Liaison Officer – COAST Facility Programme

Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) Project in Vietnam

Position Title: Liaison Officer – COAST Facility Programme

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam, based in the work premise of the Agriculture Project Management Board (APMB) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, being the local Project Owner (occasional travel to project sites may be required)

Contract Type: Fixed-term consultancy contract until March 31, 2026 (with possibility of extension)

Eligibility: Vietnamese nationals only

Annual Gross Fee: 12,000 GBP

Due date for application: 7 December 2025

About Role:

The Liaison Officer will serve as a key focal point between the COAST Project and government stakeholders at central and provincial levels. The role is designed to strengthen coordination, ensure compliance with Government of Vietnam (GoV) reporting requirements, and support technical monitoring and strategic alignment with ODA approval processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate communication and coordination between COAST, APMB, and provincial government offices.
• Support the preparation and submission of monthly and quarterly reports in line with GoV and ODA requirements.
• Monitor project activities and ensure alignment with government restructuring and reporting protocols.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, Technical Advisory Group sessions, and other coordination events.
• Assist in organizing and documenting government participation in COAST activities.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to performance reviews and learning processes.

Reporting and Management:

• Provide weekly updates to the COAST team for coordination or reporting matters.
• Submit monthly activity reports to COAST and share them with APMB.
• Participate in quarterly joint review meetings with COAST and APMB.
• Undergo an annual performance review led by COAST in collaboration with APMB.

Working Arrangements and Duty of Care:

• Officers will be embedded within APMB and provincial offices but remain contractually managed by COAST.
• COAST will provide necessary equipment (e.g., laptops) and cover local travel costs in line with its operational policies.
• Officers will adhere to COAST's duty of care standards, including health, safety, and safeguarding protocols.
• A code of conduct and confidentiality agreement will be signed upon appointment.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in government liaison, project coordination, or reporting roles.
• Familiarity with ODA projects and government reporting structures in Vietnam.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital reporting tools.
• Bachelor's degree in public administration, development studies, aquaculture or related field.

Background to COAST

Human activities such as harmful fishing practices, coastal habitat conservation, and pollution directly contribute to biodiversity loss and degradation of ocean and coastal ecosystems and ecosystem services. This degradation amplifies coastal populations' vulnerability, particularly in developing countries already burdened by high poverty, and frequently dependent on fragile ocean and coastal livelihoods such as artisanal fisheries and aquaculture. While the ocean is the primary source of animal protein for billions, climate change raises the stakes and compounds the problems as coastal areas are increasingly exposed to sea level rise, intense storms, marine heatwaves, and ocean acidification, posing existential threats to both marine life and human communities.

DAI recognizes the need to address these challenges holistically, integrating targeted interventions to improve both environmental and social systems. Our vision for COAST Facility is "to revolutionize coastal and marine ecosystem management through a pioneering approach that uniquely combines local community empowerment with national reform and global advocacy." COAST Facility will implement activities in 4 priority countries – Mozambique, Indonesia, Viet Nam and the Philippines – and a demand led Technical Assistance Facility in ODA recipient countries outside these four priority countries.

We propose an integrated methodology founded on five core delivery principles to direct our delivery approach. These principles are appropriate for addressing coastal and ocean challenges effectively; ensuring flexible and innovative solutions; the ability to deliver, manage and maximize impact; and ensure a high standard of program and activity management tailored to the complexity of COAST. They are a holistic approach, community-centered solutions, collaborative partnerships, legacy and sustainability, and learning and adaptation.

Background to DAI

To deliver COAST Facility, DAI will capitalize on our extensive experience in Indonesia, Mozambique, Philippines, and Vietnam to support aligned partner country governments and local community-based organizations. Our delivery of COAST will:

a) provide a team of world-leading experts in coastal and ocean sustainability coupled with deep experience in ODA funding management.

b) leverage DAI and our partners' expertise in delivering programs alongside partner governments and communities.

c) provide deep understanding of effective multi-country, multi-component TA and fund management programs.

DAI will lead the COAST consortia and be responsible for the overall delivery of the contract. Our Consortia partners are Blue Green Advisors, Dev Learn, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Wildlife Conservation Society.