Associate, Country Delivery, Vietnam (Consultant)

About the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEA) works for a world where everyone has access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity and the means to use it to improve their lives. Our Alliance builds transformative public, private, philanthropic partnerships to end energy poverty and accelerate green economic opportunity. Founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund, we design innovative projects/programs, unlock finance, strengthen institutions and transform markets, delivering progress anchored in deep community engagement. By uniting actors across the value chain, from households to heads of state, we go beyond individual projects to drive lasting systems change. With work in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, our Alliance aims to reach 1 billion people with clean electricity, prevent 4 billion tons of carbon emissions and create or improve 150 million jobs. Central to our approach are two interconnected pillars, Powering Opportunity and Grids of the Future.

About the role

Vietnam is a priority country for the Global Energy Alliance, where the Alliance is working with government agencies, utilities, development partners, and the private sector to accelerate the country's clean energy transition.

A key area of Global Energy Alliance's engagement in Vietnam is the Grids of the Future (GoTF) programme, which aims to support the modernization of electricity distribution networks, accelerate the integration of renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS), and foster the adoption of innovative technologies and business models. The programme combines direct engagement with utilities to demonstrate scalable solutions with broader market development efforts to strengthen the enabling policy, regulatory, and institutional environment.

GEA's work in Vietnam is being advanced through four interconnected areas: (i) utility modernization and digitalization in partnership with EVN HCMC; (ii) the Grid Modernization and BESS Taskforce under the Electricity Authority of Vietnam (EAV), Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT); (iii) the development of a BESS Centre of Excellence; and (iv) an innovation programme to identify, pilot, and scale emerging grid technologies and business models.

The Associate, Country Delivery – Vietnam will support the Country Manager in the development, coordination, and implementation of these initiatives, working closely with government counterparts, utilities, development partners, technical partners, and other stakeholders. The role is a contract opportunity for 12 months with the possibility of extension. The successful candidate will contribute to the implementation of innovative solutions and help shape a scalable approach to grid modernization and energy storage deployment in Vietnam.

Scope of work

The Associate will support the Country Manager in translating GEA’s strategic priorities in Vietnam into actionable programmes, partnerships, and implementation activities, with a primary focus on the Grids of the Future programme and related grid modernization and energy storage initiatives.

The role will involve supporting programme design, technical and analytical work, coordination with implementation partners, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring programme delivery. The Associate will work closely with GEA’s regional and global teams, government counterparts, utilities, development partners, technical institutions, consultants and implementation partners to ensure the effective execution of activities across the different workstreams.

The Associate will also contribute to identifying new opportunities for collaboration, developing project concepts and scopes of work, coordinating technical assistances activities, and supporting the preparation of technical and strategic materials required to advance Global Energy Alliance’s country engagements.

Job scope

The Associate will support the Country Manager in the development and implementation of Global Energy Alliance’s programmes in Vietnam, with responsibilities including:

Champion Utility Engagement and Replication

• Support Global Energy Alliance’s engagement with EVN HCMC as the initial champion utility under the GoTF programme, including development of the Utility Charter, coordination of the digital twin pilot, and identification and implementation of priority grid modernization use cases. Where appropriate, the role will help facilitate the replication and scaling of successful approaches across other EVN Power Corporations (PCs) and contribute to regional learning and knowledge exchange.
• Coordinate with utility departments, technical experts and implementation partners to advance agreed activities, address implementation challenges and document lessons learned.
• Support engagement with other EVN PCs and relevant utilities as opportunities arise, helping assess their needs and identify potential applications of proven solutions, including BESS, grid digitalization and other emerging technologies.

Grid Modernization and BESS Taskforce

• Support the coordination and implementation the Grid Modernization and BESS Taskforce in collaboration with MOIT’s Electricity Authority of Vietnam (EAV), Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG) and relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations, identification of technical assistance priorities, coordination of technical studies, and follow-up on agreed recommendations.
• Work with government agencies, utilities, development partners, industry and technical institutions to advance agreed priorities and follow up on recommendations.

BESS Centre of Excellence:

• Support the establishment and activities of the BESS Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the selected host institution and relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate initial and subsequent activities, including utility capacity-building programs, training, knowledge development, industry engagement, and dissemination of best practices to accelerate BESS adoption in Vietnam.
• Work closely with the host institution to facilitate engagement with EVN PCs, academic and research institutions, development partners and industry to identify capacity gaps and mobilize relevant expertise.
• Support the development of a sustainable approach to the CoE's operations, partnerships and contribution to BESS deployment in Vietnam.

Innovation and Technology Demonstration:

• Support the identification, assessment, and piloting of innovative technologies and business models addressing utility challenges.
• Coordinate with utilities, technology providers, innovators, technical experts and implementation partners to assess potential applications, feasibility, scalability and implementation requirements.
• Contribute to identifying opportunities to mobilize technical expertise, partnerships and funding for promising solutions.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, utilities, development partners, technology providers, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and advance GoTF initiatives in Vietnam.
• Coordinate with other development partners and ongoing initiatives to identify synergies, complement existing efforts, reduce duplication and explore opportunities for joint implementation or co-financing.
• Support partnership development, stakeholder consultations, workshops, technical meetings and other activities that advance the Global Energy Alliance's country programme.

Project Development and Technical Coordination:

• Support the preparation of project concepts, scopes of work, implementation plans, budgets, timelines, and performance indicators for grid modernization, energy storage, and other GoTF initiatives.
• Work closely with Global Energy Alliance’s technical teams, consultants, and implementation partners to review project proposals, technical studies, and deliverables, and support the identification and implementation of appropriate technical solutions.

Program Delivery, Monitoring and Reporting:

• Track implementation progress against agreed workplans, milestones, deliverables, and budgets; identify implementation risks and challenges; and coordinate follow-up actions with relevant partners to ensure timely delivery.
• Support grant and contract management, procurement process, programme monitoring and evaluation, and and coordination with relevant internal teams in accordance with the Global Energy Alliance's policies and procedures.
• Prepare progress reports, presentations, briefing notes, meeting read-outs and other internal and external communications.

Strategy and Partnerships:

• Support research and analysis on sector developments, policy and regulatory frameworks, and emerging market opportunities to inform Global Energy Alliance’s country strategy, identify potential partnerships, and develop opportunities for scaling successful interventions.
• Support the Country Manager in identifying strategic opportunities, prospective partners and areas for programme expansion.
• Contribute to country strategy development, regional initiatives and other assignments relevant to the Alliance's priorities, as required.

Skills and Experience

 

• Bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree in engineering, International Development, or a related field such as battery storage, wind is preferred.
• 4-7 years of relevant professional experience in the power and energy sector, preferably involving utilities, grid modernization, renewable energy integration, energy storage, or energy-sector programmes.
• Good understanding of Vietnam's electricity sector, including its institutional and regulatory landscape, key stakeholders, and energy transition priorities.
• Familiarity with electricity distribution systems, grid digitalization, smart grid technologies, and battery energy storage systems would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to review technical studies, assess project opportunities, and synthesize findings into actionable recommendations.
• Previous work experience in a complex, fast-paced, and highly professional role, within a highly collaborative, dynamic organization and in an entrepreneurial environment where building policies, programs, and processes are necessary.
• Demonstrated proactive problem-solving skills in real-life situations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage timelines, and work effectively with external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Vietnamese and English, including the ability to prepare high-quality presentations, reports, and briefing materials.
• Proven experience working effectively independently, as well as within a team-oriented, collaborative, and collegial environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving ability, and capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.

Behavioural competencies

• Strategic Thinking and Decision-making; Able to distill key insights from a large amount of information and frame distinct choices; Can think creatively and bring new ideas to the table; Has the ability to evaluate risks and opportunities; Uses analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Execution: Takes initiative and drives for results; Has strong project management skills; manages their own time well and provides the necessary guidance and direction to others; has a sense of urgency and takes responsibility for their work; is able to multi-task and works well under pressure; employs attention to detail with their work and has high standards for accomplishing their work.
• Influence and Communication: Excellent communication skills both verbal and written with the ability to frame complex topics for executive discussion and act as a credible representative of the Foundation’s work and values both internally and externally.
• Partnership and Relationship Building: Has strong professional presence and can act as a key representative of the alliance; has cultural context and knowledge and appreciation; and possesses strong strategic partnership-building skills.
• People Management: Strong project and people management skills and the ability to be flexible, and adaptable under uncertain and changing conditions. Approaches managing people as one that employs team building, skill building, and overall staff development and engagement.
• Travel: Willingness to travel (~20-30%)