Consultant for Project Lesson Learn Documentation

1.Introduction

CARE in Vietnam is a Non-Government Organization representing the CARE International network. CARE in Vietnam is a creative and dynamic organization, working with Vietnamese partners in the sectors of health, rural development and disaster mitigation and preparedness.
CARE Vietnam corporate with Long An Provincial Woman’s Union (WU) to implementation the project called “Financial security for young people and poor women in urban and peri-urban areas of Long An province”. The project aims to improve well-being for poor members though increasing their capacity to access to savings and credit in seven districts including Chau Thanh, Tan Tru, Thu Thua, Ben Luc, Can Duoc, Can Giuoc and Tan An city.

The project objectives
- To establish 280 Savings and Loan Groups and outreaching to 5,000 target beneficiaries in Long An province creating a culture of saving, community capital build-up, self management and support.
- To build the capacity of Women’s Union (WU) to promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship among group members by providing business planning, financial literacy and household management training.
- To increase the capacity of Women’s Union to establish, manage and expand Savings and Loan Groups, provide financial literacy skills and develop new financial products tailored to the groups needs (e.g. savings, loans, debt-swapping, micro-insurance).

Given the strong commitments and efforts of Long An WU and CARE Vietnam, the project has achieved impressive results in term of financial inclusion for the poor, partners capacity and valid lessons learned that can be applied in further program and partnership development for both CARE Vietnam and Long AN WU. In addition, the project methodology and saving-led model are potential for scaling up in other poor communities within Long An and Vietnam.

2.  Main Tasks
The main task of this consultancy is to document the process, results lessons learned and best practices of the project. Focus will be on (1) Saving-led model (Village Saving and Loan Association-VSLA) and its impact in poor communities; and (2) Partners’ capacity strengthening.

Key accountabilities
- To work in close cooperation with the project manager and other CARE staffs to design an outline for the project documentation
- Identifying project experience, activities and best practice that need to be documented and drafting the first structure/design of the project documentation material
- Coordinating comments with project teams and finalizing the documentation structure/design and listing down the supporting documents needed for each section of the documentation structure
- Study the supporting materials available from the project team
- Drafting the project documentation with the existing materials provided by the project team
- Identify missing materials/information and conduct field visit if necessary
- Draft the second version of project document and send for project team and CARE to review and comments
- Coordinate with the project team on the review/comments and finalize the documents as appropriate in both English and Vietnamese
- Participate in the design of the publication

Expected output:
The final results of this consultancy activity are the complete and comprehensive project lesson learned documents in both Vietnamese and English that meet CARE and the project’s requirements. These documents are also in good formatted and ready for printing and publication

Key Working Relationships:
The representative from CARE Vietnam and the project team, representation of Long An Women’s Union and project beneficiaries.

Place of Performance:
The consultant is flexible to plan for travel and work with the project team and local partner (WU) in Long An or field visit of project districts.

Period of consultancy:
The period of work in this TOR will be done from Mar 7th 2013 and terminate by 27th of March 2013 (consultant day max: 15 days)

Selection Criteria:
- At least 3 years experience in development project implementation, preferably in international organizations and INGOs
- Demonstrated experience in project documentation and training design
- Working knowledge and experience of Microfinance, saving-led approach
- Be familiar with Long An or Mekong region
- Excellent writing skills in both Vietnamese and English
- Strong communication

Application:
CARE International in Vietnam offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Interested candidates should send application (in English) with stating the position title to [email protected].

The deadline for applications is 8 March 2013

** Child Protection:
CARE International in Vietnam is committed to protecting the rights of children in all areas we work around the world. Applicants are advised that CARE International in Vietnam reserves the right to screen candidates to ensure a child-safe environment. Further information can be found in the CARE Vietnam child protection policy.