National consultancy support development of the revised National Action Plan for implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in Viet Nam.
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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
As part of the cooperation project between UNICEF and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), UNICEF supports MOF in development of a revised National Action Plan (NAP) for implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, replacing the NAP issued under Decision No. 622/QĐ TTg dated 10 May 2017 of the Prime Minister.
The revised NAP will serve as the national implementation framework to accelerate progress towards achievement of Viet Nam’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 in alignment with updated national development strategies for the period 2021–2030, evolving institutional arrangements, and emerging global development commitments.
UNICEF, in collaboration with MOF, will recruit two national consultants to undertake this assignment.
Scope of work:
In fulfilment of its international commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Government of Viet Nam promulgated the National Action Plan for implementation of the SDGs through Decision No. 622/QĐ TTg dated 10 May 2017, establishing a national policy framework for SDG implementation. Since its issuance, progress has been made in establishing policy frameworks and institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation of SDG implementation across sectors. However, implementation of several SDG targets continues to face challenges and may not be achieved under current trajectories, consistent with global trends. In July 2023, the Prime Minister issued a roadmap to implement SDGs toward 2030, specifying targets and timelines for each ministry and agency in charge.
In addition, the current SDG implementation framework requires updating to reflect:
- Adjustments to national development strategies and sectoral policies for the period 2021–2030;
- Changes in central–local governance structures following administrative reforms;
- Updated global SDG implementation frameworks and emerging international commitments;
- Anticipated changes in the international development context for the period 2026–2030.
Accordingly, the development of a revised National Action Plan is required to address existing implementation gaps and promote accelerated progress towards SDG achievement in Viet Nam by 2030.
To support MOF in developing a revised National Action Plan for implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by 2030, ensuring alignment between:
- The global SDG framework (17 Goals, 169 targets and 232 indicators);
- National development strategies, plans and policies for the period 2021–2030;
- National statistical and sectoral monitoring systems.
The VSDG National Action Plan, which will be issued by the Prime Minister, will provide information to Government leaders at national, provincial and commune levels on their roles and responsibilities in SDG implementation, detailing targets and tasks to be associated with each agency as well as coordination among them. Therefore, its primary target audiences are high-level government officials and government agencies, such as ministers and policy advisers of concerned ministries including the MOF, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religious Affairs, the National Assembly committees; as well as sub-national leaders.
The consultants will support MOF in:
(i) Review international experiences and provide recommendations:
- Review international experiences in SDG implementation of at least 3 countries (to be decided later together with the team) and analyze policy approaches, institutional arrangements, financing mechanisms, and implementation models applied in relevant countries.
- Identify lessons learned and success factors and assess their applicability to Vietnam’s context.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations to inform the revision and implementation of SDGs in Viet Nam.
(ii) Review policy framework and assess relevance:
- Review and systematize national strategies, master plans, programmes, and policies related to energy, economic growth and employment, industrial development and innovation, and urban development.
- Map existing policy instruments against the SDG targets that are assigned to respective consultants .
- Identify gaps, overlaps, inconsistencies, and implementation bottlenecks across sectors and between central and local levels.
- Assess the coherence and alignment of the current policy framework with SDG requirements and emerging development priorities in the new context.
(iii) Propose goals, targets, and implementation roadmap:
- Propose goals, targets for the SDGs that each of consultants is assigned, ensuring alignment with the global SDG framework (17 goals and 169 targets) and national strategies for the 2021–2030 period.
- Propose relevant indicators (under the scope of Goal 7, 8, 9, 11), aligned with the global SDG indicator framework (232 indicators) and national statistical systems, ensuring feasibility of data collection, monitoring, and reporting.
- Propose a coherent and feasible roadmap for achieving SDGs that each of consultants is assigned by 2030, with clear milestones.
- Identify priority targets and cross-cutting interventions with strong spillover effects across sectors and SDGs.
(iv) Propose tasks, solutions, and implementation mechanisms:
- Recommend key solutions to advance SDGs that each of consultants is assigned, including institutional reforms, economic instrument, technology and innovation measures, human resource development, resource mobilization.
- Identify and formulate priority tasks, programmes, and projects to operationalize the proposed goals, targets, and roadmap.
- Define roles and responsibilities of lead and coordinating agencies for each task, goal and target.
(v) Support consultation and finalization:
- Prepare technical materials and background documents for consultations, workshops, and meetings related to SDGs that each of consultants is assigned.
- Participate in and facilitate consultations with relevant ministries, sectors, local authorities, experts, and development partners.
- Synthesize comments and feedback from stakeholders and incorporate them into revised technical outputs.
- Coordinate closely with the Team Leader and other experts to address cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary issues, ensuring consistency and coherence across all SDGs.
Division of Responsibilities:
- Consultant 1 will focus on SDG 2 (nutrition), SDG 3 (health), SDG 4 (education), and SDG 6 (water and sanitation).
- Consultant 2 will focus on SDG 1 (poverty), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 10 (equality), and SDG 16 (justice).
Methodology: The assignment will adopt a document review and consultative approach including:
- Desk review of relevant national and international policy documents;
- Stakeholder consultations with ministries, agencies, development partners and local authorities;
- Technical meetings and workshops;
Contract Manager: Chief of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Section, UNICEF Viet Nam.
The consultants will be recruited jointly by UNICEF and MOF and supervised by UNICEF PME Section. Day to day management will be provided by the PME Specialist. The consultants will collaborate with MOF and relevant stakeholders including ministries, government agencies, development partners and other technical experts engaged in the SDG NAP revision process. As this consultancy is part of the technical assistance to MOF contributed also by GIZ, the cooperation scheme during the assignment implementation should be as follows:
- The consultants need to work closely with GIZ and MOF as well as other stakeholders (such as ministries, government agencies, local authorities) during the assignment implementation.
- The consultants need to closely collaborate with other external experts from GIZ under the coordination of GIZ and MOF. These external experts shall be treated as inseparable members of the Working group on NAP. Their contributions to the final report, hence would be integral and indispensable.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete TOR here: 
TOR.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
Master degree in Public Policy, Sociology, Law, Anthropology, Development Economics or related areas.
Work Experience:
Minimum 8 years of experience in development policy analysis or assessment; Experience in SDG implementation or evaluation; Experience working with government ministries and international organizations.
Language Requirements:
Good command of English and Vietnamese.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
Knowledge of Viet Nam’s socioeconomic development context; Knowledge and expertise related to SDG implementation or evaluation; Analytical and reporting skills.
Desirables: Experience working with Government Agencies and UN Agencies.
Evaluation Criteria:
Technical Evaluation Criteria (75 points):
- Educational background: 10%
- Professional experience regarding development policy assessments, development economic/ financial analysis, regulatory impact assessment, policy development and advisory, etc.: 10%
- Professional experience in SDG implementation and assessment: 25%
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding across various topics on SDGs: 10%
- Analytical and reporting skills: 10%
- Networking with relevant stakeholders (government, private sector, research institutions, civil society…) and others: 10%
Qualifying score in technical evaluation is 50 out of 70 points.
Technical proposal requirement:
Applicants are requested to indicate if they apply for Consultant 1 or Consultant 2. The submission includes:
a. A technical proposal which clearly explains the outline on how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (preferably less than 10 pages);
b. Samples of similar products.
Financial evaluation (25 points):
- The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 50 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
- The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview if needed.
Submission of applications:
a. Updated CV/Resume;
b. 03 references including at least one from a past supervisor;
c. Technical proposal which clearly explains how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (less than 10 pages).
d. Samples of similar products.
e. Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including consultancy fee and any other relevant costs for this assignment.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
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Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.