Institutional Strengthening Consultant

 Output 1: by 4 May 2026 Survey finalisation and localization: Refined survey tool and validated Vietnamese version, ready for deployment.  Output 2 – by 11 May 2026 Survey implementation and response tracking: Survey disseminated through BSOs with documented outreach efforts and sufficient, representative response levels achieved.  Output 3 – by 18 May 2026 Data analysis and BSO debriefs: Clean dataset, analytical summary of key findings, and debrief sessions conducted with participating BSOs.  Output 4 - by 24 May2026 Gap analysis and capacity building priorities: Clear identification of service gaps at BSO and ecosystem levels, with defined priority areas for capacity building support.  Output 5 - by 30 May 2026 Final report and presentation: Comprehensive report in English and presentation delivered to ITC and stakeholders.

home-based in Vietnam

ASAP - 30.05.26

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). It is the only multilateral organization fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth through trade and international business development. Through its projects and programmes, ITC contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advances the global Aid for Trade agenda. ITC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland (www.intracen.org). ITC is seeking a Business Support Organizations consultant for the SwissTrade+ Programme, implemented by ITC and funded by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The overall objective of this five-year programme is to support Viet Nam in making its exports more sustainable, resilient, and higher in value-added. To achieve this, the programme focuses on the following key Outcomes:  Outcome 1: Development, adjustment and implementation of trade policies is more coordinated and effective.  Outcome 2: Trade expertise and policymaking capacity of mid-level and senior-level government officials and trade experts is enhanced.  Outcome 3: Service delivery of Vietnamese public and private institutions to companies in the area of trade is enhanced Collectively, these interventions aim to enable Vietnamese SMEs to better leverage free trade agreements (FTAs), comply with social and environmental standards, and integrate more effectively into regional and global value chains. The programme is managed by ITC’s Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP), with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) serving as the main national counterpart. The position is based in Hanoi, Viet Nam. As a first step in supporting Business Support Organizations in country, ITC is initiating a structured assessment to better understand the support service needs of MSMEs and identify critical areas where BSO services could be enhanced. To this end, ITC has developed a draft survey to be distributed by BSOs to their member base. The objective of this survey is to capture MSME feedback on the relevance, quality, and gaps in current BSO service offerings. The results of this assessment will inform the design of targeted capacity-building interventions for BSOs, ensuring that future support is demand-driven and aligned with actual needs in the ecosystem. In this context, ITC is seeking a locally based consultant in Viet Nam to support this initial phase. The consultant will contribute to refining and localizing the survey, ensuring effective outreach to achieve a sufficient and representative response rate, and conducting analysis to generate actionable insights that will guide subsequent capacity-building activities. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision of the Programme Officer (Institutions and Ecosystems team, ITC) and in coordination with the local team in Viet Nam, the consultant will undertake the following: 1. Survey refinement, adaptation and translation Review, refine and translate the survey ITC has pre-designed to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with the assessment objectives. Improve the structure and formulation of questions and translate into Vietnamese, ensuring accuracy and contextual relevance. 2. Survey dissemination and response management Lead the rollout of the survey through selected Business Support organizations (BSOs) as well as key local stakeholders and partners (i.e SIPPO), ensuring it reaches a sufficient and representative number of MSME respondents. Develop and implement an effective dissemination approach, actively manage outreach, and conduct follow-up actions to secure a minimum critical mass of high-quality responses. Monitor participation and address gaps throughout the process. 3. Data analysis and interpretation Clean and analyse the collected data using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Identify trends, patterns, and key insights across BSOs, and translate findings into clear and actionable conclusions. 4. Validation and BSO engagement Prepare tailored debrief materials and facilitate sessions with participating BSOs to present findings, validate interpretations, and highlight practical insights for service improvement. 5. Gap analysis and identification of capacity needs Assess gaps between current BSO service offerings and MSME needs at both individual and ecosystem levels. Identify and prioritize key capacity-building areas to strengthen BSO service delivery. 6. Reporting and presentation Consolidate findings into a structured analytical report in English and develop a presentation summarizing key insights, gaps, and recommendations. Present and validate results with ITC and organize an external presentation with relevant stakeholders. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Advanced university degree Master’s or equivalent in economics, business administration, development studies, statistics, or a related field  Minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in data analysis, survey design, and private sector development or ecosystem support Skills:  Strong proven skills in data analysis and survey methodologies  Excellent ability to synthesize data into clear insights and practical recommendations  Very good organizational and communication skills  Ability to facilitate discussions and present findings effectively to stakeholders  Ability to work under minimum supervision with efficiency, competence and integrity and in harmony with people of different cultural and national backgrounds  Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines

 Advanced knowledge of English  Fluency in Vietnamese required

Not available.

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