International Research Adviser

Activity title

International Research Adviser

Project

Aus4Skills Vietnam – Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC)

Reports to

VAC International Director

Duration of Assignment

Up to 30 days of input over 12 months, with the possibility of extension

Location

Remote input, with possible travel to Vietnam

Adviser Remuneration Framework

Further information about the Adviser Remuneration Framework click here [2]

Discipline (A, B, C, D)

C

Level (1,2,3 or 4)

4

Working relationships include:

• VAC International Director
• VAC Program Officer (Research)
• Researchers from Foundational Partner organisations

Program Overview

The Aus4Skills goal  is to support Vietnam to access and use high level professional and technical knowledge, skills, and competencies, to contribute to the country’s sustainable economic and inclusive development. The program also aims to deepen Vietnamese and Australian people-to-people and institutional links and therefore strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

Aus4Skills seeks to achieve these goals through the following program outcomes:

• Inclusive alumni use new skills and knowledge to make positive contributions to targeted are of Vietnam’s development
• Selected Vietnamese Government, private sector, civil organisations and other partners demonstrate organisational change through improved policies, practices or performance standards in targeted areas
• Australia and Vietnam have stronger sustainable links and partnerships in selected agencies.

These outcomes are underpinned by the integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion in all Aus4Skills activities. They are accomplished through five component activities:

1. Australia Awards Scholarships
2. Alumni Engagement
3. Capacity Building for Higher Education
4. Promoting Industry Linkages in Vocational Education and Training 
5. Vietnam Australia Centre, a new initiative to foster leadership and policy development

Aus4Skills is managed by Tetra Tech International Development on behalf of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Vietnam Australia Centre

The Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC) is a vibrant centre of education, research and dialogue between Australia and Vietnam. It draws together Australian and Vietnamese experts to support Vietnam’s future leadership in addressing national, regional and international challenges.

The VAC is a physical and virtual hub for activities that delivery mutual benefits to both countries. Through the VAC, Vietnam and Australia will collaborate to strengthen Vietnamese public sector leadership and policy development.

The VAC aims to:

• Strengthen leadership and improve public sector management skills and evidence-informed policy to promote national development and international engagement.
• Build an even stronger relationship between Australia and Vietnam, based on shared interests and mutual benefits.

The VAC’s Foundational Partners include from Australia the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and from Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations (ERC) and the Office of the Government (OOG).

Position Summary

The VAC Research Adviser provides high-level technical expertise and input in the area of policy research activity development and implementation so that the VAC achieves its objective of supporting research analysis and policy development in Vietnam.

Position Deliverables

The expected outputs of this position are to:

• Provide high level and informed strategic advice and input on developing, implementing and evaluating VAC research activities in an accurate, timely and reliable manner, including advice for continual improvement and innovation.
• Identify and minimise risk in research activity approaches and activities and ensure that these approaches and activities are in accordance with DFAT policy and expectations.
• Ensure that the program’s gender equality, disability and sociation inclusion (GEDSI) goals and strategies are actively supported by research activity approaches.

Deliverables

Delivery Report No. 1

Within first two weeks: Workplan of input over the next 12 months, to be endorsed by the VAC International Director.

Delivery Report No. 2

Within first five months: Brief progress report on inputs and achievements for first five months endorsed by the VAC International Director

Delivery Report No. 3

Within two weeks of assignment completion: Brief completion/progress report on outputs, achievements and recommendations covering the input duration endorsed by the VAC International Director.

Key Responsibilities  

In consultation with VAC International Director, the Research Adviser will:

1.     Provide high-level technical input and advice to the VAC team regarding VAC research activity including:

• Developing, implementing, and reviewing research activity approaches and procedures covering but not limited to strategic research projects, research and policy analysis grants, and research capacity development and training activities, including associated documentation such as guidelines and templates.
• Supporting the development of: quality research project and grant applications, a transparent and fair system for assessment of these applications, and a system for monitoring and supporting the progress of successful applications.
• Ensuring that VAC research topics and activities are cohesive and aligned to the needs and interests of the Foundational Partners.

2.     Provide high-level practical guidance to Foundational Partners to support quality and timely outcomes of their VAC-funded research activities.

3.     Draw from research networks (particularly from Australia) to build on and add to lessons learnt in the implementation of research activities to inform policy.

4.     Contribute to maintaining effective working relationships with VAC key stakeholders, including DFAT, Foundational Partners, educational institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations.

5.     Provide practical guidance, support and input to enhance the VAC team’s capacity development in terms of the development of research plans, policy, procedure and tools.

6.     Ensure that all technical input and advice:

• Adheres to and foster compliance with DFAT’s policy and procedures regarding Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), child protection, preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), privacy, fraud and other cross-cutting areas.
• Is aligned to and delivers upon Aus4Skills’s goal, policy and procedures, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework, annual plans and risk management plans.

7.     Other duties from time to time as may be reasonably requested by DFAT and Tetra Tech.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in research methodology, education, international relations or related area or equivalent professional experience.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Substantial senior professional experience in a research setting.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing successful research activity proposals, projects and/or partnerships in the international development context.
• Excellent knowledge of the research sector in Australia and South-East Asia, with in-depth knowledge of research grant development and management. Knowledge of Vietnam’s research sector an advantage.
• Demonstrated and successful experience in working collaboratively across cultures with diverse range of colleagues, government agencies, service providers and other stakeholders.
• Previous experience with Australian Government-funded projects and knowledge of relevant policies, standards, and protocols.
• Excellent analytical and English language report writing and communication skills.

Personal Attributes

• Ability and enthusiasm to foster change and team capacity development.
• Client service approach and the ability to work to multiple deadlines.

Child Protection

Tetra Tech International Development is committed to protecting the rights of children. We reserve the right to conduct police checks and other screening procedures to ensure a child-safe environment.

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion

Exemplifying Tetra Tech International Development’s commitment to technical excellence in gender equality, our team of dedicated GEDSI advisers work closely with our partners to ensure a context-specific and consistent approach is applied to all of our programs to improve the livelihoods of the world’s most marginalised groups.

Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

Tetra Tech International Development is committed to respectful workplaces and does not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment of any kind.

About Tetra Tech International Development

Tetra Tech International Development has a 40 year history in successfully delivering international development projects on behalf of donors right around the world, including Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, USAID and the UK’s Department for International Development (now known as the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office). Our people work side by side with local partners to support stability, economic growth and good governance, positively changing people’s lives.