Private Sector Coordinator

USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Position:                               Private Sector Coordinator in Ho Chi Minh City       

Base of Operation:               Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam

Period of Performance:        July 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023

Project Background:

The USAID Trade Facilitation Program (“The Program”) is a five-year project that aims to support Vietnam to adopt and implement a risk management approach to the clearance of goods at Vietnam’s borders which will facilitate the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The Program will work with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to strengthen Vietnam’s National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and Working Groups; streamline border clearance procedures (including specialized inspection implemented by other line ministries and agencies); harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between the national and provincial levels; train national and provincial customs officers and staff from other ministries on risk management; and facilitate dialogue between customs and business and between stakeholders in Hanoi and in the provinces.

Overview

The Trade Facilitation Program will provide assistance to the Government of Vietnam at both national and provincial levels. Vietnamese and international traders are the ultimate beneficiaries of trade facilitation reform. Trade facilitation and customs reforms need strong engagement from the private sector in order to generate, stimulate, and support reforms planned by the Government, especially with key legal acts like Resolutions 19 and 02, annually issued by the Prime Minister and setting precise objectives for the relevant government agencies.

The Program set up cooperation mechanisms with several business associations. In particular, the Program works closely with business organizations to share strengths, experiences, technologies, methodologies, and resources (including human, in-kind, and monetary) in order to promote several trade facilitation-related objectives within the scope of the Program.

A key role of the Private Sector Coordinator will be to support the work of the Private Sector Trade Facilitation Facilitator (TFF) in HCMC and carry out the following activities:

1. Assist TFF of HCMC to develop and maintain relationships with key business associations, carry out research, conduct surveys/interviews/research, and organize regular meetings relevant to trade facilitation and customs-related topics;
2. Liaise with TFP HQ in Hanoi to share key developments and achievements in the province including sharing the minutes of key meetings, updating the status of current and upcoming activities, communicating the priorities and objectives of the HQ to the provincial expert, and coordinating with the Communications Manager for success stories and other PR materials;
3. Organize and help facilitate the private sector engagement events/dialogue and other business sector-related activities implemented by the Program in coordination with business associations and Government agencies;
4. Serve as a key point of contact among the business associations in HCMC (e.g., AmCham, VBF) for collaborative activities including co-hosting events, conducting survey/research, and sharing key information regarding trade facilitation-related topics;
5. Provide operational and administrative assistance to the business associations implementing the key objectives of the Program such as streamlining border clearance procedures, harmonizing the customs between the national and provincial levels, and facilitating dialogue between customs and business. This might involve, if requested, the operational and administrative support to the organization of regular meetings of VBF relevant working groups (e.g., the Tax and Customs Working Group), including the preparation of the agenda, minutes, and conclusions;
6. Find and share with TFP HQ in Hanoi and with relevant business association in HCMC relevant information which might be helpful for promoting reforms in the interest of the business sector, like reports, assessments, feasibility studies, updates on the Vietnamese and international legal framework, results of surveys;
7. Inviting representatives of the business associations to present in relevant workshops, training courses or other public events discussing topics relevant to promote trade facilitation and customs reforms;
8. Prepare, under the direction of the COP and in cooperation with the representatives of the Vietnam Business Forum, quarterly work plans listing the main trade facilitation-related activities to be implemented in HCMC

Responsibilities and Tasks

The Private Sector Coordinator will support the following tasks:

• Support the TFF in HCMC in leading trade facilitation activities and private sector engagement in the region;
• Draft meeting minutes and summary updates for major activities and high-profile business meetings relating to trade facilitation;
• Collect and polish data received from surveys, interviews, meetings, and other modes of engagement with the private sector using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software;
• Provide administrative support including scheduling meetings, planning event logistics, and coordinating communication between and among business associations in HCMC;
• Report back to TFP HQ for status updates on the key activities and major accomplishments;
• Drafting communication materials with the help of the Communications Manager;
• Desk research of private sector activities in HCMC relating to trade facilitation and customs procedures; and
• Other contributions to the project as directed by the COP, DCOP and/or TFF.

Deliverables

• Quarterly work plan of the activities to be implemented in HCMC in cooperation with VBF and other business associations
• Weekly report to TFP HQ in Hanoi (verbal and/or written)
• Other documents agreed by COP, DCOP, and/or TFF in HCMC

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, economics, law, trade policy, international studies, customs administrations, or similar field;
• Minimum seven years of experience in project management, client management, and/or communications;
• Preferred experience in dealing with foreign business associations and other non-governmental organizations dealing with private sector stakeholders;
• Able to solve problems as well as exercise considerable analysis and judgment to identify solutions; 
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, and office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Applications; and
• Full fluency in English.

Reporting

• The Private Sector Coordinator (HCMC) will report to the COP and TFF in HCMC

How to apply

Applications should be submitted to [email protected] no later than July 8, 2022.