Project Assistant

Project Assistant (Lao Cai sustainable cinnamon development project)

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

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:

• EOPO 1: Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have improved economic benefits.
• EOPO 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
• EOPO 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

The Program is now entering its second phase and GREAT 2 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.

The Lao Cai sustainable cinnamon development project is under the framework of GREAT 2 Lao Cai implemented from April 2024 to March 2027. The project’s overall goal is to improve the empowerment, socio-economic status of women in ethnic communities in Lao Cai province.

The project is implemented in 4 districts: Bac Ha, Bao Yen, Bao Thang and Van Ban, Lao Cai province including 3 intervention areas 1) Building capacity on industry coordination and brand development; 2) Expanding sustainable cinnamon raw material areas; 3) Improving supply chain governance.

Lao Cai Forest Protection Department (FPD) is the main partner; Farmer Supporting Center (Under Farmers' Association) is the co-implementing partners.

Cowater International is recruiting a qualified candidate as a Project Assistant to support the FPD in delivering the project results. 

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Project Assistant will report to the Project Coordinator of FPD, the GREAT Partner(s) in planning, implementing organization and monitoring of project activities under the framework of Lao Cai sustainable cinnamon development project. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Arrange logistics for project activities and other related events and perform administrative tasks related to the project.
• Coordinate with partner accountant to check supporting documents
• Support partner(s) to key in activity reports into GREAT monitoring application.
• Support Division of Forest Control and private sector Advisor in collecting information and data for preparing activity and quarterly progress reports s well as annual work plans. 
• Maintain relationships and regular communication with partners, lead enterprises, and GREAT.
• Other administrative tasks as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Economics, Finance or other relevant subjects.
• At least two (2) years’ experience working in development/value chain development projects.
• Experience working with private and public sectors.
• Experience working with NGOs and working with ethnic minorities in the Northwest provinces is an advantage.
• Good organizational and coordination skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Result-oriented; strong willingness to learn
• Basic level of English speaking; and
• Able to travel and stay overnight as required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by sending applications to [email protected] AND[email protected] no later than 5 pm Hanoi Time (GMT+7) Friday 19^th July 2024. Please indicate in the subject “Application for Project Assistant – Lao Cai Cinnamon Project”. We thank all applicants, however, only those making the shortlist will be contacted.

Applications should include:

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

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

For more opportunities, please visit our website at https://equality.aus4vietnam.org/careers

The detailed job description in Vietnamese can be found HERE.