Research Coordinator: Contextual Analysis of Digital Trade (DT) in Vietnam

Research Coordinator

Contextual Analysis of Digital Trade (DT) in Vietnam

USAID Learns Contract

Hanoi, Vietnam

Apply here

https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=1&rid=4217

Note: This post is open for local candidates only.

About Social Impact

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Project Objective

SI is implementing the USAID/Vietnam Learns Contract. The scope of the five-year project is to support USAID/Vietnam staff and partners to implement more efficient, effective, and transparent programs by improving: (1) USAID and Implementing Partner (IP) capacity to achieve expected results; (2) USAID’s understanding and tracking of project performance; and (3) collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA).

Background and Purpose

Twenty-five years after the establishment of bilateral relations in 1995, the United States and Vietnam have become strategic business partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. - Vietnam bilateral trade has grown from $451 million in 1995 to over $90 billion in 2020. U.S. goods exports to Vietnam were worth over $10 billion in 2020, and U.S. goods imports in 2020 were worth $79.6 billion. U.S. investment in Vietnam was $2.6 billion in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic that happened in late 2019 caused huge impacts on all economies so now each nation has to develop its own economic recovery strategy. The benefits of digital trade were already apparent before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the current crisis has further accelerated the shift towards a digital economy and underscored the need for governments to enable digital trade as a means to mitigate the economic slowdown and speed up recovery.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission is supporting Vietnam in addressing the economic objectives and strengthening partnerships with the Indo-Pacific region with the USAID Indo-Pacific Opportunities Program (IPOP). The Mission, however, recognises the need for a transition from the trade facilitation policy reform to a more practical implementation phase that boosts trade transactions and accelerates investment flows in Vietnam.

USAID Vietnam wishes to design a new activity to support Vietnam in promoting digital trade (DT) to help businesses of both countries, implement business-friendly regulations, improve commercial laws and trade regimes to reduce barriers to trade, and set a transparent system for trade. This new activity will support the new Indo-Pacific Strategy’s goal to drive regional prosperity through promoting free, fair and open trade and investment. It will also support the Mission Objective to improve Vietnam economic competitiveness by enhancing the innovation ecosystem, especially by setting a transparent system to trade using digital transition tools. The new activity is expected to address the “connected-economy” strategy under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, where USG and the partners in the region, including Vietnam, believe that much of the success in the coming decades will depend on how well governments harness innovation in promoting two-way trade, in order to ensure enterprises of both sides can benefit from the rapidly growing e-commerce sector.

As a preliminary step, USAID/Vietnam wishes to conduct a rapid analysis examining the context, challenges, and potential opportunities of digital trade in Vietnam. The contextual analysis will ensure USAID support is well-targeted, informed by experience, and likely to reinforce rather than duplicate efforts.

Position Description

USAID Learns seeks a national consultant to act as a Research Coordinator to support this assignment. The research coordinator will support the Team leader to conduct the assessment.

A Senior International Trade Specialist from USAID/Washington's Center for Economics and Market Development/Trade will join the team as a technical advisor, and an international consultant from USAID Vietnam Mission/OGEG will join the team as a technical team member. The team will work closely with and report to USAID OGEG Program Management Specialist.

Research Questions

This contextual analysis will address the following research questions. The questions should be answered through rapid analysis of available literature and select key informant interviews with the GVN and local organizations. Note that these research questions will not be answered exhaustively; the final report will provide a rapid analysis of each area, allowing for further research if necessary.

1. Provide a brief overview of current trends of digital trade in Vietnam. The overview should pay closer attention to digital trade that helps businesses of both countries, the US and Vietnam.
2. What are the current regulatory barriers to trade & digital trade in Vietnam? Which improvements in commercial laws and trade regimes could enhance the transparency of the trade system?
3. What are the main initiatives being delivered to facilitate digital trade in Vietnam? Detail the focus, funding sources, and performance efforts by the GVN, local and international organizations, and the private sector.
4. Which intervention in forms of digital trade facilitation platform could best support the development of e-commerce in Vietnam?
5. In light of the contextual analysis, where could USAID have the greatest impact on DT, through both existing and new programming?

Methodology

The research questions are expected to be answered through two methodological approaches:

Rapid Desk Review

• GVN policies, directives, decrees, public statements, etc., on DT.
• Reports developed by donors, global funds, consulting firms, and local organizations related to the development of DT in Vietnam in the last five years.
• Other published research and assessments on DT in Vietnam and the region.
• Programming of other donors and non-state actors, particularly JICA, GIZ, DFAT, UNDP.
• Programming of USAID to explore the potential for addressing DT through their work.

Limited Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

• USAID Mission and Embassy staff concerned with trade, economics and DT in particular.
• GVN representatives: Information Technology Application Center (INTECT), MOIT; Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM); Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Amcham Vietnam; and others as relevant.
• Leading e-commerce exchanges in Vietnam such as Lazada, Sendo, Shopee, Tiki, Voso (Viettel Post), Postmart (Vietnam Post), Chotot, among others.
• Other donors as specified above.

Key informants for interviews and validation event(s) will be selected in coordination with USAID. The target number of KIIs will be confirmed in consultation with USAID at the start of the assignment. Note however that the methodology can be amended based on discussions with the consultant team and given circumstances at the time of kickoff.

Deliverables and Timelines

The assignment is set to commence in late September 2022. An indicative timeline is set out in the table below.

Timeline: September to December 2022

Level of effort: up to 35 days

Responsibilities 

• Perform desk review and identify additional information required for analysis 
• Support the Team Leader's lead efforts in research design, methodology, and data collection instruments. 
• Coordinate the research activities, including meetings, interviews, notetaking 
• Provide logistics support for evaluation activities, including interviews, meetings, group discussion, fieldwork, and events 
• Conduct interviews as needed and contribute to data collection 
• Provide ongoing data analysis
• Support the preparation and presentation of the key findings and recommendations to USAID 
• Write assigned section of the draft report in coordination with the team members, taking into consideration feedback from the preliminary findings presentation 
• Work collaboratively with team members throughout design, implementation, analysis, and report writing to complement each other's areas of expertise 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree, with preference for degree relevant to research, trade, public policy, international development, or another related field? 
• 5 years of experience supporting or conducting research? 
• Must be able to conduct interviews and focus group discussion and analyze the resulting data 
• Sound experience with administration and/or logistics for data collection, specifically coordinating data collection activities? 
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to take detailed notes? 
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines and adhere to high quality standards? 
• Research experience related to trade preferred? 
• Fluency in Vietnamese and in-depth knowledge of the operating environment in Vietnam required? 
• The candidate must be Vietnamese and reside in Vietnam

USAID and USAID Learns support: Technical support and direction will be provided by USAID OGEG. USAID Learns will provide finance and admin support, and additional logistical coordination, interpretation and facilitation of events when required.

The closing date for application: September 18, 2022. Selection and interviews will be performed constantly and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into one pdf file and submit it through the online portal.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website:http://www.socialimpact.com

SI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.