Vietnam Business Forum’s Coordinator/Head of VBF Secretariat

TERM OF REFERENCE

Vietnam Business Forum’s Coordinator/Head of VBF Secretariat

Background: The Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) was established  in  1997 during the annual Consultative Group meeting between the Vietnamese Government and its donor partners, as a not-for-profit, non-political channel for nurturing public-private dialogue to develop a favorable  business  environment  that  attracts  domestic  and  foreign  private  sector investment and stimulates sustainable economic development in Vietnam. This is done primarily through high profile bi-annual Forums between the business community and Vietnamese leadership and through specialized Working Groups cutting across sectors.

Serving as a regular and high-level channel of communication between the business community and Vietnamese Government, the VBF is widely recognized as an important actor and reliable partner in shaping reforms that provides concrete results towards delivering a better business environment in Vietnam. Key VBF objectives include working with the Government to create pathways to long-term and sustainable business performance as well as to promote the interests of national and international business community in Vietnam and enhance investment and trade in local and oversea markets.  VBF  works  to  provide  research,  legal  analysis,  identification  of problems  and  practical solutions.

In early 2012, the coordination function of the Forum’s secretariat was transferred from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to a Consortium of international and local business associations and chambers of commerce to allow the private sector to play a bigger role in the Forum’s sustainable development.

The Consortium is led by American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korea Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and Japan Business Association in Vietnam. There are 10 other business organizations and chambers of commerce who participate in the Consortium as Associate Members.

The bi-annual Forums are co-chaired by Vietnam's Minister of Planning and Investment, the World Bank's Vietnam Country Director, IFC's Regional Manager and Co-Chairmen of the Consortium.

The VBF Secretariat was established in February 2012 to play a coordination role for all VBF activities to ensure smooth function of the VBF and directly reports to the Management Board of the VBF Consortium.

For more information, please visit:www.vbf.org.vn.

The VBF Secretariat is now seeking for a Vietnamese national to fill in the position of VBF Coordinator/VBF Secretariat’s Head. The assignment will take place in Hanoi Office. Expected commencement date is 24th July 2017

1. Job description

• Managing VBF Secretariat Office in Hanoi, including 6 staff

• Coordinate and manage the day-to-day operational processes of the VBF. Report directly to the VBF Management Board.

• Coordinate the Semi-Annual Forums and meetings between Working Groups and Government counterparts, provide support to Working Groups’ Chairs/Deputy Chairs and facilitate Working Group activities, including: (i) coordinating the inputs from the private sector, preparing agendas and providing additional information to substantiate the issues, (ii) managing and monitoring logistical arrangements for the VBF and its Working Groups and undertaking other tasks related to the arrangement and conduct of meetings.

• Help to identify cross-cutting issues, manage information across the Working Groups and elaborate recommendations/strategy to address issues impacting the Working Groups and private sector.

• Develop good working relationships with business groups participating in the Working Groups and Government counterparts to support and promote policy initiatives that emanate from the Working Groups.

• Support additional research/activities to help broaden representation and active participation in the Forum as required.

• Conduct post-meeting activities, including follow-up dialogues with private sector and Government counterparts on the issues raised at formal VBFs and Working Group meetings, preparation of meeting minutes.

• Monitor progress and compile progress reports on issues raised by the Working Groups.

• Coordinate to conduct result report on a yearly basis.

• Ensure effective communications with stakeholders.

• Convey Forum issues to the donor community to ensure complementary activities can be conducted whenever appropriate.

• Regularly inform Working Groups members, in a timely manner, of discussions held in the Working Groups, progress and achievements.

• Maintain one or more databases updated at least annually with stakeholder names and contact details.

2. Requirements

• Bachelor degree with at least 5 years work experience in relevant coordinating and management position in multi-national or international organization, preferably fields of study relating law, public policy, economics, business administration, investment analysis. 

• Excellent English skills (verbal and written).

• Strong communications and advocacy skills, able to interface effectively with public and private sector leaders;

• Organizational and practical problem-solving skills and ability to deliver assignments in a timely manner under severe time pressures.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills in order to deal effectively with internal/external contacts at all levels; and commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment.

• Extensive knowledge and use of relevant computer software. 

• Highly motivated, dedicated, reliable, and flexible in order to achieve planned targets.

• Willingness to conduct additional ad-hoc responsibilities other than duties directly related to this position as requested.

3. How to apply

Interested applicants should send a cover letter in English and a CV with copies of relevant degrees/certificates indicating the specific position to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].

The subject of the email should be Application for VBF Coordinator_ Name of the candidate

The closing date for application: 15 July 2017. We regret that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.