International STTA Green Supply Chain Expert

DevTech Systems, Inc. (DevTech) is an international consulting firm dedicated to development, with 39 years of experience providing advisory services and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in more than 100 countries. DevTech core practice areas include: Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning; Data Solutions; Public Financial Management and Fiscal Sustainability; and Education, Gender, and Youth.

At DevTech, we care deeply about doing work that leads to positive change in the world. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to an inclusive work environment. We encourage each person to learn, develop, and meet their professional potential. We rethink and evolve how we do things to grow and improve our company.

Project Background

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

• Desk study on international experiences on the application of digital technology in the development of green supply chains.
• Cooperate with the Local Expert to provide recommendations for identification of major export items which must be included in the green transformation strategy by 2030 (the end of the implementation period of the Strategy).
• Review and provide comments for the draft VIETRADE roadmap for the green transformation of the selected products, in the light of international experiences and best practices.
• Participate in the consultation workshop with private sector and relevant stakeholders to get feedback for the draft roadmap.
• Review and provide comments for the Final Report containing details of all work carried out in areas assigned to and prepared by the Local Expert.

The consultant will report to DevTech's Home Office IPOP Director and a Technical Team lead of VDT activity under IPOP.

The Vietnam Strategy for Merchandise Exports and Imports Strategy  2030 (Decision No. 493/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approved in April 2022) focuses on sustainable development, green trade, and fair trade. It aims to ensure balanced and harmonious growth, with specific targets such as stable growth, a reasonable trade balance, and a balanced product and market structure. The strategy includes orientations towards merchandise exports and imports, developmental orientation towards export and import markets, approaches to implementation, and funding for implementation.

In particular, the strategy emphasizes the concept of “green transformation”, promoting the development of a green, sustainable, and circular production system, investment in economic-technical infrastructure, science-technology, and digital transformation. It also aims to increase the innovative and creative content in exported products, build and develop trademarks of Vietnamese goods for export, and promote the development of eco-friendly products for export. The strategy also includes viewpoints on green trade, fair trade, environmental, biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change.

The  VDT Activity, based on the work plan approved by the MOIT and USAID, will support the MOIT Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) to promote the application of digital technology in the development of green supply chains in line with the Strategy above mentioned. In particular, the tasks will be implemented in a series of  steps:

• Identify major export items which must be included in the green transformation Strategy by 2030 (the end of the implementation period of the Strategy)
• Develop a roadmap for the green transformation of the selected products that includes specific goals, milestones and specific actions to be taken.

To conduct this activity, the VDT Activity will mobilize one local and one international STTA expert to implement the following tasks:

• Local STTA Green Supply Chain Expert (Local Expert). In charge of designing the activity in cooperation with the VDT team, MOIT VIETRADE and the international STTA Expert. Details of Key Tasks/Responsibilities of the Local Expert are described bellow.
• International STTA Green Supply Chain Expert (International Expert) will cooperate with the Local Expert to provide international experiences on the application of digital technology in the development of green supply chains and provide comments on the draft roadmap of 

In consultation with the VDT Technical Team, the International Expert will work closely with  MOIT VIETRADE and the Local Expert. The International Expert may also be required to work in collaboration with other members of the VDT team in order to undertake this activity.

• Degree in economics, green technology, green science, trade, or related topics.
• At least 10 years of working experience in trade and industrial-related sectors
• Relevant experience in “green transformation” processes, or, more generally in applying environmental policies, regulations, and in applying sustainable practices in business.
• Prior involvement in projects related to green transformation.
• Strong written, and oral English.

• Study report on international experiences on the application of digital technology in the development of green supply chains.
• Recommendations for identification of major export items which must be included in the green transformation strategy by 2030 (the end of the implementation period of the Strategy).
• Comments on the draft VIETRADE roadmap for the green transformation of selected products, in the light of international experiences and best practices.
• Active participation at a consultation workshop with private sector and relevant stakeholders to get feedback on the draft roadmap; and giving presentation of key findings.
• Comments on the Final Report containing details of all work carried out in areas assigned to and prepared by the Local Expert.

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.