Deputy Director - Public Sector Engagement Lead

Deputy Director – Public Sector Engagement Lead

Project: United States Department of Agriculture Food for Progress U.S.-Vietnam Trade in Agriculture and Food Safety Expanded

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Start Date: On/around August 15, 2026

Expected Duration: Approximately four years

IESC Background: 

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that catalyzes private sector growth and creates economic opportunity for people and communities across the economically developing world. Since our founding in 1964 , we have delivered lasting solutions across 139 countries.

IESC is a valued partner to people and communities throughout the economically developing world. We share proven business skills and experience with entrepreneurs, jobseekers, businesses, farmers, cooperatives, and governments. We also offer resources—human, technological, and financial—that sustainably build capacity and empower communities. Our long legacy of strengthening developing economies is matched by our vision for the next generation: a world with economic opportunity for all, where people and communities thrive.    

Project Background:

Building on three decades of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025), the 2025–2026 period marks a significant transformation in bilateral ties. Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) framework, agricultural cooperation has been identified as a key pillar. This cooperation has deepened beyond merely promoting bilateral trade turnover to focus on technical collaboration and enhancing system management capacity. This progression is an essential step toward realizing joint commitments to transparent, science-based trade, aiming to promote economic prosperity and ensure substantial benefits for the business communities of both nations.

To realize this strategic vision, Vietnam has been officially selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as one of five focus countries for the Food for Progress Program for the 2025–2030 period. In Vietnam, the USDA Food for Progress Program will be implemented through the USDA Food for Progress Trade in Agriculture and Food Safety Expanded (TAFSE) project. This opens a rare opportunity for Vietnam to access financial resources and deep expertise from the U.S. to resolve bottlenecks in infrastructure and SPS standards (sanitary and phytosanitary measures), thereby comprehensively modernizing the national agricultural trade system. 

This is a technical assistance project funded by non-refundable official development assistance from the U.S. Government through the USDA, and managed by IESC. From Vietnamese Government, The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) is the project Executing Agency (EA). The Agricultural Projects Management Board (APMB) is the agency assigned by MAE to coordinate with stakeholders during project preparation and implementation. The project will:

• Improve the efficiency of the SPS and food safety systems in Vietnam;

• Strengthen supply chain capacity and cold chain logistics systems;

• Expand access to agriculture trade finance for the private sector; and

• Support Vietnam’s broader goals for innovation, private sector growth, and international integration related to agriculture trade.

The project will operate nationwide, focusing on major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and localities with major ports and cold chain development needs. The project will have a main office in Hanoi and a regional office in Ho Chi Minh City. 

General Objectives:

The Deputy Project Director (DPD) – Public Sector Engagement Lead is a technical senior management role responsible for leading engagement and acting as the main interlocutor with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) counterpart and providing leadership and oversight to the public policy technical team. In this role, the DPD - Public Sector Engagement Lead will work with MAE and related stakeholders to develop and manage the Project Document and related documents as part of the project registration with the GVN as well as supporting IESC's office registration and operation. The DPD – Public Sector Lead will oversee activity planning and reporting as required by USDA and GVN for project approval and implementation , The DPD – Public Sector Lead is responsible for providing regular updates, facilitating technical and compliance meetings with the counterpart, and seeking feedback and ensuring clear and transparent coordination and cooperation.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based at the Hanoi office. The DPD – Public Sector Lead will oversee a Food Safety Specialist, Access to Finance Specialist, National and Provincial Regulatory Specialists, and ICT Business Analyst and support the Project Director in monitoring the operation of the HCMC Office. This position reports to the Project Director (PD).

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight and GVN counterpart coordination for activity implementation, closely coordinating with the other project technical leads and Activity support related staff (MEL, Communications, Finance and Administration);

• Facilitate public-private dialogue via workshops, roundtables, and technical working groups between relevant stakeholders and GVN agencies to strengthen food safety and SPS capacities throughout the ecosystem, including e-governance solutions and increased connectivity to reduce bottlenecks;

• Act as the main interlocutor with the Project Execution Agency (MAE), Project Owner (APMB) and support the Project Director in the management of the HCMC Office.

• Actively engage in new partnerships and maintain existing partnerships among GVN counterparts, the private sector, business associations, and other relevant stakeholders;

• Work with GVN counterparts to secure a minimum of one-to-one co-investment into ICT solutions that streamline and modernize trade-related food safety/SPS processes and systems (hardware, software, or other areas of support);

• Collaborate with relevant GVN ministries and IESC’s subcontractors to review decrees and circulars related to SPS, Trade Facilitation and Food Safety such as import inspection, facilities registration, self-declaration quarantine of animal products, and pesticides for plant products against best practices and develop recommendations and actions plans to improve efficiency and effectiveness;

• Lead the implementation of action plan items in alignment with USDA and GVN priorities. This may include supporting the GVN in their efforts to update relevant regulations to streamline, clarify, and harmonize processes and procedures with international best practices; develop or improve sampling protocols; train responsible GVN staff; and develop or improve ICT solutions to communicate results;

• Manage short-term technical consultants and contracts to deliver outcomes related to activity implementation;

• Oversee stakeholder and GVN trainings on modernizing food safety, process and procedure implementation, market food safety, and other relevant topics;

• Contribute to required USDA and GVN reports and deliverables including annual work plans and all periodic progress reports;

• Travel to the regional field office and activity sites as required; and,

• Other tasks as assigned by the PD.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in law, policy, agricultural trade, or a related field required;

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience engaging GVN counterparts on trade and/or regulatory reforms;

• At least 5 years of supervisory experience;

• Familiarity and work with the GVN Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and e-Governance initiative is highly preferred;

• Experience on donor-funded development projects is preferred;

• In-depth knowledge of the local operating environment in Vietnam;

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while ensuring adherence to required policies and procedures;

• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear and positive manner with clients and staff;

• Demonstrated leadership and integrity;

• Maturity, professionalism, positive attitude, and self-motivation;

• Fluency in written and spoken Vietnamese and English required; and,

• Ability to travel domestically for brief trips.

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese National. Submit CV and cover letter in English. IESC will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.