Social Development Specialist

Terms of Reference

Social Development Specialist
Support for FY 18/19

Job Title: Social Development Specialist

Appointment Type: Short Term Consultant (STC) (Subject to Local Recruitment)

Leader Name: Obert Pimhidzai, Senior Economist, Vietnam

Background

The World Bank’s mission is to help the Bank's clients in the East Asia and the Pacific Region (EAP) to reduce poverty and achieve environmentally and socially sustainable development. For Vietnam, the development of ethnic minorities is a key focus area for achieving these objectives, through a combination of direct financing of interventions and technical assistance activities provided in partnerships with other development partners.

To this effect, the World Bank and the Government of Australia launched a partnership program - the Australia Bank Partnership (ABP II) - which has an Ethnic Minorities pillar designed to provide technical assistance to the Government of Vietnam to support the development of ethnic minorities. Activities under this pillar involve analytical work and technical assistance to support knowledge sharing, policy development and strengthening the World Bank’s ongoing as well as future investments related to poverty reduction for Ethnic Minorities and social assistance programs. The Ethnic Minorities Pillar activities fall under three components.

• Component 1: Using recent 2015 ethnic minority data to inform existing and new policies and programs of CEMA to better tailor diverse needs and conditions of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. This activity is implemented with CEMA as the main counterpart.
• Component 2: Targeting ethnic minority women and youth in NTP livelihood investments through use of value chain analysis. This activity is implemented with CEMA as the main counterpart.
• Component 3: Understanding the drivers of Ethnic Minority awareness and access to and use of social assistance programs and piloting interventions to address constraints to access, especially women and youth. This activity is being implemented with MOLISA is the main counterpart.

Objectives of the TORs

These TORs are for the recruitment of a local, short term consultant who shall support the implementation of component 2 of the ABP II – Ethnic Minorities pillar activities. This consultant shall work under the guidance of Mr. Obert Pimhidzai and Ms. Roxanne Hakim, the co-Task Team Leaders of the ABP II – EM Pillar, but is expected to work with limited supervision. Therefore, the task requires an individual with strong organizational, strategic thinking and technical skills, who can operate independently and has experience interacting with senior government officials in Vietnam.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks could include some or all of the following:

• Participate as a task team member in the delivery of Australia-World Bank Partnership II (ABP2) on Ethnic Minority Pillar, including components 2 on implementing activities targeting ethnic minority women and youth in livelihood investments linked to National Targeted Programs through the use of value chain analysis.
• Coordinate with CEMA on planning and roll out of activities for the value chain support in ethnic minorities communities, specifically(i) the launch of an IDEA contest on value chain support, (ii) selection process for winning ideas and (iii) roll out of value chain analysis and support activities for the program implementation.
• Proactively work with the World Bank team and CEMA on initiatives supporting value chains for ethnic minorities and women where there is potential or confirmed World Bank support.
• Maintain effective communication with counterparts in line ministries, local agencies and organizations working directly with the World Bank during the implementation of the ABP II - Ethnic Minorities Pillar activities.
• Represent the Bank in local meetings of social authorities, organizations, and multilateral and bilateral donors.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, sociology, anthropology or  economics.
• A minimum of 5 years relevant operational experience and proven track record in working on projects providing support to ethnic minority communities in Vietman is
• required, with specific experience on livelihood or value chain support an added advantage.
• Ability to think strategically and conduct dialogue on social development policies and priorities, while maintaining a strong sense of realism with regard to in-country
• conditions and competing demands for resources.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks and work independently with limited supervision to achieve results with agreed upon objectives and deadlines.
• Track record of dealing effectively with external and internal clients.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in teams and share knowledge.
• Good understanding of social and economic impact assessment, processes and procedures (Government’s or donors’).
• Strong client orientation with commitment to results on the ground.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral in Vietnamese and English.
• Full competence with professional office software and communications technology.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Vietnam.
• Field experience running livelihood support activities in Vietnam is highly desirable.

Duration of Contract

It is expected that the contract would extend from March 15, 2018 to June 25, 2019. The number of days planned for this work is 120 days of which 55 days are planned for the period between the start date and June 30, 2018 with the remaining 65 days planned form July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Actual chargeable days will depend on the Bank’s needs and the consultant’s availability.

Location of Contract

The Consultant will not have access to a permanent work space in the Bank office. When available, computer and office facilities in the Hanoi office will be accessible on a temporary basis. The successful consultant should be prepared to carry out the bulk of the required work from an office or home outside of the Bank. Any costs that are incurred by working out of a home or office other than the Bank’s are not covered under this contract.

Reporting Arrangements

In general, the Consultant will report to two of the co-Task Team Leaders of the ABP Ethnic Minorities Pillar - Mr. Obert Pimhidzai, Senior Economist and Ms. Roxanne Hakim, Social Development Coordinator for Vietnam, or another team member delegated by him.

Application

Interested candidates should send their CV and Cover letter to Ms. Dung Thuy Vu at [email protected] by COB Thursday March 8, 2018.