BACKGROUND
Inclusive growth ensures that economic development benefits all segments of society by breaking down barriers to participation and fostering equity, diversity, and sustainability. It emphasizes not only the pace of growth but also its quality—focusing on job creation, income improvement, and long-term equity. Key characteristics of inclusive growth include: (i) Equality of opportunity; (ii) Fair distribution of benefits; (iii) Active stakeholder participation; and (iv) Sustainable impacts.
Vietnam’s deep integration into the global economy, coupled with opportunities and challenges brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, has highlighted the need for inclusive approaches. Without deliberate action, these shifts risk exacerbating inequality. A change in mindset—both in policy formulation and implementation—together with stronger partnerships among stakeholders, is essential to ensure sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Within global supply chains, manufacturing enterprises play a pivotal role in driving economic and social development. Strengthening business–community partnerships offers a strategic pathway to building supply chains that are both sustainable and inclusive. This approach has gained increasing attention from governments, businesses, and civil society across emerging economies in Asia.
The Asia Foundation seeks a qualified team of two senior Technical Specialists – one Team Lead and one Senior Specialist – to propose the overall study approach and conduct an in-depth study on “Inclusive Growth Partnership: Corporate–Community Engagement in Supply Chains in Vietnam”.
SCOPE OF WORK
The overall objective of the Project is to study models that promote corporate–community engagement in supply chain development toward inclusive growth. The specific objectives are:
- Examine theoretical foundations of corporate–community partnerships.
- Investigate determinants of inclusive growth through case studies in industrial parks in Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, focusing on company–community relations.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping and develop a Power–Interest Matrix.
- Analyze organizational arrangements and strategies for community engagement, including challenges faced by companies in engaging with local communities.
- Review relevant central and local policies on corporate–community partnerships.
- Identify frameworks and strategies to support policymakers and businesses in connecting with stakeholders and addressing conflicting interests in sustainable business models.
- Propose a framework for corporate–community partnership to advance inclusive growth.
The research study will apply a combination of methods, including desk research, field surveys, and expert interviews, to generate evidence and practical recommendations for inclusive corporate–community engagement in supply chains. Expected outputs include:
- A detailed research outline.
- A survey plan, survey content, and survey results report.
- One comprehensive report on Inclusive Growth Partnership: Corporate–Community Engagement in Supply Chains in Vietnam.
- One executive summary (2 pages).
The duration of the task is March to May 2026. The final report must be submitted to TAF no later than 31 May 2026. The assignment will require 48 working days in total for the two senior Technical Specialists over the project period. This allocation covers desk research, field surveys, expert interviews, and reporting.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Given the scope of work mentioned above, a qualified team of Experts should be established with specific qualifications as follows:
Senior Technical Specialist – Team Lead
- Extensive knowledge of Vietnamese policies, particularly those related to business and economic development.
- Demonstrated experience in legal review and field studies on business sector issues.
- Strong analytical and research skills, evidenced by prior similar assignments.
- Minimum of 25 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 15 years in policy research.
Senior Technical Specialist
- In‑depth understanding of the Vietnamese business environment and related policy issues.
- Proven experience in legal review and field studies on business sector issues.
- Strong analytical and research skills, evidenced by prior similar assignments.
- Minimum of 20 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 15 years in policy research.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Interested consultant teams are requested to submit a 2 to 3-page expression of interest (EOI) in English together with CVs of team members. The EOI should clearly describe the candidates’ understanding of the tasks, outline your approach, organizational/personal profile, skills and experiences relevant to the tasks as well as proposed quotation/budget.
Note that during the selection process, The Asia Foundation may ask the short-listed candidates to submit their previous work as one of the considerations for making the final selection decision.
Please submit your application to the email address below:
The Asia Foundation – Inclusive Economic Development Program
Email: [email protected]
Title: Inclusive Growth Partnership: Corporate – Community Engagement in Asian Supply Chain
Closing time for applications is 5.00 PM (Hanoi time, GMT+7) on March 4, 2026. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.