Communications and Events Manager

Communications and Events Manager Project: United States Department of Agriculture Food for Progress U.S.-Vietnam Trade in Agriculture and Food Safety Expanded Location: Hanoi, Vietnam Start Date: On/around December 1, 2026 Expected Duration: Approximately four years IESC Background: 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, and 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. Project Background: Building on three decades of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025), the 2025–2026 period marks a significant transformation in bilateral ties. Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) framework, agricultural cooperation has been identified as a key pillar. This cooperation has deepened beyond merely promoting bilateral trade turnover to focus on technical collaboration and enhancing system management capacity. This progression is an essential step toward realizing joint commitments to transparent, science-based trade, aiming to promote economic prosperity and ensure substantial benefits for the business communities of both nations. To realize this strategic vision, Vietnam has been officially selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as one of five focus countries for the "Food for Progress" Program for the 2025–2030 period. In Vietnam, the USDA Food for Progress Program will be implemented through the USDA Food for Progress Trade in Agriculture and Food Safety Expanded (TAFSE) project. This opens a rare opportunity for Vietnam to access resources and deep expertise from the U.S. to resolve bottlenecks in infrastructure and SPS standards (sanitary and phytosanitary measures), thereby comprehensively modernizing the national agricultural trade system. This is a technical assistance project funded by non-refundable official development assistance from the U.S. Government through the USDA and managed by IESC. From Vietnamese Government, The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) is the project Executing Agency (EA). The Agricultural Projects Management Board (APMB) is the agency assigned by MAE to coordinate with stakeholders during project preparation and implementation. The project will: Improve the efficiency of the SPS and food safety systems in Vietnam; Strengthen supply chain capacity and cold chain logistics systems; Expand access to agriculture trade finance for the private sector; and Support Vietnam’s broader goals for innovation, private sector growth, and international integration related to agriculture trade. The project will operate nationwide, focusing on major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and localities with major ports and cold chain development needs. The project will have a main office in Hanoi and a regional office in Ho Chi Minh City. General Objectives The Communications and Events Manager, under the direction of the Project Director, will develop and oversee the project’s communications strategy, activities, events, trainings, and products. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based at the Hanoi office. The Communications and Events Manager will supervise a Communications and Events Specialist, who will be based in Ho Chi Minh City. The Communications and Events Manager position reports to the Project Director. Responsibilities Design and lead all aspects of project outreach and communications strategy under the direction of the Project Director and in consultation with IESC home office and, as needed, USDA Food for Progress in Washington, DC and/or Post, that conforms to branding and marking requirements in accordance with the Agreement’s USDA approved Communication Plan; Assist with project reporting for USDA, which will include, but is not limited to a 3-to-4-page monthly project bulletin, monthly progress report PowerPoint presentations, and 15-page semi-annual reports; Design, deliver, advise, and monitor the progress of change management communication plans in close coordination with technical team members and stakeholders intended to support change management required for an internal stakeholder and external private sector audience. Develop and update the project communications strategy across multiple platforms, including print electronic media, and social media. Other media platforms may include, but are not limited to, press releases, press conferences, media interviews, site visits, success stories, stakeholder/participant testimonials, professional photography, videos, and/or webcasts; Support the technical teams in planning and coordinating project events, which includes producing, tracking, and managing a rolling events calendar for all training and events, and draft a brief report on each event when completed; Managing quality and consistency of training and instructional materials for stakeholders/participants, including templates, PowerPoint presentations, handbooks, virtual/hybrid trainings (webinar and in-person), and technical materials. This responsibility also includes, as specified in the contractual agreements, providing oversight or support to the management of training services contracts and the contractor outputs to ensure consistency with project standards and requirements; Localize training material developed by international project partners and consultants, as needed; Identify, draft, finalize, and disseminate project success stories, meeting a minimum annual target and timeline established with the Project Director; Liaise with local media and public relations officers from local partner organizations and USDA; Oversee and manage activities of the Communications and Events Specialist; Assist in monitoring and evaluation activities as needed; Travel regionally as required; and Complete other tasks as assigned by the Project Director. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in communications or other relevant discipline required; Familiarity and experience with international development principles and practices; Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience managing communications on donor projects; Experience advising senior management on communication strategy and change management best practices; Well-organized, detail oriented, excellent verbal and written communication skills; Proficient in communication tools including PowerPoint, social media, short video production/editing, and photography; Proficient in Microsoft office tools, including SharePoint; Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; Demonstrated leadership and proven organizational skills; Professionalism, and positive attitude; High level of maturity, integrity, and the ability to work independently and in a lean team structure; and Fluency in Vietnamese and English (both written and verbal) required. Application deadline: 30 September 2026 . IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese National. CV and cover letters should be in English. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled.