Temperature Control and Logistics Specialist

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

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Start Date: On/around January 1, 2027

Expected Duration: Up to 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:

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

• S trengthen 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 Temperature Control and Logistics Specialist , under the direction of the Senior Private Sector Lead, will conduct cold chain-related energy efficiency audits and design and deliver cold chain technology events.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based at the Ho Chi Minh City office. This position reports to the Senior Private Sector Lead.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement activities under Activity 2 that address critical market and labor-related demands for temperature-controlled food preservation, safety, and quality;

• Supports the design and assessment of the project’s temperature control market investment opportunity study, including pursuing investors and monitoring investments related to market opportunities identified in and catalyzed by the study;

• Design and oversee cold/cool chain-related energy efficiency audits;

• Design and deliver cold chain technology events that highlight energy efficient and effective technology products and innovations, this may include the technical design of the cold chain grant program that responds to needs demonstrated by significant grantee cost-contribution of at a minimum $3.00 from the grantee applicant for each $1.00 in grant funds;

• Serve as the project’s technical point of contact with the Global Cold Chain Foundation in coordination with the Project Director, coordinating regular meetings (biweekly or monthly) with action-oriented agendas that review progress against plans and facilitate technical discussions related to ongoing challenges;

• Provide stakeholder coordination for activity implementation, closely coordinating with the other project technical leads and project support related staff (monitoring, evaluation, learning; communications; finance and administration);

• Support with monitoring and evaluation data collection and the development of project communications materials;

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

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

• Travel to the  Hanoi office and activity sites as required; and

• Complete other tasks as assigned by the Senior Private Sector Lead and/or the Project Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, industrial engineering or other relevant discipline required, Master’s degree preferred;

• Familiarity and experience with international development principles and practices with specific knowledge related to cold chain systems, infrastructure, and solutions; Familiarity with ISO 31512: 2024 cold chain logistics services; BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution or similar areas highly preferred;

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in agricultural transport, logistics, and cold chain technology ;

• Demonstrated understanding and/or related certifications in international recognized cold chain protocols for agricultural products, including perishable fruits and vegetables as well as frozen or chilled processed goods;

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

• Demonstrated organizational skills;

• Maturity, professionalism, and positive attitude;

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

• High level of maturity, 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.