National Expert

**Terms of Reference (ToR)**

**for Selection and Appointment of National Expert**

**TVET Project in Vietnam**

**1. Project Overview**

Vietnam has made impressive socioeconomic progress with gross domestic product (GDP) growing at an average rate of 8%.

European Union’s (EU) bilateral cooperation with Viet Nam over the period 2021-2027 builds on the achievements during the period 2014-2020 and focuses on three priority areas:

- Climate-responsive digital circular economy;
- Responsible entrepreneurship and enhanced skills for decent employment;
- Strengthening governance, rule of law and institutional reform.

The 2021-2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Viet Nam will address crucial issues for the country, while promoting key areas of EU external engagement, notably green and digital transition, decent and inclusive jobs as well as good governance, the rule of law, human rights and institutional reforms.

The German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) and Expertise France (EF)have been assigned by EU delegation to jointly implement the VETVET project (Vietnam - E.U. TVET project). International Partners, together with E.U. funding, will jointly provide a grant support of nearly 55 M€ to implement this project.

VETVET aims at supporting the TVET system in Vietnam, with a clear orientation towards supporting the Just Transition process. In the preparation phase, GIZ and Expertise France (will develop jointly all planned activities, under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) of Vietnam.

The project aims at developing skills for green and just energy transition in direction of Vietnamese youth in selected Vocational Colleges and Technical Schools. The process to select between 35 to 40 Vocational Schools is led by the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET) of the MoLISA, through a criteria-based assessment. These schools are intended to reach the standard of “Center of Excellence” (CoE), recognizing the quality of their management and of the trainings they are providing, for an increased employability. Thus, short listed colleges will receive support for developing their training capacity via new and updated pedagogical equipment, new curricula, training of trainers and of management

To ensure the successful preparation and initiation of the VETVET project, Expertise France seeks to appoint a National Expert (part-time consultancy for a period of 15 months) with extensive experience in project development & management in the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) sector. The selected expert will play a crucial role in establishing strong connections with various stakeholders, including international partners, donors, and local authorities. Moreover, he/she will bring valuable technical inputs in the design of the project activities along with the TVET centers across the country. In close collaboration with GIZ, the national expert serves as the liaison for EF technical team based in Paris, represents EF at working meetings, is the spokesperson for EF, ensures reporting, shares regular updates and coordinates missions. If successful, this assignment might lead to a full-time employment contract once the project is signed (6 years’ project).

**2. Objectives**

The primary objective of this Terms of Reference is to outline the selection and recruitment process for a National Expert (part-time, approx. 50%) who will contribute on behalf Expertise France to the initial phase and development of the VETVET project in Vietnam, over a period of 13 months, starting in December 2024.

**3. Scope of Work**

The National Expert will be considered as the Focal Point of Expertise France in Vietnam for the VETVET project definition phase. As such, he/she will be responsible for the following tasks:
**_ 1. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building:_**
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with national authorities (mostly MOLISA / DTVET / PMU), international stakeholders (predominantly E.U. and GIZ), educational institutions, industry partners, and local authorities during the project preparation phase,
- Represent Expertise France in meetings, workshops, and conferences to promote collaboration and alignment with project goals.

**_2. Project Documents draft_**
- Contribute to the Project Document (ProDoc and Description of Action) draft process, in close cooperation with GIZ,
- Provide technical recommendations and feedback for maximum achievement and impact within the scope of EF activities,
- Support budget draft.

**_3. Field visits:_**
- Organize visits and diagnosis of preselected vocational colleges, in coordination with national and local authorities and partners,
- Build trustful relations with vocational colleges representatives.
- Organize EF technical experts’ missions as required.

**_4. Project Management and Coordination:_**
- Develop, keep track and monitor a comprehensive project managem