Ha Noi with frequent travel to Son La and Lao Cai provinces
Period of Assignment:
1 year (possibility of extension)
Type of employment
Full-time
Reporting To:
Inclusive Business Advisor
Background:
With more than 35 years of experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development. We have managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe for clients such as DFID, DFAT Australia, the World Bank, and Global Affairs Canada. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities, and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018.
Cowater International is seeking to recruit a Business Consultant to support the Aus4Equality|Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program. The GREAT Program is a five-year, flagship initiative of the Australian Aid Program in Vietnam (2017 to 2021) that seeks to promote women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in the ethnically diverse north-west region of Vietnam. The primary beneficiaries are women living in the provinces of Son La and Lao Cai with a focus on economic inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities.
Statement of Duty:
The Business Consultant will report to the Inclusive Business Adviser and will primarily advise private sector partners on business solutions for targeted households, (primarily ethnic minority households) involved in the business supply chains. The position will support the development and implementation of sound business plans and manage projects using strong business analytics to optimise impact on target women beneficiaries. The Business Consultant will also be responsible for managing and guiding specific business partner projects in the Program and will work in close collaboration with other members of the Technical Team and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning team to ensure effective coordination.
Specific Duties:
Market Assessment
Support selected partners in analysing specific market sub-sectors in target provinces.
Analyse root causes of the under-performing market systems and assist in developing an inclusive sector strategy that will better engage and bring more benefit for women, especially those from ethnic minorities.
Partnership Management
Manage assigned business partners: This includes overseeing partner project implementation, providing guidance and support to ensure partners deliver sustainable results in a cost-effective manner and projects are compliant with GREAT project management requirements.
Support partners in preparing and updating annual workplans and progress reports.
Conduct quarterly and annual partner performance assessments.
Inclusive Business Plan or Supply Chain Intervention Refinement
Use the data and information (financial and results) from the MIS to enhance intervention strategies.
Contribute to the refinement of sustainable and inclusive business models to increase the outreach to women and sector competitiveness.
Results Measurement and Communication
Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MERL) team in implementing and embedding the M&E approach and utilising learning to support partners to adapt approaches.
Provide input to media releases, briefings, communications activities and events.
Required Qualifications:
Skills & Abilities
The Business Consultant must possess the following skills, knowledge, and experience:
Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, marketing, finance, or an equivalent discipline.
Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in the business sector with a sound understanding of business and how markets work, specifically in Vietnam.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to think creatively and innovatively.
Demonstrated negotiation skills.
Ability and experience in business plan development.
Fluency in English and Vietnamese both verbal and written.
Ability to travel to provincial project areas when required.
Good organisational skills to manage and respond to multiple demands,
Good mu
ltidisciplinary skills to coordinate and cooperate with diverse stakeholders and support other team members.
Open to learning new approaches.
Must be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours when required.
Relevant work experience and an understanding of rural finance is an advantage, with experience in development projects not a pre-requisite.
Women and people of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates are invited to send application to aus4equalityrecruitment@gmail.com. Please indicate the Job title in the subject line.
Application should include:
A cover letter including a response to each of the selection criteria
