International STTA Rules of Origin Expert

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The 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 The MOIT in holding public-private dialogues to ensure implementation is carried out  in consultation with the private sector. The VDT Activity is  working with the MOIT on 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, including  the traceability of goods, as well as facilitating cross-border connections between enterprises via MOIT’s digital trade promotion platform.

• Conduct research providing US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US, especially third-country goods purporting to be  Vietnamese goods for export to the US.
• Provide contributions to the Handbook led by Local Expert 1 with a section on US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US.
• Actively participate and present key findings at the workshop organized by the MOIT and the VDT Activity, focused on US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US.
• Provide training organized by the MOIT and the VDT Activity, focused on US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US.
• Provide comments on the final report containing details of all work carried out in areas assigned to and developed by Local Expert 1.

For several consecutive years, the United States has maintained its position as Vietnam's foremost trading partner and largest export market, with exports to the United States of America  constituting nearly 30% of Vietnam's total export turnover. According to data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's export turnover to the USA will have  reached approximately $97 billion USD in 2023. Given the substantial volume of exports to the USA, coupled with the notable growth in certain product categories, particularly those subject to high tariffs from other nations such as China, there has been a discernible uptick in the investigation of anti-trade tax evasion measures by the US Department of Commerce, as well as inquiries into origin fraud by US Customs over the past three years. Recent investigations have encompassed various items, including steel products, solar batteries, wooden cabinets, staples, and steel wire.

This trend underscores the heightened risk of trade fraud in the origin of goods amidst escalating trade conflicts between nations, adversely impacting compliant Vietnamese businesses, consumers, and overall international trade relations with key partners like the USA.

To safeguard the reputation of Vietnamese goods in the global market, ensure the legality of domestic production, and enhance businesses' and industry associations' awareness of the risks associated with origin fraud, Vietnam must take proactive measures. This involves empowering businesses to actively engage with and adhere to standards and regulations pertaining to origin of goods  in the US market.

To address this challenge, the MOIT Agency of Foreign Trade (AFT) has asked the VDT to support the following initiatives:

1. Research and review the current status of ROO implementation on goods exported to the US;
2. Provide detailed guidelines for checking and verifying the origin of goods, especially goods produced from imported material;
3. Produce guidelines for the publication of trader profiles, certificates of origin (C/O), and supporting documents for each consignment, which will facilitate authorized economic operators (AEO);
4. Draft a report summarizing the methodology for origin verification in cyberspace. This report will describe how the competent authority of Vietnam and the customs authorities of trading partner countries can access a data system at different levels to obtain the necessary information to conduct the verification of the C/O.

The above tasks completed will result in:

5. Developing a handbook (in FY1);
6. Organizing a workshop to present findings from the study and recommendations (in FY2); and
7. Organizing a training (in FY2).

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

• Local STTA Rules of Origin Expert (Lead) (Local Expert 1): The Local Expert 1 will take the lead in designing and developing the activity and take charge of tasks 1, 2 and 3 as described above. The Local Expert 1 will also cooperate with Local Expert 2 and the International Expert to implement tasks 5, 6 and 7.
• Local STTA Rules of Origin Expert (focused on origin verification in cyberspace) (Local Expert 2): The Local Expert 2 will take charge of task 4 and will also cooperate with Local Expert 1 and the International Expert to implement tasks 5, 6 and 7.
• International STTA Rules of Origin Expert (this SOW): The International Expert will take charge of providing US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US, especially third-country goods purporting to be  Vietnamese goods for export to the US.

• Degree in, trade policy, international trade, international economics, international trade law, customs administration, business administration or similar field;
• Minimum 15 years of experience in providing consultancy in international trade-related topics, and in particular on rules of origin;
• Prior involvement in projects involving rules of origin in international trade, especially regarding the non-preferential rules of origin of the US.
• Strong written, and oral English.

• Research providing US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US, especially third-country goods purporting to be  Vietnamese goods for export to the US.
• Contributions to the Handbook led by Local Expert 1 with a section on US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US.
• Participation and presentation on key findings at the workshop organized by the MOIT and the VDT Activity, focused on US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US.
• Participation and presentation at the training organized by the MOIT and the VDT Activity, focused on US perspectives in preventing origin fraud for goods exported to the US.
• Comments on the final report containing details of all work carried out in areas assigned to and developed by Local Expert 1.

LOE: (STTA) 15 days

Period of Performance: April – December 2024

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.