IESC Vietnam (TAFSE Project) is seeking a candidate for the position as below. For more information, please refer to the attached Job announcement:
Project: United States Department of Agriculture Food for Progress U.S.-Vietnam Trade in Agriculture and Food Safety Expanded
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Start Date: On/around December 1, 2026
Expected Duration: Up to four years
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 financial 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 Senior Private Sector Lead is a technical senior management role responsible for leading engagement with the Vietnamese private sector and providing leadership and oversight to the Ho Chi Minh City office and technical team. In this role, the Senior Private Sector Lead will oversee activity planning and reporting, including all required advance work planning consultations and required approvals. The Senior Private Sector Lead is responsible for providing regular updates, facilitating technical meetings with the private sector, and seeking feedback and ensuring clear and transparent coordination and cooperation.
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based at the Ho Chi Minh City office. The Senior Private Sector Lead will oversee a Food Safety Specialist, Temperature Control and Logistics Specialist, and ICT Business Analyst. This position reports to the Project Director (PD).
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must submit their applications for this position through the IESC recruitment platform to be considered. The detailed position description and instructions on how to apply are available on the IESC recruitment website.
IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese National. CVs and cover letters should be submitted in English. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the application deadline of 31 October 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as the recruitment process may conclude earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.