Vietnam Business Partnership Platform (BPP) Program Advisor

Mekong Economics (MKE) is a leading economic development consulting company in the Greater Mekong sub-region (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia). MKE specialises in providing overseas development aid consulting services to international development agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs). Key multilateral clients include the World Bank (WB), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). MKE also works closely with other bilateral donors such as the Governments of Canada, German, Sweden, Denmark and Finland as well as with International NGOs in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and East Timor. For further information, please visit our website at www.mekongeconomics.com.

MKE is preparing a proposal for the project “Vietnam Business Partnership Platform”. The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) is implemented by Palladium and funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It supports partnerships between the Australian Government and inclusive businesses to create both development impacts and sustainable commercial returns through their core business operations. There is currently a portfolio of 13 active BPP partnerships in Vietnam supporting partnership rounds focused on Green Recovery, Carbon Markets and Climate Adaptation in the Mekong Delta. Further information about the BPP can be found at thebpp.com.au.

MKE is looking for a Vietnamese expert to fill the position of Vietnam BPP Program Advisor in our proposal. If we are awarded the project, the Vietnam BPP Program Advisor will be based at the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City and provide the following range of services:

DFAT Focal Point

• Act as a point of contact for BPP activities in Vietnam on behalf of DFAT.
• Represent DFAT as needed at meetings/events with partners.
• Facilitate access to technical support from DFAT and its network based on partner requests.
• Update the Embassy/Consulate-General teams on progress of partnerships.
• Participate in monitoring and support visits to partners.
• Identify opportunities to link and expand BPP initiatives.
• Prepare briefings and draft letters and other communications.

Coordination and Support

• Support the Australia-based BPP Relationship Managers to work with partners throughout the project management cycle, including:

1. Following up with partners on reports and other deliverables.
2. Reviewing and providing comments on progress reports.
3. Liaising with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) advisors as needed.
4. Identifying additional support needed by partners.

• Support the advertising and contracting of additional local technical support.
• Arrange visits and workshops for DFAT, BPP team members and other stakeholders as required, including providing translation and interpretation support as needed.
• Input into BPP and DFAT public diplomacy and communication activities.
• Support DFAT’s broader activities in the BPP focus areas (agriculture/forestry, renewable energy) as needed.

Qualifications:

• Experience in providing project management, administration, finance, and logistics support.
• Understanding of at least two of the key BPP focus areas in Vietnam (agriculture/forestry, carbon markets, climate change mitigation/adaptation and renewable energy) is desirable.
• Strong presentation and communication skills in both Vietnamese and English.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Relevant academic qualifications and work experience, preferably in private sector development/agribusiness.
• Experience in working with grant management and international organisations/donors is a plus.

Working duration:

If MKE is awarded this project, the Vietnam BPP program advisor will work on a 12-month contract starting from May 2024, with potential to extend.

Please send your CV with details of your qualifications and relevant experience to Ms. Lien Tran [email protected] before 7 April, 2024.