Research Performance Expert | Hanoi, Vietnam | 2024

The USAID/Vietnam Partnership for Higher Education Reform is seeking a Vietnamese expert in university research performance for a short-term consulting engagement. This consultancy assignment will be conducted in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE) and aims to strategically align the research priorities of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) with current international funding trends consistent with Vietnamese scientific and economic development goals.

Over a period of up to 30 days, the Vietnamese consultant will analyze the research landscape, identify strengths and opportunities, and provide strategic recommendations to enhance VNU-HCM’s research portfolio.

Scope of Work for Consultant

Assignment Duration: Up to 30 days

Objective:

To support the American Council on Education (ACE) in analyzing and aligning the research priorities of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) with international trends and Vietnamese development priorities.

Key Tasks and Outputs

Task 1: Analyze and Report on Key Research Priorities and Investments of the Government of Vietnam

  • Activities:
    • Conduct a comprehensive review of government documents, policies, and strategic plans related to research and development.
    • Identify key research priorities and areas of investment by the Vietnamese government.
    • After project approval, engage with relevant government officials and stakeholders to gather insights and validate findings.
  • Outputs:
    • A summary report outlining the key research priorities and investments of the Vietnamese government and
    • A summary of interviews and consultations with government officials and stakeholders.

Task 2: Identify and Analyze Current and Potential Strengths in Research at VNU-HCM

  • Activities:
    • Review the Strategic Development Plan of VNU-HCM as background.
    • Map the current research landscape at VNU-HCM and its member universities using tools such as SciVal and Scopus, online/telephone interviews with key leaders and faculty members (lecturers/researchers) in VNU-HCM corporate and members and limited in-person interviews at VNU-HCM corporate and member universities as permitted by project approval status.
    • Analyze research output, impact, and strengths of VNU-HCM in relevant disciplines.
    • Identify potential areas for growth and development based on existing capabilities and resources and recent institutional investments and new researcher hiring.
  • Outputs:
    • A comprehensive analysis report of the current and potential research strengths at VNU-HCM including data visualizations and metrics highlighting key areas of research excellence and opportunities for growth.

Task 3: Identify opportunities to align VNU-HCM research focus with International Trends with Vietnamese Priorities

  • Activities:
    • Collaborate with ACE researchers to review and analyze global research trends.
    • Participate in online or in-person workshops and/or other analytical exercises to identify areas of alignment between VNU-HCM existing and potential strengths and international research funding trends.
    • Facilitate discussions and conduct analyses to explore opportunities for VNU-HCM to leverage these alignments for growth.
  • Outputs:
    • A summary report of the alignment exercises, including identified opportunities for VNU-HCM.
    • Recommendations for strategic research areas to explore further in subsequent deliverables that align with both international trends and Vietnamese priorities.

Task 4: Create Recommendations and Strategic Advice

  • Activities:
    • Develop strategic recommendations based on the analysis of research priorities, strengths, and alignment opportunities.
    • Provide advice on resource needs, capacity building requirements, and performance metrics.
    • Collaborate with ACE experts to finalize the strategic recommendations and ensure they are actionable, appropriate for the Vietnamese context, and aligned with VNU-HCM’s goals and resources.
  • Outputs:
    • A final report including:
      • Research environment analysis with global trend mapping to Vietnamese priorities and VNU-HCM capabilities.
  • Recommendations for strategic alignment of VNU-HCM’s research efforts with identified priority areas accompanied by an estimate of resource needs, capacity building, performance metrics, and monitoring approaches.

Final Deliverables

  • Presentation:
    • A presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations to be delivered to VNU-HCM leadership and stakeholders, including translation of international findings into Vietnamese, if required.
  • Summary Report:
    • Summary report of Key Findings in Vietnamese.

Collaboration and Communication

  • Regular Meetings: Participate in regular online meetings with PHER staff, ACE researchers and VNU-HCM stakeholders to provide updates and receive feedback.
  • Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of all activities, findings, and recommendations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated expertise analyzing university research performance issues in Vietnam with a commensurate history of publications related to the Vietnamese universities.
  • Extensive familiarity with the Vietnamese university system and Government of Vietnam research priorities, funding sources, and research management processes.
  • Advanced degree (Masters) in education. public policy, law, business, social or statistical sciences or other relevant field required, Ph.D. in any related field preferred.
  • Professional experience in university research management or administration strongly preferred.
  • Professional written and spoken fluency in Vietnamese and English.

Application Instructions

  • Only Vietnamese citizens are eligible for this position.
  • Interested candidates are invited to submit their Cover letter and CV to VietnamHEDSRecruitment@chemonics.com with the subject line: “Research Performance Expert – [Your name].”
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Chemonics prioritizes the protection of your personal data.
  • The deadline for applications is 6 December 2024

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.

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