Energy Domain Lead

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Program

Aus4Growth (A4G) is a partnership between Australia and Vietnam and aims to close gaps in policy and practice to support enhanced economic growth, trade and investment, clean energy and transport, inclusion, and digital acceleration.

Building on previous programs – Aus4Reform and Aus4Transport – A4G integrates emerging initiatives in energy, trade, inclusion, and digital. A4G will directly support the priorities of the Australia – Vietnam Development Partnership Plan 2025-2030 and the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (March 2024).

A4G is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and managed by Boston Consulting Group.

About The Opportunity

This Aus4Growth Energy Domain Lead is a key leadership role that will shape and drive the Energy Domain’s strategy, program design, and implementation. The role will require strong engagement with senior stakeholders across A4G, DFAT and Government of Vietnam (GoV), ensuring that program activities are impactful, well-coordinated, and responsive to both Australia’s aid priorities and Vietnam’s economic development goals.

Working closely with the A4G Team Leader, Delivery Co-Leads, Domain Teams and with GoV counterparts, this position will play a pivotal role in identifying key areas for intervention, shaping strategic direction, and overseeing the execution of the projects and program activities, including the early activities identified in the Initial domain Strategies. This position will also provide ongoing technical advice to refine and develop priority focus areas, ensuring evidence-based, high-impact interventions.

A core responsibility of the role is to foster strong relationships with GoV ministries and agencies, leveraging their networks and policy insights to enhance collaboration, while overseeing domain-specific activities in technical areas such as power markets, energy transition, and policy reform.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify and prioritise key areas for intervention within the Energy Domain that align with Vietnam’s official plan, legislation, and Aus4Growth’s End-of-Program outcomes (EOPOs) working closely with the Team Leader and Delivery Co-Leads
Support shaping and implementation of Energy Domain-specific strategies and activities that contribute to the overarching A4G program objectives
Ensure that all activities are designed and implemented with sensitivity to Vietnam’s political, economic, and cultural context, ensuring policy coherence and local relevance
Provide strategic coordination and technical guidance in supporting activities related to energy system improvement, including the integration of renewable sources, enhancement of electricity market operations, and application of updated regulatory practices while contributing to technical studies and assisting in the planning and implantation of energy-related program tasks.
Maintain strong relationships with relevant GoV ministries, agencies, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders. This includes the establishment and performance of a steering committee of A4G’s energy domain chaired by Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) leader, and a technical work group chaired by Energy Authority of Vietnam (EAV) leader
Collaborate with DFAT, Australian Government partners and agencies, and other development stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment, coordination, and synergy across programs and policies
Collaborate with Team Leader and Delivery Co-Leads to lead the design, oversight, and management of Energy Domain projects/program activities, ensuring they are evidence-based, impactful, and aligned with strategic priorities. This may include supporting the development of the Project Document and other relevant documents
Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) activities led by the MERL team of activity progress adapting to refine activities and maximise effectiveness to achieve outcomes
Ensure that all projects reflect inclusive, sustainable, market-responsive approaches that also integrate Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Digital considerations, contributing to Vietnam’s economic development goals
Coordinate with relevant parties to conduct high-level and technical-level meetings on the energy domain
Provide technical input, coordinate high-level and technical meetings and stakeholder management support (with GoV, private sector and other stakeholders) to ensure successful program activity delivery
Coordinate with other Domain Teams and the A4G Program Leadership Group (PLG) to ensure integrated and cohesive program delivery, preventing siloed approaches and coordinates and provide technical inputs in key areas including: (i) improvement of power market mechanisms and electricity market operations; (ii) integration of renewable energy sources into the grid; and (iii) technical aspects of energy transition and updated regulatory practices. Supports the mobilisation and coordination of technical experts, including reviewing Terms of References (TORs) and deliverables
Lead and/or contribute to the drafting of policy briefs, analytical reports, and recommendations on Vietnam’s energy transition, ensuring local relevance and international best practice
Ensure that all Energy Domain activities comply with DFAT and GoV policies, regulations and reporting requirements
Monitor budget allocations and expenditure within the domain, ensuring financial accountability and efficient resource use, working closely with the Deputy Team Leader and Operations Manager

Please note that the Key Responsibilities listed above is not the substantive list, please contact the recruiter on the email below to obtain the full Terms of Reference for this position

YOU BRING (EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS)

Degree in a relevant field such as energy, engineering, or energy economics or a sector-specific discipline related to the energy fields
Over 10 years of professional experience in the energy sector, sustainability, energy generation, grid capacity modernization, electricity market reforms, pricing frameworks
Proven experience working in Vietnam’s energy sector and positive engagement with senior GoV agencies, officials, an policymakers (especially MOIT and EAV) as well as private sector actors and other stakeholders at various levels in Vietnam
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex energy-related economics and policy concepts into actionable plans
Proficiency in project management, including planning, implementation, and monitoring ensuring program effectiveness and impact
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence diverse audiences, including senior government officials, donors, and program partners
Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment, fostering teamwork and cross-sectoral coordination
Strong proficiency in Vietnamese and English is required
Strong understanding of Australia’s foreign aid priorities
Strong knowledge of DFAT policies, governance structures and funding mechanisms
Demonstrated leadership in technical policy research, capacity-building programs, and advisory roles supporting Vietnam’s clean energy transition and electricity market reform
Good working relationships with MOIT’s energy agencies, especially EAV, the Ministry of Finance, the Office of Government, and other relevant government bodies and stakeholders. Preference will be given to candidates who have directly participated in energy policy development processes, with strong knowledge of Vietnam’s legislative procedures and the Electricity Law and other relevant stakeholders
At least 3 years’ experience working on the implementation, management, or supervision of international development assistance programs (e.g., Australia’s ODA or similar donor-funded projects in Vietnam or the region)
Strategic leadership and vision – ability to develop and implement Energy Domain strategies that align with both DFAT priorities and Vietnam’s economic development goals, with proven leadership in shaping policies and program for renewable energy transition, electricity market reform and grid modernization
Stakeholder engagement and diplomacy – strong ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with GoV ministries, private sector actors, and development partners, preferable MOIT and EAV, SOEs (EVN, PVN, NSMO), leveraging technical credibility in the energy sector to foster collaboration
Policy and program analysis – strong understanding and ability to assess Vietnam’s economic trends, legislative frameworks, and policy developments, ensuring informed decision-making with emphasis on energy sector policy developments (including electricity law, PDP 8, and regulatory reforms)
Project management and execution – expertise in overseeing complex projects from design to implementation, ensuring timely delivery and impact measurement including energy-related projects
Capability to conduct MERL practices, including the implementation of A4G’s overall MERL framework and the one for Energy domain with the ability to link monitoring and evaluation to sector-specific indicators in power market reform and clean energy transition
Adaptive management and problem-solving – ability to anticipate challenges, adjust strategies, and apply innovative solutions in a dynamic environment particularly in regulatory reform and renewable energy investment
Cross-cultural communication and collaboration – adept at working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, fostering inclusivity and shared learning while bridging international best practices with Vietnam’s local context in the energy sector
High-level written and verbal communication – ability to produce clear and compelling reports, policy briefs, and presentations for Government and Donor audiences including technical and policy documents on power system operations, energy efficiency, and renewable integration

HOW TO APPLY

Please email Karen Richardson to her email address [email protected] to obtain a copy of the Terms of Reference. You will be required to submit a copy of your CV together with a cover letter addressing the selection criteria (maximum of 2 pages).

The closing date for the submission of application will be Monday 19 January 2026 at 6pm (ICT).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Boston Consulting Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law.