Policy Outreach Coordinator

Job category

Policy Outreach Coordinator for environmental and climate economics

Context : GEMMES Viet Nam Research project

The job is fully integrated to the phase 2 of GEMMES Viêt Nam research programme. Funded and led by the French Development Agency (AFD) through its Facility 2050 initiative, the programme is part of a Memorandum of Understanding with The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and run in collaboration with Expertise France (EF). The programme is beginning over 2023 and has three main research components. The first component will assess the impacts of climate change, focusing on extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts and floods, and provide scientific insights for future adaptation policies. The second component aims to support Viêt Nam's energy transition toward carbon neutrality by 2050 and to assess the macroeconomic implications of the Vietnamese strategy. A coupled energy-economic modelling framework will be developed and used to assess the socio-economic implications of the Vietnamese strategy. The third component will investigate the social dimension of the energy transition, including identifying how households and enterprises could best supported to engage in this transition.

General job description

Expertise France is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Policy Outreach Coordinator to join the team for the GEMMES Viet Nam research and policy dialogue project. You will leadthe communication and outreach initiatives with relevant Ministries. You will help organising operational and technical discussions with public and private partners. You will play a primary role connecting bridges between scientific and policy discourses, by leading various activities with national partners. You will be located at EF Office.

This job would suit a candidate that is a self-starter and problem-solver, who is able to effectively coordinate the dialogue between researchers and policy makers in close relationship with the AFD Hanoi Agency, and who is comfortable working with a range of stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have project management expertise and experience working with public and private sector stakeholders in Viet Nam. Knowledge of policy or project development in either climate, energy, finance or social topics are desirable, but not all essential.

Roles and key responsabilities

Your main responsibilities will include:

1. Coordination and outreach with Relevant Ministries: Bridging with relevant ministries in Viet Nam to disclose ongoing research progress and project updates. Building and maintaining effective relationships with government officials and stakeholders to ensure smooth communication and collaboration. Translate the research results and communicate to a Vietnamese policy audience on regular basis.
2. Expert Panel and Executive Committee Coordination: Gathering the panel of experts and organizing the executive committee, in close coordination with the MONRE related to the topics of the GEMMES 2 project with various institutional bodies and stakeholders in Viet Nam. Providing logistical support to the project team and actively supporting the discussions and decision-making processes.
3. Policy Meetings and Events liaison: supported by an administrative staff in EF, you will animate bilateral meetings and public events to communicate project results and findings to stakeholders, partners, and the wider community. Preparing and delivering presentations, reports, and other communication materials to disseminate project outcomes effectively.
4. Research follow-up coordination: Effectively coordinating internal meetings with the research partners around the delivery of project activities. Ensuring timely execution of tasks and milestones, monitoring progress, and providing support as needed. Facilitating communication and coordination among partners to ensure seamless collaboration.

Qualifications and work experiences

• A university degree, in a relevant field, such as Environmental Science, Climate, Public Policy, Finance or related discipline;
• Experience of the political, policy development and governance context in Viêt Nam;
• Proven experience (at least 5 years) in research project coordination, preferably in the fields of energy transition, climate change, or related area
• Candidates with prior work experience in project/programme management or project finance experience with international stakeholders, preferably related to climate change, energy, sustainable development topics, will be considered as a plus;

Skills

• An understanding of public sector decision making in Viêt Nam, network of contacts in Viêt Nam political arena, government, private sector and civil society;
• Knowledge of climate change adaptation and mitigation issues in Viêt Nam; 
• Comfortable with public speaking and workshop facilitation;
• Pro-active and independent way of working;
• Strong proficiency in English and Vietnamese, both written and spoken, including technical/scientific writing. Knowledge of French is an asset;

Competences

• Project Management: Demonstrated experience in managing research projects, including coordinating activities, tracking progress, and managing stakeholders. Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently, and work independently or as part of a team.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at various levels, including government officials, researchers, and local communities. Strong networking skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Policy Advocacy: Familiarity with policy and regulatory frameworks related to energy transition, climate change, and social dimensions. Ability to provide political support to the project team and effectively communicate research findings to relevant ministries and policymakers.
• Technical Knowledge: Understanding of energy systems, climate change impacts, and socio-economic implications of energy transition. Familiarity with energy-economic modelling frameworks and climate change adaptation strategies.
• Cross-cultural Competence: Sensitivity and adaptability to work in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment. Knowledge of the Vietnamese context and culture would be an asset.

If you are motivated about contributing to Viet Nam's ambitions in addressing climate change challenges and energy transition, and have the skills and competences outlined above,please send your CV and cover letter in English, as well as three references and their contact, under the reference “Policy Outreach Coordinator” before the 12/10/2023 to the attention of Mrs. NGO Hong Nhung ([email protected]). 

Start date: January 2024 the latest

Duration: 2 years and half

Location: Expertise France Hanoi

NB: Candidates interested in this opportunity are invited to submit their application as soon as possible, with Expertise France reserving the possibility of pre-screening before that date.