I. Background of VNAH
Viet-Nam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) (www.vnah-hev.org [1]) is an international NGO based in Virginia, USA that provides humanitarian and development assistance programs in Viet Nam since 1990. On-going projects include technical assistance to local partners in development and implementation of policies and programs related to people with disabilities. We also provide vocational training and employment assistance; rehabilitation services; delivery of assistive devices for people with disabilities as well as small rural development projects and disaster relief assistance.
In the disability sector, VNAH has played an instrumental role in assisting governmental and non-governmental partners to develop and implement important disability related policies and programs, including the establishment of the National Coordinating Council on Disability-NCCD (2000), Code and Standards on Accessible Construction (2002), the amended Decree on employment for disabled people (2004), the Accessible Standards and Regulations for Public Transportation (2006), the national 5 year Disability Action Program (2006), the enactment of the National Law on Disability(2010), and establishment of the Vietnam Federation on Disability(VFD) (2011).
VNAH is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and the Hanoi Employment Introduction Center (HEIC), to implement efforts toward more inclusive employment and socialization opportunities for persons with disabilities. In addition, VNAH is working with its partners to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in social economic development activities, and support the growing of disabled people organizations.
II. Brief description of the vocational rehabilitation demonstration model at HEIC
The VNAH Vocational Rehabilitation Program is aimed at providing vocational rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, which is being implemented at the Hanoi Employment Introduction Center (HEIC) under a cooperative agreement between VNAH and HEIC. The vocational rehabilitation services are based on an assessment of the unique needs of the person with a disability, and are provided by specialized service providers who can respond to those unique needs in assisting a person to maintain or retain employment and to achieve his or her highest level of functioning and independence.
The vocational rehabilitation services are provided by the HEIC vocational rehabilitation staff or counselors. The steps to successful employment begins with an application for services from the person with a disability, leading to an initial intake interview to explore the person’s interests and background which can be considered for the next steps in the vocational rehabilitation process including assessment, eligibility determination and planning. All these steps are conducted with specific forms, allowing the individuals’ data and information to be collected.
III. Reasons for the consultancy
The Program Evaluation will provide Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped and its local partners with an assessment of whether the Vocational Rehabilitation Program has effectively provided vocational rehabilitation services leading to an employment outcome, and provide recommendations for any succeeding phases. The assessment will be a valuable opportunity to reinforce the local governments' participation in and ownership of the program and the sustainability of this effort.
IV. Objectives of the consultancy
VNAH is looking for a Consultant to conduct the evaluation of the effort’s effectiveness and efficiencies as well as the beneficiaries’ satisfaction.
Goal
The consultant will develop any of the necessary tools, instruments, and software needed to complete the evaluation, train the HEIC’s vocational rehabilitation team on how to use the tools, and make an evaluation report on the program.
Outputs
The consultant is expected to complete the following tasks:
(1) Develop a proposal for the evaluation (including developing the evaluation plan, designing evaluation tools)
(2) Develop a software for collection and analysis of the data on the progress of the beneficiaries of vocational rehabilitation services at HEIC
(3) Assess the relevance and appropriateness of the program design and approach
(4) Assess the efficiencies, effectiveness and any other unintended effects of the program
(5) Assess the beneficiaries' and partners' participation, ownership and satisfaction of the program
(6) Identify areas of strengths and weaknesses of the program and provide recommendations for succeeding phases or similar interventions
(7) Produce the final evaluation report written in English
V. Qualifications required for the consultancy
• University degree or at least three-year experience in social sciences and/or development
• Experience in data collection and analysis;
• Experience with consultancy work for assessment and evaluation;
• Excellent command of Vietnamese and English, both verbal and written
• Experience in areas of disability issues is desirable
• Master degree in social research is desirable
VI. Timing of the consultancy
The consultant is requested to submit an evaluation proposal including time schedule and evaluation tools by 15 March 2014. The approval of the proposal will be the basis for signing the contract with the consultant.
Site visits to HEIC will take place in Hanoi between 15 and 30 March 2014. The initial format of the evaluation software will be provided to the program staff by 30 March, 2014. The installation and instruction on how to use the evaluation software shall be provided to program staff and local partner by 11 April, 2014. The initial findings and main recommendations shall be submitted to the Vocational Rehabilitation in writing by 11 May 2014, and the final report submitted by 30 May 2014.
VII. Contact information
Interested candidates please send technical proposal and proposed cost as the base for the consultation service to:
(1) Pham Thi Lien (Ms.), Vocational Rehabilitation Program Officer, Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, Tel.: 04.3747.3000, Mobile: 0989 746 796; Email: [email protected] [2]
(2) Bob Horvath (Mr.), IVWD’s Deputy Chief of Party, Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, Tel.: 04.3747.3000; Email: [email protected] [3]
Deadline: 15 March, 2014