[hepr-vn] Independent Management Review of VAMIP

[Vern Weitzel]

Subject: 	FW: Independent Management Review of VAMIP
Date: 	Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:02:27 +0700
From: 	Tran Lan Huong <lanhuong at vietnampsu.org>


The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is seeking a
qualified and experienced Vietnamese Capacity Development Specialist
to participate in an Independent Management Review of the Vietnam
Agricultural Market Information Project (VAMIP) supported by CIDA.
Attached are the Terms of Reference. Interested candidates are expected
to submit a cover letter and a CV in English to the following address:

Mr. Michael Emblem, Director
CIDA Program Support Unit
12th floor, Hanoi Towers, 49 Hai Ba Trung St., Hanoi, Vietnam
Fax: 84-4-934 8395
Or via email to:  lanhuong at vietnampsu.org <mailto:lanhuong at vietnampsu.org>


Deadline for submission of applications: Tuesday 05:00 PM, February 03, 2008

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted by phone or email, and
invited for an interview.

--
Terms of Reference for an Independent Management Review (IMR) of the
Viet Nam Agriculture Market Information Project (A-032184)

I.	Introduction and Background

The increasing commerciality of agriculture in Viet Nam and the
increasing demands on quality by both the domestic market and the
international market, led Viet Nam and CIDA to cooperate in the
development of the Vietnam Agriculture Market Information Project
(VAMIP). The project approved by CIDA in August 2004 has a total value
of C$4.9 million over four years. It aims to support the establishment
of a sustainable and relevant agricultural market information system
in Vietnam to be run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD).

The goal of VAMIP is to improve rural livelihoods through support for
agriculture and rural development.  More specifically, the project
purpose is to improve agricultural stakeholders’ ability to access,
gather, analyse and use information to better respond to market
signals in order to improve overall economic returns and productivity.
The key operational level partner for project implementation in
Vietnam is the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and
Rural Development (IPSARD).

In November 2007, given concerns with delays in project implementation
CIDA and IPSARD agreed to revise the management structure of the
project to better reflect an appropriate lead role for Vietnamese
partner. IPSARD and the Canadian Executing Agency (CEA) were tasked
with collaboratively developing a management model that would vest
more management responsibilities with IPSARD.

A revised management structure was discussed with IPSARD in December
2007, and subsequently approved by CIDA in March 2008.

II.	The Objectives of the IMR and Scope of Work.

The primary clients of the IMR are CIDA, IPSARD, and the VAMIP CEA. It
is expected that both IPSARD Hanoi and IPSARD HCMC (Ho Chi Minh City)
will participate fully in the review process along with the Canadian
Field Coordinator and other key project personnel and stakeholders.

The IMR has four (4) main objectives:

a)  To assess the usefulness and effectiveness of the Revised
Management Structure and Operational Regulations – their strengths and
weaknesses, and their impact  in terms of giving IPSARD  a more
appropriate role and responsibilities for project management.

b) To identify ways in which project implementation could be
strengthened, particularly in relation to capacity building and
sustainability of results.

c). To  identify and document key project operational and management
issues and lessons-learned.

d). To identify and recommend ways in which project management
practices of CIDA, IPSARD and the CEA, as well as overall project
arrangements, could be adjusted to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of project implementation.

III.   The Methodology.

The review will be carried out in conformity with the principles,
standards and practices, set out in the CIDA`s Evaluation guide.

The review is expected to take place over a period of some 2 months
(February-March 2009). The IMR team will consist of a Canadian
consultant to be selected by CIDA HQ (the team leader) who will be the
IMR Team Leader, and a Vietnamese Capacity Development Specialist to
be selected and contracted by the PSU in consultation with the Team
Leader. The team is expected to undertake the following tasks:

•	Review of all project related documentation.

•	Development of a detailed work plan for the review.

•	Information collection and analysis from meetings and interviews
with CIDA team in HQ, Embassy, Agriteam in Canada and Agriteam Field
Coordinator, IPSARD in Hanoi and HCMC.

•	Conduct debrief with CIDA in Hanoi and in Canada.

•	Conduct debrief with IPSARD in Hanoi.

•	Debrief Agriteam in Canada/Gatineau

•	Submission of Draft report to CIDA.

•	Revision of draft report.

•	Submission of final report to CIDA.



Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

a)	The (Canadian) IMR Team Leader will report to the CIDA PTL and
will be responsible for:

•	Undertaking all activities as listed in the scope of work section
and co-ordinate the IMR.

•	Day to day management of operations.

•	Regular progress reporting to CIDA both at HQ and the Field.

•	Production of all deliverables in accordance with contractual
requirements.

b)	The (Vietnamese) IMR Capacity Development Specialist will report
to the Team Leader and will be responsible for:

•	Assisting the Team Leader in all required tasks mentioned above
(including interpretation/translation, if needed, during the mission)
and in providing specialist and technical inputs and comments.

IV.  Schedule of Deliverables.

The IMR Team Leader will submit the following deliverables to
CIDA/PTL:

•	A detailed work plan and budget for the IMR, including a draft
outline of the IMR Report to be submitted to CIDA within  10 days of
signature of Consultant’s contract and prior to beginning the review.

•	A draft IMR report in English to be submitted to CIDA within 10
days of completion of visit to Vietnam.

•	A final IMR Report in English to be submitted to CIDA within 2
weeks of receiving consolidated comments from CIDA on the draft
report.



V. Consultant qualification and experience

The Vietnamese Capacity Development n Specialist:

The Vietnamese Consultant should have:

•	Post graduate degree in public administration or project
management and at least 8 years experience in international
development activities.

•	Knowledge of the agriculture sector in Vietnam within the context
of relevant government policies, guidelines and programs would be an
asset.

•	Strong analytical skills;

•	Excellent spoken and written skills in English and Vietnamese;

•	Excellent communication skills.

He/she is responsible for assisting the IMR Team Leader in all
required tasks.



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