BSO Strengthening Capacity Lead

Scope of Work

Vietnam Innovation Ecosystem (VIE) Activity

Business Support Organizational (BSO) Strengthening Lead

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that catalyzes private sector growth and creates economic opportunity for people and communities across the economically developing world. Since our founding in 1964 we have delivered lasting solutions across 139 countries.

IESC is a valued partner to people and communities throughout the economically developing world. We share proven business skills and experience with entrepreneurs, jobseekers, businesses, farmers, cooperatives, and governments. We also offer resources—human, technological, financial—that sustainably build capacity and empower communities. Our long legacy of strengthening developing economies is matched by our vision for the next generation: a world with economic opportunity for all, where people and communities thrive.

Our major funders today are the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

IESC is seeking a BSO Strengthening (BSO) Lead for the upcoming USAID Vietnam Innovation Ecosystem Activity (VIE). The 5-year VIE Activity will provide technical support the Government of Vietnam's (GVN) efforts to strengthen Vietnam's innovation ecosystem to drive the commercialization of Vietnam’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) innovations and contribute to fulfilling the GVN's National Strategy for 4IR. The main objectives of this Activity are as follows:

1. Improve business enabling environment challenges and constraints to commercialize and implement innovative 4IR technologies or processes, by investing in growth-oriented businesses, to increase firms' productivity.

2. Strengthen the interconnections between actors engaged in innovative 4IR technologies or processes, and furnish support and resources.

3. Enhance the capabilities of the Ministry of Planning and Investment's (MPI) National Innovation Center (NIC) to facilitate the development of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

The BSO Strengthening (BSO) Lead is a technical position responsible for one of three technical components in the above Activity. The BSO Lead will deliver technical design in close coordination with government counterparts and manage technical assistance that 1) supports and strengthens the capabilities of the National Innovation Center (NIC), other relevant GVN agencies, and BSOs to design and hold purposeful and value-adding forums for key stakeholders; 2) Strengthens the NIC’s technical capabilities, other relevant GVN agencies, and BSOs to provide fee-based services to growth-oriented businesses (GOBs); and 3) oversees technical design that facilitates career enhancing interconnections between GVN agencies, public and private HEIs, and the private sector. This position’s base is anticipated in Hanoi, Vietnam, but will require travel. This position is contingent upon IESC winning the award and USAID approval of the candidate.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Provide technical design and management leadership for the Activities Component 2.

• Develop a clear strategy to systematically engage business support organizations and other relevant Government of Vietnam agencies.

• Support investor-led forums and conduct seminars and forums to promote innovation.

• Facilitate outreach to regional and international stakeholders including Government agencies, HEIs, BSOs, and investors and maintain frequent communication with the private sector, higher education institutions, government counterparts, and other stakeholders.

• Support the provision of needs-based training on commercializing innovations (e.g., developing viable business and financial plans, market analysis and product positioning, managing business operations from startups through growth stages, equity investors' and debtors' requirements).

• Provide technical advice to GOBs related to commercializing innovative value-added products and services such as developing viable business and financial plans, market analysis, product positioning, as well as best practices developing and continually upgrading products and services.

• Develop technical guidance on systems and processes that enhance NIC’s capabilities and capacities to engage BSOs to convene key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, as well as to effectively share information and best practices.

• Lead consistent outreach, design technical discussion agendas, and convene innovation stakeholders to enhance Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

• Contribute to required USAID reports and deliverables.

• Facilitate linkages between the private sector, HEIs, and government agencies via research and development facilities, career placement centers, and business and soft skills mentoring forums to enhance the preparation of, and connect HEI graduates, to existing and emerging 4IR employment opportunities.

• Manage long-term staff and design and manage short-term technical consultancies and contracts to delivery outcomes related to Objective 2.

Minimum qualifications include the following:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as business, management, finance, organizational development is required; or a bachelor’s degree with at least ten years of professional experience and eight years of supervisory.

• Minimum seven years of work experience strengthening the capacity of organizations and/or businesses, organizational development, and /or working with associations or networks and/or finance related such as investment.

• Experience working with government counterparts in Vietnam is preferred.

• Experience convening a wide variety of Vietnamese and global stakeholders and to facilitate connections and collaboration.

• Experience providing and delivering tailored management and technical trainings to organizations including businesses, SMEs, and start-ups.

• Experience introducing systems, processes, tools, and resources to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of organizations.

• Must have demonstrated ability working in a rapidly evolving environment and with shifting local partners, and on multiple competing priorities.

• Must understand the challenges and opportunities of the private sector in Vietnam including challenges and opportunities faced by the technology and digital sectors.

• Experience facilitating public private dialogue and mobilizing and leveraging resources.

• Must have familiarity of the political economy and knowledge of (changing) policies in Vietnam and around the globe as they relate to the IR4 technology sectors.

• Fluency speaking, reading, and writing in English and Vietnamese are required.

• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.