Terms of reference – Consultant – Business Process and Cost-Benefit Analysis

The Alliance is looking for a consultant to conduct a business process and cost-benefit analysis of the Certificate of Origin Process in Vietnam

Terms of reference – Consultant – Business Process and Cost-Benefit Analysis 

Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation/ Center for International Private Enterprise

1. Background

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (the Alliance) is a public-private partnership for trade-led growth, supporting governments in developing and least-developed countries in implementing the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. Our projects cut through red tape and end costly delays at borders by bringing together governments and businesses of all sizes as equal partners to deliver targeted trade reforms.

We are led by the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum and the Center for International Private Enterprise, in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). We are funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, Germany and Denmark.

On behalf of the Alliance, CIPE is working with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), under the Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, and the private sector on a project to implement a modern customs bond system for the conditional release of goods. Once implemented, traders will be able to purchase a bond to guarantee their payment of duties and taxes as well as regulatory compliance, allowing customs to expedite release of their goods.

The Alliance has also been working with GDVC on a second initiative to expedite the release of goods and improve trade facilitation by supporting reform of Vietnam’s certification of origin (C/O) procedures in line with its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) obligations and international best practices, which is the focus area for this consultancy.

In this initiative, CIPE will work jointly with public and private sector representatives led by the GDVC, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Vietnam Logistics Association, and traders to identify bottlenecks and to optimize the process to demonstrate and verify the origin of imported goods in Vietnam. .

This will require a review of the various FTA that Vietnam is a Party to, and a business process and cost benefit analysis of the existing procedures.

To support the short-term initiative’s implementation, the Alliance-CIPE wishes to hire a consultant to conduct a business process and a cost-benefit analysis (BPA and CBA) to simplify and streamline certificate of origin issuance and processing.

2. Scope of services

  1. Business process analysis with the collaboration of key stakeholders to:
    1. Identify and map out the existing workflow and requirements (AS IS report) to demonstrate and verify the origin of imported goods.
    2. Identify bottlenecks, opportunities for improvement, and gaps based on international best practices. The bottlenecks may be related to human resources, IT, processes, or any other aspect relevant to the process.
    3. Propose new and streamlined processes (TO BE report) including, but not limited to, new systems, changes to legislation, human resources, training, harmonized procedures, simplified forms, and data requirements in line with international standards.
  2. Conduct a CBA of the existing and new processes to support user adoption. To the extent possible, the analysis will quantify in USD the costs of the existing operating environment and the benefits or savings associated with the adoption of the new recommended processes. Other qualitative benefits and costs may also be included as part of the diagnosis.

3. Specific activities

The consultant is expected to conduct, at a minimum, the following activities:

  1. Develop a work plan with all milestones, key activities, and updated delivery dates.
  2. Gather baseline data related to the problems associated with the verification of certification of origin such as but not limited to:
    i. Number of import declarations where preferential treatment was requested due to origin
    ii. Percentage of import declarations that were held by Customs due to origin issues
    iii. Results of customs analysis of disputed import declarations
  3. Based on the above, narrow down the BPA and CBA to specific products and points of entry in consultation with GDVC.
  4. Facilitate, moderate, and organize inter-agency workshops and bilateral meetings as needed to identify the current processes to claim and verify preferential treatment due to origin. t.
  5. Identify the main bottlenecks, issues, and opportunities for improvement (human resources, processes, technology)
  6. Produce a cost-benefit analysis of the existing and recommended processes to facilitate and encourage user adoption. The CBA will clearly state all assumptions made.

4. Assignment details and administrative arrangements

  • The assignment has an estimated duration of 7 months –subject to the completion of the deliverables– and is expected to start in May 2022.
  • The consultant will coordinate work and report to CIPE’s Program Officer leading the project.
  • Office space will not be provided by the Alliance/CIPE.
  • Frequent travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (health warnings permit), to meet with public and private sector operators, will be required. Travel expenses will be funded separately by the Alliance/CIPE. Therefore, financial proposal should be exclusive of the travel cost estimate.

5. Deliverables

  1. Inception report with updated work plan, milestones, and updated delivery dates.
  2. Monthly report of activities.
  3. AS IS report about the current operating environment for certificate of origin submission and verification. The report will include, but not be limited to, processes and documentary requirements and contain a complete list of bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
  4. TO BE report with the new recommended workflow and processes based on stakeholder consultations.
  5. CBA to support the new recommended processes.

6. Technical profile of candidate

6.1 Qualifications

  • Minimum Master or equivalent-level degree in Economics, Business Management, Law, Project Management, Industrial Engineering, or another relevant

6.2 Knowledge/Experience

  • At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in process modernization projects
  • Demonstrated experience in at least 2 similar projects or assignments
  • Demonstrated experience working in South-East Asia customs agencies is preferred
  • Strong command in the area of FTAs, rules of origin and certificates of origin is a must
  • Experience in donor-funded project implementation and coordination is preferred
  • Familiarity with international trade procedures and border controls is preferred
  • Sound working knowledge of project management techniques, tools, and software
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Experience working both independently and in team-oriented, collaborative environments is essential
  • Legally authorized to live and work in Vietnam
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English. Fluency in Vietnamese preferred.

7. Application

To apply for this opportunity, please send a sample of previous work, cover letter, resume, and financial proposal in English to tradejobs@cipe.org by 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, April 1st, 2022 with the subject line: “BPA CBA Vietnam – [FULL NAME]”.

All questions should be communicated in writing before March 25th 5PM EST to the same email address, with the subject line: “BPA CBA Vietnam”. Questions and responses will be publicly available at cipe.org.

8. Evaluation methodology

Evaluation of an applicant’s suitability for this consultancy will be based on the applicant’s technical background as provided on the sample of previous work, resume, and cover letter (65%) as well as the applicant’s financial requirements (35%). CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.