National Expert – Senior Industrial Economist
Background on the Project: The UNIDO – MPI project “SME Cluster Development” aims at assisting the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to implement SME cluster development and enterprise upgrading in three selected sectors, including export oriented ones, with a view to facilitate capacity building in industry associations as cluster development agents and for institutional twinning with Italian industry associations, and enterprise upgrading for selected enterprises in each cluster for business matching with Italian businesses.
The project is expected to produce the following outputs:
1. Vietnamese and Italian SME industrial sectors are analyzed and up to 3 SME clusters/networks, including those that may be export oriented and suitable for institutional twinning and business matching are identified.
2. Up to three Vietnamese SME clusters, corresponding industry associations and selected SMEs in each cluster are upgraded. Quality testing, product and technology upgrade services in shared service centers managed by each association are activated.
3. Up to 3 Vietnamese SME clusters, including those that may be export oriented, and their industry associations are twinned with Italian clusters and industry associations, and business matches are initiated between selected Vietnamese and Italian SMEs.
The Project is seeking to recruit well – qualified and experienced Vietnamese citizens for the following position:
Post title: National Expert – Senior Industrial Economist
Duration: 2.5 work-months, with possible extension up to 5 W/M
Date required: As soon as possible
Duty station: Hanoi, with travel as required within Vietnam
Counterpart: Agency for SME Development
Task, assignments and activities:
The Senior Industrial Economist and analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and under the overall guidance of the UNIDO Headquarters Project Manager and the National Project Director (NPD). S/he will be responsible to carry out the following tasks, in cooperation with other team members:
1. Design the cluster mapping strategy and action plan. Identify information sources, quantitative and qualitative information to collect and the set of variables to use for qualifying each cluster. Provide support in the definition of cluster selection criteria. Elaborate standard formats for conducting interviews and collecting data.
Expected Duration: 0,5 w/m
Location: Hanoi
Expected results: Mapping strategy is defined, list of information sources is prepared, variables and selection criteria are identified and documented. Data collection formats are elaborated.
2. Coordinate other national experts and subcontracted consultancy companies in order to acquire information on main SME clusters in Vietnam. Analyze sector studies, export data, statistical data SMEs from the GSO, the MOIT and other sources. Map relevant existing national and international SME support programs. Conduct a set of interviews and round table discussions, including field visits in selected provinces, with national and local level stakeholders. Produce final reports on Sectoral profiles and Map resulting information in a well qualified and documented format.
Expected Duration: 2 w/m
Location: Hanoi, with travel in the country
Expected results: An in-depth economic profile of each main manufacturing sector where SME clusters are identified is delivered. A map of the main SME clusters in Vietnam is qualified with documented data.
3. Provide advice, in cooperation with the CTA and the Business matching specialist, for the preliminary selection of a subset of 6 to 10 clusters to be further analyzed. Define the variables to be identified, and data collection formats for this deeper analysis.
Expected Duration: Within point 2 above
Location: Hanoi
Expected results: Selection of n. 6 to 10 clusters is made. Data to be collected is identified and documented. Formats are ready.
4. Coordinate other national experts and subcontracted consultancy companies in order to produce a more detailed cluster study for each selected cluster. Collect data and identify variables as: base features of the production system, economic actors, products and their markets, production processes, value chain features, growth potential, existence of local industry association and their capacity to actively participate in undertaking cluster initiatives. Organize consultation workshops, inviting participation of local cluster actors. Systematize collected data in a study report for each cluster.
Expected Duration: 2 w/m
Location: Hanoi and selected provinces
Expected results: A analytic report is prepared for each of the selected clusters. Detailed qualifying data is documented for each cluster. Report will identify major problems, needs and opportunities of clusters, and set the ground for an action plan.
5. Finalize a list of recommended clusters for the final selection, for submission to the Project Management Task Force.
Expected Duration: 0,3 w/m
Location: Hanoi
Expected results: A selection matrix is prepared and recommendations are submitted to the Task Force.
6. Contribute to the organization of a final Workshop where the SME cluster mapping and the final selection will be presented.
Expected Duration: 0,2 w/m
Location: Hanoi
Expected results: National workshop is held.
Qualifications:
- University degree in economics, business administration or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years working experience in the economic field, with excellent background knowledge of the industrial economic system in Vietnam, its SME/private sector and its international trade and market relations.
- The assignment requires experience in: planning, designing, and conducting research in economic fields, analyzing statistical data, developing methods and procedures for collecting and processing data from available sources and sampling techniques, preparing reports in easily understandable formats (including graphics), formulating recommendations in economic matters, supervising and assign work to staff.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), with experience in working with the business community and with Government bodies in Vietnam. Specific experience in technical co-operation programmes related with SME development is a plus.
Language: Fluency in English, verbal and written
Applications from qualified candidates including an application letter and updated CV (in English) with 03 referees, copies of relevant degree(s)/ certificate(s) and clearly indicating which position applied for are submitted to UNIDO – MPI Project “SME Cluster Development” at [email protected] or by post to “Room 438, Building A, Ministry of Planning and Investment, No.06, Hoang Dieu, Hanoi, Vietnam”.
Deadline for Submission: No later than 17h00, September 15th, 2009
Only short – listed candidates will be contacted. Applications will not be returned.