Technical Assistant

USAID Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Position: Technical Assistant (FULL TIME) Base of Operation: Hanoi, Vietnam Period of Performance: on or about March 2021– March 2022 (with two-months’ probation, and subject to extension based on manager’s recommendation)

Program Background:

Nathan Associates Inc. is implementing the five-year, USAID Trade Facilitation Program, which aims to support Vietnam to adopt and implement a risk management approach to the clearance of goods at Vietnam’s borders; simplify and streamline specialized inspection; and take steps to facilitate implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

More specifically, the Program will work with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to strengthen Vietnam’s National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and any working groups; streamline border clearance procedures (including specialized inspection (SI) implemented by other line ministries and agencies); harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between the national and provincial levels; train national and provincial customs officers and staff from other ministries on risk management; and facilitate dialogue between customs and business and between relevant stakeholders in Hanoi and in the provinces.

Overview

To support Program implementation, Nathan Associates Inc. is currently seeking a Technical Assistant to provide technical support to Legal and Regulatory Expert, Customs Expert, Customs and Trade Facilitation Expert, NTFC Expert, Private Sector Expert.

The Technical Assistant will work closely with the Technical Team to ensure the effective implementation of Program activities.

The position is based in Hanoi, with occasional travel to other provinces.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Key responsibilities and duties include:

Providing support to Program Technical Team in the implementation and monitoring of Program activities;
Support the Technical Team to prepare and conduct technical meetings (preparing the agenda, taking minutes of meetings, providing summaries);
Providing support to the Technical Team to organize workshops/focus working group/field trips and public events (e.g., contacting counterparts, preparing the agenda, finalizing the materials to be distributed, and any needed support under supervision of Technical Team.)
Support the Technical Team to draft Activity Planning and other relevant documents, when requested;
Facilitate the link between the Technical Team and the operations and finance for securing all necessary in-country documentation and approvals;
Organizing, assembling and supporting the distribution of technical reports, communication materials, and other documents;
Coordinating with the administrative team to arrange travels and other logistics tasks, for Program staff, consultants and visitors;
Other tasks as assigned by the STFE and Chief of Party.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree in international trade, trade policy, law, customs administration, economics, business administration, or similar field;
Minimum 2 years of experience in a similar role;
Excellent organizational skills;
Strong communications and interpersonal skills plus excellent oral and written communication skills;
Willingness to travel;
Proficient in word processing, spreadsheets and office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Applications; and
Excellent written and spoken Vietnamese and English.