International STTA Digital Trade Promotion Platform Expert

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Project Background

VDT is a two-year activity (2023-2025) addressing regulatory gaps and promoting private sector engagement in the rapidly growing digital economy. The 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.

Key Tasks/Responsibilities:

 Regarding the overall architecture of DECOBIZ:

• Study and provide international experiences and best practices on the business and technical requirements of the digital trade promotion platform and recommendations for Vietnam.

Regarding operational regulations of DECOBIZ:

• Review and comment on the Draft regulations on management, operation and exploitation of the digital trade promotion ecosystem (Operational Regulations) prepared by Vietrade, in light of  international best practices.
• Participate (online) in a consultative workshop in Hanoi to provide technical inputs and to present key findings and comments for the Operational Regulations.

Activity Background

Following 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 by 2030.

DECOBIZ, a soft infrastructure for trade, includes: Platforms of digital exhibitions, Smart B2B Matching, and other trade promotion tools/platforms. DECOBIZ’s goal is not only to promote e-commerce but also create a rich, flexible and effective digital trade environment. DECOBIZ is committed to providing the business community with an opportunity to access the potential world of digital business, taking advantage of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things (IoT), and block chain. Thereby, businesses, cooperatives and business households can optimize operations, enhance competition and develop sustainably in the digital age.

VIETRADE, as assigned by the MOIT, with the support of other donors, has already developed some parts of the platform, but  some architecture is still missing. Under Decision 1968, the MOIT/VIETRADE is also in charge of developing and issuing regulations on the management, operation and exploitation of the digital trade promotion ecosystem (provided in Part V.1 (d) of Decision 1968).

Under the approved work plan between the USAID VDT and MOIT,  VDT will support Vietrade to (i) design the overall architecture of DECOBIZ, including existing components, and operations  of the system to meet specific goals and requirements for the platform; and (ii) draft the operational regulations of DECOBIZ identifying the rights and responsibilities of all the participants in DECOBIZ, focusing in particular on the following topics:

• Criteria for the connection of stakeholders into the ecosystem (e.g. DOITs, government agencies and BSOs, private companies, public users etc.)
• Data exchange mechanism between the stakeholder platforms of DECOBIZ and other database systems inside and outside Vietrade/MOIT
• Protect the security and privacy of Users’ personal data.
• Determine intellectual property rights and the rights to use data and content by participating parties.
• Determine rules for handling conflicts and how to resolve disputes.
• Rating by service users for the service quality
• Pricing policy.

VDT will mobilize two local STTA experts and one international STTA expert to implement the following tasks:

• Local STTA IT Digital Trade Promotion Platform Architecture Expert (Local Expert 1). Local Expert 1 will be in charge of supporting the MOIT to design the overall architecture of DECOBIZ, including existing components, and interactions of the system to meet the specific goals and requirements of the platform.
• Local STTA Digital Trade Promotion Platform Regulatory Expert (Local Expert 2). Local Expert 2 will be in charge of supporting the MOIT to draft  the operational regulations of DECOBIZ identifying the rights and responsibilities of all the participants in DECOBIZ.
• International STTA Digital Trade Promotion Platform Expert (this SOW). The International Expert will provide recommendations to the MOIT to (i) design the overall architecture of DECOBIZ, including existing components, and interactions of the system to meet the specific goals and requirements of the platform; and (ii) draft the operational regulations of DECOBIZ identifying the rights and responsibilities of all the participants in DECOBIZ.

In consultation with the VDT Technical Team, the International STTA Expert will work closely with Vietrade/MOIT and other relevant departments if required. It is open to anyone (USX/TCN/CCN)

Qualifications

• A Degree in Law, Trade, Business Administration, Economics, Political Science or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in digital trade-related topics.
• Previous experience in developing operational regulations for platforms related to trade, e-commerce, or similar domains is a significant advantage.
• Strong written, and oral English.

Deliverables

• Recommendations for Vietnam on the business and technical requirements of the digital trade promotion platform.
• Report providing comments/findings from review of Draft Operational Regulations prepared by Vietrade, in light of  international best practices.
• Active participation at the consultative workshop to provide technical inputs and to present key findings and comments for the Operational Regulations.
  

  Level of Effort and Period of Performance

  The period of performance will be March– April 2024. The total level of effort will be up to 15 days.

   

NOTE: This job posting should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the exclusive standards of the position nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor. 
 
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (40 and older), physical and mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history) or characteristics, military status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or alienage, or any other protected status as established by applicable federal, state, or local law.