GVN Project Approval Advisor

GVNProject Approval Advisor

USAID/Vietnam Learns Contract

Hanoi, Vietnam

Apply here:

https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=1&rid=3523

About Social Impact

Social Impact 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 its implementing partners to implement more efficient, effective, and sustainable programs by (1) improving staff knowledge and skills in Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning & Adapting (CLA); (2) advancing evidence-informed decision-making; (3) strengthening strategic collaboration between staff and local stakeholders. 

Background

USAID has operated in Vietnam since 2001 and has implemented a large portfolio of activities. However, USAID/Vietnam and its implementing partners (IPs) continue to face challenges in obtaining project approval and value-added tax (VAT) refunds. Following in a series of official development assistance (ODA) decrees, on May 25, 2020, the Government of Vietnam (GVN) adopted Decree No. 56/2020/ND-CP on the Management and Use of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Concessional Loans from Foreign Donors (Decree 56). The GVN project approval process study was conducted to understand the programmatic implications of Decree 56, including clarifying project approval procedures and providing practical advice to USAID/Vietnam and its IPs on how to undertake and accelerate project approval and VAT refund requests.

**Please Note: Candidates are required to be Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam.**

Roles & Responsibilities

The GVNProject Approval Advisor is expected to advise USAID/Vietnam on a range of activities to support project approval by the Government of Vietnam through relevant Managing Agencies. Specifically, the Advisor will undertake the following tasks at the request of USAIDLearns:

• On-demand advise USAID/Vietnam on options to ease project approval.

• Provide ad-hoc support to USAID/Vietnam to overall enable better collaboration between USAID/Vietnam and the GVN in project approval.

• Participate in initiatives and/or working group sessions aimed at facilitating project approvals, when requested;

• Light-touch and broad advisory service to USAID implementing partners on project approval for specific USAID-funded activities.

• On-demand advice and technical support to USAIDLearns on its ongoing efforts to obtain GVN project approval.

• Support USAID-Learns to develop and/or keep up to date ad-hoc communication materials, briefs, and outreach documentation on project approvals, whenever needed and appropriate.

Level of Effort (LOE):          Up to 50 days.

Desired start date:               March 2021

Timeframe:                          From start date until December 31, 2021

Qualifications

Required:

• Have an advanced degree from an accredited university.

• Have at least 10 years of technical experience in working with USAID funded projects and on project approval and VAT refund with USAID activities in Vietnam.

• Have a strong understanding of GVN Decrees on management and use of ODA and the changes in Decree 56.

• Have a demonstrated understanding of USAID/Vietnam, USAID activities, and implementing partners in Vietnam.

• Experience coordinating initiatives across multiple GVN ministries and achieving sustainable results through the coordination between various ministries.

• Fluency in Vietnamese language and professional proficiency (writing, speaking, and reading) in English.

The closing date for application: 20 Feb 2021. Selection and interview will be performed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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

Interviews may include a practical test or skill-based demonstration.