Request for Proposal for Consultation Service

The Program “Decentralized Trade Support Services for Strengthening the International Competitiveness of  Vietnamese Small and Medium-sized Enterprises” is sponsored by the government of Switzerland and implemented by Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) during 4 years (2013-2017).

The Program aims at increasing the contribution of SMEs in key export sectors in three selected regions (Northern, Central and Southern) through the strengthening of trade support services being offered to potential or current SME exporters.  This will be done by upgrading the technical capacity of selected Provincial TPOs, TSIs and Product Associations in their role as trade support institutions to exporting SMEs, within the framework of three Regional Networks

The assessment of the Vietnamese national and regional trade support infrastructure will be undertaken to determine the existing institutional capacity at regional level responding to the needs of both policy makers and SMEs (particularly in terms of trade support services). A major focus will be put on the actual delivery of trade support services by provincial TPOs, TSIs and Product associations in the three main regions. In particular, a review will be made of the role, mandate, competencies and actual resources of selected provincial TPOs/TSIs to deliver relevant trade support services to their respective beneficiaries. Possible synergies will be identified with the aim to recommend appropriate networking, and outreaching mechanisms.

Based on the outcomes of the institutional assessment, recommendations will be made to build and/or strengthen the capacity of the Regional trade support networks to provide efficient export-oriented services. The findings and conclusions of the assessment will be considered as a basis for the design of a customized capacity building programme to address the specific needs and constraints identified and reinforce the servicing capacity of the Regional trade support networks.

In order to implement this activitiy, the Program is looking for qualified Institution/Corporate to conduct 01 national report and 03 regional reports (North, Central and South) on institutional assessment.

Details as follows:

1.Position: Technical Consultant of Institutional Assessment
2.Duration: 02 months part-time (March 15 – May 10, 2014)
3.Major duties: Detailed TOR
4.Application:

• A copy of business registration certificate;
• A proposal of activities and budget signed and stamped.

5.Application must be submitted no later than 15:00 dated 21 Feb 2014 by email to PMU address: 5th Floor, 20 Ly Thuong Kiet Str., Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.