Local STTA Business to Business (B2B) Platform’s Business Requirements Expert

Vietnam Digital Trade

SCOPE OF WORK

Local STTA Business to Business (B2B) Platform’s Business Requirements Expert

Date: February 2024

Position: Local STTA B2B Platform’s Business Requirements Expert

Reports to: USAID Vietnam Digital Trade (VDT) Technical team

Location: Hanoi

LOE: (STTA) 15 days

Period of Performance: March - April 2024

International Development Group LLC is an international development consulting firm that assists donors, governments, and the private sector to create and take advantage of opportunities for sustainable, broad-based economic development and poverty reduction. IDG provides entrepreneurs and policymakers with the practical tools needed to achieve real and measurable impact for their communities and countries. IDG assistance programs aim to build the capacity, skills, and knowledge of local individuals and institutions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, fostering synergies between local knowledge and international experience. 

Project Background

The VDT is a two-year activity (2023-2025) addressing regulatory gaps and promoting private sector engagement in the rapidly growing digital economy. USAID VDT Activity supports the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)’s implementation of frameworks that facilitate digital trade, with an emphasis on supporting MOIT in holding public-private dialogues to ensure implementation is done in consultation with the private sector. Regulations that are responsive to private sector needs remove bottlenecks in trade faced by enterprises and increase regulatory transparency, helping to shape an e-commerce sector where enterprises of all sizes can benefit. The Activity encourages the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in digital trade by introducing new business models and other best practices, such as traceability of goods, as well as facilitating cross-border connections between enterprises via MOIT’s digital trade promotion platform.

Activity Background

Following the Decision 1968/QD-TTG on 22 November 2021 to “Promote the application of information and technology and digital transformation in trade promotion activities for the period of 2021-2030”, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade is assigned to formulate the Digital Ecosystem for Business (DECOBIZ) by 2025 and complete it in 2030. DECOBIZ, a soft infrastructure for trade, includes: Platforms of digital exhibitions, Smart B2B Matching, and other trade promotion tools/platforms.

The SMART B2B Platform is a transformational initiative that aims to facilitate seamless business-to-business (B2B) collaboration among Vietnam's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and international companies. This visionary platform aims to accelerate trade promotion efforts, strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses and play a key role in promoting driving a greener global economy. Matching Platform is poised to revolutionize the trade promotion landscape.

With a steadfast commitment to sustainable economic growth, Vietrade envisions an advanced digital ecosystem that empowers Vietnamese SMEs to access global markets, seize international trade and development opportunities in a greener business landscape.

As Vietrade plays a leading coordinating role in the Digital Trade Promotion Ecosystem (DECOBiZ), the SMART B2B Connection Platform is a testament to their commitment to digitally transforming trade. By combining the Import-Export Strategy for 2021-2030 and harnessing the potential of advanced technologies, this platform will enable Vietnamese businesses to create sustainable international partnerships and thrive in the constantly growing global market. Through collaboration, innovation and sustainability, the SMART B2B Connectivity Platform heralds a new era of trade promotion, underscoring Vietnam’s determination to become a digital pioneer on the international stage. It’s expected that by 2025, the SMART B2B Connectivity Platform will be successfully developed and deployed as an integral part of the Digital Trade Promotion Ecosystem (DECOBIZ). Leveraging advanced technologies, this platform will facilitate effective B2B connections, enhancing trade opportunities for Vietnamese SMEs, importers and exporters, international companies and business support organizations (BSO), therefore contribute to sustainable economic growth in Vietnam

Under the approved work plan between the USAID and MOIT, the USAID VDT will support Vietrade to provide main business requirements for B2B Platform to prepare procurement to select a company building a B2B matchmaking platform. VDT will mobilize a Local STTA B2B Platform’s Business Requirements Expert to implement this task.

Key Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Requirements Gathering: Work with Vietrade and private stakeholders to identify and document the technical requirements of the B2B platform. This involves understanding business needs, scalability requirements, security considerations, and user experience.
• Market Research: Conduct research on existing B2B platforms, technology trends, and potential vendors. Identify best practices and innovative solutions that could enhance the proposed platform.

Deliverables

• A Technical Requirements Document: A comprehensive document outlining the technical specifications, features, and functionalities required for the B2B platform.
• Procurement Plan: A detailed plan outlining the steps and criteria for vendor selection, as well as a timeline for the procurement process.

Qualifications

• A Degree in trade, digital trade, business administration, or related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in digital trade-related topics
• Relevant experience in designing, developing, or managing digital trade platforms.
• Strong written, and oral English.

Proposals should be submitted no later than March 13, 2024 to [email protected]