Programme Summary
The Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP) delivers support to low- and middle-income countries seeking to accelerate the development of sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure. Working across selected countries globally, the programme offers technical assistance, capacity building and policy support, drawing on expertise and capabilities from the UK government, private sector, public agencies, NGOs, academia and business.
Role Summary
Country Leaders will lead the delivery of the GCIP in their designated Deep Offer Country. As such, they should be based in-country with a deep understanding of the local context, geography and stakeholders. They will be the ‘face of GCIP’ in-country – representing theprogramme to senior FCDO, international and local stakeholders. They will protect the reputation of the programme and the Alliance partners through leading the effective and quality delivery of the programme. They will have overall leadership responsibility in-country – delivering not only the Programme, but also overseeing the effective running of the country operations with support from the Country Manager role.
Details
Grade: Principal Expert (15+ years of experience)
Timing: ASAP to March 2026
Location: Vietnam
Capacity: Ideally 0.75+ FTE (full-time)
Key Skills:
Extensive experience managing programmes and teams in developing countries
Geographic expertise and good understanding of the practical complexities of implementing programmes in the relevant GCIP country
Previous relevant experience of leading similar programmes for FCDO or other donors
Extensive green cities and/or infrastructure expertise, including in one of the following sectors: Energy, Urban, Transport, Services.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective working relations with different stakeholders
Strong in-country networks and credibility with senior stakeholders.
Experience in leading and drafting Terms of Reference (ToRs) for technical assistance programmes.
Experience in leading the delivery of high-quality work and developing high quality reports
Experience of adapting and coping in a fast moving and changeable environment.
Experience of overseeing international development-funded country office operations.
Desirable:
Deep technical expertise related to one or more of the following:
Green Cities
Infrastructure – including low-carbon materials and design
Energy
Urban
Transport
Services
Responsibilities
Act as the day-to-day Country Lead, responsible for managing the detailed design and implementation of the country programme. This should include:
Phase 3 (April/May 24 - Sept 25): Leading the implementation of the GCIP country programme and team to deliver against agreed objectives
Leading/supporting the Vietnam Strategy and the detailed design of the in-country interventions
Leading the implementation of the Vietnam programme and the Vietnam team to deliver against agreed objectives
Leading a multidisciplinary team consisting of technical experts (international and local) and programme managers and support staff (local)
Ensuring timely and high-quality delivery against the workplan
Overseeing, directing and quality assuring all work delivered by the Vietnam team
Implementing country team procedures, policies and processes - including governance structures and ways of working
Responsible for delivery against the country programme GEDSI, Climate, Nature and Environment (CN&E) ambitions and ICF target
Responsible for delivery against the country-nested logframes and intervention-specific ToCs
Providing feedback into central GCIEP learnings, communications and reporting
Engaging directly with GCIEP Beneficiaries, FCDO posts, Embassies and other key stakeholders
Identifying and managing risks and issues and escalating to the central GCIEP team as required
Monitoring implementation progress and milestone achievements, and intervening to provide corrective measures as required
Overseeing the Country Office operations through line management of the Country Manager
Holding ultimate accountability for financial, security and personnel management in-country
The role is required to start as soon as possible and on an ongoing basis to March 2026. The contract is expected to be extended to 2027.
