IFC-MPDF is seeking a senior advisor to assist in delivering its Vietnam provincial simplification project !
TERMS OF REFERENCE FORSENIOR ADVISOR
PROVINCIAL SIMPLIFICATION PROJECT
1. INTRODUCTION
The Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF) is a multi-donor funded initiative set up by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, to reduce poverty through sustainable private sector development. Our goal is to help small and medium-sized enterprises to solve common operational and management problems and compete more successfully in the global economy.
IFC-MPDF is seeking a senior advisor to assist in delivering its Vietnam provincial simplification project.
The objective of the project is to simplify or remove unnecessary administrative/regulatory barriers which impede investment at the local level. The scope of the project encompasses a review of the local administrative procedures to start and operate a business with a particular focus on business registration and licenses.
2. BACKGROUND AND PROJECT SUMMARY
The high costs of doing business in Vietnam are well-documented; the World Bank’s Doing Business 2005 Report and the Investment Climate Assessments reveal barriers and challenges faced by the private sector in all three countries; however, these reports focus at the national level and do not address the fact that the ease and/or difficulty of doing business depends to a large extent on the province in which a business is located. The USAID-funded Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI), in collaboration with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (VCCI), released a Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) in mid-2005 that ranked 46 of Vietnam’s provinces based on local economic governance to raise awareness about the importance of provincial level governance. A number of provinces throughout the country have expressed the desire to improve their investment climates following the release of the PCI.
In response to this demand, IFC-MPDF has developed a Provincial Simplification Project which will help a select number of provinces to reduce and/or remove administrative and regulatory barriers for businesses. The first phase of the project will be implemented for a period of two (02) years starting in December 2005 and focus primarily on three provinces – Bac Ninh, and potentially Binh Dinh, Long An or Ben Tre. By focusing additional research at the provincial level and following on with implementation, the project will highlight provinces that have been proactive in developing a business-friendly climate as well as identify provinces in which specific technical assistance will have a significant impact.
The key activities of IFC-MPDF of the project in all intended provinces will likely include:
(i) Conducting in-depth research to understand the administrative procedures in the province with particular focus on a) business registration, b) business inspections/ compliance reporting and c) trade/ customs procedures. Results will serve as baseline information and identify particular administrative constraints that could be simplified or removed.
(ii) Providing recommendations and solution design for the province to simplify or enhance transparency of these procedures
(iii) Providing direct technical assistance and capacity building for selected provincial agencies to implement the adoption of simplified procedures or enhance the transparency of those procedures
3. QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The advisor should possess the following:
* Good knowledge of business regulations in Vietnam, in particular business licensing and registration procedures that regulate establishment of firms
* Experience working with a range of public/private stakeholders in Vietnam including provincial governments
* Experience in facilitating solution design and change management processes, particularly with regard to government procedures related to business
Working closely with IFC-MPDF, other staff of the World Bank Group, consultants and provincial authorities, the Advisor will:
* Assist in developing the methodology and design of the research in the provinces (including surveys instruments and other research tools);
* Provide comments/recommendations on the results/findings of the research)
* Provide input/advice on the recommendations and solution design;
* Provide technical oversight as needed;
* Contribute to the advocacy process, including consultations and other communications, with provincial authorities to facilitate buy-in of the proposed recommendations;
* Make presentations at workshops and/or events related to the project, as necessary;
* Carry out other tasks as requested.
4. LOCATION
The assignment will be based in Ha Noi, Vietnam and will require some travel to other provinces/cities of the project.
5. APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are invited from qualified Vietnamese professionals and should be submitted to the IFC-MPDF, consisting of a cover letter and a full CV by 5 pm, Monday, February 3, 2005 to:
Nguyen Hanh Nam
Business Development Officer
Business Enabling Environment Program
IFC-MPDF
63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: 84 4 8247 892
Fax: 84 4 8247898
www.mpdf.org
