This role sits within the Climate Section at the British Embassy Hanoi and leads partnership coordination of the UK’s green transition priorities, with a central focus on the UK’s co-leadership of Viet Nam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). JETP is a flagship element of the UK–Viet Nam bilateral relationship and supports Viet Nam’s ambition to achieve high-income status by 2045 while reaching net zero by 2050, amid rapidly rising energy demand and emissions.

Following Viet Nam’s net zero and coal transition commitments at COP26, the JETP Political Declaration was agreed in December 2022 between the Government of Viet Nam and the International Partners Group (IPG), co-led by the UK and EU. The partnership aims to mobilise $15.5 billion in international public and private finance and technical assistance to enable a sustainable, inclusive green transition – and is now 3 years in to its initial 5- year commitment period.  

Under the direction of the Climate Counsellor, the role leads operational delivery of the JETP and coordinates UK-backed green transition programmes, ensuring collective impact across the green transition portfolio: including UKPACT, the Climate Finance Accelerator and the Offshore Wind Accelerator Partnership.

The role involves strong partnership-building skills, grounded in expertise on green transition pathways and financing instruments. It will involve close joint working with JETP technical leads in the UK, the EU as IPG co-chair, wider IPG partners, private sector – including the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), NGOs, and relevant technical and finance partners in the energy transition eco-system. 
 
The post suits an adaptive, solutions-oriented professional with experience in leading effective collaboration with government, international partners, Development Finance Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks, private sector actors and civil society is valued. The ideal candidate will have programme management expertise and experience working within the green transition landscape in Viet Nam. Deep policy knowledge on climate, energy, finance and infrastructure sectors is desirable, but not essential.

1.    Operational oversight of IPG co chairing and engagement with the JETP Secretariat (30%)

• Lead day to day UK delivery of IPG co-chairing responsibilities for the Vietnam JETP under the direction of the Climate Counsellor.
• Lead regular working level engagement with the JETP Secretariat (Ministry of Industry and Trade), supporting effective coordination and information flow, maintaining close understanding of Government of Viet Nam’s green transition priorities.
• Alongside EU co-chair, lead preparation for IPG meetings, Secretariat working groups and senior engagements, including briefing and actions tracking.

2.    Oversight of UK JETP contributions and commitments (30%)

• Shape and support delivery of UK commitments under the JETP Resource Mobilisation Plan, ensuring progress is monitored and issues flagged as needed.
• Oversee UK supported technical assistance linked to JETP objectives, ensuring effective coordination across programmes such as UK PACT, the Climate Finance Accelerator and the Offshore Wind Accelerator Partnership.
• Liaise with delivery partners, International Partners Group DFIs and MDBs to monitor implementation, milestones and risks associated with UK RMP activity and facilitate information sharing with the JETP Secretariat.
• Support programme level risk management and reporting, escalating delivery or reputational risks appropriately.
• Ensure UK activity aligns with wider priorities on just transition, inclusion and quality green investment.

3.    Support for JETP financial mobilisation and private sector engagement (20%)

• Support engagement with public and private finance stakeholders to help mobilise finance in line with JETP priorities, working closely with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to support accelerated private financing opportunities.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of Viet Nam’s energy transition financing needs, including key sectors and priority projects.
• Lead JETP-relevant UK coordination on green finance and investment engagement relevant – primarily through engagement with the UK’s Green Investment Partnership ODA to commercial instrument toolkit.
• Contribute to practical discussions on investment readiness, enabling conditions and sequencing, working with finance and technical counterparts.

4.    UK network engagement on green transition priorities (20%)

• Working across thematic leads, drive UK in Viet Nam Network coordination on JETP and wider green transition, green growth, adaptation and resilience activity.
• Lead coordination and engagement of green transition partners under the UK Green Investment Partnership (GIP) Toolkit, like British International Investment (BII) and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG).
• Build and own effective working relationships with government, development partners, private sector and civil society.
• Contribute to concise briefing, reporting and updates for internal and external stakeholders.
• Play an active leadership role in the corporate life of the Embassy in supporting cross-network and cross- team objectives.

We are looking for a self-starter, who is able to organise, plan and execute a complex and inter-related programme of work. You will need to be able to work well under pressure and against challenging timelines. You will need excellent interpersonal and communications skills and be able to exercise judgement and take effective decisions to advance key objectives.   

Candidates should demonstrate:

• fluency in written and spoken English;
• A university degree, preferably in Business, Environmental Science, Climate, Economic Development,  Finance, Public Policy or a related course to the job description;
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience, ideally with programme management or project finance experience and preferably with international stakeholders;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills;
• An understanding of public sector decision making (essential) – with a focus in Vietnam (desirable);
• Flexible and creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems, and coordinate coherent and compelling programmes and projects.