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. 

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 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 in its second phase and focuses 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 sector 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 partner.

Cowater International is recruiting a qualified candidate as a Public – Private Sector Engagement Specialist to support the FPD in delivering the project results. 

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The incumbent will report to the GREAT National Agriculture Portfolio Manager while working closely with Project Coordinator of FPD, the GREAT Partner(s) and Lao Cai Cinnamon and Anise Association (LCAA) in planning, implementing organization and monitoring of project activities under the result framework of Lao Cai sustainable cinnamon development project.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support and build capacity and mechanisms for FPD to better engage and support cinnamon companies in implementing project activities;
• Support and build capacity and mechanisms for FPD to strengthen their efforts to build operational and managerial capacity for cinnamon cooperatives;
• Support FPD in strengthening the role and capacity of LCAA with a particular focus on identifying and prioritising LCCA tasks/mandate critical to project-related activities, including: 
  • developing and implementing LCAA capacity, operational framework and annual plans;
  • liaising with domestic and international associations for cooperation, building and promoting Lao Cai cinnamon brand in domestic and foreign markets,
  • developing relevant support services to its membership such as information sharing, membership expansion, fund raising etc.
• Support FPD in identifying emerging project issues and opportunities in the cinnamon sector and project implementation and propose necessary approaches/activities to remedy
• Support GREAT project technical management including:
  • managing the project. This includes to guide partner to develop and update annual workplan), prepare project progress reports
  • providing technical inputs to technical documents to be developed under project; maintain work relationship with relevant provincial departments such as Lao Cai DARD, Farmers’ Association for advocacy work; manage the consultants that may be involved in project assignments to assure work quality;
• Other tasks as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Economics, Finance or other relevant subjects.
• In-depth knowledge in cinnamon sector.
• At least five (5) years’ experience working in development/value chain development projects.
• Experience working with private and public sectors, business association.
• Experience working with ethnic minorities in the Northwest provinces is an advantage.
• Good experience in consultant management.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Result-oriented;
• Advanced level of English speaking and writing; and,
• Able to travel and stay overnight as required;

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by sending applications to recruitment@aus4equalityvn.org AND cckl-snnptnt@laocai.gov.vn no later than 5 pm Hanoi Time (GMT+7) Wednesday 05^th February 2025. Please indicate in the subject “Public – Private sector engagement Specialist – 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.