Consultancy

1.Project Background and Introduction

The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), comprised of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region of China, is an area with immense economic potential and rich natural resources. As many as 70 million people are living within the Mekong River Basin area and 325 million throughout the sub-region. Fast evolving technology, particularly information and communication technology (ICT) is now the norm of how the world works and an everyday reality for many people. Current economic development literature argues that the ability to engage in innovation through collaboration and connectivity is essential for countries to participate in today’s knowledge-driven, technology-based economies. This type of connectivity and access not only provides information, but also attracts investment because it helps with the communication and networking necessary to understand and respond to market needs.

In the GMS countries, however, access and the ability to utilize ICT remains limited, plus the significant inequalities of accessibility between urban and rural dwellers. For example, there is yet to be widespread adoption in the region of the types of ICT applications that have, in other parts of the world, proved very successful tools for developing and supporting SME inclusion in commercial supply chains. These limitations create a constraint on the potential success of other regional development initiatives.

To address such limitations and constraints, the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development[1], including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by more than 150 countries at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on September 25, 2015 to operationalize technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for the least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology.

As Mekong Institute (MI) evolves and is now going to adopt the MI Strategic Plan 2016-2020, there is a new program pillar - Innovation and Technological Connectivity. This program responds to new opportunities related to implementing modernization in the GMS. It aims to support initiatives that will contribute to the emergence and application of innovation and technological connectivity in the region.

With the goal of advancing technology, the development in logistics should also progress. Logistics is one of the most important industries in promoting the regional connectivity and the GMS aims to be considered as a logistic hub in the world. In 2014, the strategic framework named “the Belt and Road” proposed by the Chinese Government is an indication of progress in logistics. It has obtained broad and positive response and support. It has two main components, the land-based “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the oceangoing “21st -Century Maritime Silk Road.” As its principles and objectives are to promote economic prosperity and regional economic cooperation, we believe that it is an essential opportunity for the GMS.

With the support from ROK-Mekong Cooperation Fund, MI is conducting the Certified Logistics Master Project. So far there are 200 beneficiaries who are logistics service providers (LSPs) from the GMS who gained knowledge and skills from MI trainings. We realize that some LSPs from China, Thailand, and Vietnam are much advanced than others in terms of the application of electronic supply chain management. In response, MI proposes to conduct a Capacity Building Need Assessment on the Application of Electronic Supply Chain Management for the Logistic Service Providers in the GMS.  

Project Objectives

To examine technological gaps in the GMS concerning the application of electronic supply chain management for logistics services;

To identify gaps, characterize the critical capacity constraints, and define specific capacity building and training needs;  and

On the basis of the assessment results, develop capacity development plan and different capacity building packages and strategies to respond to the needs.

2.Scope of Work and Deliverables for the Research

MI is seeking the service of an external consultant to conduct a Capacity Building Needs Assessment on the Application of Electronic Supply Chain Management for the Logistic Service Providers in the GMS.

Tasks

Working closely with the MI program coordinator, the consultant will be required to:

Prepare detailed project work plan with specific activities, deliverables, and milestones;

Design and develop the draft of questionnaire as well as subsequent versions based on comments received from MI;

Design a field study to conduct interviews with a sample of stakeholders to collect data;

Analyze the findings of the assessment (interviews) and propose practical recommendations for building capacities;

Prepare and ensure timely delivery of an analytical report synthesizing the findings and outcome of the consultancy as well the recommendations proposed for capacity development plan and further capacity building projects to extend the project packages and strategies;

Submit a draft assessment report to MI for comments before finalization;

Provide MI with an electronic copy of the final assessment report in English; and

Present the findings and recommendations to MI, and provide the electronic presentation file (Power Point) to MI as well.

Methodology and Activities

The consultant will be required to design the methodology for the research. It is expected that the research will apply to both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The process will involve but not limit to the collection of quantitative and qualitative data through desk reviews of provided documentation, in-depth interviews, and discussions with relevant stakeholders. The research will encompass the following activities:

Desk Review (home-based and working at MI)

In consultation with MI to identify the key stakeholders for field interview;

Design and develop interview questions, finalize work plan for field visit, related meeting and travel arrangement in six GMS countries; and

Submit the inception report and present the primary findings to MI before travelling to six GMS countries for field interview.

Field Visits and Interviews (in six GMS countries)

Interview the key project beneficiaries and stakeholders (maximum visit 2 cities in one country); and

Submit the interview summary during the survey period.

Reporting (working at home and MI)

Draft and submit inception report to MI for review and approval ;

Draft the assessment report, incorporating inception report, the key findings, and reflections from the field in GMS countries, and conclusion and recommendations in line with the approved report outline to MI for comments;

Present the preliminary findings to the MI at the end of the field mission and take into account of their feedback in drafting the assessment report; and

Finalize and submit the assessment report to MI.

Present the findings and recommendations to MI.

The output of the assessment report will serve as input for any related capacity building projects.

Deliverables:

An Inception Report and Presentation to MI  (refer to the items 2.1 and 2.2), including:

Report outline and brief chapter description with agreement of MI;

Detailed framework and methods for information gathering;

Primary findings of desk review; and

Field interview plan, including identified interview list of key stakeholders, key interview questions, expected outputs and methodology. The plan should be agreed by MI.

Daily Interview Summary of Field Survey and Submission

The consultant is required to submit the interview summaries with the interviewee in the six GMS countries in each working day during the field interview mission period.

A Draft Assessment Report incorporating the desk review results, the key findings, reflections from field interview in the six GMS countries. The consult is also required to present the field survey findings and the draft report to MI for comments.

A Final Assessment Report incorporating the findings and analysis from and field reflection based on MI’s comments, which should include the content as stated below:

Executive Summary

Background and Introduction of the Assessment

Process and Methodology (tools and instruments)

Findings and Main Results

Limitations and Constraints of the Assessment

Conclusion and Recommendations

Annexes (Interview Reports)

List of References

The length of the report should be around 60-70 pages in English with processed data, graphs and forms, analysis and recommendations. The final findings should be presented to MI.

Work Plan

A detailed work plan with milestones and deliverables will be submitted by the Consultant with agreement of MI.

The agreed work plan will be the important part of the contract to monitor the consultancy progress.

Any delay of submission must be informed at least five days in advance and with agreement from MI.    

3.Qualification

The research will be performed by one recruited consultant. S/he should have:

Extensive knowledge and experience in research and assessments (i.e. tools development sampling, data collection and analysis);

Extensive knowledge in analytical reporting;

Solid knowledge of logistics industry in the GMS; and

Solid knowledge of electronic supply chains.

4.Consultancy Duration

5.Payment Procedure - Professional Fees

The selected consultant will be paid with a lump sum consultancy fee. One round trip air ticket in economy class will also be provided to the selected consultant to travel from his/her home country to MI. Air tickets from MI (Khon Kaen) to the six GMS countries for field surveys will be provided by MI as well. Accommodation and working place while the consultant is working at MI will also be provided.   

The payment will be processed in three stages:

First payment (25%) of the total fee will be paid on:

signing the contract;

submission of the detailed work plan with the agreement of MI;

report outline indicating the structure and brief introduction of each chapter (MI will provide a sample of report outline); and

inception report and finding presentation before field trip (deliverable 1).

Second payment (25%) on satisfactory completion and submission of:

daily interview summary of the field survey in six GMS countries (deliverable 2)

draft report and presentations on findings from the field surveys (deliverable 3)

Final payment (50%) will be paid on satisfactory completion of all activities and deliverables of the contract (aligned with all items under the Scope of Work and Deliverables for the research),

Final assessment report including findings and recommendations for capacity development plan and further capacity building projects to extend the project packages and strategies.

Presentation to MI on the final findings including recommendations.

Note: The final payment (50%) will be only paid when the consultant submits all the required deliverables. Any delays by the consultant without prior short notice (at least 5 days in advance) and agreement from MI will be penalized by deducting the payment at USD 50 (0.5% of the total consultancy fee) /per day based on the days of latency. The consultant’s failure to deliver all the required outputs for over one month delay will be considered as a default, which requires the consultant to pay back the first and second payment added with the compensation for the loss of the MI (25% of the total consultancy fee).

The consultant is prohibited to use the field data for his/her publication or research papers for other institutions and any other utilization. The consultant should inform and get approval from MI before using the output of the paper to contribute to any other paper or publications.

6.Working Space, Travel, and Accommodation

MI will provide one round trip air ticket (economy class) for the selected consultant to travel from home country to MI, and the air tickets from MI to GMS countries for field survey. MI will also provide free working space, meeting room, and accommodation (maximum of 12 nights with 10 working days) when the consultant working with MI program coordinator at the MI Residential Building during the period of the assignment.

7.Application

Interested individual consultants shall send their Expression of Interest (EOI) to Ms. Vitchaya Panurak at hr@mekonginstitute.org and Ms. Tina Wang at jwang@mekonginstitute.org no later than April 30, 2016.

The EOI shall provide the following information:

CV with brief professional description and contact details

Description of abilities to implement the task, including relevant previous sample works

Work plan with methodology and timeline to implement the assignment

8.Termination of Contract

The contract may be terminated by the employer or consultant through giving the other party due notice at least 10 days in advance.