SERVIR-Mekong Country Coordinator

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a regional non-profit foundation with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. The primary geographical focus of ADPC’s activities is Asia with the South, South East and East Asia being the primary sub-regions.

ADPC has more than 30 years of working experience in Asia along with the national and local Government of its charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management. ADPC works to build preparedness at all levels, from regional, to national, sub-national and even to individual communities. Further details on ADPC and its programs can be found at www.adpc.net.

SERVIR is a global program that provides scientific and technical know-how to help developing countries use geospatial information and technologies to achieve sustainable development. SERVIR-Mekong will promote the use and availability of publicly available satellite imagery and related geospatial decision-support tools/products to help key stakeholders and decision makers in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam better predict and manage floods and other natural disasters, improve agricultural risk management, manage land-use more sustainably, and help governments and communities increase resilience to the negative effects of climate change. Funded by USAID, and with lead scientific and technical support from NASA, SERVIR-Mekong is being implemented by ADPC with inputs from consortium partners Spatial Informatics Group, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Deltares. Further details on SERVIR-Mekong can be found at servir.adpc.net.

Statement of Intent

The Vietnam Country Coordinator will be responsible for developing innovative approaches to enhancing user uptake of SERVIR-Mekong products and services, and ensuring that user consultation and participation are integrated across activities in Vietnam. This position will work closely with the Science and Data and Capacity Development Leads and USAID Vietnam Forests and Deltas (VFD) and its Government counterparts to develop effective user engagement strategies, and work with local stakeholders and technical staff on specific products, tools, trainings, and events to ensure user involvement.

Required Qualifications / Selection Criteria

• A Master’s level degree in International Development, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or other field related to this position
• At least ten years of experience in international development approaches relevant to this position, including engaging with various users of geospatial applications including policy makers, communities, students, and practitioners
• Demonstrated ability to identify relevant collaboration partners in the country and effectively communicate with both government and non-government stakeholders
• Proven record of productive engagement with national level government institutions, NGOs, and scientists in the country
• Proven record of engagement with MARD and/or MONRE institutions working on hydrology, hydro-climatic disasters, water management, and/or ecosystem services
• Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental and development context of the duty station and the Lower Mekong Region in general
• Project management experience including coordinating travel and workshop logistics - Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Vietnamese

Essential Competencies

• Content knowledge: Advanced knowledge of hydrology, hydro-climatic disasters. water management and/or ecosystem services; knowledge of and experience in user engagement
• Management & coordination: Ability to design and coordinate user engagement activities, understanding of a project cycle including operational planning and monitoring
• Networking & stakeholder management: Ability to establish networks with strategic institutions, and effectively communicate with stakeholders
• Impact & results orientation: Proactive approach for effective capacity building initiatives
• Social/team competency: Ability to work smoothly and effectively with others in the team to establish constructive ideas or solutions that meet the team objective
• Flexibility: Ability to easily adapt to changing contexts, technologies and approaches when necessary; make improvements in own work area - Report Writing: Ability to contribute to the preparation and consolidation of reports

Other desired qualities

• Understanding of how Earth Observation and Geospatial Information applications may be used for better decision making, especially the context of climate change, food security, water and disasters and ecosystem services
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds - Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges
• Must be a creative problem-solver who takes initiative
• Self-directed, dynamic, attention to details, independent with excellent organizational skills
• Willingness and availability to travel periodically

General Requirements

Operate within all ADPC Guidelines & Procedures/ Policies

Duties and Responsibilities

The SERVIR-Mekong Country Coordinator will:

• Develop a framework to ensure effective stakeholder engagement in different phases of service planning and design - Develop innovative approaches to enhance uptake and maintenance of products and services and their upscaling - Establish networks with strategic institutions and effectively communicate with stakeholders in government, non-government, academic and private sectors
• Design approaches and templates that guide systematic user engagement and work closely with other key people to define roles and responsibilities for completing user engagement tasks
• Regularly contribute information to the user database and other knowledge management tools related to user engagement and outreach
• Ensure that all SERVIR-Mekong activities incorporate user engagement components in the design and implementation of products and services
• Contribute project management and logistical support for travel and workshop coordination
• Produce written material for SERVIR-Mekong’s quarterly and annual reports
• Collaborate with the Vietnam National University, and other key university partners in the country, to expand geospatial content in university courses
• Carry out other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Party of the SERVIR-Mekong Program. Reporting Relationship: - Reports directly to the SERVIR-Mekong Chief of Party
• Works closely with other staff at ADPC and the SERVIR-Mekong team

Contract Duration

One (1) year contract with possibility of extension given a three (3) year initial budgeting period for SERVIR-Mekong