National STTA Specialist on the Application of Risk Management of Imports, Exports via Post and Express Delivery

USAID Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Technical Support for GDVC with regard to the application of risk management of imports and exports
via Post and Express Delivery

Proposed Personnel:              Name (TBD),
                                               Local/National STTA Specialist on the application of risk management
                                               of imports, exports via Post and Express Delivery

Period of Performance:          o/a November 22, 2021 – April 30, 2022

Origin/Destination:                Hanoi, Vietnam

Travel Dates:                          N/A

Activity No.:                            FY2022 Activity 2.3 – Risk management of imports and exports
                                                via post and express delivery
                                                [Sub-activities 2.3.1, 2.3.2 and 2.3.3]

Project Background:

The USAID 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 aim is to ensure the consistent application of risk management (RM) of imports and exports via post and express delivery.

Background:

The growth of cross-border e-commerce and the increase in trade volume of fast moving postal and small packages present risks and challenges to revenue collection. There is also a concern about the increasing movement of contrabands. The World Customs Organization (WCO) have identified the challenges faced by customs to facilitate trade and ensure security, fair and efficient collection of duties and taxes, and social protection. In Year 3, GDVC has recognized the need to address this issue and asked for the Program’s assistance in conducting a situational assessment and studying international experiences. Also, GDVC has sought the Program’s support in organizing consultation workshops with the private sector and training courses for Customs officials. This activity was delayed from year 3 at the request of GDVC, to allow for the development of the legal framework on e-commerce for imports and exports (Activity 2.1).

GDVC, therefore, wishes to:

• develop an overall scheme on the implementation of an advanced risk management mechanism with a focus on risks and facilitation of legitimate e-commerce based on international best practices and the requirements of the Free trade Agreement of the WTO and the Revised Kyoto Convention of the WCO.

In order to identify needs, GDVC proposes to conduct a situational assessment of the existing processes/mechanisms for targeting risks and facilitating legitimate trade. GDVC also wants to learn from the experiences of other countries that have successfully applied Risk Management in e-commerce – trade via Post and Express Delivery.

GDVC has sought technical assistance from the Program to:

1. conduct a situational assessment and gap analysis of existing mechanisms used by GDVC to target parcels sent via post/express delivery services
2. identify RM mechanisms for goods sent via post/express delivery services which have been successfully implemented by other countries
3. identify IT requirements (if any) to improve the targeting of high-risk parcels and facilitation of legitimate trade;
4. share international experience and best practices through workshops and consultations.  

Methodology: The specific tasks and official action plan will be determined by the international STTA Specialist on the application of risk management of imports, exports via Post and Express Delivery. However, methodologies to be applied may include research and study; interviews; analysis and situational assessments; focus working groups (if applicable); experience sharing; and report writing. This activity may last from Q2 to Q4 with intermittent support to allow for integration with other program activities and to be in line with GDVC’s priorities:

• Desk research;
• Site visits (compliance with Covid restriction measures) to the Express Courier and Postal facilities and consultations* with officials of GDVC, local customs departments and trade partners.
  *(If needed, online workshops/meetings will be organized. To get better outcomes, agenda and background information, materials, and list of questions shall be provided to GDVC in advance for preparation);
• Situational assessments and analysis. If the specialist needs data from GDVC’s databases for his/her analysis, for example, data on the trade volume or Customs offences, he/she should clarify well in advance the data structure and metadata required, and provide justification so as to facilitate the request for data from GDVC;
• Reports including preliminary findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations. Contradictory findings and high-risk recommendations must be supported by robust evidence, for example, showing convincing statistics or demonstrating how such recommendations are applied in other countries.

Local/National STTA Specialist on the application of risk management of imports, exports via Post and Express Delivery, in consultation with the Senior Trade Facilitation Expert (STFE) and local officers of the Program, will collaborate and work closely with the Risk Management Department and consult with other departments of GDVC, relevant line ministries, local customs departments and private sector stakeholders. The Local/National STTA Specialist on the application of risk management of imports, exports via Post and Express Delivery may also be required to work with other members of the Program team.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Local/National STTA Specialist on the application of risk management of imports, exports via Post and Express Delivery will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Research and assess RM application status in customs management of imports and exports via post and express delivery in Vietnam, including:
  
  • Review and analyze legal regulations, procedures, and implementation of regulations and procedures of customs management for imports and exports via post and express delivery, specifying strengths and weaknesses, shortcomings and causes.
  • Analyze and evaluate the collection and processing of RM information on businesses and goods; risk indicators for imports and exports via international post and express delivery.
  • Assess the coordination and communications among relevant stake holders in managing imports and exports via international post and express delivery services.
  • Provide recommendations for policies and regulations in customs management and RM application for imports and exports via international post and express delivery services.
• Conduct field (or online) surveys to discuss with and collect information and feedback from customs agencies, businesses and other stakeholders on the practices of importation and exportation via post and express delivery services.
• Participate in meetings, consultation workshops and provide technical comments and recommendations regarding customs management for imports and exports via post and express delivery services.
• Produce a final report including details on completed activities and recommendations for customs agencies on the practical and consistent application of RM in customs management for imports and exports via international post and express delivery services.

The Local/National STTA works closely with the international STTA to implement the afore-mentioned tasks and responsibilities.

Deliverables

• Research papers and comments/recommendations on the risk-based approach in customs management for imports and exports via international post and express delivery.
• Responses of customs agencies, businesses and other stakeholders for the field (or online) surveys to collect information and feedback on the status of importation and exportation via post and express delivery.
• Proactive participation and provision of technical comments and recommendations at meetings and/or consultation workshops regarding customs management for imports and exports via post and express delivery.
• Final report including details on completed activities and recommendations for customs agencies on the practical and consistent application of RM in customs management for imports and exports via international post and express delivery.

Qualifications

• Degrees in law, economic, business administration, international trade, trade policy, customs management, or similar field;
• Minimum 7 years of experience working on relevant topics regarding trade or customs;
• Understanding and experience of the WTO FTA and Vietnam policies in WTO FTA implementation;
• Problem solving ability, as well as ability to analyze and anticipate to identify solutions;
• Good communication, presentation skill and leadership. Strong written and oral skills;
• Good computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Applications);
• Strong English and Vietnamese written, oral, and presentation skills; and
• Ability to travel within Vietnam.

Reporting

The local/national STTA Specialist on the application of risk management of imports, exports via Post and Express Delivery will report to Mr. Andrew Allan, Senior Trade Facilitation Expert ([email protected]) and Nathan Home Office.

How to Apply

Proposals should be submitted no later than November 30, 2021 to email: [email protected]

Application 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)