National Deputy Project Manager (Nature-based Solutions for Adaptation in Agriculture)

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people world-wide, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

Our core values people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

Overview of project

Viet Nam Nature-based Solutions for Adaptation in Agriculture through Private Sector Transformation (VN-ADAPT) is a 5-year, €15m national programme in Viet Nam to be implemented from 2025 to 2028. The programme is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). SNV Viet Nam is the prime recipient of the funding and leads the preparation and implementation of the programme in consortium with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM). The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) is the national partner for the project. Final approval by MoAE to implement the project is expected in May 2025. Upon MoAE approval, the consortium will work with the related ministries and provinces on full implementation of activities on the ground.

The project’s focus rests on two key climate vulnerable landscapes – the Mekong Delta and Central Highland regions. Here, VN-ADAPT aims to improve institutional capacity and strengthen partnerships to channel private innovations and investment towards accelerated adoption of nature-based solutions in the agriculture sector. This shall be realised through four inter-related work packages, namely: i) Building multi-stakeholder consensus for Nature-based solutions for adaptation in Agriculture (NbSA); ii) Strengthening the enabling legal and policy framework for NbSA and the conservation of biodiversity in production landscapes (including the development of legal guidance for the establishment and implementation of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs); iii) Mobilising public and private innovation and investment in NbSA; iv) Communications, knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation.

The Deputy Project Manager (DPM) will work in support to and under the management of the appointed Project Manager (PM) to ensure quality control and thus timeliness of technical deliverables. He/she will take on responsibilities as a senior manager of VN-ADAPT. These duties include but are not limited to: leading the development, review and update of implementation plans; planning and delivering field operations and implementation; support the management of financial resources; support procurement planning; initiating and supervising monitoring and evaluation processes; coordination with project implementing partners on the timely delivery. Thus, he/she will be the line-manager of technical project staff and consultants. .

Liaison with political partners at central and regional/sub-regional levels will play an important part in the assignment.

Further, as the project deals with adaptive measures in agriculture, taking the technical lead in issues related to Nature based Solutions in close cooperation with the consortium partners.

She/he will support PM and SNV to ensure full compliance with the contractual obligations and specific donor regulations as well as obtaining compliance with specific national regulations. The incumbent will lead the programme reporting process to the donor.

In an advisory role to the PM, the DPM will support performance assessment of SNV project staff working on VN-ADAPT (including staff based out of regional offices in Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Highlands). In addition to performing as a project manager, the DPM is expected to provide support to the PM on identifying national technical expertise and liaising closely with local stakeholders and partners.

The DPM’s duty station is either Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall support to the Project Manager, coordination and detailed work planning
• Operational management of the budget and tasks
• Technical leadership and support to SNV project staff in ensuring delivery of SNV work package components
• Political partner liaison and project governance framework development/ institutional arrangements
• Consortium liaison and technical exchange on delivery of workpackages and related activities
• Support the establishment of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), lead in the secretarial function of SNV to PSC
• Take the lead in working with provincial and district authorities on technical and operational matters;
• Build, strengthen and manage partnerships with governments, key partners, institutions and stakeholders
• Support the coordinated management of sub-contractors and coordinate project consortium partners
• Lead in and organise in regular technical / administrative meetings sub-contractors and coordinate project consortium partners delivery
• Support the PM in ensuring complementarity and coordination of project activities between consortium partners, in line with the project Theory of Change
• Ensure the proper utilisation of financial resources of the project, including the matching grant facility;
• Monitor the project performance against set indicators and milestones, advise the PM on real and potential deviation from the work plans
• Implement and further develop mitigation plans to reduce risks and advise the PM on suitable corrective actions
• Initiate suitable knowledge management processes, advise on products
• Contribute and compile technical and financial reports to SNV and the donor on project performance;
• Participate in and contribute to relevant conferences, forums and events at national or provincial level in support of NbS practices
• Chair the Climate Change Working Group during SNV’s chairmanship tenure.
• Other tasks as assigned by the PM and or Sector Leader

• A Master’s degree in business, agriculture, forestry, economics, international development, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in the same fields accompanied by extensive and proven practical work experience
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible works in managing international donor-funded projects
• Proven ability to work independently; effectively manage time, competing priorities, and complex tasks; and identify opportunities and challenges and propose appropriate responses or solutions
• Solid and demonstrated experience in project management and demonstrated ability to manage complex institutional coordination arrangements and multiple political and consortium partners
• A clear understanding of current GoV priorities in the agriculture and forestry sectors, including transformational processes, e.g. Green Economy
• Proven experience in implementing multi-faceted projects in sectors, e.g. Climate-Smart Agriculture, Agri-Business
• Background in/ understanding of agribusiness/private sector engagement in key agricultural sectors (among others coffee, rice, tree-crops, shrimps), value chain development and climate smart agriculture/climate change adaptation
• Background / exposure to Nature-based solutions in Agriculture
• Highly-motivated self-starter with strong technical and organizational skills who takes individual accountability seriously; Fluency in both written and spoken English (C 1 level) as well as in Vietnamese
• Willingness to travel to all project locations

Preferred requirements:

• Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with the private sector, civil society and governments
• Experience in value chain development and innovative financing models
• Strong strategic decision-making and excellent communication (written and oral) including reporting and presentation skills
• Good understanding and practical experiences in engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, e.g., government authorities, international donors, private sector in agribusiness, national research institutions
• Working experience within a GoV setting (e.g. MoAE, provincial operations) and an understanding of Decree 114 would be advantageous
• Exposure to Nature-based solutions for adaptation in Agriculture (NbSA) would be advantageous

Contract Type: Employment contract 

Contract Duration: 12 months, full-time, with possibility of extension

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Duty Station: Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City

Travel: up to 40%

Report: Project Manager VN ADAPT

How to apply?

If you believe that your credentials match the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation in English no later than 2 May 2025.

Applicants will be requested to provide us with the contact details of three people who are willing to act as a reference. We will only contact these references after your explicit permission.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place.

SNV reserves the right to close the recruitment process before the stated deadline if a qualified candidate is identified.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV:

Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org/careers.

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the base of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

At SNV we prioritise safety and security for all employees. We conduct thorough background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct“. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.