National Consultant to Support a Study of Experience in Implementing Government Procurement Commitments and Policy Recommendations for Vietnam

Activity: Support a study of experience in implementing international commitments on government procurement and policy recommendations for Vietnam

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A NATIONAL CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT A STUDY OF EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT COMMITMENTS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VIETNAM

Background

Vietnam is currently in the final negotiation stages for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), the first such international commitment through which Vietnam will open its Government Procurement (GP) system for TPP member countries. In order to prepare for the implementation of TPP commitments, and given Vietnam’s lack of experience in implementing procurement commitments, it is required that Vietnam does a careful and detailed research on international experience in implementing GP commitments to ensure efficiency in any future implementation. After TPP is signed, GP-relating commitments in TPP are supposed to be reflected in local legal documents governing the execution of those commitments.

The Public Procurement Agency (PPA) is an agency under the MPI whose one of main missions is charged with (i) negotiation of government procurement under free trade agreements, including the TPP; (ii) organization and supervision of the implementation of international commitments on GP.

The Consultant will work closely with the PPA, GIG and an international consultant to promote a study of international experience in implementing GP commitments and to initiate policy recommendations for Vietnam’s effective implementation of GP commitments under TPP, ensuring these outputs are developed in a manner that is appropriate for the national context.
Objectives of the assignment

Objectives of the assignment include:

1.To inform the policy-development process, and enhance the quality of LNDs developed.
2.To facilitate broad-based growth through effective policy making process.
3.To support the effective delivery of TPP commitments.

Principle duties and responsibilities

Principle duties and responsibilities of the Consultant include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct a home review of Vietnam’s current government procurement system, including national policies and practices, focusing on GP obligations of Vietnam under TPP.
• Discuss with the GIG, PPA and various stakeholders (if relevant), and agree on critical issues in Vietnam concerning the implementation of GP commitments under TPP, where international experience is sought for reference.
• Participate in a series of meetings to get inputs from various stakeholders.
• Work closely with an international consultant during his/her study on international experience in implementing GP commitments.
• Once the national consultant receives the draft report of the international consultant, he/she will work closely with the PPA, GIG and international consultant to develop an implementation plan for Vietnam.
• Communicate the inception report during consultation meetings for comments.
• Given comments during the meetings to finalize the report and deliver it to GIG and PPA
• Present at the dissemination workshop

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs to the GIG and PPA:

1.A list of critical issues in Vietnam concerning the implementation of GP commitments, where international experience is sought for reference.
2.Documented comments on the draft report on international experience in implementing GP commitments made available by the international consultant.
3.A proposed implementation plan on policy recommendations for Vietnam in implementing GP commitments.
4.Presentations to communicate study findings during the dissemination workshop.

Level of effort and period of performance

The activities listed above will occur between May 2015 and July 2015. The estimated level of effort is 38 workdays. Final written reports will be delivered to USAID/GIG Program and the PPA no later than July 30th, 2015.

Duty station

The assignment will take place in Hanoi and other provinces of Vietnam, and travel outside Hanoi may be required as necessary for the work to be performed.

Reporting

The consultant will report to Brian Giacometti, Governance and Accountability Director of the USAID/GIG Program and Diem Le, Governance and Accountability Officer of the USAID/GIG Program.

Job qualifications

The assignment will require the following areas of expertise and experience:

• Minimum Master’s degree in economics, procurement, public administration, law, engineering or other related fields;
• Extensive knowledge and experience of more than 10 years in public procurement;
• Strong exposure to international procurement best practices is an advantage;
• Profound knowledge of Vietnam’s public procurement system;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• Knowledge on TPP is preferred.

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but this application window will close on COB May 29, 2014. To apply, please submit an expression of interest, CV and biodata to [email protected].  Please include the position of interest in the subject line email following this format: Application - Name of position – Your full name. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No telephone inquiries please.