Vacancy: Programme Officer

Programme Officer Post

Permanent Mission of Ireland to Vietnam, Hanoi

 

 

Ireland’s Embassy in Hanoi opened in 2006 and is accredited to Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR Our mission is to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and economic well-being of Ireland and its people. We do this under the political direction of our Ministers, through our staff at home and through our Embassy network abroad. As part of an integrated approach to carrying out this mission, the Embassy manages an Irish Aid-funded development cooperation programme, which provides development assistance in Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar.

 

Programme Officer will be an integral part of the Programme Team which manages the development projects and programmes supported under the Embassy Mission Strategy across the four countries of operation. She/he will act as focal point on thematic priorities, such as gender equality, governance, nutrition etc. The Programme Officer will also actively contribute to the promotion, trade, consular, community and bilateral relations work of the Embassy.

 

The responsibilities of the programme officer may vary from time to time depending on business needs, but in general are as follows:

 

Strategy & Planning:

 

• Contribute to the Embassy’s strategic, annual and programme planning, including decisions on programme partnerships and budgets.
• Contribute to monitoring, assessing and reporting progress against the Embassy’s Strategy and business plan; contribute to annual report.
• Review, analyse and summarise key debates, reports and policy papers related to thematic areas of focus, e.g. gender, climate, etc., and contribute to the development of analysis, lessons learned and strategy papers for these areas.
• Identify opportunities across the Embassy programme for greater consideration of thematic priorities such as gender equality, governance etc.

 

Grant Management:

 

• Manage partnerships and projects across Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar/Burma in accordance with the Embassy’s grant management guidelines. This will include appraisal and monitoring of partnerships, project implementation and results, according to a results-based approach.
• Organise, participate in and report on regular field monitoring of Embassy partners and projects across the four countries. Frequent travel to project locations around Vietnam and in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar/Burma will be required.
• Ensure financial management of and accountability for partnerships and projects. This includes processing payments, appraisal and monitoring of budgets and expenditure, preparation and monitoring of financing agreements.
• Brief management on progress, impacts and risks; follow-up on audit reports and recommendations.
• Maintain all documentation (hard copy and electronically) of programme partners and grants.
• Support documentation and dissemination of partner results and case studies.

 

Policy Engagement:

 

• Build strong and effective working relationships with government officials, civil society, academic and private sector partners across Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar/Burma.
• Attend, input into, and report on relevant external working groups, coordination structures and other events. Communicate and promote Ireland’s positions at these events. Analyse information presented at these events and recommend the best course of action for the Embassy.
• Actively engage with relevant staff at HQ and in other Irish Embassies on issues relating to thematic and other areas of focus, to ensure consistency and coherence in Ireland’s approach and priorities.

 

Wider Embassy Support:

 

• Support the promotion of Ireland, maintain diaspora links and build an active community of ‘Friends of Ireland’ through networking and attending Embassy events.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of the Embassy’s public diplomacy and communications work, including through social media.
• Contribute to the design and execution of the Embassy’s trade agenda, including by building relationships with Irish and Vietnamese businesses and state agencies, and by making links between development and trade work and partners.
• Support consular work as required, including managing the Embassy’s public office and interaction with citizens, providing consular services (review and processing of passport applications and emergency travel documents, certification of documents, etc.), preparing visa applications for consideration by the approving officer and supporting emergency consular assistance.
• Manage or provide support to key Embassy events, especially but not limited to those related to programmatic areas of work.
• Provide translation and interpretation support; provide administrative support including meeting organisation and reporting, scheduling, correspondence and logistics arrangements (including travel).
• Conduct other tasks as directed by Embassy management.

 

Essential requirements candidates must be able to demonstrate:

 

• Bachelors level qualification in development studies, social sciences, economics or other relevant discipline
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office applications
• Relevant administrative experience and attention to detail; capacity to focus on priorities and to work to tight deadlines; willingness to take on a wide range of tasks ranging from basic to complex
• Ability to listen, to consult and to share information and ideas; ability to work independently, whilst having teamwork skills; pleasant and outgoing personality
• Willingness to travel frequently as requested; willing to undertake training
• Excellent competency in English and Vietnamese
• The successful candidate must have a legal entitlement to live and work in Vietnam prior to recruitment.

Desirable requirements:

 

• Knowledge of Khmer and/or Lao languages  an advantage
• Experience in supporting or managing development programmes; experience of working for international organisations or embassies an advantage

 

Terms and conditions of employment:

 

• The successful candidates will be hired on a fixed-term contractual basis and will be based at Ireland’s Permanent Mission to Vietnam, Hanoi.
• The gross salary for the position is $929 per month, paid locally on a monthly basis. 
• The positions will have an annual leave allowance of 20 days per annum, exclusive of public holidays.

 

How to apply

 

 

 

 

Selection Process:

Please see above job description and selection criteria below. We are seeking high quality written applications in English. Your application should include a cover letter, CV, copy of university certificate, name and contact details of three referees, a passport photo and statement directly addressing the selection criteria (for each criterion no more than 100 words). Written applications form part of the final assessment, and applications that do not directly address the selection criteria will not be considered.

 

Selection Criteria:

 

1. A minimum qualification of a Bachelors level qualification in development studies, social sciences, economics or other relevant discipline.
2. Experience in supporting or managing development programmes, with experience of working for international organisations or embassies an advantage.
3. Sound understanding of the socio-economic development environment in Vietnam, with knowledge of the context in Cambodia, Lao PDR and/or Myanmar/Burma an advantage. Knowledge and understanding of Ireland’s development programme.
4. Strong organisational and administrative skills. Ability to work with minimal supervision, to set priorities and manage complex tasks and competing demands to meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of work.  Ability to adapt to new tasks and situations as required.
5. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to cooperate well with colleagues, partners and government and to develop good working relationships.  Ability to work well as a member of a team, as well as to work independently.
6. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English and Vietnamese, including strong liaison, negotiation and translation skills. Competency in Khmer/Lao languages an advantage.

 

General Data Protection Regulation:

All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.

Security Clearance for Local Staff:

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful this information will be destroyed. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position they will be required to supply this information again.

 

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.

The Embassy of Ireland in Hanoi is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.

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