BACKGROUND
About SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
Stichting SNV Nederlandse Ontwikkelings Organisatie, (hereinafter referred to as “SNV Netherlands Development Organisation” or “SNV”) is established as a Foundation (Stichting) in The Netherlands, and is a not-for-profit international development organisation, that applies practical know-how to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our expertise in agriculture, energy and water to local contexts.
SNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995 in partnership with government agencies, the private sector, and local authorities across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors. We’re particularly proud of the work we’ve done to support the country’s most remote and deprived areas to strengthen their capacity to reduce poverty. In agri-food, we work with government partners at the national and local levels to implement climate-smart agriculture projects that actively contribute to sustainable development and climate adaptation in vulnerable landscape areas. In energy, we work with public and private partners to ensure energy access and contribute to climate change mitigation by focusing on approaches to reduce GHG emissions. Currently, our work focuses on low carbon biodigesters for livestock, bioenergy for circular agriculture, and sustainable energy transition. In water, ending plastic pollution is integral to improving water and waste management systems. Water security, food security, and our personal and environmental health are all at risk from plastic trash.
Overview and Objectives of the assignment
SNV intends to enter into a Framework Agreement for Professional and Consultancy Services (the “Agreement”) with a qualified national vendor (the “Consultancy Firm”) in Viet Nam (the “Country”), for the provision of legal services, regulatory compliance services, to advise and support SNV Viet Nam on legal compliance under the Vietnam Law in the Country (the “Services”).
The Consultancy Firm shall support SNV Viet Nam on various topics in the Country as well as provide expertise on national regulations, preferably, through a solid in-country network.
The Agreement is a long-term agreement between SNV and a vendor. It sets out terms and conditions, including duration and prices, for the provision of specified services.
Orders for individual assignments under the Agreement shall be requested through a Task Order (TO) issued by SNV to the vendor.
Once the Agreement is signed, each individual assignment is agreed through a task order (the “TO”) as follows:
- SNV submits its request(s) to the Consultancy Firm (the “Request”);
- The Consultancy Firm provides a quote based on the time required for the completion of the assignment (in hours) and the hourly rate set in the Agreement, and/or possibly in package. The quote shall be accompanied by a breakdown of the personnel to be involved, their profile/experience specifications;
- Once the quote is agreed with SNV, SNV will issue a TO to confirm the order/request for deliverables;
- Each TO will define specific deliverable(s) (the “TO Deliverables”), a specific budget (“TO Budget”) and a specific deadline (“TO Deadline”).
(hereinafter referred to as the “TO Mechanism”)
The Agreement will not set (i) any obligation for SNV to engage the Consultancy Firm for a minimum amount of hours/ TO; (ii) any exclusive relationship between SNV and the Consultancy Firm in Country. SNV reserves the right to engage other consultants on legal matters in Country.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Activities and TO Deliverables
Location of the activities: Vietnam
SNV Target groups of the activities: Activities can include different sectors/units in SNV, including, but not limited to the office in Country, Country Management Team, the Global Risk and Compliance Team, the Global Finance Team; Global Business Development Team; Executive Team members.
Operating languages: English
Activities: Please note that the Legal Compliance Activities set below are intentionally broad and generic and reflect the kind of topics that may be required by the vendor.
- Provide ad hoc written legal advice and practical guidance on legal matters in the Country jurisdiction system;
- Provide written ad hoclegal advice and practical guidance on Country Law ad hocrequests;
- Provide written review of relevant documentation under Country Legislation (e.g. contracts; agreements; tender bid; etc.,)
- Critically assess SNV’s Legal risk exposure in the Country;
- Conduct legal analysis and provide written advice on legal matters (with reference to legal sources/ jurisprudence, etc);
- Health Check on the Corporate Governance Structure of SNV in Country;
- Provide advice on compliance to Law and Regulation in Country of SNV;
- Review and/or drafting works which shall cover our labour contracts with employees/staffs, contracts with third parties as well as other documents relevant to or pertaining to our operation in Vietnam; and
- Litigation works and/or other contentious matters which may arise out of our Vietnam-based-operation.
(together referred to as “Legal Services”)
Representation
- Represent SNV in Country on all litigation matters that require appearance in courts of law, Boards, commissions, or other administrative or governmental agencies when required.
(together referred to as “Representation Services”).
Legal Services, and Representation Services altogether are referred to as “Activities“.
Evaluation criteria
Passed / Failed
- SNV Due diligence process completed, click LINK
Technical
- Depth of knowledge in legal matters in the Country jurisdiction in alignment with SNV.
- Examples of scopes of work for at least three different kinds of likely assignment (e.g. 1) Review HR Manual 2) Review labour contract or 3) Provide advice on dispute with a contractor and relevant laws applicable to the assignment/ topic.
- Other relevant references with evidence of successful service delivery.
Past and current experience and network
The Consultancy Firm shall be a highly reputable entity, with previous and current experience of working in the international development sector, and with Non-Governmental Organisations and shall have a strong and solid network in the Country. Evidence of output delivered for past and current customers, and the presence of a strong and solid network should be provided where possible.
- Team structure /Capacity/Skill: Company profile and/or example CVs of consultants who would be assigned to each assignment
- Presentation or proposal evaluation: Clarity, depth, and relevance of presentation content on legal and other related matters.
- Methodology:Understanding of assignment, methodology, timeline, and approach to deliverables.
- Workplan: Detailed plan aligned with the expected timeline and outputs.
- Compliance and Risk Management:Systems in place for ensuring compliance with tax laws and minimizing risk.
Financial
- Fee: Competitiveness and transparency of the proposed fees and billing structure.
- Payment Terms (in view of the internal payment process outlined below)
- The Consulting Firm and SNV could agree in the Agreement on hourly fee rates for specific TO after which payment will occur once SNV will confirm that the relevant deliverable(s) has/have been fulfilled/completed as outlined in the respective TOs.
- Payments shall be made within [15] working days upon receipt of a valid invoice.
- Payments shall be made via bank transfer to the Consultancy firm’s nominated account.
Selection criteria
The consulting firm must provide proof of:
- Excellent expertise in issues related to the nature and legal regime of international organizations and non-governmental organizations in general;
- A perfect mastery of Civil law, Labor Law, Business Law, Tax law;
- Admission to the Bar, or equivalent in Country;
- A minimum of five (5) years’ professional experience in assisting and advocating for international organizations.
- Strong Working Relationships with Authorities: Established network and professional rapport with relevant departments at both local and central levels, supporting effective coordination, submission, and follow-up of documentation and procedures (if needed).
Duration
SNV intends to enter into an Agreement for a duration of 03 (three) years subject to annual reviews by SNV, and renewable.
Reporting line
The Consultancy Firm will report to the SNV Country Director in Viet Nam, and/or authorized persons who will be indicated from time to time by SNV.
Payment terms
- The Consultancy Firm and SNV could agree in the Agreement on the defined fee rates for specific TO after which payment will occur once SNV will confirm that the relevant deliverable(s) has/have been fulfilled/completed as outlined in the respective TOs.
Submission procedure
Interested consultancy firms should submit the following documents in English to the site, click https://smrtr.io/sNDM3 no later than 23:55 PM on 14th August 2025.
- A letter of Interest signed by the Representative of the firm or law firm, showing his/ her name, position, address and fees;
- Certificate of registration or extract from the Chamber of Commerce (or national equivalent)
- Value-added tax (VAT) registration certificate;
- Tax compliance certificate from the National Revenue Authority
- A certificate equivalent to social security clearance (social security contributions);
- A certificate from the Bar Association certifying that the Lawyer concerned has not been subject to any disciplinary sanction or procedure during the last five (5) years (years);
- A profile of the firm with the list of human resources it intends to use to carry out its mission (list of key personnel including CV with their respective functions, curriculum, seniority and type of contract binding each member of the staff of the firm or law firm);
- The professional references of the law firm or firm, its areas of expertise, in particular in the defence and/or representation of international or sub-regional organizations.
- Complete and sign the forms necessary for the mandatory Due Diligence documents, click LINK.
- Proposed fee for the service, tax inclusive.
All questions regarding this call should be sent to [email protected]
Selection process
SNV will review all EOIs received in accordance with the guidelines and criteria in this solicitation. SNV reserves the right to exclude any EOIs that do not meet the guidelines. Please note that SNV is unable to provide detailed feedback to those EOIs that are not selected.
Step 1: SNV will shortlist selected EOIs. Successful applicants will be contacted by SNV for Framework Agreement for Professional and Consultancy Services or informed to keep on our consultant roster for two years.
Step 2: SNV will release Task Orders for the specific activities with the selected consultants based on the Framework Agreements signed accordingly.
Data protection
The review and scoring are closed processes and are not open to the public. The data received shall be validated by SNV through remote and/or physical checks and processed following SNV’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) framework (which complies with the European Union’s GDPR 2018), the electronic data you provide will be kept secure and will only be processed by SNV for procurement and project execution purposes. The data will be kept for 7 years, after which they will be destroyed by SNV. By submitting your proposal and participating in the SNV process, you agree with this data use, storage, and processing of the data provided.
Issuance of this EOI does not constitute a commitment, award, or engagement on the part of SNV nor does it commit SNV to any future commitment or engagement.
Note: SNV reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement in the EOI/or solicitation process at any time.