Director of Government Affairs (Vietnam)

Purpose of Role
The Director of Government Affairs serves as a key strategic partner to the Country Director, working in close alignment on high-level government engagement, policy influence, and sensitive external positioning. The role leads the development and execution of Animals Asia's government engagement strategy in Vietnam, ensuring that programme objectives are supported by the necessary political, policy, and regulatory conditions to achieve lasting impact.
Operating at a national level, the Director shapes and drives government relations, acting as a senior strategic advisor to the Country Director on policy influence, political risk, and stakeholder engagement. The role represents the Country Director in government engagement where appropriate, ensuring consistent, high-level positioning with key stakeholders. While based in Hanoi, the role works with other Animals Asia Vietnam programme heads to translate national-level government engagement into effective provincial support, ensuring programme delivery is enabled in key locations such as Phu Tho, Thua Thien Hue, and Dak Lak.
This is a strategic role focused on government engagement and policy influence. Administrative coordination and interpretation support for the Country Director sit outside this role.
The role supports delivery of core programme priorities in Vietnam, including:
● Ending bear bile farming and securing long-term protection for bears
● Improving the welfare of captive wild animals, including ending elephant riding
● Advancing the protection and welfare of dogs and cats
● Promoting legal recognition of animal sentience and welfare
Through strong leadership of government engagement, this position enables the organisation to move from programme delivery to sustained, system-level change.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Government strategy & leadership
● Act as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the Country Director, providing briefings, strategic insight, and constructive challenge to inform decision-making, external positioning, and risk management.
● Lead the development and execution of a national government relations strategy aligned with organisational priorities in Vietnam
● Co-develop government engagement strategies with the Country Director, ensuring alignment with national-level priorities and organisational objectives
● Define and drive pathways to achieve national-level policy outcomes, including high-level government decisions
● Ensure government engagement is proactive, coordinated, and outcome-driven
● Responsible for working with the Country Director to renew Animals Asia's operating permit in Vietnam every 5 years or as needed
2. Senior Government engagement
● Build and maintain high-level relationships with key ministries, agencies, and decision-makers (e.g. MAE, VNFOREST, FPD, National Assembly bodies) in coordination with and on behalf of the Country Director
● Represent the organisation, and where appropriate the Country Director, in senior-level engagements, negotiations, and policy discussions
● Support the Country Director in high-level government engagement, including preparation for meetings, visits, and negotiations
● Position the organisation as a credible, trusted partner to government
3. Policy influence & advocacy
● Identify and drive opportunities to influence policy, legislation, and enforcement frameworks
● Lead the development of policy positions, recommendations, and advocacy strategies
● Guide programme teams in aligning delivery with policy engagement opportunities
● Support national and provincial processes that advance legal and regulatory change
4. Programme integration & strategic alignment
● Ensure government engagement is aligned across all programmes (Bears, Captive Wildlife, Cat and Dog Welfare, Education)
● Translate programme priorities into clear government-facing strategies and policy pathways
● Advise on how to position programmes to align with government priorities and maximise impact
● Integrate political and regulatory considerations into strategic planning and programme design
5. Team leadership & function development
● Lead and develop the Government Affairs function in Vietnam
● Line manage and mentor the Government Affairs Officer
● Establish systems for stakeholder mapping, engagement tracking, and intelligence sharing
● Build a high-performing, strategic government relations capability for Animals Asia Vietnam
6. Political intelligence & risk management
● Monitor and analyse the political, regulatory, and stakeholder landscape
● Identify emerging risks and opportunities and advise leadership accordingly
● Ensure the Country Director is consistently informed, advised, and prepared for high-level government engagement and decision-making
● Anticipate changes in government direction and adjust strategies proactively
7. Affairship continuity & transition
● Work closely with the Senior Advisor (Vietnam) throughout 2026 to mid-2027 to transition key relationships, insights, and informal dynamics
● Ensure continuity and long-term sustainability of government engagement
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Reporting to: Vietnam Country Director
Salary Range: Grade 1.7
Employment status: Full-time
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam, with regular travel to provincial programme locations to support government engagement and programme delivery (including Phu Tho, Hue City, and Dak Lak)
Department: Government Affairs
Supervising: Government Affairs Officer (and future Government Affairs team members)
Hours: Standard working hours, with flexibility as required