SME Linkage Manager

Program: USAID Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) Project
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Expected Duration: 5 years

IESC – the International Executive Service Corps – is a U.S.-based nonprofit that seeks private enterprise solutions to problems of poverty in developing countries and around the world. By providing a mix of technical assistance and volunteer expert support, IESC works with emerging industries, financial institutions, and governments to stabilize economic environments, increase opportunity, and promote growth. We have completed over 25,000 projects in more than 130 countries worldwide.

IESC is seeking an SME Linkage Manager for the USAID-funded Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) Project in Vietnam. The five-year Project links Vietnamese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with foreign firms (FFs) already operating in and exporting from Vietnam in order to integrate SMEs into the global value chain and accelerate domestic SME growth. The USAID LinkSME Project will create systemic changes in business relationships between Vietnamese SMEs and foreign firms, as well as significant increases in the quantity and/or quality of business linkages between Vietnamese SMEs and foreign firms.
Under the direction of the SME Linkage Component Director, the SME Linkage Manager will work full-time and be based in Hanoi.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Identify and liaise with Vietnamese SMEs that fit into LinkSME’s target sectors and have the potential of supplying foreign firms and export markets;
• Assist SMEs to register in the LinkSME database and CRM system;
• Conduct capacity assessments/business audits of SMES that have potential of supplying LinkSME partner firms, in close coordination with the Foreign Firm Linkage Manager;
• Build the capacity of Vietnamese SMEs to understand FF buyer requirements, specifications, and procurement procedures;
• Build skills, standards, and capacity of Vietnamese SMEs to deliver products and services consistent with the demands of FFs and export markets;
• Work with the Training & Events Coordinators to design and facilitate training curricula and associated events to increase SME capacity;
• Develop SME training modules to introduce efficient approaches to quality assurance and quality control and other relevant topics to meet FF requirements;
• Assist the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) Officers in data collection, analysis, learning and adaptation of Project interventions;
• Advise international short-term technical assistance (STTA) providers to understand local context and business challenges faced by SMEs and design technical assistance to address those challenges;
• Attend trade fairs, supplier days, matchmaking events, and other business events to identify potential LinkSME partner firms and otherwise represent the project to the business community;
• Liaise with public and private sector entities including representatives of SMEs and FFs, sector associations and relevant government ministries and research bodies;
• Under the direction of the Deputy Project Director & SME Linkage Director, work on integrating key program learnings into actionable business reform recommendations;
• Complete reports and documentation on meetings held and assessments conducted in a timely manner, and contribute to periodic reports such as weekly bullets and quarterly progress reports; and
• Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor to meet Project objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Vietnamese national;
• University degree in business management or related field required, advanced degree preferred;
• Minimum 3 years work experience;
• Fluency in written and spoken English required;
• Experience working with SMEs required;
• Experience supporting multinational private sector brands in business expansion, which may include foreign firms’ supply chain management; supplier development, commercial contracting, sales, or business development preferred. Experience supporting in the electronics and/or metal sectors is an advantage;
• Experience in the following areas would be an asset: delivering or facilitating business training, working with government counterparts, selling to global markets;
• Familiarity with SME evaluation review, including company assessment and needs analysis, and experience in industrial auditing work would be a plus;
• Relationship orientation: demonstrated client relationship building and management skills;
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and organizational skills; and
• Maturity, professionalism, positive attitude, and self-motivation.

Deadline: 12/04/2019

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application ONLY at the following link: https://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=IESCORG&cws=39&rid=1095 or by visiting the Careers page on IESC.org and searching for openings in Vietnam.

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese national or a person with legal residency and work eligibility in Vietnam. CV and letter of interest should be in English. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Early applications by COB April 12, 2019 are strongly encouraged.

- Competitive salary and bonus
- Social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance according to Labor Laws
- Professional, dynamic working environment

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