Natinal Expert for Research on International Best Practices, Situational Assessment, and Provide Recommendation for the National Quality Infrastructure of Vietnam

USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Research on international best practices, situational assessment, and provide recommendation

for the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) of Vietnam

Proposed Personnel:            Name TBD

Period of Performance:        1/7/2022 – 15/1/2023

Origin/Destination:               Hanoi/HCMC, Vietnam

Activity No.:                          FY2022 Activity 1.3.5

MEL indicator(s):                  EG.2.1-1; CLBD-9

Project Background

The USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program is a five-year project that aims to support the adoption and implementation of a more risk-based approach to customs and specialized inspection institutions in Vietnam. The program will work with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to strengthen the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) of Vietnam and its Working Groups; streamline border clearance procedures (including specialized inspection implemented by other line ministries and agencies); harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between the national and provincial levels; train national and provincial customs officers and staff from other ministries on risk management; and facilitate dialogue between customs and business and between stakeholders in Hanoi and in the provinces.

Activity Background

Objective: The objectives of this activity are to support the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) to review the legal framework on products and goods quality management, develop the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and assess the implementation of the Law on Products and Goods Quality of organizations, enterprises, and individuals in Vietnam. This activity is in the Year 4 Work plan of the Program (Activity 1.3.5). The tasks include:

• Provide consultation and support in assessing and amending the Law on Products and Goods Quality
• Research and survey domestic organizations, enterprises relating to the implementation of the Law on Products and Goods Quality
• Organize workshop to share practices regarding the National Quality Infrastructure of some countries and of the ASEAN.

Background

The Law on Products and Goods Quality, approved by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2007 (Law no. 05/2007/QH12), effective from July 1, 2008, is an important legal document that stipulates the relation regarding products and goods quality of Vietnam. The Law was developed and issued during the Vietnam’s negotiation to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which required Vietnam to complete its legal framework on products and goods quality standards, obsolete unnecessary technical trade barriers, and promote global trade facilitation.

After almost 14 years implementing the Law on Products and Goods Quality and other guiding documents, products and goods quality has improved, products and goods are closely controlled before and after releasing to the market. Guiding documents for the Law on Products and Goods Quality are fully issued. These legal documents are essential legal corridor, creating harmonization and synchronization to manage the products and goods quality (in production, import, export, distribution in the market, and consumption), and to honor and reward the organizations and individuals, including the Award for National Quality from provincial to central level.

However, the 14-year period reveals shortcomings and obstacles of the legal system in the actual implementation and fails to satisfy the changing demand and international economic integration during this era of global integration, free trade, and of free trade agreements. The application of quality control principles according to the Law on Products and Goods Quality and international best practices have not been fully executed; specialized inspection of ministries still shows weaknesses and has not met the legal demand of products and goods quality.

In addition, according to international practices, NQI is the legal and technical framework, implement activities related to standardization, metrology, and assessment (including accreditation and conformity) to meet the requirement of socio-economic development in the country. Globally, NQI of a country is assessed and demonstrated by the Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) and Quality Infrastructure (QI), which is the driving force for economic prosperity and balanced and sustainable development.

The ineffective factors affecting trade facilitation of the conformity assessment system includes: (i) conformity assessment procedures; (ii) testing costs are higher than those delivered by the private sector; (iii) Lack of a risk-based approach to border and e-commerce activities will result in the lack of opportunities for economic development, higher transaction costs, and longer time for accessing export markets.

Products that have been tested / evaluated / accredited by internationally recognized labs bring about several benefits because they: (i) accelerate the customs clearance process; (ii) ensure that conformity assessment results are accepted by both sides; (iii) reduce the possibility of being rejected during customs clearance; (iv) minimize opportunity costs; (v) reduce costs to trade for businesses; (vi) key to Industry 4.0.

In Vietnam, NQI, principle, and measures to monitor and assess in accordance with international standards remain unclear. Enhancing the competences and developing NQI is a crucial demand and solution to support enterprises improve their competitiveness, international integration, approach to Industry 4.0, and increase productivity in science, technology, and innovation.

Methodology:The USAID Trade Facilitation Program will engage 01 international expert and 01 national expert on NQI for this activity. The final detail of the tasks and work plan will be determined by the international expert, but the methodology to be employed may include research and study; interviews; analysis and situational assessments; focused working groups (if applicable); sharing of experiences; and production of reports.

The national expert on NQI will closely collaborate with the international expert, regularly consult and discuss with STAMEQ in Vietnam and other relevant agencies.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The national expert will be responsible for the following indicative tasks:

• Coordinate to collect, assess, and compare materials, information, statistics, and participate in the research and situational assessment of Vietnam’s NQI and emerging trend of other countries; support to clarify and confirm STAMEQ’s expectations, finalizing the action plan;
• Coordinate with the international expert to share information and work with STAMEQ and relevant key agencies, facilitate online meetings;
• Support to identify, review, analyze, and verify the legal framework on NQI;
• Participate in research and assessment, survey, investigation of the current situation, effectiveness, and impact of NQI in Vietnam;
• Co-organize at least 04 consultative meetings with agencies of STAMEQ to collect necessary information, develop NQI, and share experiences;
• Coordinate to identify and assess existing shortcomings between Vietnam’s policies and that of other countries and international best practices;
• Participate and comment at consultative workshops and presentation (if applicable and requested) to collect information and share findings and recommendations.

Deliverables

• Result of research, survey, and impact assessment of products and goods quality control activities of agencies, organizations, enterprises, and situation of NQI Vietnam;
• Contribute to the research materials on the NQI of some countries and best practices;
• Coordination and inputs for the draft final report containing full details of all work carried out and summarizing the assignment, findings, and situational assessment of the NQI of Vietnam and recommendation for the draft NQI framework;
• Support in preparation of the final report incorporating feedback and comments from the STAMEQ and USAID.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or higher or minimum 10 years of experience in standards, NQI, and metrology;
• Minimum 15 years of experience in standards, NQI, metronomic in relating agencies at central or provincial level;
• Proven experience and track record of working with, or practical knowledge of standards, NQI, metrology, conformity assessment (including accreditation); development of policy, strategy, program, project, regulation, etc.
• Strong computer skills such as Microsoft Words, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google applications;
• Strong English written, oral, and presentation skills

Reporting

The National Expert on NQIwill report to Mr. Claudio Dordi, the COP ([email protected]), Ms. Phuong Vu, the Legal and Regulatory Expert ([email protected]) and Nathan Home Office.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted no later than July 5, 2022 to email [email protected]

Applications should include:

1. Cover letter (no longer than 1 page)
2. CVs (see attached template); 
3. Updated USAID 1420 form (see attached template)
4. Cost proposal (See attached template)