Company Description
Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.
EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.
Job Description
Project Description
The five-year Innovative Workforce activity aims to enhance the capacity of Vietnam’s workforce to meet the demands of a growing digital economy and support Vietnam in working towards its strategic development goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045 and directly supporting the National Strategy on Industrial Revolution 4.0. Vietnam is striving to becoming a knowledge-based economy, with emphasis on innovation, science, and technology as the backbone of a digital economy that positions Vietnam as an Asian hub for high-tech innovation and startups by 2045. To achieve that ambitious goal, Vietnam needs to build a skilled digital workforce to sustain the accelerated growth of its digital economy and strengthen the open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital infrastructure aligning with international best practices, especially in promoting core technologies and standards for the digital economy.
The Innovative Workforce Activity will assist Vietnam’s efforts in (1) developing digital/ICT skills to meet the market demand in the IR 4.0 context; (2) creating an enabling environment for local innovation, creativity, and startups; and (3) addressing the urban-rural and gender digital gaps to support inclusive development in Vietnam.
Position Description
The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity. The COP will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. The COP will manage staff and ensure that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the activity. The COP should have a demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines and budget.
The candidate for the position of Chief of Party shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:
Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree preferred.
Skills and Experience:
- Minimum of 10 years of experience implementing effective workforce development in Southeast Asia (preferably Vietnam);
- At least 5 years of relevant management, supervisory, or technical experience working with similar programs focused on the innovation economy;
- Experience working in or with the education sector, government, and/or technology industry, preferably in Vietnam, and familiar with key actors in the sectors;
- An understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks in Vietnam preferred;
- Strong leadership, administrative, management, presentation, reporting, and communication (both oral and written) skills and the ability to implement projects with diverse subject matter;
- Demonstrated experience of successful interactions, coordination and partnerships with a variety of stakeholders (host government, US and international donors, private sector, etc.);
- Ability to perform at a high level and apply diplomacy skills with a wide range of stakeholders (i.e., USG embassy personnel, host-country Ministry officials, local education and youth agencies and centers, private sector, donors, youth beneficiaries);
- Demonstrated ability to work in an ambiguous and rapidly evolving environment, must be comfortable with constant change of local leadership / partners, and multiple, competing priorities;
- Experience with USAID programs and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations desired;
- Experience and expertise in facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration; fostering private sector partnerships; and with youth leadership development required;
- Demonstrated experience leading activities that reduce gender and social inclusion barriers in programs greatly desired;
- Ability to travel throughout the region.
Language:
Fluency in English is required. Vietnamese fluency (reading, speaking, listening) will be a plus.
Additional Information
Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.
EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.