External Relations (ER) Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

External Relations (ER) Manager

Organization Description:

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) is the principle voice of the European business community in Vietnam. EuroCham was established in 1998 and is a members-based, independent, not for profit organization of European related companies being engaged with Vietnam. With more than 1000 members, EuroCham is one of the most significant foreign chambers in Vietnam and one of the biggest European chambers worldwide.

EuroCham represents a wide range of sectors and sizes ranging from SMEs to MNCs with a very strong business network in both Vietnam and Europe. Acting as an intermediary between the business community and local, national, regional, as well as European authorities, EuroCham engages with improving the ease of doing business in Vietnam, increasing business between Vietnam and Europe and promoting European business interests in Vietnam for the benefit of its members.

MAIN DUTIES

Job Title: External Relations (ER) Manager

Reporting to: Executive Director

Direct supervising: No

Job Summary:

The External Relations Manager is responsible for enabling high-level access to Vietnamese governmental and institutional decision makers. Market access and investment conditions are to be advocated and facilitated in favour of EuroCham ?s stakeholders.

Location: Hanoi – Vietnam. Willingness to frequently travel within Vietnam, including an initial and later stay/s in Ho Chi Minh City, with regular travels to Ho Chi Minh – Vietnam

Type of Contract: 24 months fixed term contract upon successful completion of a 2 month probation period

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: EuroCham Board and Management, Advocacy Team, Sector Committees
• External: Vietnamese Government central and local officials, the European Delegation to Vietnam, media, etc.

Main Duties and Key Performance Indicators:

• The ER Manager assists the Executive Director in establishing and maintaining excellent contacts with the Vietnamese central and local governmental institutions/agencies, and with Vietnamese tradeorganizations and business associations (in particular: VCCI, MOIT, MOFA and HNPC).
• Commencing and continuing a stakeholder mapping, showing crucial contacts in the relevant institutions. Being a key point of contact with the EU-Delegation to Vietnam and the Vietnamese Government
• The ER Manager establishes, maintains and assists the Executive Director in all communications with the press (newspapers and magazines) and the media (in particular TV and websites), with the overall aim to promote EuroCham’s visibility and reputation. To this end, the ER Manager has to establish and update a database of press and media contacts at all times.
• The ER Manager is taking proactively care of all necessary arrangements of the EU-Vietnam Business Council (EVBC) and the EU-Vietnam Business Forum (VEUBF).
• The ER Manager has a special responsibility for supporting EuroCham’s projects with regards to contacting and securing sufficient Vietnamese Government and VCCI representation.
• The ER manager occasionally has to represent and promote EuroCham at official occasions such as meetings, receptions, networking-events and conferences in Hanoi and beyond as requested by the Executive Director.
• The ER manager has to be a team player, assisting colleagues in other tasks and assignments when required by the Executive Director.
• Addressing relevant topics related to market access in Vietnam’s context, including but not limited to:
  
  • Key market access issues as experienced by EU companies
  • Legal issues with impact on market access for EU companies
  • Key areas of interest of EU companies regarding trade and investment in Vietnam
  • Major obstacles as determined by market studies
• Organizing regular workshops and technical seminars for European and Vietnamese private sector audiences on economic outlooks, trade and investment to Vietnam and information on ASEAN for the objective of ensuring better market access for European companies
• Assisting with other activities concerning cooperation of EuroCham with other chambers and institutions in the ASEAN region.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Training Background:

• Bachelor degree or higher in Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Trade and Investment or a related field is required.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in field of Government Affairs, Public Affairs;
• High level of experience in working with Government bodies at both national and local level as well as experience with advocacy;
• Broad understanding of functions and structure of the Vietnamese Government at both national and local level;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the business and investment environment in Vietnam;
• Experience in working in a multicultural team.

Management Experience:

• A track record of successfully leading and coordinating cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrated excellent communication and diplomatic skills, advanced networking and partnership building techniques;
• Advanced presentation skills at senior level industries and/or government platform;
• Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and also independently;
• High standards of integrity, professionalism and personal discipline;
• Ability to produce position papers or other required documents in English.

Languages: Fluent written and spoken Vietnamese and English.

Software and Package Skills:

• Good computer skills with Microsoft Office Tools, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required.

What We Offer:

• Strong network development in several industries in Vietnam with authorities, Embassies and the EU.
• Great insight into the trade and investment issues in Vietnam;
• Competitive compensation package;
• A cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary professional working environment.