Value added tax (VAT) Reimbursement Process Consultant

SCOPE OF WORK FOR STTA

Value added tax (VAT) Reimbursement Process Consultant

A. DAI ORGANIZATION AND VALUES

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

B. PROJECT BACKGROUND

The USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project (the Project) will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management. The Project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth.

The Project will work in seven provinces (Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam) and focus on five objectives:

1. Improve and expand community forest management
2. Increase conservation-friendly enterprises in forest-dependent communities
3. Increase functionality of law enforcement system for forest crimes
4. Improve production forest management practices
5. Mobilize domestic resources for forest management and protection

The Project will be implemented during the period 2020-2025 by DAI in collaboration with RECOFTC and Preferred by Nature as partners, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) as the counterpart and the Management Board of Forestry Projects (MBFP) as project owner.

C. DESCRIPTION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICE

1.     Purpose of the consultancy assignment

As a part of the contract and cost compliance with the donor, the Project is expected to receive Value-added tax (VAT) refunded as per the bilateral agreement between the USAID and the host-country regulations. There have been some successful attempts among selected implementation partners with similar arrangement as DAI/the Project including, a US-based firm with a  Representative Office in Vietnam to implement USAID-fund projects, DAI/the Project is seeking an expert  (the Consultant) to support the process of application for VAT refund.

2.     Roles and Responsibilities

• Review the project documents, Agreement for Economic and Technical Cooperation between the United States of America and Vietnam, and related local laws and regulations on taxes for ODA projects to advise DAI/the Project on the best approach/solution on how to obtain the VAT refund.
• Prepare official letters to relevant local authorities upon agreement by DAI/the Project to pursue the relevant tax guidance, prepare follow-up responses and or address any clarification need until receiving the official responses from local relevant authorities. All official letters prepared by the Consultants to submit to local authorities related to the VAT refund must be approved by the Project.
• Work closely with the Project’s finance team to prepare a full VAT- refund - request dossier for the period from July 2020 to April 2022.
• Participate in meetings with the Project team, local authorities, and tax department as required.
• Liaison with tax officer in charge to facilitate the refunding procedures and keep the Project updated with progress.   
• Support the Project’s finance team in receiving tax officer(s) to DAI office for reviewing invoices of the first refund claim.
• Together with the Project’s finance team, receive the Refund decision from the tax department
• Conduct other required tasks related to VAT refund for mentioned period upon request by the Project’s Finance manager.   

Additional tasks/deliverables to be carried out/submitted by the Consultant will be discussed and developed by DAI/the Project in coordination with the Consultant and elaborated in an amendment to this SOW.

3.     Anticipated Level of Effort (LOE) and Deliverables

Note: all deliverables must be approved by the Project’s Operations Director and/or Finance Manager.

4.     Locations and work reporting

The Consultant shall conduct all activities and prepare deliverables under the overall management of the Project’s Operations Director and direct supervision of the Project’s Finance Manager.

The work will be conducted in Hanoi with no travel required.

5.     Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in relevant fields, such as taxation, finance, and economics, etc.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the tax regulations of the GVN in general is required
• Demonstrated experience obtaining GVN VAT refunds of donor-funded Technical Assistance (non-refundable) projects in particular is highly desirable
• Knowledge of the USAID rules, regulations, and procedures is a plus.

6.     How to apply and requested documents

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• A CV in English
• A cover letter in English indicating why the applicant is suitable for this position along with current contact details of at least three referees
• Scanned copy of related degrees
• A writing which describes the Consultant’s success from similar assignments

via email to our recruitment email at [email protected]. 

Please quote the position title in the subject line: “Candidate’s full name _ VAT reimbursement Consultant”

Deadline for application: 5.00 p.m. (Hanoi time), April 21, 2022

To learn more about DAI, please visit our website www.dai.com.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor.