SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) is one of five coordinating partners for Michael R. Bloomberg’s $375 million Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. The initiative aims to reduce tobacco use in low and middle-income countries, where more than two-thirds of the world’s smokers live. As part of this initiative, the Campaign operates a global advocacy resource center to provide accurate public information about tobacco use and effective tobacco control interventions and assists advocates and government with strategic planning, resources and technical assistance to achieve policy change. These resources include policy, research, media, legal and grassroots expertise and support.
Viet Nam is among the countries with the highest smoking rates in the world. The prevalence of smoking among those age 15 years and older in 2002 was 56.1% among men and 1.8% among women. Tobacco use is a leading cause of death in Viet Nam. Nearly 40,000 Vietnamese die each year from tobacco-related causes. Vietnam ratified the world’s first public health treaty, the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004. In 2009 the Prime Minister issued a National Plan for FCTC Implementation, which called for a Law on Tobacco Control. The Draft Tobacco Control Law (which will be called Law on the Preventing the Harmfulness of Tobacco Use) is still in the review process within the Office of the Government and will be sent to the National Assembly agenda, with a first reading October 2011, to be followed by a second reading/and potential passage in May or June 2012.
Position Summary:
This position is based in Hanoi. The Consultant is responsible for closely tracking the status of tobacco control policies in Vietnam; analyzing progress of the Draft Tobacco Control Law; and providing regular updates to CTFK to ensure that CTFK has the most current information on the tobacco control policy, and specifically the pending tobacco control draft law as it moves through the policymaking process. The Consultant will provide guidance regarding the national, provincial and municipal policy-making processes involved in tobacco control in Vietnam, as well as on relevant civil society initiatives working on policy change. Under the direction of CTFK staff, the Consultant will meet with and collaborate with BI Partners, contractors, and grantees in Vietnam to ensure synergy between CTFK programs and the efforts of other tobacco control program activities. When requested, the consultant will identify and make recommendations regarding new program opportunities and work with CTFK to identify strategic partners. The Consultant will work closely with the Coordinators of the Vietnam Program in Washington DC to ensure that CTFK possesses updated information regarding policy development and the status of tobacco control initiatives in Vietnam.
Primary Duties
Policy Tracking and Analysis:
Systematically track progress of the national tobacco control legislation to understand and report on changes and developments related to the law as it moves through the policy process. In consultation with CTFK, identify and work with Vietnamese government officials, policy makers, party officials, NGOs, other relevant stakeholders and activists; Develop and maintain and communications with key policymakers on both national, provincial and municipal levels; Prepare regular and periodic reports on political developments in the country broadly and as it relates to tobacco control.
Strategy Development and Implementation:
- Assist with the development of CTFK Vietnam advocacy strategies and the development of working partnerships with national and regional executive, legislative and party power structures;
- Assist CTFK in identifying strategic partners (grantees, contractors, and other partners);
- Assist with development of strategic plans with Vietnamese advocates to promote policy change;
- Develop and produce status updates and program reports according to the program work plan;
Partnership Development and Collaboration:
- When requested, coordinate and collaborate with partners on advocacy activities;
- Liaise with CTFK staff to assure provision of focused communications, legal and research support, including taking part by phone in CTFK Vietnamese team meeting (every other week);
- In cooperation with Program Coordinators and CTFK identify regional allies for implementation of regional events or campaigns.
- In cooperation with Program coordinator and CTFK, collaborate with Bloomberg Partners in Vietnam, including WHO and IUATLD Regional Offices;
Other duties upon agreement with CTFK.
Required Skills:
- A minimum of 7-10 years work experience in law, legislation, advocacy, public policy, media, public health, or other related field.
- High level of familiarity with the policymaking process in Vietnam.
- Good level of familiarity with Vietnamese civil society, including NGOs, domestic and international charitable organizations, trade and business associations, etc.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills;
- Master’s degree or Vietnamese equivalent in public policy, public health, law or other related field.
- Excellent organizational skills; ability to balance and prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to maintain open channels of communications and coordinate with multiple partners sharing the same or similar goals.
- Experience working at the international level and in cross-cultural settings.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and public speaking skills.
- Fluency in Vietnamese and High level of proficiency in spoken and written English, and
- Ability to travel within Vietnam.
To Apply
To apply for this position please email a cover letter, including salary history, and attach your resume to: [email protected]. Please reference the position code PC-09 in the subject line of your email. Resumes will be accepted through November 15, 2011.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from individuals who will contribute to its diversity. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) has a strict policy of not hiring or contracting with anyone with economic ties to the tobacco industry and requires that the legal consultant warrants that no economic ties to the tobacco industry exist.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a leader in the fight to reduce tobacco use in the United States and around the world. By changing public attitudes and public policies on tobacco, the Campaign works to prevent kids from smoking, help smokers quit and protect everyone from secondhand smoke. A non-profit organization established in 1996, the Campaign works with more than 130 organizational partners, including public health, medical, education, civic, corporate, youth and religious organizations. The Campaign does not accept any government or tobacco industry funding.