ICT Consultant

TERMS OF REFERENCE: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SKILLS TRAINING FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH (STEG) – SECTOR RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Skills Training for Economic Growth (STEG) is a cooperation project supported by the Uniterra program (a partnership between the World University Service of Canada/WUSC and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation/CECI) in Vietnam. Uniterra is looking for a national expert (the Consultant) to support research on the Information and Technology (ICT) sector under the STEG project. The Consultant would aid in the research process by: reviewing a draft report on the ICT sector prepared by Uniterra’s Sector Research & Analysis Team in Vietnam (the Research Team); and providing comments on how it could be strengthened. In addition, the Consultant will facilitate a workshop for Uniterra to validate key findings todate and provide guidance on additional research that could be conducted.

2. PROJECT BACKGROUND

STEG is a cooperation project supported by Uniterra (a partnership between WUSC and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation or CECI) in Vietnam in the period 2015 to 2020. This phase of Uniterra aims to improve the economic and social well-being of youth and women by facilitating access to quality long-term employment in the tourism and ICT sectors. Within the ICT sector, preliminary findings suggest that the software subsector offers the most potential for inclusive growth.

The first stage of the STEG project involves conducting research and analysis to better understand the context of the ICT sector in Vietnam, including how it engages women and youth, what constraints or barriers exist within the sector and where there are opportunities for achieving lasting positive change. The objective of this research is to inform the development of future interventions focused on building the capacity of Uniterra’s partners to deliver high-quality training and job placement services that are both aligned with the needs of the sector and empower women and youth to access better jobs.

STEG will build on Uniterra’s successful implementation since 2003 and on the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) 23 years of experience in strengthening vocational training delivery and private sector development in Vietnam.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

The main objectives of this consulting assignment are:

1) To strengthen existing research on Vietnam’s ICT sector by validating key findings
2) To develop a plan of action for finalising the research report

4. SCOPE OF WORK

Task 1: Finalise Work Plan

The Consultant is expected to start the assignment by meeting with the Country Coordinator and Sector Research & Analysis Team at the WUSC office. Following the meeting, a detailed work plan is to be drafted and finalised in collaboration with the Research Team.

Task 2: Review Draft Report

The Consultant will do an initial review of the draft report prepared by Uniterra’s Sector Research & Analysis Team. Based on the review and initial meeting, the Consultant will make early recommendations on how to strengthen the report.

The draft report includes a value chain map. The Consultant is expected to review and make revisions to the actors/players supply chain mapping, as well as provide suggestions on relevant networks.

Task 3: Provide expert advice and support during and after workshop

In support of a half-day workshop planned for the week of September 7th, the Consultant will be responsible for providing advice and recommendations as needed by the Research Team and, more specifically, in the following areas:

a. Identification of research gaps and key preliminary findings to be validated.
b. Development of workshop materials (e.g., presentation, discussion questions in line with information requirements).
c. Facilitation of the workshop that would follow the submission of a report with recommendations on research gaps and how they could be addressed. The objective of the workshop will be for identified local stakeholders from educational institutions, business and government to jointly review early findings, provide their feedback, help identify ways to address additional information needs, and start to build an understanding of how they can work with each other and the Uniterra program going forward.
d. Development of a strategy for communicating with potential industry partners about the research and the Uniterra program.
e. After the workshop, contribute toa de-brief meeting with the Country Coordinator and the Research Team on key takeaways and next steps for the research.

It is anticipated that at least five (5) business days will be required during this stage of the research.

5. DELIVERABLES

The short-term consultant will be responsible for the following:

• A work plan that clearly shows the actions that will be taken to deliver on the objectives of this consultancy (developed in consultation with the Research Team)
• An initial assessment report of the draft research report, with recommendations
• An actors/players supply chain mapping and some networks suggested
• A workshop with key stakeholders
• A final report on recommendations for the research

6. SCHEDULE

This consultancy is expected to require about five (5) business days over a period of three (3) weeks, starting at the end of August 2015.

The schedule shall be determined in discussions with the Consultant and will depend on the date set for the workshop.

7.REPORTING

a. The Consultant will work closely with 02 research team leaders and report directly toHanh Nguyen, WUSC Country Coordinator, who will supervise the assignment.Mrs. Nguyen’s contact information is below:
Tel: (84-4) 3 7626 438 Ext. 11 | Fax: (84-4) 3 7627 271 | Email: [email protected]
Address: Unit C (third floor), La Thanh Hotel, 218 Doi Can, Hanoi, Vietnam

b. All reports are to be written in English (with the exception of workshop materials, which may be in Vietnamese), and be completed to a high standard acceptable to WUSC. The Consultant will provide an electronic version of all the required deliverables.

8. QUALIFICATIONS

The selected candidate will have the following qualifications:

• An advanced degree in information technology, business, economics or related field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Vietnam’s ICT sector ? preferably but not exclusively in the software field
• Demonstrated professional leadership in the ICT sector in Vietnam
• Strong facility to observe trends and important issues in the ICT sector and translate these observations to improving the depth and quality of Uniterra’s research
• Knowledge and experience in developing and facilitating workshops and multistakeholder dialogues for NGOs and other local stakeholders
• Strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability of making effective presentations to diverse audiences. Fluency in Vietnamese and English is essential.
• Knowledge of research and analysis methods and, particularly, inclusive market systems approaches and the application of a gender lens, would be assets (but not essential)
• Record of delivering high-quality results quickly
• Capacity to think creatively while maintaining a strong client and results orientation
• Ability to see large picture context of how the research and Consultant’s role fits into the Uniterra program’s overall strategy

9. CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

All data and information received fromthe Uniterra Programfor the purpose of this consultancy are to be treated as strictly confidential and are only to be used in relation to the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned toUniterra. The contents of written materials obtained and used in this consultancy may not be disclosed to any third parties without the expressed advance written authorisation of Uniterra.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter in English with their CV and contact details before 5:00pm August 21st to: [email protected] with cc to: [email protected]