Research Assistant and Program Officer

The Asia Foundation is seeking a highly capable and self-motivated individual to serve as a Research and Program Assistant in its Vietnam Office.

The successful candidate will support research and programmatic activities; collect, analyze, and synthesize data and evidence; assist in the preparation of reports and technical documents; contribute to the development of contractual dossiers; and monitor the progress and compliance of program components in accordance with the procedures and standards of international organizations.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1.Research Support (Research Assistant)

Contribute to the design and implementation of studies, assessments, and technical analyses in the areas of technology innovation, human resource development, energy transition, and energy economics.
Collect, consolidate, and analyze data from authoritative and reliable sources
Assist in developing research outlines, methodological frameworks, survey instruments, and other technical materials under the guidance of the Energy Transition Specialist.
Support the drafting of reports, policy briefs, technical summaries, presentations, and other specialized documents.
Conduct literature reviews and verify datasets to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with donor requirements.
Monitor the progress of research activities with consultants and relevant agencies, and support quality assurance processes for research deliverables.

2. Program Implementation Support (Program Officer)

Assist in managing contracting and payment processes with consultants, contractors, and service providers.
Support the coordination of project activities, including workshops, roundtables, technical meetings, surveys, consultations, and field missions.
Monitor and consolidate partner activities, and prepare progress reports, review notes, and required summaries.
Support organisational capacity assessments and conduct due diligence when necessary.
Maintain and manage project documentation—including reports, work plans, photos, videos, and operational guidelines—in compliance with programme requirements.

Qualifications and work experience

Education and Experience	Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field. Have experience conducting research within academic institutions, development projects, international organisations, or research and consulting firms. Possess experience working in an international organisational environment, with familiarity in reporting requirements, progress monitoring, contract management, quality-assurance procedures, documentation standards, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Demonstrate foundational to advanced knowledge—depending on the candidate’s background—of renewable energy, energy policy, climate change, the energy transition, ODA, legal frameworks, and relevant financial mechanisms. Have experience in data analysis, reviewing and interpreting legal or policy documents, synthesising information, and presenting findings in a clear and structured manner.
Skills	Strong research, analytical, and report-writing skills. Ability to work independently, proactively, and collaboratively as part of a team. Strong organisational, time-management, and multitasking skills. Effective communication and coordination abilities, with the capacity to work in a multicultural, multi-stakeholder environment.
Other	Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Vietnamese

Contract Period: One Year with possibility of extension

Job Location: The Asia Foundation office, Hanoi

Report to : Energy Transition Specialist – The Asia Foundation (TAF) Viet Nam

Application Guidance:

Applicants are required to submit a full CV and a Motivation Letter to The Asia Foundation via email [email protected] no later than 20 December 2025.