International Consultant- USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program

Project Background

The USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program is a five-year project that aims to support the adoption and implementation of a more risk-based approach to customs and specialized inspection institutions in Vietnam. The program will work with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to strengthen the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) of Vietnam and its Working Groups; streamline border clearance procedures (including specialized inspection implemented by other line ministries and agencies); harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between the national and provincial levels; train national and provincial customs officers and staff from other ministries on risk management; and facilitate dialogue between customs and business and between stakeholders in Hanoi and in the provinces.

Activity Background

Objective: The objectives of this activity are to support the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) to review the legal framework on standards and technical requirements, develop the Standardization Strategy, survey, and assess the current development and application of technical standards of organizations, enterprises, and individuals in Vietnam. This activity is in the Year 4 Work plan of the Program (Activity 1.3.5). The tasks include:

• Provide consultation and support in assessing and amending the Law on Standards and Technical regulations
• Research and survey domestic organizations, enterprises relating to the implementation of the Law on Standards and Technical regulations
• Organize workshop to share practices regarding the National Standardization Strategy of some countries and of the ASEAN.

Background

The Law on Standards and Technical regulations, approved by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2006 (Law no. 68/2006/QH11), effective from January 1, 2007, is an important legal document that stipulates the relation regarding standards and technical regulations of Vietnam. The Law was developed and issued during the Vietnam’s negotiation to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which required Vietnam to complete its legal framework on standards and technical regulations, obsolete unnecessary technical trade barriers, and promote global trade facilitation.

After almost 15 years implementing the Law on Standards and Technical regulations and other guiding documents, standardization has been further complete, the development, assessment, issuance, and application of standards and technical regulations has been further enforced and complied with international practices. Theses progresses promote and strengthen the productivity, quality, and competence of the enterprises. Until now, Vietnam’s national standards system, with more than 13,000 standards, has harmonized approximately 60% with international and regional system. The development and issuance of national standards shall support the enterprises in appropriate production and stable business planning; support controlling and ensuring product safety and quality; promote the enterprises to publish the appropriate quality according to regulations for products and services, thus create high-quality products and facilitate trade and global supply chain participation.

Recently, Vietnam has signed multiple new-generation FTAs (CPTPP, EVFTA, RCEP, etc.) that promotes production and market expansion for Vietnam’s products and services. However, the international commitments and stricter regulations require the Government and enterprises to comply the WTO/BTB agreement on removing technical trade barriers, prioritizing international standards application (ISO, IEC, ITU, Codex, ASTM, etc.), and promoting harmonization of national standards according to international and regional commitment to ensure the market transparency in the global playground.

Additionally, international standards organizations such as ISO, IEC, ITU also recommend countries to develop independent standardization strategy to improve the national competitiveness and innovation and facilitate trade. ISO has issued its Standardization Strategy 2020-2030 and encouraged member countries to refer and develop their own strategies; in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2018, the Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (APEC/SCSC) also emphasized the development of a standardization strategy. This conference approved the “APEC Guidelines on Standards Infrastructure) to make the standardization strategy an essential foundation for the industries.

Methodology: The USAID Trade Facilitation Program will engage 01 international expert and 01 national expert on Standards for this activity. The final detail of the tasks and work plan will be determined by the international expert, but the methodology to be employed may include research and study; interviews; analysis and situational assessments; focused working groups (if applicable); sharing of experiences; and production of reports.

The national expert on Standards will closely collaborate with the international expert, regularly consult and discuss with STAMEQ in Vietnam and other relevant agencies.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The international expert will be responsible for the following indicative tasks:

• Support in consultation and assessment to review, amend, and supplement the Law on Standards and Technical regulations;
• Research and carry out assessment, survey, investigation of the current situation, effectiveness, and impact of the development, issuance/publication, and application of regulations and standards in agencies, organizations, and enterprises;
• Coordinate to identify and assess existing shortcomings between Vietnam’s policies and that of other countries and international best practices;
• Develop related presentations/ communications material in readiness for project and GDVC use, including the experiences in developing standardization strategy of other countries and recommendations on standardization strategy framework development for Vietnam.

Deliverables

• Analysis and assessment result of the implementation of the Law on Standards and Technical regulations;
• Verbal and written consultation and recommendation (if applicable and requested) to amend and supplement the Law on Standards and Technical regulations;
• Inputs to develop research materials on the NQI of some countries and best practices;
• Coordination and inputs for the draft final report containing full details of all work carried out and summarizing the assignment, findings, and situational assessment of the standards and technical regulation system of Vietnam and recommendation for the amendment of the Law on Standards and Technical regulations and draft framework of Vietnam’s national standardization strategy;
• Support in preparation of the final report incorporating feedback and comments from the STAMEQ and USAID.

Qualifications

• Master of science or master’s degrees or higher in business administration, trade policy, economics, or other relevant field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in standards and conformity assessment;
• Proven experience and track record of working with, or practical knowledge of standards and technical regulations; development of policy, strategy, program, project on standards; international trade agreements, regional economic integration, trade facilitation, etc.
• Strong computer skills such as Microsoft Words, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google applications;
• Strong English written, oral, and presentation skills

Nathan is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Nathan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. EOO

Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Nathan requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated. If you receive a conditional offer of employment from Nathan, you will be required to prove that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or receive approval from Nathan for a waiver due to a valid religious or medical reason prior to your start date. Applicants should not disclose their vaccination status or need for a waiver before receiving a conditional offer of employment.