Senior Programme Officer, Research and Policy

Job title:  Senior Programme Officer, Research and Policy

Location:  Hanoi  

Starting Date:    as soon as possible, September 2013

Job Summary:

This position will play a critical role in managing and developing further  TI/TT’s work to help improve anti?corruption policy and its implementation in the public sector. This includes the responsibility for the delivery of TI/TT’s key research products, working closely with external partners and consultants. This position will also enhance TI/TT’s impact and recognition by synthesizing TI/TT’s international and national knowledge and research in high?quality policy contributions in various formats.

Reporting to:  Executive Director

Position Type: Vietnamese national post, full?time (5 working days/week).

Contract duration:  Until 31 December 2015, with possibility of extension (subject to funding)

Background Information 

Towards Transparency (TT) was established in November 2008 as a Vietnamese non?profit and non?state  consulting  company.  In  March  2009,  TT  became the  official  National  Contact of Transparency International (TI) in Vietnam. 

Transparency International (TI) is the global civil society organisation working to stop corruption. TI  works through National Chapters, National Contacts and other partners in more than 100 countries. Its  international  secretariat  is  based  in  Berlin,  Germany.  In  Vietnam,  TT  has  supported  the  TI Secretariat  in  designing  and  executing  the  TI  Vietnam  Programme  2009?2012:  “Strengthening  Anti?corruption Demand from Government, Private Sector and Society”. 

During the past three years, TT has received  increasing recognition from national and international  stakeholders as a key civil society actor in promoting transparency and accountability in Vietnam. In
2013,  TI  and  TT  are  beginning  the  implementation  of  the  next,  ambitious  phase  of  the  TI  Vietnam programme  (2013?2015).  It  will  involve  an  expanded  effort  to  encourage  and  support  the engagement of civil society organisations, citizens (in particular the youth) and the business sector in addressing corruption. TI/TT will also place an increased emphasis on developing and implementing integrity  and  transparency  solutions  in  close  partnership  with  interested  stakeholders  from government,  business  and  civil  society.  Based  on  the  initial  achievements  under  the  2009?2012 programme,  TI/TT  will  continue  their  work  to  help  improve  anti?corruption  policy  and  its implementation  through  evidence?based  advocacy.  In  response  to  increased  interest  amongst government  stakeholders  to,  TI/  TT’s  work  with  the  public  sector  will  also  be  expanded  through  a focus on local government?level solutions for improved transparency.

In  order  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  2013?2017  programme,  TT/TI  is  looking  for  the  Senior Programme Officer (Research and Policy). This senior position requires an exceptional candidate who can bring a combination of project management and public policy experience to the job. This position offers  various  opportunities  to  engage  with  external  stakeholders,  especially  government,  and  is likely  to  involve  occasional  domestic  and  international  travel.  The  position  provides  an  exciting opportunity for the right candidate to make a significant contribution to the success of TI/TT’s work. 

This position will be focusing primarily on work planned under component B (Public Sector Integrity) but also contribute to other areas of the TI Vietnam programme 2013?2015, in particular component
C (People and Youth Engagement & Support). 

Position Title: Senior Programme Officer, Research and Policy

Responsibilities

- Manage the high?quality delivery of TI/TT’s key research products by external research partners and consultants, including by providing methodological support. This includes but is not limited to the Vietnam edition of the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB), the National Integrity System (NIS) study, and the Youth Integrity Survey (YIS)  
- Ensure the wide use of TI/TT’s research results by key stakeholder audiences, including through written and spoken contributions to relevant policy fora and discussions
- Contribute to the ongoing monitoring of Vietnam’s implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
- Support the Deputy Executive Director (National) in the future implementation of an initiative to promote local government transparency, including organisation of stakeholder meetings, expert input coordination
- Represent the organisation in relevant public fora, and act as deputy for the line manager when required
- Actively contribute to the successful delivery of TI/TT’s 2013?2015 programme through other organisational tasks as assigned by the line manager

People management responsibility: No. However, the position?holder will manage relationships with external collaborators, consultants and partners.

Budget management responsibility: Yes. The position?holder will be responsible for the management of project budgets relating to the research outputs.

Reporting line: To Executive Director (National)

Job Requirements 

Skills and requirements: 
- Post?graduate or University Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Economy, Law or other relevant field
- At least 5?7 years of relevant working experience in V/INGOs and/or donor funded programmes/projects
- Excellent insight and knowledge on public sector and public policy issues in Vietnam
- Strong project management skills and experience, including budget responsibility
- Proven track record of coordinating high profile research projects, including methodological support and oversight 
- Advocacy planning and implementation experience (desirable)
- Experience working with local governments (desirable) 
- Ability to handle multiple priorities and balance various stakeholders’ needs
- Ability to persuade others
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills (English and Vietnamese)
- International experience (desirable)
- Proficiency in standard office software packages, especially MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel 
- Ability to travel

Personal qualities:
- Strong and demonstrated interest and commitment to anti?corruption
- A reputation for and commitment to integrity and honesty
- Attentive to detail, diligent and reliable
- Comfortable working to tight deadlines at a high level of quality
- Open?minded and willing to learn and apply new concepts
- A team player with strong interpersonal, inter?cultural and communication skills

Gross Annual Benefit package: Ranging from 18,000?24,000 EUR1, depending on experience.

Deadline and application details:

Interested candidates should send their application (motivation letter, CV and contact details of 3 references) in English to [email protected]    

The application should be sent as attachment(s) and clearly marked “Senior Programme Officer, Research and Policy” in the email title.

The closing date for applications is 21 July 2013

Tentative writing test and interview schedule: 
- Writing Test: 24?26 July 2013
- First round of interview: 1?2 August 2013 (in Hanoi)
- Second round: 8/9 August 2013 (in Hanoi)

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

This job description is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification, as it may be adjusted from time to time in light of strategic developments, in discussion with the position?holder.