Project Officer (short-term)

Project Officer (short-term)

ABOUT US

With more than 35 years of experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specialising in international development. We have managed the implementation of over 2500 projects in more than 95 countries around the globe for clients such as DFID, DFAT Australia, the European Union, the World Bank and Global Affairs Canada. We work with governments, partner organisations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, economic and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies from 2017 to 2021.

BACKGROUND

GREAT is a flagship initiative of the Australian aid program.  The Program promotes women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in the ethnically diverse north-west region of Vietnam, through the integration of a market systems development (MSD) approach.

The primary beneficiaries are women living in the provinces of Son La and Lao Cai, while an overarching emphasis is placed on the inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities as these provinces are home to twelve and twenty-six ethnic groups respectively.

The objectives of the Aus4Equality|GREAT Program are:

• Objective 1 – Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have improved economic benefits.
• Objective 2 – Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have increased confidence and social status, including more balanced workloads and greater decision making within the home, workplace, and community.   
• Objective 3 – Women, particularly ethnic minority women and household members living in Son La and Lao Cai benefit from more gender responsive, inclusive, and effective provincial and national policies, plans, strategies, and programs.

Our approach to women’s economic empowerment focuses on:

• Reach: Engaging women in all project activities and addressing barriers to participation.
• Benefit: Improve women’s access to assets, financial services and support services.
• Empower: Strengthen the ability of women to make strategic life choices and put these into action.

The Program is entering its second five-year phase. In the phase 2 the program will continue its focus on agriculture and tourism, identifying specific sectors that lend themselves to opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and work with multiple stakeholders to address constraints, generate opportunities, drive market growth and increase productive value of the sector. A limited number of agriculture sectors will be targeted, in addition to tourism. Cross-sector strategies such as women, access to finance, digital transformation, policy advocacy and behaviour change will complement the sector strategies.

This TOR is developed for a short term replacement of Project Officer position to be based in Lao Cai for 6 months from March till August 2023.   

SUMMARY OF TASKS

The Project Officer will report to the Agriculture Portfolio Manager, and work closely with other GREAT team members as required.

• The Project Officer will coordinate with the Provincial Management Unit and provincial stakeholders for preparation of government approval for Lao Cai Arrangements for Implementation.
• The project will work with other GREAT team members from Monitoring Evaluation Learning and Research (MERL) and Finance to support and guide potential partners in developing proposals for specific sub sectors and cross cutting.
• The Project Officer will manage and provide quality guidance and support to assigned partners for effective implementation and delivery of value for money results for beneficiaries and market system change in coordination with other members of the Agriculture Portfolio.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To coordinate with PMU Lao Cai and provincial stakeholders for preparation of government approval for Arrangements for Implementation.
• To identify local potential partners for GREAT interventions.
• To provide support to potential partners in developing proposals.
• Manage assigned implementing partners:
  
  • Oversee partner project implementation and progress, providing quality guidance and support to ensure partners deliver optimal value for money results for beneficiaries and market system change and projects are compliant with GREAT project management requirements.
  • Support partners in preparing and updating annual workplans.
  • Work with partners to prepare quarterly progress report.
  • Facilitate partner capacity development: Identify capacity gaps, provide coaching or work with other GREAT team members to facilitate capacity building for partners to improve their inclusivity, profitability, and sustainability.
  • Identify WEE constraints and opportunities for partners and GREAT to address.
  • Guide and coach partners to adopt new approaches such as MSD, GESI, adaptive management and document lessons learnt.
• Coordinate with PMUs and provincial stakeholders for consultation and joint meetings.
• Update GREAT on local government priorities and plans for agriculture and tourism sectors as well gender equality for linking with GREAT interventions.
• Other tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree
• At least 2 years of project result-based management experience.
• Good understanding and experience of the full project management cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting).
• Commitment, demonstrated knowledge, and understanding of minority groups in Vietnam and gender-related issues.
• Experience with women’s economic empowerment and supporting ethnic minority groups is an advantage.
• Good computer skills.
• Able to communicate fluently and effectively in Vietnamese and English (oral and written).

Skills/Abilities:

• Able to manage multiple demands and prioritise tasks, work easily and cooperatively with diverse stakeholders, and support other team members.
• Be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours when required.
• Good interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and show respect for colleagues.
• Good analytical and reporting skills
• Good communication skills
• Able to work independently and in teamwork

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply no later than 5 pm Hanoi Time (GMT+7) Friday 10 February 2023. We thank all applicants, however, only those making the shortlist will be contacted.

Interested candidates are invited to send an application to [email protected] [1] Please indicate in the subject “Application for Interim Project Officer-Lao Cai”.

Applications should include:

• A cover letter responding to the selection criteria.
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact details of three referees.

Cowater is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people with a disability, and people from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.

For more opportunities, please visit our website at https://equality.aus4vietnam.org/careers [2] or facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Aus4EqualityGREAT/