Independent Consultant For Final Assessment

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Independent Consultant For Final Assessment

(Project: Promoting forest governance and legal timber trade through the implementation of EVFTA (No. CSO-LA/2019/413943)

1. Project overall

2. Context

Since the formation of a socialist-oriented market economy in the 1980s, Vietnam's economy has been growing: From one of the most underprivileged countries in the world, Vietnam has experienced remarkable economic development and become a lower-middle-income country. This tremendous growth is reflected in various manufacturing sectors, especially forestry production. It is undeniable that Vietnam is the centre of the global forest products trade, importing timber from 80 countries and also the world's fourth largest exporter of timber products. Vietnam's timber exports have grown by 10% in 2023 and are on track to achieve annual sales of nearly $15 billion, as its timber export to the EU has remained stable in recent years. In contrast to the market volatility of Vietnam's other exports (such as rice, coffee and rubber), the stability of the international timber market has emphasized the importance of this industry to Vietnam's economy as well as the importance of the European market and its spread. Protecting the reputation of this industry, hence, holds a vital position among the priorities of the Governmental development orientation.  

Objective: To facilitate and enhance the contribution of Vietnamese social organizations to equitable and sustainable development in Vietnam.

3. Purpose and scope of final assessment

This activity aims to assess the achievement of the project compared to the targets that have been set from its implementation to its end (from 1^st September, 2020 to 31^st August, 2024). The final assessment report focuses on reviewing successes and lessons learned, identifying appropriate intervention strategies as well as making recommendations for scaling up the project.

The evaluation of the project considers the following OECD/DAC evaluation criteria:

- Relevance: The alignment of the project strategy with the actual needs and priorities of target groups/beneficiaries. Is the project strategy appropriate and logical to achieve the goal? Does the project align with the needs and priorities of target groups? What is the quality of project design?

- Coherence: The compatibility of the intervention with other interventions in a country, sector, or institution. Does the project overlap with current efforts in this area? Is the project compatible with other partner projects and activities?

- Efficiency: The contribution of project results to the achievement of project objectives. To what extent are specific goals achievable/achievable? What are the main factors influencing achieving or not achieving goals?

- Effectiveness: Measures outputs – qualitative and quantitative – in relation to input resources. How are mediums/inputs and activities converted into outputs? Are the activities carried out as planned? Are they implemented and are the outputs cost-effective?

- Impact: Positive and negative changes made by the project, directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintended. The main impacts of the project on local social, economic, environmental and other development indicators. What is the project's ability to contribute to the overall goal?

- Sustainability: The ability to continue to receive benefits generated by the project after the external support period ends. Can project results, services, and benefits continue to be realized when the donor's funding is withdrawn?

4. Expected deliveries

5. Assessment approach and methodology

Evaluation may include literature research and/or surveys and/or interviews and/or focus group discussions:

- Literature research: should include a review of all products and documentation developed during the project, reports on events held, tools created or adapted, including online tools and other relevant reports on activities, surveys, etc. The consultant should collect all quantitative data from log frames and internal reports.

- Survey: Consultants may consider conducting survey(s) for project beneficiaries in Vietnam

• Interview with key informants/ Focus group discussions: Consultants can conduct interviews/group discussions with project implementing organizations as well as with representatives of target groups/ beneficiaries. Group interviews/discussions can be conducted online or in person.
• - Results of the assessment: Ask the consultant to prepare an assessment report in English and Vietnamese (about 30 pages/report), including (1) table of contents, (2) list of acronyms, (3) summary of content, (4) brief introduction, (5) objectives, (6) methodology, (7) findings, (8) lessons learned, (9) good practices, (10) recommendations, and (11) conclusions. Note that appendices (e.g., list of interviewees, interview instructions, calendar, consent forms, etc.) should also be included, but not within the page limits of the report.
• All raw data obtained during this process is legally owned by the contracting entity (EVFTA project).

6. Chương trình làm việc và tiêu chí

6.1 Chương trình làm việc dự kiến

6.2 Selection criteria

SRD will select consultants based on the following criteria:

- Clearness, compatibility, and practicableness of proposed methods 

- Experience in correspondence with the field of project evaluation;

- The financial proposal is within the project budget;

- Ability to coordinate the work of the consulting team with the project staff group and related organizations.

6.3 Intention of assessment

- Implementing organization, project team and partners

- Donor (EU)

- Part of the assessment report can be published to share lessons learned and good practices

7. Budget & Payment

The consultant must submit the total budget in the proposal accompanied by a detailed analysis that includes applicable state taxes. 30% of the consultant fee amount will be paid after the inception report is approved, 30% of the remaining consultant fee amount will be paid after submission of The draft assessment report  and 40% consultant fee amount will be paid after submission of all necessary deliverables as described in point 5 of this Terms of Reference.

The proposed budget for the consultation should include all relevant costs, such as professional fees, business trips, domestic travel, etc. The maximum total budget for this end-of-period assessment package is €15,000 including all costs and taxes.

8. Application deadline and composition 

The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) invites interested groups of consultants to submit applications including the following documents by 17.00, May 24, 2024 (UTC):

- Submit a cover letter, which presents personal understanding of the requirements in the work reference as well as the consultancy's ability to meet the set criteria (maximum 2 pages);

- In addition, the consultant needs to develop 02 documents, including (1) Financial proposal accompanied by experts' résumés and (2) Financial proposal for each expert;

The dossier will be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the title "EVFTA Project Proposal for Final Assessment".

Or by post to the Address: No. 31, Lane 19, Kim Dong Street, Giap Bat Ward; Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi with post stamp before 17:00 on May 24, 2024.

For any questions, please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The dossier is not sent back, when the proposal is not selected.