Interpreter

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 October 1, 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 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 Agricultura l 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 Interpreter, under the direction of the Deputy Director Public Sector Lead, will provide interpretation and translation services primarily for project events and communications materials.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based at the Hanoi office. This position reports to the Deputy Director Public Sector Lead.

Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and timely translation of technical and administrative documents from English into Vietnamese and from Vietnamese into English, as required;

• Interpret for meetings as required, from English into Vietnamese and from Vietnamese into English, including meetings related to technical topics that relate to the implementation of the project and meetings between project staff and Government of Vietnam personnel;

• Assist the Deputy Director Public Sector Lead in preparing bilingual meeting agendas and briefing materials;

• Travel within Vietnam to accompany project staff to sites or meetings where interpretation is required;

• Operate translation equipment;

• Support the Deputy Director Public Sector Lead in organizing and attending staff meetings, planning sessions and preparation meetings, and performing other duties as required, consistent with project objectives and technical skills of the position;

• Handle confidential information appropriately;

• Assist the Deputy Director Public Sector Lead in project scheduling, liaison with stakeholders, and maintaining technical project files (SharePoint) during non-translation periods; and,

• Complete other tasks as assigned by the Deputy Director Public Sector Lead .

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English or other relevant discipline required; 

• Familiarity and experience with international development principles and practices;   

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in English and Vietnamese oral and written interpretation;

• Well-organized, detail oriented, excellent verbal and written communication skills; 

• Possess strong organizational and management skills; 

• Proficiency in Microsoft office tools, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; 

• Maturity, professionalism, and positive attitude;

• High level of integrity, and the ability to work independently in a lean team structure; and

• Fluency in Vietnamese and English (both written and verbal) required.

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese National. CV and cover letters should be in English. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.