Manufacturing Digital Transformation Consultant

Scope of Work - Manufacturing Digital Transformation Consultant

Program: USAID Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME) Project Expected Duration: August to October 2020

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

IESC – the International Executive Service Corps – is a U.S.-based nonprofit that seeks private enterprise solutions to problems of poverty in developing countries and around the world. IESC is the implementing organization of Linkages for Small and Medium Enterprises Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID LinkSME aims to strengthen the capabilities of the intermediary organizations in Vietnam, such as business associations, export development centers, and SME promotion agencies, in order to facilitate the supplier-buyer relationships between Vietnamese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and lead firms located in Vietnam and expand Vietnamese SMEs’ capacity to participate in manufacturing supply chains. USAID LinkSME will enhance the business enabling environment by institutionalizing key reforms and strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for SME growth across the nation. One of the four project components is “Improving SMEs’ supply capacity and strengthening business linkages between SMEs and global value chains,” which is Component 3 with the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED), the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), as the key Government of Vietnam counterpart. During consultations in April and May, AED informed the LinkSME project that its key priority for programming Post COVID-19 funding was to support for SMEs in digitalization and digital transformation. The priority for this support was then reinforced in early June in decision No. 749/QD-TTg, ‘Program for National Digital Transformation by 2025 with Orientations Towards 2030’ which envisioned MPI collaborating with the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and other relevant ministries to perform the tasks of supporting small and medium enterprises in digital transformation and incorporating digital transformation into support programs and schemes for small and medium enterprises for 2021 – 2025. Based on AED’s requirements, we recommend that AED start by developing a multi-year SME Digital Transformation Framework which focuses on scope definition, prioritization over the timeframe. Then we would supplement the strategy with ‘implementation plans’ on an annual or other periodic basis to implement the framework. The value of having a framework, and developing the framework first, is that it gives a more precise idea of the goals, more effectiveness in planning, and then monitoring and adapting those plans, to make sure that the programming is accomplishing what was set out to achieve. The approach for this work will be in three phases:

Assist AED to develop a 5-Year SME Digital Transformation framework (Sep 2020)
Assist AED to socialize the Framework; Develop the Year 1 Implementation Plan (Sep 2020)
Assist AED to implement the new SME Digital Transformation Framework (FY 2021-23)

In Phase 1, LinkSME will hire 03 consultants to work with AED and other stakeholders to develop and refine the Digital Transformation Framework for SMEs and identify the key decisions that are necessary for AED to make and then support AED. In the context of Vietnam SMEs, in accordance with the current task requirements the consultants will help AED to (1) define the agreed concept of SMEs digital transformation; (2) assess the current status, readiness, and opportunities of Vietnam SMEs in order to transform; and (3) develop a 5-year SME Digital Transformation framework. The tasks, deliverables, and qualifications for this consultant are included in the following sections. GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Consultant shall undertake the following tasks: Prepare report on SMEs in manufacturing and opportunities for digital transformation. This report will be the appendix or Report 2 - SMEs Digital Readiness framework and recommended Strategy/Road map for SMEs and policy/institutional supports from the Government. This report will include but not limited to the following information:

The current status of automation and digital technology application of Vietnam SMEs in manufacturing areas;
The challenges and opportunities to go digital in manufacturing process of Vietnam SMEs;
Recommendation on the strategies for SMEs in manufacturing in digital transformation;
Checklist of technologies and vendors, who provide digital solutions in manufacturing (by sub-sectors) in the market for SMEs reference.

DELIVERABLES: Provide 01 report include:

Report on SMEs in manufacturing and challenges, opportunities for digital transformation;
Solutions to support SMEs adapt going/doing digital in manufacturing process.
Executive summary in English is required.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Vietnamese national;
Master’s degree and have at least 5 years working in technology, digital area or manufacturing business;
Experience to work with digital transformation activities for businesses in Vietnam (oversea is a plus) such as study the digital transformation trend, propose the digital transformation strategy for enterprises, etc.;
Experience in developing and implementing digital transformation strategy;
Experience in projects that support business (manufacturing sectors is preferred) in implementing digital transformation strategy/innovation project;
Maturity, professionalism, positive attitude and displays acceptable behavior; and
Fluency in Vietnamese and English.

REPORTING The consultant will work closely with and report directly to the Market Linkages Team Lead. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese national. CVs and cover letters should be submitted in English. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Early applications by August 25, 2020 are strongly encouraged. TO APPLY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.