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The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

Abt seeks a qualified Chief of Party (COP) to lead the anticipated five-year USAID-funded Innovative Ecosystems Activity in Vietnam.

This Activity will support the Government of Vietnam (GVN) in its effort to enhance Vietnam’s innovation ecosystems and innovators’ market opportunities in line with the National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution Towards the Year 2030. The Activity will promote the commercialization of innovations developed by innovators, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs. To do this, the Activity will: 1) Link innovation ecosystem actors (IEAs) to improve the innovation ecosystem business enabling environment. IEAs include, for example, higher education institutions (HEI) and their innovation centers, Vietnamese and international enterprises, chambers of commerce, business associations, think tanks, accelerators, incubators, and financial institutions, and 2) Work with and through key IEAs to develop the business acumen and startup skills of innovators, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs.

The COP will be responsible for providing overall program leadership, management oversight, and technical direction for the Activity. This position will be full-time, based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and is contingent upon award.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical vision, ensuring the Activity’s implementation strengthens Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem and the ability of innovators, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs to commercialize innovations targeting market opportunities;

• Serve as the Activity’s direct liaison with USAID to coordinate program direction and ensure strategic alignment, collaborative learning, and adaption;

• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders and partners—actively engage, leverage, and collaborate with actors across the innovation ecosystem.

• Provide technical and managerial leadership to ensure project targets are met and that activities are implemented on schedule, within budget, and coordinated with the client, stakeholders, partners, and Abt’s U.S. office;

• Oversee and be responsible for the program budget and forecasting, financial management, compliance, and grant management;

• Ensure clear communications with clients and stakeholders about the Activity’s results and accomplishments, including the submission of timely and accurate deliverables and reports;

• Ensure the principles of gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) are integrated throughout the Activity;

• Foster a collaborative office environment;

• Supervise, manage, and mentor Activity staff.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, development economics, public policy, or a related discipline and at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience related to innovation ecosystem development or strengthening, private sector engagement, entrepreneurship, business enabling environment, and/or partnership development; or Master’s degree and 12 years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading donor-funded projects or large private-sector initiatives/firms requiring coordination with external stakeholders;

• Proven ability to build strong working relationships across stakeholder groups, including the private sector, local government ministries, NGOs, and other donor-funded programs;

• Demonstrated experience in adaptive management and program design;

• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage high-level relationships and motivate staff;

• Strong network in Vietnam or Southeast Asia among government, private sector, NGO, and donor stakeholders preferred;

• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required; knowledge of Vietnamese preferred;

• Vietnam nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

What We Offer

• We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

• Abt is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

• Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment

Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/) . In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures

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