Research and Partnerships Assistant

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**ACTION** ON POVERTY IN VIETNAM**

**Research and Partnerships Assistant**

**Effective date**:February 2025**

**Contract type**:Full-time, definite-term contract (renewable)

**Work location**:Based in Hanoi, Vietnam

**Reports to**:Communications and Marketing Manager**

**ABOUT US**

Action on Poverty (AOP) is an independent, secular, nonprofit international development organisation with over 55 years of experience and a well-established network of grassroots connections. AOP operates across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to address systemic poverty challenges.

**Our vision**

All people thriving in a world without poverty.

**Our purpose**

To be the catalyst that mobilises and collaborates with changemakers globally to create environments free from poverty where communities can flourish. We partner with changemakers in local communities worldwide to transform innovative ideas into scalable, evidence-based, and cost-effective solutions that address the root causes of poverty. Our support and solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs and priorities of each community.

In Vietnam, AOP has led impactful development initiatives since 1989. This role focuses on providing enhancing AOP’s communications and partnership functions to align with global strategies while delivering tailored support to in-country teams and partners.

**ROLE SUMMARY**

We are seeking an ambitious, detail-oriented, and proactive** Research and Partnerships Associate** to join our team. This role is integral to strengthening AOP’s partnership and operational functions, acting as a **key liaison and contact point** for external stakeholders.

The Operations and Partnerships Associate will:

- **Proactively manage enquiries**, ensuring timely and professional responses.
- **Research funding opportunities** to support AOP’s resource mobilisation efforts.
- Provide **timely support** to the Partnerships Team with donor intelligence, relationship management, and operational coordination.

As a key member of the Operations and Partnerships teams, you will:

- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of AOP’s donor database (CRM).
- Provide administrative support to enhance donor engagement and improve operational efficiency.

This entry-level role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career professional looking to build a career in international development. It’s suited for individuals with a keen interest in research, data management, partnership development, and donor relations.

Additionally, the role will play a key part in the transition to a new CRM system, involving regular coordination with CRM providers, the Partnerships Team, and the Finance Team to ensure a smooth transition and continuous system improvement.

**KEY WORK RELATIONSHIPS**

**Internal**

**External**
- Operations and Partnerships teams
- AOP staff and personnel
- AOP’s partners and donors

**MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY**

**Key Responsibilities**

**Specific Tasks**

**_1. _**_Partnership_**_ Development and Donor Engagement_**
- **Proactively identify and research funding opportunities**, potential donors, and strategic partnerships.
- Support the Partnerships Team in maintaining donor relationships, preparing donor reports, and managing partnership pipelines.
- Assist in drafting **presentations, donor correspondence, and fundraising materials**.
- Support **donor stewardship** efforts, ensuring timely acknowledgments and effective communications.

**_2. _**_Research and Data Analysis_**
- Conduct **targeted research** on grant opportunities, donor trends, and partnership landscapes.
- Prepare **donor profiles, funding landscape analyses, and briefing materials** to support strategic decision-making.
- Analyse donor data to identify trends, track engagement, and support fundraising strategies.

**_3. _**_CRM Management and Data Integrity_**
- Manage AOP’s **Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system**, ensuring accurate and up-to-date donor and partner information.
- Coordinate the **migration to a new CRM system**, working with internal teams and external vendors to ensure a seamless transition.
- Generate **reports from the CRM system** to support donor tracking, engagement analysis, and strategic planning.

**_4. _**_Operational Support_**
- Serve as the primary contact point for external stakeholders, effectively assessing and directing enquiries to the appropriate teams.
- Provide administrative support for partnership activities, including meeting coordination, agenda preparation, and follow-up actions.
- Contribute to process improvements for database management.
- Assist in the planning and execution of donor meetings, fundraising events, and partnership engagements.

**_5. _**_Others_**
- Other tasks as assigned by the line managers

**REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education**
- Relevant Degree and/or equivalent professional qualification, preferably in **International Relations