Project Officer

PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH's mission is to improve the health of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems, and encouraging healthy behaviors. PATH has been working in Vietnam since the early 1980s, with a permanent office established in Hanoi in 1997.

PATH seeks a Project Officer with experience in supply chain and logistics to support research and demonstration of new and innovative systems and technologies for the vaccine supply chain in Vietnam.

The work in Vietnam is one component of Project Optimize, a collaboration between the World Health Organization and PATH, with members of the project team based in Seattle, U.S.A.; Ferney, France; and Geneva, Switzerland. Optimize will also carry out research and demonstration activities in other countries including Senegal, Tunisia, and Guatemala.

Activities in Vietnam will be implemented in two phases, a formative research phase in 2009 followed by demonstration activities from 2010 to 2012. The formative research phase will evaluate opportunities for supply chain system improvements and identify cold chain technology requirements to design optimal supply systems. Results will inform a series of demonstration projects to test solutions to the anticipated future supply chain management challenges in Vietnam, including handling increased volumes of more costly new vaccines. The longer term goal of the project is to scale up the successful demonstrations nationwide, share learning to promote similar developments in other countries, and establish a long-term vision in Vietnam for the evolution of immunization supply chain and logistics.  All activities will be conducted in close collaboration between PATH and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance and direction of the Optimize Project Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Optimize Project Specialist and global Optimize team:

- Provide input into the design of both formative research and demonstration components of the project, particularly those aspects related to supply chain and logistics.
- Work closely with partners in NIHE to develop research instruments and detailed work plans and timelines.
- Prepare submissions to secure necessary project approvals in Vietnam.
- Provide training at project sites on research and demonstration implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and assist with the development of training tools and materials.
- Monitor and supervise the implementation of all research and demonstration activities.
- Lead data and results analysis.

- Prepare research and demonstration project reports, papers, and other documents, and support the dissemination of research and demonstration results.
- Participate in the development of annual workplans and budgets.
- Assist with English/Vietnamese translation of memos, informal reports, plans and other documents
- Other activities as assigned by the Project Coordinator

Knowledge, skills, and experience required
- Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or other relevant discipline.
- A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience 
- Knowledge of supply chain and logistics systems and issues desirable.
- Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including applied research (from research to practice).
- Proven ability to provide training and technical support to research and project partners
- Knowledge and experience with information systems highly desirable
- Knowledge of immunization systems a plus
- Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
- Able and willing to travel within Vietnam up to 40 percent per year.
- Good written and spoken Vietnamese and English

This is a local hire position with a starting monthly gross salary in the range US$ 1,027 – US$ 1,283 (depending on experience) plus competitive benefits. Salary and benefits package are paid in VND

For information on the application process for this position, please visit the jobs section of the PATH website (www.path.org).