Project Coordinator – Food Safety and Project Management

Project Coordinator – Components on Food Safety and Project Management

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 (GVN), 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. Under the APMB, a Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established to support and coordinate with IESC and relevant stakeholders in organizing project implementation, overseeing progress and quality of activities, and ensuring that project outputs are utilized in accordance with project objectives, approved activities, Vietnamese regulations, and donor requirements.

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.

IESC will have a main project office in Hanoi and a regional project office in Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, the PMU under APMB/MAE will establish a project office in Hanoi.

General Objectives:

The project is seeking qualified candidates for a Project Coordinator – Components 1 and 4 on Food Safety and Project Management. The Project Coordinator will perform tasks to support the PMU under APMB/MAE in coordination with the IESC Project Office and relevant stakeholders in organizing project implementation and supervision.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based between the PMU and IESC offices in Hanoi. The Project Coordinator will report to the IESC Project Director in coordination with the PMU Director.

Key Responsibilities

The position will be responsible for supporting effective coordination, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and communication of Project activities, with a particular focus on Component 1 (Strengthen Food Safety and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Capacities) and Component 4 (Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Communications, and Events). Key responsibilities include:

1.    Project Management Support

·         Provide the operational input on project management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), communications, and events, as required by the PMU.

·         Support the coordination, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of the activities under respective components, in accordance with the approved annual work plans.

·         Support the development of annual work plans in accordance with GVN requirements and ensure alignment with the Project design and relevant implementation procedures.

·         Monitor the progress and quality of assigned activities and sub-activities, identify implementation issues and risks, and support timely follow-up and resolution.

2.    Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

·         Facilitate coordination among the PMU, IESC Project Office, Project components, government counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders in the planning and implementation of activities under Component 1 and 4.

·         Foster effective communication, coordination, and collaboration between the IESC Project Office and PMU, particularly in engagement with public-sector counterparts.

·         Support the coordination of project activities and related operational procedures under Component 1 and 4.

3.    Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

·         Consolidate and regularly update information on the implementation progress of activities under Component 1 and 4 against approved annual work plans.

·         Prepare and contribute to monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc reports for submission to the PMU, in collaboration with the Project Coordinator – Components on Trade in Agriculture, to include information related to supply chain and cold chain logistics and access to trade finance, as relevant to assigned activities.

·         Coordinate with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning ( MEL) Lead to identify appropriate data sources, collect, verify, validate, and provide data and supporting evidence required for project indicators and reporting.

·         Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of activity implementation, outputs, results, and supporting documentation.

4.    Project Results and Knowledge Management

·         Coordinate the development, maintenance, and regular updating of the Project results and outputs library under the guidance of the PMU and IESC Project Office.

·         Ensure that relevant project results, outputs, supporting evidence, and implementation information is properly documented and readily accessible for project management, monitoring, reporting, and learning purposes.

·         Support the use of documented project results and evidence in reports, presentations, meetings, and other project communications.

5.    Meeting and Event Coordination

·         Support the PMU in scheduling and preparing for bi-annual PMU meetings and regular meetings between the PMU and IESC Project Office.

·         Participate in and, where required, facilitate regular and ad-hoc meetings; prepare meeting agendas, minutes, action points, and follow-up on agreed actions.

·         Coordinate arrangements for events, workshops, training activities, and other project activities related to Component 1 and 4, including participant and invitee coordination, preparation and issuance of invitations, travel arrangements for international experts and specialists, logistical arrangements, and follow-up on agreed actions.

6.    Implementation and Quality Assurance

·         Work with Project components and relevant counterparts to support the implementation and supervision of assigned activities and sub-activities.

·         Monitor the timeliness, quality, and completeness of assigned deliverables and provide updates and recommendations to the PMU and IESC Project Office as appropriate.

·         Identify implementation challenges and emerging issues and support the development and implementation of appropriate corrective and follow-up actions.

7.    Other Responsibilities

·         Provide other coordination, reporting, and operational support as required to contribute to the achievement of Project objectives.

·         Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the PMU Director that are relevant to the successful implementation of the Project.

Qualifications:

·         Vietnamese national.

·         A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration , Economics, Business, Agriculture, food safety (FS), SPS, or closely related fields of study;

·         Understanding of Vietnam’s agriculture, FS, SPS sector;

·         Minimum 7 years of work experience related to economic governance;

·         Minimum 7 years of work experience with/for Government agencies (ministries or ministries’ departments);

·         Working experience related to ODA project management. Experience with projects in the agriculture or agribusiness sectors is preferred.

·         Working experience in coordinating or facilitating multi-government agencies relationship; prior experience working with/for USG projects is preferred;

·         Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

·         Strong diplomatic, clear communication, follow-up, and multitasking skills;

·         Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and organizational skills; and

·         Maturity, professionalism, positive attitude, and self-motivation.

Application Deadline: September 21, 2026. Please note that CVs and cover letters should be submitted in English. The position will remain open until filled.