Program & Communications Officer

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH

FHI 360 is an international non-governmental organization that, in Vietnam, promotes the health and well-being of the Vietnamese people, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations. It works with the Vietnam Ministry of Health and other national bodies, as well as provincial and district-level health services to achieve project aims. FHI 360 is currently implementing programs to address HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, TB case finding and treatment, clinical research, COVID-19, anti-microbial resistance, health system strengthening, combatting trafficking in persons, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health and nutrition, diagnostics, and laboratory services.

Alive and Thrive (A&T) is an initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth and development. From 2009 to 2014, A&T demonstrated that rapid improvements in infant and young child feeding (IYCF) are possible in settings as diverse as Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Viet Nam. In 2014, A&T began working in Burkina Faso, India, Nigeria, and throughout the Southeast Asia region, expanding its scope to include maternal and adolescent nutrition, and using agriculture and social protection programs as delivery mechanisms for maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN). Currently, A&T is leveraging its robust network and knowledge base to strengthen systems and build capacity in these and other countries across Africa and Asia, and disseminate innovations, tools, and lessons worldwide. The A&T initiative, managed by FHI 360, is currently funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Government of Ireland, UNICEF, the World Bank, and other development partners.

In East Asia Pacific (EAP), A&T provides strategic technical assistance to governments and a network of local partners with a focus on eight countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam) to facilitate policy and system reforms aimed at increasing investment and creating an enabling environment for MIYCN. With funding from the Government of Ireland, A&T is strengthening MIYCN service delivery, focusing on equity to reach the most vulnerable in Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam. With funding from the World Bank, A&T is utilizing global evidence to inform the Government of Papua New Guinea’s social and behavior change strategy under a national multi-sectoral stunting reduction program. As an endorsed technical assistance provider to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Health Cluster, A&T supports the development of regional standards and collaborates with member states to improve the quality and coverage of MIYCN policies and programs throughout the region.

In Vietnam, A&T has collaborated with the Ministry and Departments of Health to implement Center of Excellence for Breastfeeding [1] initiatives in 15 provinces nationwide. Since 2017, A&T has supported the Ministry of Health and hospitals to establish a network [2] of six human milk banks and two satellite human milk banks. A&T was appointed Chair and Co-Chair of SUN CSA Viet Nam [3] for the 2021-2025 term. The technical assistance has been expanded to East Asia Pacific countries and beyond.

A&T is seeking a qualified and motivated Vietnamese candidate to serve as a Program & Communications Officer. The position is based in our office in Hanoi.

Job Summary / Responsibilities

The Program & Communications Officer provides technical and coordination support to scale up the Center of Excellence for Breastfeeding initiative, Human Milk Bank services, and Climate-Smart Healthcare in Viet Nam while supporting social behavior change communication for regional programs.

Accountabilities

• Program support: Provide program support to the workplan management and execution of the A&T initiative in Viet Nam. Ensure an increase in the uptake of the center of excellence for breastfeeding, human milk bank service, climate-smart healthcare approaches, tools, and materials, including procedures, criteria, guidelines, protocols, and checklists.
• Representation and engagement: Represent A&T in events with relevant local governments (national & subnational) and health facilities in Viet Nam.
• Documentation and dissemination: Contribute to the documentation, dissemination, and reporting of A&T activities, experiences, and results for partner and donor updates, publications, social media, and relevant communication channels. Facilitate knowledge exchange and cross-country & cross-donor learning as appropriate. Facilitate data collection and research on the center of excellence for breastfeeding initiatives, human milk bank services, and climate-smart healthcare initiatives and publish them in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strategic Communications

1. Promote and reinforce A&T’s branding for its major services designed for the private sectorand global innovations.
2. Facilitate internal communication initiatives to advocate for A&T’s best practices in privatesector engagement within the organization and with relevant stakeholders.

• Operations & Reporting:

1. Contribute to ensuring smooth operations of A&T East Asia Pacific Regional Office and activities in collaboration with the Regional Admin Associate and other team members.
2. Provide translation and interpretation support at meetings and of project documents.
3. Provide support in preparing contract packages and processing payment for partners/ vendors.
4. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication and partnership activities, providing regular reports and insights for continuous improvement.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of diverse scope that require analysis or interpretation of various factors.
• Exercises judgment within selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Builds productive working relationships with internal and external staff.
• Decision may affect a work unit or area within a department.

Travel Requirements:

• 15 - 20%

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in business development, communication, marketing, public relations, public health
• 3-5 years’ experience in business development, communications, partnership development, or a related role is essential, preferably within the non-profit sector.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate clearly and positively with team members and partners.
• Excellent communication and organization skills are required. Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent Vietnamese and English.
• Demonstrated experience in working with national and subnational government agencies and health facilities is critical.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), multilateral organization, government agency, or private company.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with a multi-cultural team.
• Ability to influence, motivate, provide technical assistance, and collaborate with others.
• Ability to take initiative and focus on results.
• Ability to learn new skills and systems, with an entrepreneurial work ethic, and gain respect among staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to problem solve and implement corrective action as needed.
• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.

FHI 360 offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits.

Interested candidates are invited to visit FHI 360’s career page at https://www.fhi360.org/careers [4] and apply for the position ONLINE by August 4, 2024. Selection and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.