TERMS OF REFERENCE

Study on the situation of climate change adaptation and digital transformation of cooperatives in Vietnam

I. Introduction

DGRV's project in Asia, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to achieve economic inclusion for all people through a sustainable cooperative system. To achieve this goal, the project focuses on three main pillars:

• Strong cooperatives in countries will be a solid foundation to ensure economic development.
• Safe and sustainable development mechanism is enhanced in the cooperative system.
• Knowledge on cooperatives along with the corresponding training and education system are consolidated and enhanced.

In Vietnam, DGRV supports the development and transformation of the cooperative sector by sharing expertise on cooperatives and providing technical assistance through short and long-term consultations at levels of macro (Ministries and Departments), meso (Vietnam and provincial cooperative alliances), and micro (cooperatives).

In 2022, DGRV is coordinating with the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct a study on "The situation of climate change adaptation and digital transformation of cooperatives in Vietnam". This activity is expected to provide a realistic picture of the ability of cooperatives to adapt to climate change and digital transformation. The target group is agricultural cooperatives which accounts for the majority of the total number of cooperatives in Vietnam. The study results will also serve as a basis for stakeholders to design appropriate support, consulting and training activities to enhance resilience to climate change and promote digital transformation in cooperatives.

To that end, DGRV is looking for a consulting service that meets the specific requirements outlined below.

II. Key requirements

1.   Scope

The consulting service is expected to conduct surveys to collect information in the provinces: An Giang, Hau Giang, Ninh Binh, Lam Dong, Tra Vinh. In addition, it is expected that research group performs a desk study on cooperative models that are effectively adapting to climate change and applying digital transformation in Asia. The selection of survey subjects will be coordinated with DGRV project staff.

2.   Study subjects

• Cooperatives in selected localities. Priority will be given to cooperatives in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishery and some non-agricultural cooperatives (transportation, handicrafts, tourists).
• Number of surveyed cooperatives: 15 agricultural cooperatives and 05 non-agricultural cooperatives with good performance (based on number of members, services, production area, business results) in each province.
• Other stakeholders who are supporting cooperatives in climate change adaptation and digital transformation.

3.   General objectives

• Review and evaluate the actual situation of implementing solutions to adapt to climate change of cooperatives in order to come up with effective adaptation models to climate change.
• Review and evaluate the current situation of digital transformation of cooperatives in order to identify limitations, difficulties, needs and potentials of cooperatives in the digital transformation process.  

4.   Specific objectives

For the topic of climate change adaptation:

• Evaluate and analyze factors affecting the ability to adapt to climate change of selected cooperatives based on criteria of business models, production organizations, and services that cooperatives provide to members.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the cooperative model in adapting to climate change.
• Assess the ability of cooperatives to manage resources to effectively adapt to climate change.
• Propose measures to solve problems and difficulties and provide appropriate models for cooperatives to adapt to climate change.

For the topic of digital transformation:

• Define the reasons why digital transformation is needed in cooperatives, what are the driven-factors
• Develop a framework to assess the level of digital transformation in cooperatives.
• Assess the current situation of digital transformation of cooperatives in terms of the level of technology application, the level of applying of software, the level of utilization of the database, etc.
• Analyze the factors affecting ability of cooperatives in digital transformation and evaluate the digital transformation ability of cooperatives.
• Propose practical solutions to promote digital transformation in cooperatives in Vietnam, especially considering self-help principles

5.   Suggested survey method

• Semi-structure interview
• Depth interview
• Other suitable methods

III.     Required deliveries

1.   Survey report:

• The survey report should ensure the objectives set out in Part II.
• Summary of the report in English (5-7 pages).

2.   Completed questionnaires (including audio tape if available).

3.   Survey data (raw data, data after cleaning, data after analysis).

IV.    Timeline

The assignment is expected to start from January 20, 2022 to April 15, 2022.

Time to send reports to DGRV: May to June 2022.

V.      Requirements for the consulting service

The consulting service is expected to meet the following requirements:

• Knowledge and experience in research, survey and evaluation activities
• Understanding of the cooperative sector
• Understanding of climate change adaptation models
• Understanding of the digital transformation economy
• Good skills in using data analysis software
• Good English communication and writing skills

VI.    Proposal submission

A detailed proposal is required to be submitted to DGRV to the address:

German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Federation – DGRV, P402B, Coco Village,
#14 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, Vietnam.

The proposal can be submited online to Mr Nguyen Trong Khanh – Project Manager via email: [email protected].

Deadline for submission of proposals: No later than January 07, 2022.

Proposal (in Vietnamese and English) is required to include the following documents:

• Competency profile of the consultant and related experience;
• Technical methods to achieve assigned goals and deliver expected results in a timely manner;
• Implementation plan;
• Financial proposal.

Please note that only consultants selected for the interview round will be contacted.

CLICK HERE FOR VIETNAMESE

Organization: DGRV
Location:
Application deadline: 2022-01-07
Send application to: [email protected]