RECRUITMENT: SOCIAL OPEN INNOVATION PROGRAM OFFICER

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Job title: Social Open Innovation Program Officer

Expected time to start: As soon as possible

Grade: 1-2 (in the grade level of MSD)

Venue: Hanoi, with some travel to other provinces and countries when necessary

A. BACKGROUND

Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) is a Vietnamese non-government organization established on March 05, 2008.

From 2021, MSD officially became United Way Vietnam – a member of United Way Worldwide – the largest global network of non-profit organizations.

Vision: We envision a world of justice and equality, where all individuals and their families can achieve their human potential through good education, financial stability, and healthy lives.

Mission: MSD – United Way Vietnam is taking efforts to improve sustainable lives by mobilizing the caring power to the united partnership of an ecosystem for sustainable development.

Core values and principles:

• Live United
• Equitable Partnership
• Inclusion and people empowerment
• Good governance, transparency, and accountability
• Innovation and Inspiration

Slogan: Live United – Creating trends, leading changes

Objectives:

• Mobilization: Mobilizing caring power, investment, and good practice for social impact.
• Solution: Providing one-stop, comprehensive and effective solution services to improve sustainable lives in (1) Education for Development; (2) Income Mobility; and (3) Environmental Health.
• Development: Advocating for enabling environment/ecosystem for sustainable development.

To support the MSD – United Way Vietnam team to achieve the best results, we need a Social Open Innovation Program Officer to support the organization in the SDGs and Innovation (Social Open Innovation) program and do communication work for the program and MSD in general. The position can be junior or senior upon your qualification and experience.

B. ASSIGNMENT REQUESTS

• Purpose: The Social Open Innovation Program Officer will, with the assistance of the team, support MSD Leadership to execute MSD’s programs/project activities;
• Working location: Mainly in Hanoi and possible travels to project sites, and some other provinces and countries when assigned. The travel fee and per diem will be under MSD’s cost norm system;
• Reporting Line: Direct report to and be supported/coached by Program Manager and/or Program Director;
• Supervision: Assistants, Interns, Volunteers;
• Main responsibilities:
  • Operation: Taking charge in the implementation process of projects/programs under the SDG and Innovation portfolio throughout the project/program management cycle (design, develop a plan, coordinate the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation). The main assigned projects for this post are, but are not limited to:
    • AGREEN and ESG project: Coordinate and lead the implementation of the AGREEN project, including managing stakeholder engagement and facilitating structured dialogue among agricultural enterprises, commercial banks, financial institutions, and relevant actors to promote green investment and green credit for ESG-compliant agricultural practices. The role is responsible for coordinating project-based research activities, including surveys, data collection, analysis, and the development of research outputs, case studies, and policy recommendations. In parallel, the position leads capacity-building and multi-stakeholder engagement activities – such as training workshops, policy dialogues, and roundtables – and coordinates project communications, including podcast production and media outreach, to strengthen awareness, knowledge sharing, and inclusive engagement on ESG, green finance, and sustainable agriculture in Vietnam.
    • Future Solution Project (Shinhan Square Bridge Vietnam project): Work with the Program Manager to coordinate partnerships among startups, host organizations (businesses and corporates), and civil society organizations, facilitating the application of startup technologies to address social and environmental challenges in local communities in Vietnam;
    • SOAR – Social Open Innovation project : Work with the Program Manager to facilitate and deliver project activities, including developing the ESG/Social impact measurement;; support research processes and the development of SDGs/ ESGs- and CGD-related knowledge products; and coordinate project communications – such as podcast production and online course development to promote inclusive citizen engagement in the SOAR implementation process.
  • Implement the communications activities in different channels of the SDGI projects;
  • Support event organization and communications of MSD in general;
  • Document the project and provide updates/ communication for projects in charge.
• Work plan: Workplan of MSD strategy
• Benefits:

• • Play the key role in MSD with a high potential of motivation to become a Project/Program Manager;
  • Working in the professional and healthy environment of MSD – United Way Vietnam;
  • Competitive and transparent motivation and salary mechanism;
  • Learning and coaching opportunities with other MSD managers, leaders, and experts;
  • National and international learning or workshop participation opportunities in related topics.

C. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in sustainability, development studies, business administration, economics, innovation, social sciences, or related fields.
• At least 1 – 2 years of experience in project or program coordination/management; experience working with NGOs, development projects, or SDGs-related initiatives is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing or coordinating multi-stakeholder projects, involving businesses, financial institutions, civil society organizations, startups, or public-sector actors.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including experience in data collection, qualitative/quantitative analysis, and the development of research reports, case studies, or policy-oriented documents.
• Solid understanding of ESG, sustainable finance, responsible business, or sustainable development frameworks; hands-on experience in ESG-related projects is a strong advantage.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), with proven experience in stakeholder engagement, project documentation, and knowledge dissemination; experience in content production (e.g. reports, podcasts, digital learning materials) is a plus.
• Good planning, coordination, and documentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• High level of English proficiency (working language for reporting, research, and stakeholder engagement).
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally when required.

D. RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The recruitment process includes 3 rounds:

• Round 1: CV and Cover Letter Screening
• Round 2: Short Written Test for Shortlisted Candidates from Round 1
• Round 3: In-person Interview at MSD Hanoi Office for Shortlisted Candidates

E. APPLICATION

Interested candidates can send inquiries or applications in English (including CV and Cover Letter) to the email: sdgi.manager@msdvietnam.org with the subject: SDGI PROGRAM OFFICER 2026_Name of Applicant (e.g: SDGI PROGRAM OFFICER 2026_Nguyen Van A) as soon as possible, before 23:00, Wednesday, 31/12/2025.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We will give priority to early applications and will finish the recruitment when finding the suitable candidate.

MSD is an organization working for the best benefits of children and has a child-safeguarding policy. All staff is required to strictly follow the child-safeguarding policy and are committed to developing an enabling and safe environment to children. Alcohol and tobacco use is strictly prohibited at work.