Project Officer

PARTNERSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM – PHER

Title: Project Officer

About: The Partnership for Higher Education Reform (PHER) is a five-year initiative funded by USAID and implemented by Indiana University, aiming to modernize Vietnam's leading universities and strengthen Vietnam’s higher education system in alignment with USAID's Higher Education Program Framework. Sang Kien Viet Nam Institute (IVI) is a sub-awardee to Indiana University supporting and implementing the PHER Activities in Vietnam.

PHER implements activities towards institutional reform in Vietnamese higher education institutions through developing effective and innovative models.  PHER focuses on the four project key pillars:  Governance, Teaching & Learning, Research & Innovation, and University-Industry Linkages. PHER activities target three major Vietnamese universities: Vietnam National University-Hanoi, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, and the University of Danang. Higher-education policy advocacy and reform, technology and digitization, and gender empowerment are critical, cross-cutting strategies for success across these four pillars and support the long-term sustainability of PHER outcomes.

In Year 3, Research & Innovation Pillar will implement following activities to strengthen research capacity of member universities:  1) Establish Research Compliance structures at 3Us including establishing/ supporting research ethics committees (REC) and develop research integrity regulations and 2) Strengthen research capacity and networking across 3Us  through Vietnam-International Academic Networks (VIAN) activities including summer workshops, research grant, visiting scholar program, webinar and training course.

Job Summary: The Project Officer, based at IVI in Hanoi, Vietnam, will assist the executive team and a project manager in developing and implementing project activities covering Research & Innovation Pillar.

Specific Responsibilities: The Project Officer will:

• Support the Project Manager (PM) in planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the project activities;
• Assist PM to keep track of and ensure project activities are on track within assigned budgets, identify problems and suggests corrective actions;
• Participate in building and developing relations with three universities and other partners in the public sector to carry out project activities;
• Oversee consultant contracts assuring timely submission outputs and assurance of and providing logistical support to the organization and consultants;
• In collaboration with project team members, responsible experts and partners, and with support/guidance from PM, organize events, workshops, meetings, forums;
• Assist research activities including but not limited to: conducting desk research, gathering information, performing basic analysis, gathering research products from experts and researchers, organizing meetings, keeping track of activities;
• Assist PM in collecting information for monitoring activities and compiling quality and comprehensive progress reports, Success Stories, Summary Accomplishments, Fact Sheets, and other reports/documents required by the PHER Activity;
• Provide other administrative and logistics support required for the successful implementation of project activities (drafting contracts, translating relevant documents, project file management…);
• Other tasks requested by Program Manager.

Required Qualifications and Work Experience: The person suitable for this position should have the following qualifications:  

• Bachelors’ degree or higher in the fields relevant to the assignment;
• Minimum 02 years of experience in project coordination, tracking progress against activities, and quality report writing.

Required Skills: The Project Officer should have the following skills:

• Ability to work and communicate cross-culturally, including advance computer skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in team setting;
• Demonstrated success in project management and report writing;
• Proficient in English and Vietnamese written and verbal communication skills;
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism;
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills;
• Excellent organizational, collaboration and team building skills;
• Instills commitment to organizational goals.

Reporting and Employment Duration

The Project Officer will report directly to a Program Manager on day-to-day project management and implementation of planned, or as appropriate assigned, tasks and activities.

Start Date: as soon as possible.

Working hours: Normal working hours are Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Work outside normal hours may be required.

Salary: Appropriate compensation will be offered to the right candidate.

Work location: Room 501, Icon 4 Building, 243A De La Thanh St. – Dong Da – Ha Noi.

To Apply: Submit a one-page cover letter and a CV to  [email protected] by August 18th, 2023. Please follow following email’s subject line format: Project Officer Application – Your Name.