National Consultant (Project Liason Officer)

Organizational Context

The Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA) is a transboundary system shared by Cambodia and Viet Nam, vital for millions and supporting critical ecosystems. Groundwater management faces challenges like over-extraction and pollution. The "Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer" project, funded by GEF and executed by FAO, IUCN, UNESCO, and MERFI, aims to address these issues. UNESCO Vietnam seeks a National Consultant to serve as the Project Liaison Officer.

Job Purpose

The Project Liaison Officer will provide essential day-to-day support to the National Project Management Unit (NPMU) and Project Executing Partners. This role is crucial for ensuring robust coordination and effective communication among Vietnamese governmental agencies and with Project Executing Partners. The consultant will also support UNESCO's specific activities and reporting obligations. Close collaboration with other executing partners, IUCN and MERFI, is required to ensure alignment and successful implementation of joint activities under the CMDA project. The position involves shared working time between the NPMU and UNESCO offices in Hanoi, reporting to the Head of the UNESCO Country Office and the Chief of the Natural Sciences Unit.

Responsibilities

The Project Liaison Officer will act as a key liaison between the NPMU, the Project Steering Committee, project teams of Executing Partners, provincial authorities, and other engaged agencies. Responsibilities include assisting the NPMU with administrative tasks such as drafting correspondence, meeting minutes, and managing project data and reports in compliance with Vietnamese regulations. The role involves supporting the NPMU and Executing Partners in facilitating technical discussions, tracking deliverables, and managing logistical and administrative aspects of project activities. This includes fieldwork, workshops, meetings, training sessions, and data collection for monitoring and evaluation. Maintaining close coordination, smooth administrative processes, and effective communication among Vietnamese governmental agencies and between these agencies and the executing partners is paramount.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in supporting water resources projects is necessary. This includes strong knowledge and practical experience in hydrogeology, groundwater management, and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Experience with Vietnamese water sector policies, institutional frameworks, and drafting legal documents is beneficial. Collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including ministries and local agencies, and understanding of administrative procedures for ODA-funded projects are also important.

Skills

Key skills include strong communication, accountability, innovation, knowledge sharing, planning and organizing, results focus, and teamwork. Proficiency in MS Office and excellent organizational, self-management, coordination, and communication skills are essential. Fluency in both written and oral English and Vietnamese is required.

Explore related opportunities