[opportunities] Call for Experts (Vietnamese Citizens) for a USAID-funded program in Vietnam

[Huong Tran]

*Call for Experts (Vietnamese Citizens) for a USAID-funded program in
Vietnam*

Nathan Associates Inc. (Nathan), a U.S. based international development
consulting firm, is seeking to build a pool of mid and senior level
technical experts for a development cooperation program in Vietnam funded
by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Nathan
is a leading provider of economic and management consultancy services
worldwide. We have been implementing successful projects in the South East
Asia region for over 30 years.

The program will help Vietnam adopt and implement a risk management
approach to modernize and expedite customs procedures, simplify and
streamline Specialized Inspections by other border agencies (i.e.
non-tariff measures), and support Vietnam’s implementation of the World
Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

We are seeking experts in the following areas:

   - Customs modernization including risk management and compliance
   measurement
   - Customs procedures and specialized inspections
   - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems for customs
   - National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window
   - Trade facilitation and border management
   - Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) schemes
   - Legal and regulatory reform
   - Strategic Communications
   - Monitoring and evaluation
   - Economic impact analysis on trade facilitation reforms
   - Digital trade and e-Commerce
   - Gender and Social Inclusion

Key responsibilities include providing technical assistance in assessing
the customs and regulatory environment and building capacity for WTO TFA
implementation. Candidates should have excellent technical experience in
one or more of the areas above, knowledge of USAID projects, other donors,
and proven consulting skills.

*Qualifications & Experience Required*

   - An advanced degree in economics, international trade, business
   administration, trade economics or related field;
   - At least five years of experience in any of the areas bulleted above,
   for example customs administration, WTO TFA, monitoring and evaluation,
   etc.;
   - Experience working with counterparts at the central and/or provincial
   levels, and with multilateral organizations on programs of a similar focus
   and complexity;
   - Strong quantitative and analytical skills;
   - Strong communication skills;
   - Fluency in English; and
   - Ability to travel extensively throughout Vietnam.

*Preferred Requirements*

   - Experience working in Vietnam and/or ASEAN region;
   - Prior experience working on donor programs (e.g. USAID, EU, JICA, GIZ,
   etc.);
   - Understanding of GDVC, line ministries, and Vietnamese government
   structure;
   - Experience working in government or in a business/trade association or
   chamber of commerce; and
   - Regional/provincial level experience outside of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
   City.

*Application Process*

Nathan will draw from the established pool of experts when looking to
hiring short-term consultant(s)  for various activities throughout the
USAID program. Note that inclusion in the pool does not guarantee an
assignment; however, experts must be part of the established pool in order
to be considered for any activity.

The selection of expert(s) for each activity will have two stages. This
Call for Experts is Stage 1 of the selection of expert(s). Stage two will
occur when the program seeks to competitively bid for a program activity.
The process for Stage 2 is described for reference only. Bids/applications
relating to Stage 2 will be extended only to those accepted in the general
pool of experts at a later time as assignments needs arise.



*Step*

*Deadline*

*Stage 1*

Application to the general pool of experts

No deadline; Applications to pool of experts will be accepted on a rolling
basis.

*Stage 2*

Competitive bidding for a specific program activity

Deadline for specific activities will be indicated in the Request for
Quotations (RFQ) for each assignment.


*Stage 1 – Application to the general pool of experts (for action)*

All experts who meet the criteria described in the preceding section are
encouraged to submit:

1.     A CV with the required details;

2.     A valid email address for RFP/RFQ dissemination under Part 2; and

3.     A completed and signed USAID biodata (1420 form) with a proposed
daily rate that will be valid for at least one calendar year.

Candidate should submit CV, USAID 1420 Employee Biographical Data, and
valid email address to the pool for experts here
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwzDot8R8qbLnQ-hWYryZJ8oaNYcpIJjac0pLwoAC0LBJYpQ/viewform>
 (http://tinyurl.com/VietnamTFPConsulting-VN
<https://tinyurl.com/VietnamTFPConsulting-VN>).

*General Guidance*

Assignments for program activities will be awarded to qualified individual
experts; assignments are not intended for a firm or team. Inclusion in the
general pool of experts does not guarantee an assignment. This Call for
Experts in no way obligates Nathan to award a contract nor does it commit
Nathan to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of
an application in response hereto. Furthermore, Nathan reserves the right
to reject any and all offers, if such action is considered to be in the
best interest of USAID.

*CV Submission*

CVs are required to include the following details:

   - Name & contact info - mailing address, telephone number, email
   - Nationality
   - Languages
   - Employment history – Employer, employment duration, location, position
   held, key responsibilities and/or accomplishments
   - Education history – Institution name, location, degree obtained,
   notable concentrations/certificates earned, date years of attendance
   - Three professional references – name, title, organization,
   relationship, email address, phone number

Please click here for a sample CV format
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/16HavPdR2PdKGZshdCMvVDUGmSGO93WFl/view>.
CVs that do not provide the required information will not be considered for
inclusion in the general pool of experts. CVs will be reviewed for
technical relevance and evaluated for inclusion in the pool. CVs must
include a valid email address for RFP/RFQ dissemination under Stage 2.

*Establishment of Daily Rate*

Candidates should complete and submit the USAID 1420 Employee Biographical
Data
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wYLBpoAYod_CQIGc-sdMBu_PollDjzOh/view> and
propose a gross daily rate in *Box 6* based on the candidate’s salary
history, in line with USAID 1420 Employee Biographical Data salary
reporting guidelines. Salary history shall be based on remuneration earned
on both fulltime permanent positions and consultant services over the past
three years and denominated in the currency in which payment was received.
Proposed daily rates are valid for at least one calendar year from the date
that the application is submitted. Candidates do not need to fill out Boxes
2-5 and 7 on the USAID 1420 form.

Once the candidate is confirmed as part of the general pool of experts at a
proposed daily rate, s/he may not negotiate a higher rate until after one
calendar year of submission. Nathan reserves the right to request
additional supporting documentation that verifies the salary history
reported on the USAID 1420 form at any time. Supporting documentation may
include: 1.) a recent pay stub 2.) a recent, signed contract or 3.) the
name, title, and contact information of a current or previous employer
willing and able to confirm a recent salary or daily consulting rate as the
case may be.

*Stage 2 - Competitive bidding for a program activity (for reference only)*

For each program activity requiring short-term technical assistance, Nathan
will announce to the general pool of experts the release of a Request for
Quotation (RFQ). The RFQ will include the activity’s scope of work (SOW)
and detailed bidding instructions. The SOW will include details such as
approximate period of performance, approximate travel dates in Vietnam if
applicable, activity background, methodology, tasks and responsibilities,
required qualifications, reporting, and deliverables.

Based on the SOW, qualified and interested experts from the pool will be
invited to submit a bid by a specific deadline. Candidates will be asked to
include the following in his/her bid:

1.     A brief cover letter, no longer than 1-page, highlighting
assignments and experience relevant to the SOW;

2.     Proposed total number of Level of Effort (LOE) Days with a breakdown
of LOE days estimated for each deliverable listed in the SOW; and

3.     Proposed total travel cost with a breakdown of M&IE + home/airport
ground transfer costs only based on the approximate travel dates.

Guidelines for Stage 2 bids:

   - Candidates may alternatively propose a rate equal to or lower than the
   daily rate established during the application process into the general pool
   of experts.
   - An updated table of M&IE costs by location in Vietnam will be provided
   in the instructions section of the RFQ.
   - The program shall directly pay for and provide the selected experts
   the cost of economy class airfare, travel visas, hotel/lodging, in country
   ground transportation, and a local mobile phone for project calls in
   country.

Nathan intends to make contract awards under Stage 2 to the responsible
candidate(s) whose bid(s) represent the best value to the U.S. government.
For overall evaluation purposes, all technical factors/qualifications other
than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than
cost or price.

This Call for Experts does not obligate Nathan to award a contract.

Under this contract, consultants for short-term technical assignments
(STTA) are called Subcontractors.



Best regards,

USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program
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