Communication Expert

Vietnam Digital Trade

SCOPE OF WORK

Communication Expert

Position: STTA Communication expert

Reports to: USAID Vietnam Digital Trade Activity Director

Location: USAID VDT Office in Hanoi

Eligibility: Vietnamese Nationals

LOE: (STTA part time): 40 days

Period of Performance: November 2023- April 2025

International Development Group LLC is an international development consulting firm that assists donors, governments, and the private sector to create and take advantage of opportunities for sustainable, broad-based economic development and poverty reduction. IDG provides entrepreneurs and policymakers with the practical tools needed to achieve real and measurable impact for their communities and countries. IDG assistance programs aim to build the capacity, skills, and knowledge of local individuals and institutions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, fostering synergies between local knowledge and international experience. 

Position Description

IDG is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Communication expert on USAID Vietnam Digital Trade (VDT) activity. USAID VDT activity supports the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s (MOIT) implementation of frameworks that facilitate digital trade, with an emphasis on supporting MOIT in holding public-private dialogues to ensure implementation is done in consultation with the private sector. Regulations that are responsive to private sector needs remove bottlenecks in trade faced by enterprises and increase regulatory transparency, helping to shape an e-commerce sector where enterprises of all sizes can benefit. The activity encourages the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in digital trade by introducing new business models and other best practices, such as traceability of goods, as well as facilitating cross-border connections between enterprises via MOIT’s digital trade promotion platform.

The Communications Expert, a part-time role within the activity, serves as a link between key stakeholders and the activity team. The main responsibilities of the Communications expert encompass designing and executing communication strategies focusing on local stakeholders, monitoring local media coverage, drafting press releases in Vietnamese language, and crafting other relevant content for various channels. The Communications Expert is responsible for gathering information from the activity team useful as input for weekly reports.

Key Tasks/Responsibilities/Deliverables:

The Communication expert will be responsible in supporting the VDT team for the following:

• Work closely with the VDT team (Activity Director and Senior Legal and Regulatory Expert) to serve as the primary liaison with local stakeholder groups.
• Provide input in designing and implementation of major communications action plans, specific outreach campaigns, production and content updating of major Program communications channels and materials (printed and online).
• Monitor local media coverage and provide summaries on main messages covered by the media.
• Draft press-releases in Vietnamese, and compile and update media kit.
• Draft and design texts, graphics, and visuals for Program communications in Vietnamese language. 
• Ensure photo coverage, audio, and video recording of major Program events (when appropriate).
• Contribute to Annual Work Plans with a focus on crafting messages for the public sector and private sector.
• Develop a simplified strategic communication strategy targeting relevant stakeholders of the activity. The communication plan will promote information for furthering the engagement of the private sector with digital trade.
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the VDT Director

Qualifications

The Communications expert should have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably in social sciences, communications/marketing, international relations, international development, or related fields)
• Five (5) years of work experience in communication activities in the context of a USAID-funded activity.
• Clear communications and management skills.
• Familiarity with strategic communications principles.
• Ability to explain technical ideas and language to a non-technical audience.
• Experience in copyediting and formatting of a variety of time-sensitive materials.
• Strong English and Vietnamese written, oral, and presentation skills

A writing sample in English is required as part of the application.

Reporting:

The Communication expert will report to the VDT Director.

How to apply:

Applications should be sent to [email protected] before December 15, 2023.