Vietnam Country Director

                                                   Recruitment for Vietnam Country Director

Animals Asia is devoted to ending bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals across Asia. We are committed to ending the suffering of animals throughout Asia by promoting compassion and respect for all animals, while striving to create long-term and sustainable change. Animals Asia is currently seeking to recruit a qualified candidate for the position Vietnam Country Director with details as follows:

Position: Vietnam Country Director

Employment type: Full-time

Contract duration: Two-year contract, extendable based on performance

Work location: Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Role Purpose: The Vietnam Country Director provides leadership, operational oversight and organisational representation for Animals Asia's work in Vietnam. The role is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of global organisational strategies within Vietnam, maintaining legal and regulatory compliance, strengthening government relationships, supporting staff and managers, managing organisational risk, and ensuring the efficient operation of Animals Asia's programs, facilities and offices throughout the country.

Responsibilities:          

Leadership and Organisational Management

Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Animals Asia's operations, programs, facilities, and staff in Vietnam. Ensure effective implementation of organisational strategies, priorities, and objectives in alignment with global goals. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing organisational culture. Lead organisational change initiatives and oversee risk management and business continuity planning.

Program Leadership

Oversee the delivery of programs and projects in Vietnam, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, donor requirements, and legal obligations. Promote collaboration, innovation, learning, and continuous improvement across teams. Ensure key program decisions are informed by evidence, organisational priorities, and operational realities.

Operations, Governance and Compliance

Maintain overall accountability for operational effectiveness, governance, compliance, and risk management. Ensure compliance with Vietnamese laws, organisational policies, permits, and regulatory requirements. Approve contracts, financial transactions, and organisational commitments within delegated authority. Act as the authorised representative of Animals Asia in Vietnam.

People and Culture

Lead and support managers to build a high-performing, engaged, and inclusive workforce. Ensure compliance with labour legislation and organisational HR policies. Drive workforce planning, succession planning, staff development, and performance management.

Financial Management

Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and resource allocation in collaboration with the global finance team. Ensure sound financial stewardship, compliance, and accountability. Monitor financial performance and support internal and external audit processes.

Government Affairs and External Relations

Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, NGOs, donors, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders. Represent Animals Asia in meetings, partnerships, policy discussions, and external forums. Provide strategic leadership on government engagement, stakeholder management, and organisational reputation. Act as a senior spokesperson for Animals Asia when required.

Cross-Organisational Collaboration

Work closely with global leadership teams to deliver organisational priorities and strategic objectives. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between Vietnam-based and global teams. Contribute to organisational planning and decision-making as a member of the leadership team.

Animal Welfare and Mission

Ensure animal welfare principles and organisational values are embedded across all operations and programs. Promote the highest standards of ethical conduct, professional practice, and organisational excellence. Support the achievement of Animals Asia's mission and long-term strategic goals.

 

 Requirements:

Skills and Competencies

• Proven leadership ability with experience managing multidisciplinary teams in a complex, cross-cultural environment.
• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and change management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and relationship management skills, including working with government agencies and senior external partners.
• Strong financial management, governance, compliance, and risk management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and representation skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a global matrix structure and manage multiple priorities.

 Knowledge

• Sound understanding of the regulatory and operational environment for international NGOs in Vietnam.
• Knowledge of labour law, organisational governance, compliance, and financial controls.
• Understanding of government relations, stakeholder engagement, and policy processes in Vietnam.
• Awareness of animal welfare, conservation, and related social impact issues.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience, including experience in country management, operations, or executive leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading organisational growth, change management, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with government agencies, regulators, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in financial oversight, governance, compliance, and organisational risk management.
• Experience working within an international organisation is highly desirable.
• Experience living and working in Vietnam or a comparable cultural and regulatory .

Languages

• Fluent Vietnamese and English, both written and spoken.

Education

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Management, International Development, Public Policy, Law, Conservation, Animal Welfare, or a related field.
• Additional qualifications in leadership, governance, finance, risk management, or human resources are an advantage.

How to Apply

Please send your cover letter and CV (clearly stating the applied position) by clicking the application link below. Link:  https://animalsasia.bamboohr.com/careers/146

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interviews. Applicants who have not received a reply after two weeks from the date of the advertisement should consider their applications unsuccessful. Only short-listed applicants will be interviewed; the interview will be conducted in English. Closing date for application is 05th July 2026.

To find out more: www.animalsasia.org

 Animals Asia values candidates with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We welcome applicants of every ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to building an organization that creates an inclusive environment for all.

Using AI During Interviews
 Animals Asia is committed to ensuring a fair and authentic interview process. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to real-time transcription, automated response generation or assistance in formulating interview answers, is strictly prohibited during any stage of the interview process.We will take a candidate's agreement to participate in an interview with us as confirmation that they will not use AI tools in any form during the conversation. If it is discovered or reasonably suspected that AI has been used, the interview will be terminated immediately, and the candidate will no longer be considered for the role.We appreciate your understanding and adherence to this policy, which is in place to maintain the integrity, professionalism and reliability of our recruitment procedures.