Vietnam Digital Trade

SCOPE OF WORK

Local STTA Traceability System’s Business Requirements Expert

Date: February 2024

Position: Local STTA Traceability System’s Business Requirements Expert

Reports to: USAID Vietnam Digital Trade (VDT) Technical team

Location: Hanoi

LOE: (STTA) 15 days

Period of Performance: March – April 2024

International Development Group LLC is an international development consulting firm that assists donors, governments, and the private sector to create and take advantage of opportunities for sustainable, broad-based economic development and poverty reduction. IDG provides entrepreneurs and policymakers with the practical tools needed to achieve real and measurable impact for their communities and countries. IDG assistance programs aim to build the capacity, skills, and knowledge of local individuals and institutions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, fostering synergies between local knowledge and international experience. 

Project Background

The VDT is a two-year activity (2023-2025) addressing regulatory gaps and promoting private sector engagement in the rapidly growing digital economy. USAID VDT Activity supports the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)’s implementation of frameworks that facilitate digital trade, with an emphasis on supporting MOIT in holding public-private dialogues to ensure implementation is done in consultation with the private sector. Regulations that are responsive to private sector needs remove bottlenecks in trade faced by enterprises and increase regulatory transparency, helping to shape an e-commerce sector where enterprises of all sizes can benefit. The Activity encourages the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in digital trade by introducing new business models and other best practices, such as traceability of goods, as well as facilitating cross-border connections between enterprises via MOIT’s digital trade promotion platform.

Activity Background

Following the Decision 1968/QD-TTG on 22 November 2021 to “Promote the application of information and technology and digital transformation in trade promotion activities for the period of 2021-2030”, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade is assigned to formulate the Digital Ecosystem for Business (DECOBIZ) by 2025 and complete it in 2030. DECOBIZ, a soft infrastructure for trade, includes: Platforms of digital exhibitions, Smart B2B Matching, and other trade promotion tools/platforms (including traceability).

iTrace247 is an advanced product traceability system based on Solana block chain technology. It uses Rust programming language, known for its high security and performance. Developed by the MOIT Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) and GIZ, version 1.0 has now been successfully deployed, with modules for producers.

However, to achieve a comprehensive Traceability System, it is necessary to complete additional modules, covering the different stages of the supply chain: Producers; Primary Packaging, Processing Plants, Storage and Transport Retail and Consumers. It aims, from 2023 to 2025, with the support of the USAID VDT, to create a robust and transparent traceability system, supporting consumers and businesses to seamlessly access production information and product origin. The activity will help strengthens supply chain management by effectively monitoring the entire manufacturing, transportation and distribution process, helping to improve efficiency and reduce the risks associated with counterfeit goods.

Under the approved work plan between the USAID and MOIT, the USAID VDT will support Vietrade to develop main business requirements for upgrading the current Traceability System. VDT will mobilize a Local STTA Traceability System’s Business Requirements Expert to implement this task.

In consultation with the VDT Technical Team, the Expert will work closely with the MOIT VIETRADE and other relevant MOIT departments if needed. The Expert may also be required to work in collaboration with other members of the VDT team in order to undertake this activity.

Key Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Requirements Gathering: Work with Vietrade and private stakeholders to identify and document the technical requirements for upgrading the current Traceability System to ensure recording, storage, and retrieval of traceability data meets the identified needs of stakeholders. This involves understanding business needs, scalability requirements, security considerations, and user experience.
• Market Research: Conduct research on existing Traceability System, technology trends, and potential vendors. Identify best practices and innovative solutions that could enhance the system.

Deliverables

• A Technical Requirements Document: A comprehensive document outlining the technical specifications, features, and functionalities required for upgrading the Traceability System.
• Procurement Plan: A detailed plan outlining the steps and criteria for vendor selection, as well as a timeline for the procurement process.

Qualifications

• A degree in trade, economics, information system, computer science or related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in digital trade-related topics
• Demonstrated track records in designing, developing, or managing traceability system.
• Strong written, and oral English.

Proposals should be submitted to [email protected] no later than March 5, 2024.

Organization: IDG
Location: Hanoi
Application deadline: 2024-03-05
Send application to: [email protected]