Senior Specialist - Consultancy to support the project document development and approval for USAID Innovative Ecosystems Project

Senior Specialist

Consultancy to support the project document development and approval for USAID Innovative Ecosystems Project, Vietnam

USAID Learns

Hanoi, Vietnam

Note: This post is open to local candidates only.

Apply here:

https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=39&rid=4749

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 (USAID Learns). 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).

Position Background

The purpose of the USAID grant technical assistance Innovative Ecosystems Project is to support the Government of Vietnam's (GVN) efforts to enhance Vietnam's innovation ecosystem and innovators' market opportunities in line with the National Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution Towards the Year 2030 (NS/4IR).

Through Learns, USAID seeks a national consultant to serve as a Senior Specialist to support the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in developing the Project Document (PD) and other relevant documents as well as supporting the National Innovation Center (NIC) in completing the regulated procedures to obtain the project approval decision. The consultant will report to the Team Leader, and Director (and/or FSN Team Leader) of the USAID Office of Governance and Economic Growth. The consultant will work in close cooperation and under the guidance of NIC/MPI and USAID/Vietnam during this consultancy.

Responsibilities

The Senior Specialist will conduct tasks assigned by the Team Leader and be jointly responsible to ensure effective consultation, discussion, and alignment between USAID/Vietnam and MPI/NIC in the development and finalization of the project document. The draft and final project document versions are required to:

• Follow GVN regulations in ODA management;
• Reflect the contents of the project description as discussed and agreed between USAID and MPI/NIC; and
• Align with USAID/Vietnam guidance in managing the Mission’s activities in Vietnam

Specific activities to attain project approval include (but are not limited to):

• Reviewing of relevant documents and regulations including but not limited to the USAID VietnamCountry Development Cooperation Strategyfor the period 2020 - 2025, Vietnam’s regulations related to Innovation and Industrial Revolution 4.0, relevant Socio Economic Development Plans, master plans, relevant laws and regulations of Vietnam, relevant researches and analysis in the areas of the project.
• Conducting meetings and ongoing consultations with the MPI departments, development partners, other relevant stakeholders, and potential beneficiaries as guided by NIC;
• Supporting to develop and agree with USAID and NIC on a specific work plan for project approval process;
• Supporting development of the PD using the relevant template in Decree 114/2021/ND-CP (USAID will provide the template that includes USAID standard language specific requirements) in both English and Vietnamese for USAID and NIC review;
• Supporting NIC in following up with relevant departments of MPI and other concerned ministries to obtain feedback and appraisal comments;
• Taking part in revising the PD, preparing the report on justification and acceptance of the appraisal comments;
• Supporting NIC in finalizing the PD and preparing the appraisal package for MPI approval
• Facilitating the exchange of information between USAID and MPI by ensuring that the PD and its revisions are available in both English and Vietnamese for USAID review and inputs

Required Qualifications

Experience with ODA Approval Process

• Good understanding of GVN ODA project document approval regulations and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to diplomatically coordinate work between GVN stakeholders and international organizations.

Knowledge of Sector

• In-depth knowledge of the legal and policy framework for innovation and SME in Vietnam
• Intensive experience working with the government of Vietnam, development partners and private sector in innovation area
• In-depth familiarity with the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam

Language and Communication Skills

• Native in Vietnamese
• Excellent written and spoken English skills are required.

Deliverables (all to be delivered in English and Vietnamese)

1. A work plan for obtaining Project Document approval, including Project Document requirements and specific tasks and timelines for meeting the requirements, to be developed in consultation with MPI, USAID, and related stakeholders.
2. Draft sections of Project Document (to be assigned by the Team Lead). The draft is to be signed off by both USAID and NIC for sharing with other departments of MPI (draft 0)
3. Revised sections of Project Document that is signed off by both USAID and MPI leader for sharing with other GVN institutions (draft 1)
4. Written contributions to the final draft signed off by USAID that integrates appraisal comments from other GVN institutions, reports on justification and acceptance of appraisal comments as well as others notes, exchanges of letters, draft documents for appraisal dossier, and submission package for MPI leader.

The closing date for application: January 10, 2024. Selection and interviews will be performed constantly and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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

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, no visits.