.
•    Willingness to spend much time in the field and deepen her/his understanding of fundamental development issues at the grass-roots level.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
•    Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and Monitoring & Evaluation.
•    Experience with institutional fundraising.
•    Experience/ interested in working in an INGO environment.
•    Experienceor acquaintance with coastal fishing communities and insight in the social and environmental development needs in this area.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
This position is initially offered for one year, with the intention and possibility of extension. MCNV is providing an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package at a leveldepending on educational background and relevant skills and experience.

The position is located in Nha Trang, KhanhHoa province, Vietnam.

HOW TO APPLY
Please send by email a letter explaining why you feel attracted and would have the capacity to fulfil this position, together with a CV,to: [email protected] before 24 June 2013. Applications received after this time may not be considered.Please ensure that your CV includes two references to persons who know you well about your experience and (recent) work.

Unfortunately MCNV is only able to contact short-listed candidates; if you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date please assume that you have not been successful.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
MCNV is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all employees and job applicants. All employees, potential employees and other individuals will receive equal treatment (including access to employment, training and opportunities for promotion) regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity.