Program Officer For Programs Promoting Disability in Viet Nam

Introduction:

Viet-Nam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) (www.vnah-hev.org) is an international NGO based in  Virginia, USA that provide humanitarian and development assistance programs in Viet Nam since 1990. On-going projects include technical assistance to local partners in development and implementation of policies and programs related people with disabilities and domestic non-profit organizations.  We also provide vocational training and employment assistance; rehabilitation services; delivery of assistive devices for people with disabilities as well as small rural development projects and disaster relief assistance.

In the disability sector, VNAH played an instrumental role in assisting governmental and non-governmental partners to develop and implement important disability related policies and programs, including the Ordnance on Disabled Persons (1998), the establishment of the National Coordinating Council on Disability-NCCD (2000), Code and Standards on Accessible Construction (2002), the amended Decree on employment for the disabled people (2004),  the Accessible Vehicle Standards and Regulations for Public Transportation (2006), the national 5 year Disability Action Program (2006), the enactment of the National Law on Disability(2010), and the establishment of the Vietnam Federation on Disability(VFD) (2011).

VNAH is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and the Hanoi Employment Introduction Center (HEIC), to implement efforts toward more inclusive employment and socialization opportunities for persons with disabilities. In these partnerships, VNAH is assisting government partners to develop new policies/programs, including the implementation of the Disability Law, ratification of UN Convention on Disability Rights, a second national action plan to support persons with disabilities, and promoting mainstream employment for people with disabilities in Viet Nam.In addition, VNAH is working with its partners to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in social economic development activities, and support the growing of disabled people organizations. 

Key responsibilities of the Program Officer:

The Program Officer (PO) shall assist in the day-to-day management, implementation and successful completion of the projects/programs as stipulated in the project documents and as directed by the Project Unit supervisor and/or Country Director.  The PO shall be primarily involved in project activities regarding Disability law, Implementation Decree of the Disability Law, ICT, Labor Code, vocational rehabilitation, and inclusive employment.  He/she will work with and support his/her unit to complete the objectives of the above activities.  He/she will also provide supports to the Project Units for completing other objectives of the current programs/projects in the disability area.  

He/She shall also assist in other VNAH projects/programs as requested. He/She shall participate/assist in communications with Project partners, NGOs, financial management of assigned project, and report writing. The PO will be located in VNAH’s Hanoi office and work under the direct supervision of the Project Unit supervisor (most of the time) and the CD (when needed). 

Specific responsibilities and duties of the PO in Vocational Rehabilitation are:

- Assist the project teams in preparation, implementation and monitoring of vr work-plan, budget plan and budget expenditures (Including monthly and/or long-term/overall work-plan) in relation with assigned activities in vocational rehabilitation demonstration at Hanoi Employment Introduction Center (HEIC), development of cooperative plans with major partners of Hanoi Medical University(HMU), HEIC, and Department of Employment (DE) of MOLISA.
- Perform assigned actions to meet project objectives, indicators and deadlines, including writing TORs for consultants, Scope of Work, necessary contracts with consultants, and detailed work schedules; especially with regard to development of Guidelines in Vocational Rehabilitation, and the development of vr curriculum for HMU and other designated medical universities.
- Advise and report to the Unit supervisor and CD on project progress and problem areas.
- Develop and maintain good and effective contact/communication with staff of Project partners and other stakeholders, including Government, local and international NGO, groups/organizations of people with disabilities (PWD). The PO is not allowed to initiate direct negotiation and communication with donor and senior officials of government partners without advance approval from VNAH senior staff; 
- Arrange, coordinate and participate in Project meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, trainings, site visits, and other activities/events; and assist in agenda and content development to ensure consistency with project/program objectives, and assist in developing invitees to these events to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities and project stakeholders.
- Facilitate meetings with drafting teams, consultants, and other stakeholders when needed.
- Undertake and assist in translation and interpretation as requested.
- Undertake and assist other project/program officers and VNAH staff in the collection, maintenance and filing of all Project as well as field related information, documents, reports, etc. in all formats – print, electronic, video, audio, etc.;
- Undertake and/or assist in preparing articles, news releases, routine correspondence and reports (monthly, quarterly, ad hoc);
- Assist other staff responsible for other VNAH projects in all aspects of project implementation as requested by senior management;  
- Assist senior staff in fundraising and/or expanding/developing new programs.
- Keep current on Government of Viet Nam, donors and NGO policies, programs and plans related to disabilities and civil society (including doing research, study, analysis etc).
- Undertake other duties as assigned by responsible staff, including the Unit supervisor, Country Director, President and/or their designees.

All additional terms and responsibilities of this Program Officer position are as stipulated in VNAH’s Policies and Procedures to which both VNAH and the PO are bound.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's Degree or higher level of education 
- Experienced in project development and management
- Experienced in working with vulnerable populations including persons with disabilities.
- Proven leadership, managerial and administrative skills
- Fluent in spoken and written English; excellent communication and writing skills
- Competent in spoken Vietnamese; familiar with Vietnam’s disability situations, 
- Excellent IT skills; excel and word.
- Work collaboratively with international and national colleagues.

Apply instructions:

Send electronic versions of cover letters and latest CV to [email protected] and [email protected] before Feb 1st, 2013.  Please visit www.vnah-hev.org for more information.The shortlisted will be contacted.