[governance-vn] UNDP Jobs: Call for Expressions of Interest in a series of major research projects on social security reform in Viet Nam

[Vern Weitzel]

Call for Expressions of Interest in a series of major research projects on 
social security reform in Viet Nam

Publish Date: 04-Jun-2008

The Policy Advisory Group of the Ministry of Finance, Socialist Republic of Viet 
Nam, is currently seeking to source high-level expertise in the field of social 
security reform. This work will be carried out under the UNDP supported project 
Strengthening Capacity for Financial Policy Analysis, which is implemented by 
the Ministry of Finance. The PAG seeks to commission three major research 
projects addressing the following aspects of social security policy in Viet Nam: 
i) an analysis of risk, populations at risk and the performance of existing 
social security policies; ii) an analysis of the existing administrative 
structures of social security; iii) the development of an empirical social 
policy model to evaluate alternative social policies.

The work will be commissioned on the basis of a Long-Term Agreement (or retainer 
contract) with an international or domestic institution for up to 30 months, 
tentatively starting from August 2008.

At this stage in the process UNDP seeks expressions of interest from qualified 
institutions. Submissions should demonstrate relevant expertise and experience 
in the field of social security reform in developing countries.

Attached are the Expression of Interest.

Contact

UNDP Viet Nam, Country Economist unit
25-29 Phan Boi Chau Street
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Attn: Ms Le Thi Ngoc Lien

Phone: +84 4 9421 495 (ext. 249)
Fax: +84-4-942 4871
Email: le.thi.ngoc.lien at undp.org
Deadline for submissions: Monday 05:00 PM | 23-Jun-2008

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

BENEFICIARY COUNTRY: VIET NAM

DESCRIPTION:
Applied research on the equity, efficiency and impact of social policy 
expenditures in Viet Nam

DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF EOI: 23 June 2008

POSTING DATE: 4 June 2008


Objectives and Scope

The Policy Advisory Group (PAG) was established within the Ministry of Finance 
to provide
rigorous, timely and practical policy advice to the senior leadership of the 
Ministry and other
agencies of the Government of Viet Nam. Social security policy is one of the 
main issues
identified by the PAG. Over the next three years, the PAG will undertake a 
series of studies to
arrive at a deeper empirical understanding of impact of existing policies and to 
propose
changes to increase the impact, effectiveness and efficiency of the social 
policy in Viet Nam.

UNDP supports the work of the PAG through the Support for Financial Policy 
Analysis project
implemented by the Ministry of Finance. The project invites expressions of 
interest from
qualified international research institutions to collaborate with the PAG in 
producing at
least three research papers on social security in Viet Nam. Additional research 
may be
requested by the PAG.

The papers will analyze three aspects of the social security system in Viet Nam: 
i) an analysis
of risk, populations at risk and the performance of existing social security 
policies; ii) an
analysis of the existing administrative structures of social security; iii) the 
development of an
empirical social policy model to evaluate alternative social policies.


Expected Procurement Components

The selected institution will complete three research papers under the project, 
although
addition research may be requested depending on the needs of the Ministry of 
Finance and
the Policy Advisory Group.

The first paper will consist of an analysis of Viet Nam Household Living 
Standards Surveys of
2002, 2004 and 2006 and possibly other data sources to arrive at a clear 
understanding of the
risks facing Vietnamese households and individuals and the impact of social 
policy in
mitigating these risks. The paper will address the following issues:

  An analysis of the relationship between unemployment, illness, disability, 
life cycle
factors and old age on the incidence of poverty;
  The uptake and coverage of voluntary social insurance;
  The impact of user-fees and other out-of-pocket costs on service up-take, 
evidence
and analysis of the potential for the health consumer to be a “purchaser” in a more
marketised health-care system;
  Urban versus rural differences in well-being and causes of these disparities;
  The costs and consequences of the costs of raising children and of family size;
  Pension planning and costs;
  General system wide issues:
  Overall coverage, selectivity and duplication;
  The role of social assistance alongside compulsory and voluntary social 
insurance;
  Policy recommendations.

The second paper will focus on the financial and administrative infrastructure 
of social
security policy in Viet Nam. Although financing of social security in 
centralized in the recurrent
budget managed by the Ministry of Finance, the administrative apparatus is more 
diffuse.
Flows of information, responsibilities and accountabilities are spread across a 
number of
ministries and local authorities. The research will explore the efficiency of 
the existing system
and the potential for duplication and waste. It will also propose a streamlined 
system to
reduce costs and improve effectiveness.

The third paper will consist of an analytical model of social policy in Viet Nam 
to appraise
alternative policies. The model will allow for simulations to changes in tax and 
benefit policies,
demographic change and economic change. The model will help policy makers design a
system for a more urbanized, wealthier and older Vietnamese population as the 
country
experiences profound economic and social change over the next decade.


Special Procurement Conditions and Additional Information
UNDP invites institutions/suppliers capable of providing the services as 
described above to
submit their Expression of Interest.

In order to be considered as a potential supplier, interested institutions 
should submit their
Expression of Interest including the following information:

- brief presentation of your institution including number of staff, budget, 
years of
experience

- reference list demonstrating your qualifications for participating in this 
possible
upcoming bidding process

- contact information (full name and address, country, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-
mail address, website and contact person)

The Expression of Interest and accompanying documents must be received by UNDP 
no later
than 17.00 Hanoi time, June 23, 2008 on the address below.

Alternatively, Expressions of Interest can be sent by e-mail or fax (max. 10 
pages) to the
contact person below. Please indicate Ref. 61137- Social Security Research  on all
submissions.

This call for Expression of Interest does not constitute a solicitation. UNDP 
reserves the right
to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or 
solicitation process.
UNDP also reserves the right to require compliance with additional conditions as 
and when
issuing the final solicitation documents. Submitting a reply to a call for EOI 
does not
automatically guarantee receipt of the solicitation documents when issued. 
Requests for
proposals and any subsequent purchase order or contract will be issued in 
accordance with
the rules and procedures of UNDP.

UNDP Contact Information

UNDP Viet Nam, Country Economist Unit
25-29 Phan Boi Chau Street
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Attn: Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Lien
Tel: +84 4 9421 495 (ext. 121)
Fax: +84-4-9424871

E-mail: le.thi.ngoc.lien at undp.org
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