National Export for Research on international Best Practices, Situational Assessment, and Provide Recommendation for the Framework of Vietnam’s Standardization Strategy

USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

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

for the framework of Vietnam’s Standardization Strategy

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 standards and technical requirements, develop the Standardization Strategy, survey, and assess the current development and application of technical standards 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 Standards and Technical regulations.
• Research and survey domestic organizations, enterprises relating to the implementation of the Law on Standards and Technical regulations.
• Organize workshop to share practices regarding the National Standardization Strategy of some countries and of the ASEAN.

Background

The Law on Standards and Technical regulations, approved by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2006 (Law no. 68/2006/QH11), effective from January 1, 2007, is an important legal document that stipulates the relation regarding standards and technical regulations 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 standards and technical regulations, obsolete unnecessary technical trade barriers, and promote global trade facilitation.

After almost 15 years implementing the Law on Standards and Technical regulations and other guiding documents, standardization has been further complete, the development, assessment, issuance, and application of standards and technical regulations has been further enforced and complied with international practices. Theses progresses promote and strengthen the productivity, quality, and competence of the enterprises. Until now, Vietnam’s national standards system, with more than 13,000 standards, has harmonized approximately 60% with international and regional system. The development and issuance of national standards shall support the enterprises in appropriate production and stable business planning; support controlling and ensuring product safety and quality; promote the enterprises to publish the appropriate quality according to regulations for products and services, thus create high-quality products and facilitate trade and global supply chain participation.

Recently, Vietnam has signed multiple new-generation FTAs (CPTPP, EVFTA, RCEP, etc.) that promotes production and market expansion for Vietnam’s products and services. However, the international commitments and stricter regulations require the Government and enterprises to comply the WTO/BTB agreement on removing technical trade barriers, prioritizing international standards application (ISO, IEC, ITU, Codex, ASTM, etc.), and promoting harmonization of national standards according to international and regional commitment to ensure the market transparency in the global playground.

Additionally, international standards organizations such as ISO, IEC, ITU also recommend countries to develop independent standardization strategy to improve the national competitiveness and innovation and facilitate trade. ISO has issued its Standardization Strategy 2020-2030 and encouraged member countries to refer and develop their own strategies; in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2018, the Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (APEC/SCSC) also emphasized the development of a standardization strategy. This conference approved the “APEC Guidelines on Standards Infrastructure) to make the standardization strategy an essential foundation for the industries.

Methodology:The USAID Trade Facilitation Program will engage 01 international expert and 01 national expert on Standards 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 Standards 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 standardization and of other countries; clarify and confirm STAMEQ’s expectations, finalizing the action plan.
• Coordinate with 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 system, policies, and strategies on standards and technical requirements of Vietnam;
• Participate in assessment, survey, investigation of the current situation, effectiveness, and impact of the development, issuance/publication, and application of regulations and standards;
• Co-organize at least 04 consultative meetings with agencies of STAMEQ to collect necessary information, develop standardization strategy framework, and share experiences;
• Coordinate to identify and assess shortcomings, obstacle of activities related to standardization in Vietnam;
• Participate and comment at consultative workshops and presentation (if applicable and requested) to collect information and share findings and recommendations.

Deliverables

• Analysis and assessment result of the implementation of the Law on Standards and Technical regulations in agencies, organizations, and enterprises;
• Inputs to develop research materials on the standardization strategy 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, situational assessment, and recommendation;
• Support in preparation of the final report incorporating feedback and comments from the STAMEQ and USAID.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or higher and minimum 10 years of experience in standards and technical requirements;
• Minimum 15 years of experience in standards and technical requirements in relating agencies at central or provincial level;
• Proven experience and track record of working with, or practical knowledge of standards and technical regulations; development of policy, strategy, program, plan on national standards; the process of development, assessment, issuance, and application of standards and other relevant technical aspects;
• Strong computer skills such as Microsoft Words, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google applications;
• Strong English written, oral, and presentation skills

Reporting

The National expert on Standardswill report to Mr. Claudio Dordi, the COP ([email protected] [1]), Ms. Phuong Vu, the Legal and Regulatory Expert ([email protected] [2]) and Nathan Home Office.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted no later than July 5, 2022 to email [email protected] [3]

Applications should include:

1. Cover letter (no longer than 1 page)
2. CVs (see attached template [4]); 
3. Updated USAID 1420 form (see attached template [5])
4. Cost proposal (See attached template [6])