Program Officer, Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH

FHI 360 is an international non-governmental organization that, in Vietnam, promotes the health and well-being of the Vietnamese people, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations. It works with the Vietnam Ministry of Health and other national bodies, as well as provincial and district-level health services to achieve project aims.

FHI 360 is currently implementing programs to address HIV prevention, testing, and treatment; combatting trafficking in persons; tuberculosis case finding and treatment; clinical research; anti-microbial resistance; health system strengthening; non-communicable diseases; maternal and child health and nutrition; and diagnostic and laboratory services.

We are currently seeking qualified and highly motivated Vietnamese candidates to fill in the Program Officer, Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement position for the Alive & Thrive initiative, based in Viet Nam.

Contract Duration: 01 year with potential extension.

Project Description:

Alive & Thrive (A&T) is a global nutrition initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth of mothers and children. A&T leverages its robust network and knowledge base to strengthen systems and build capacity in these and other countries across Africa and Asia, and disseminate innovations, tools, and lessons worldwide. The A&T initiative, managed by FHI Solutions, is currently funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Government of Ireland, and other donors.

In Southeast Asia (SEA), A&T provides strategic technical assistance to seven countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam) to support policy and system reforms to create an enabling and supportive environment for MIYCN. To achieve this, A&T SEA works in close collaboration with government and non-government partners in these countries to identify and execute an agreed upon work-plan that focuses primarily on regulating inappropriate marketing practices of breastmilk substitutes (BMS Codes), maternity protection (paid maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces), and breastfeeding-friendly health systems.

In Viet Nam, since 2009, A&T has demonstrated that rapid improvements in infant and young child feeding (IYCF) are possible. In partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Women’s Union (WU), the General Confederation of Labor (GCL), the Institute of Legislative Studies (ILS), provincial authorities, and UNICEF, A&T realized population-level impact. Exclusive breastfeeding rate rose from 19% to 58% in the project area of 15 provinces across the country. Through joint evidence-based advocacy, A&T, UNICEF and civil society organizations brought about lasting policy changes that create an enabling environment for breastfeeding. The 2012 amendment to the Labor Code extended paid maternity leave from four to six months. Decree 85 (2015) and its replacement - Decree 145 adopted in 2020 requiring lactation rooms in workplaces with at least 1000 female workers. A&T has provided technical assistance to GCL and private sector to implement the workplace lactation program. A&T played an active role in the formation of the Civil Society Alliance (CSA) of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement to  support the Government in delivering sustainable solutions for improved nutrition. A&T has been appointed Co-chair of the CSA for the 2021-2023 term.

Since 2017, with additional funding from the Government of Ireland, A&T has been providing support for improving early essential newborn care practices in hospitals and early initiation of breastfeeding rate by establishing Centres of Excellence for Breastfeeding in 4 countries in sub-Mekong area including Viet Nam. A&T also provided support to setting up human milk banks and related services to improve the access to human breastmilk for at-risk infants (pre-term, low-birth-weight, sick infants).

In the coming years, A&T will work with government partners, UN agencies, mass organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations in Viet Nam to implement and improve maternal and child health and nutrition policies and programs with a focus on equity and scale, including addressing disparities among vulnerable groups (migrant workers, ethnic minority populations).

Job Summary / Responsibilities:

The Program Officer, Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement, will oversee the development and execution of the private sector and civil society engagement and support programs to contribute to the overall A&T workplans and objectives. The position is based in Viet Nam, preferably in Ha Noi but can be flexible.

Accountabilities:

1. Technical assistance: Provide coordination and technical assistance for the private sector and civil society engagement workstreams to implement the programs of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and communities.

2. Strategic Communication: Develop behavior change communication products for the programs in collaboration with partners and contractors. Ensure the uptake of A&T policy advocacy and behavior change communications approaches, tools, and materials

3. Measurement and documentation: Support the setup and maintenance of a monitoring system to ensure effective implementation of the programs. Support the implementation of assessment, research and studies as appropriate in collaboration with team members, partners and contractors.

4. Program management: Provide program, coordination and operations support. Oversee procurement, contract and payment process for partners and vendors. Support knowledge exchange activities, including planning and organization for learning visits for partners and donors.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of diverse scope that require analysis or interpretation of various factors.
• Exercises judgment within selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Builds productive working relationships with internal and external staff.
• Decision may affect a work unit or area within a department.

Travel Requirements:

• 10-20%

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in public health, public management, labor or business management.
  Technical knowledge of nutrition programs and public health is preferred.
• 2-4 years’ experience in project management coordination and working with private sector and civil society networks. Experience working in the field of women’s rights, nutrition, health, breastfeeding is added value.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with team members and partners.
• Excellent communication, and organization skills are required. Fluency in Vietnamese and English, both spoken and written.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to take initiative and focus on results.
• Ability to learn new skills and systems, with an entrepreneurial work ethic and gain respect among staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors and prepare reports.
• Ability to problem solve and implements corrective action as needed.

FHI 360 offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits.

Interested candidates are invited to visit FHI 360’s career page at https://www.fhi360.org/careers and apply the position ONLINE by March 7, 2022. Application package should include your curriculum vitae (including the list of publication if any), a letter of application, a writing sample (e.g., a report, manuscript, technical brief, news, blog-post, etc., contributed largely by you), and a list of three references (we only contact your reference with your consent). Selection and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.