Procurement Specialist

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 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 Procurement Specialist, under the direction of the Finance and Administration Lead (F&A Lead), is responsible for supporting procurement processes to ensure that the project is able to achieve its overall goals.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based at the Hanoi office. This position reports to the F&A Lead.

Responsibilities:

·       Support procurement processes, including drafting and reviewing RFPs and RFQs, conducting bid analyses and evaluations, drafting procurement contracts, and receiving and reviewing contract deliverables;

·       Ensure procurement activities are in compliance with USG rules and regulations, as well as IESC policies;

·       Prepare meeting agendas and schedules, coordinate staff travel plans, and make lodging and transport arrangements accordingly;

·       Assist with procurement efforts in the regional office;

·       Report on purchase orders and disbursement for management review;

·       Support vendors, consultants, and contractors to successfully implement their contracts by answering questions, following up on deliverables, and providing other support as needed;

·       Ensure the accuracy and compliance of all payment vouchers, invoices, and financial reports specifically related to procurement activities and contract deliverables.

·       Maintain accurate and complete files for all procurement-related documentation;

·       Monitor and track expenditure progress for all procurement contracts to provide accurate data for overall project budget management and financial forecasting.

·       Complete other tasks as assigned by the Finance and Administration Lead.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in management, finance, administration, or other relevant discipline required; 
• Familiarity and experience with international development principles and practices;   
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in supporting U.S. Government grants, contracts and purchases;
• Proven expertise in the full procurement cycle;
• Demonstrated experience in identifying vendors and managing relationships with vendors;  
• Proficiency in Microsoft office tools, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint;  
• Well-organized, detail oriented, excellent verbal and written communication skills; 
• Demonstrated organizational skills; 
• 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.