1. Background

The University of Sydney Vietnam Institute (SVI) is a multidisciplinary research institute of the University of Sydney, based in Vietnam. SVI brings together people, ideas and expertise to advance research and strengthen collaboration between Vietnam, Australia and the wider region. SVI co-designs and delivers high-quality research, builds strategic partnerships across sectors and disciplines, and supports the next generation of research leaders and institutions. As a registered Vietnamese social enterprise, SVI reinvests 51% of its annual profits in Vietnam to advance social development.

Social sciences research in Vietnam spans universities, research institutes, public agencies, non-governmental organisations, community organisations and interdisciplinary programmes. Bringing together perspectives across these settings can help build a shared understanding of current research activity, emerging interests, institutional capabilities, and opportunities for collaboration.

This assignment will establish an evidence-informed overview of Vietnam’s social sciences research landscape, including current areas of research activity, emerging societal and policy-related research needs, institutional capabilities, and gaps between existing research activity and areas requiring further investigation. The findings will provide a basis for informed dialogue for future collaboration.

2. Purpose and objectives

SVI seeks a qualified consultant or consultancy team to undertake two complementary activities:

·       A systematic desk review and mapping of the social sciences research landscape in Vietnam.

·       The design, organisation and facilitation of one bilingual, hybrid stakeholder consultation workshop to validate and enrich the review findings.

The assignment will:

·       Map the main disciplines, research themes, institutions and networks shaping social sciences research in Vietnam.

·       Identify established and emerging areas of research activity, alongside societal and policy-related issues that may require further social sciences research.

·       Map relevant research institutions, networks and other stakeholders, including their areas of expertise, capabilities and potential for collaboration.

·       Examine the broader research support ecosystem, including relevant programmes, institutional support mechanisms and research priorities.

·       Use stakeholder consultation to validate the desk review findings, explore differing perspectives and identify issues requiring further investigation.

·       Produce evidence-informed synthesis of the landscape, key findings, limitations, and opportunities for future research and collaboration.

For this assignment, social sciences shall be interpreted broadly to include established and interdisciplinary fields concerned with society, human behaviour, institutions, policy and social development. The consultant shall propose a transparent disciplinary classification framework for SVI’s approval during inception.

3. Target participants and engagement approach

The workshop will primarily engage Vietnam-based social sciences researchers, academics and representatives of universities, research institutes, research networks and other organisations active in social sciences research. Where relevant, participants may also include public agencies, civil society organisations, professional associations, development partners and other stakeholders with perspectives on societal research needs, research translation, institutional capacity and collaboration opportunities.

The consultant team will facilitate inclusive participation and document stakeholder perspectives, including differences of opinion and gaps in representation.

4. Key areas of inquiry and guiding questions

The following areas of inquiry will guide the systematic desk review and stakeholder consultation workshop.

4.1 Landscape of Social Sciences Research in Vietnam

·       How is the social sciences research landscape in Vietnam characterised across key disciplines, thematic areas, institutions and research networks?

·       What are the prominent and emerging areas of research activity, and what are the key strengths and challenges shaping the landscape?

4.2 Emerging Research Priorities and Evidence Gaps

·       What pressing and emerging societal issues warrant further social sciences research in Vietnam?

·       What key research gaps and under-explored areas emerge from the relationship between current research activity and evolving societal needs?

4.3 Research Support Ecosystem and Priorities

·       What are the key research priorities, support mechanisms and institutional arrangements shaping the social sciences research landscape in Vietnam?

·       Where are there opportunities to strengthen alignment between research priorities, societal needs, and available research support?

4.4 Institutional Capabilities and Opportunities for Collaboration

·       What are the key institutional capabilities, research networks and partnership opportunities within Vietnam’s social sciences research ecosystem?

·       What broader opportunities emerge for strengthening research capacity, interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration across institutions and sectors?

5. Scope of work

5.1 Desk Review

·       Establish a systematic and transparent review methodology, including the scope with detailed research questions, evidence sources, selection criteria and approach to evidence appraisal and synthesis. The review shall cover both published and grey literature.

·       Conduct a systematic desk review of the current social sciences research landscape in Vietnam, addressing the four areas of inquiry and guiding questions outlined in Section 4.

5.2 Consultancy Workshop

Design and facilitate one bilingual, hybrid stakeholder consultation workshop to validate and enrich the desk review findings. The workshop shall provide a structured opportunity for participants to discuss current research activity, emerging societal and policy-related research needs, institutional capabilities, research gaps, and opportunities for collaboration.

The consultant shall use appropriate facilitation methods to encourage balanced participation across stakeholder groups and disciplines, capture differing perspectives, and identify areas requiring further investigation. The workshop shall complement, rather than replace, the desk review. Workshop final report shall be documented separately from documentary evidence and integrated into the final synthesis where appropriate.

6. Deliverables and indicative milestones

The consultancy shall submit a detailed implementation schedule as part of its technical proposal, demonstrating its capacity to meet the following milestones:

7. Data Management and Confidentiality

The consultancy shall manage participant information, contact details, attendance records, workshop notes and any recordings or photographs in accordance with applicable data protection requirements and SVI's instructions. Personal information shall be collected and used only for agreed purposes, with appropriate participant notices and consent where required. The consultancy shall securely transfer agreed project records and outputs to SVI and ensure that any disclosure or reuse of confidential information is subject to prior written authorisation from SVI.

8. Workshop and output specifications

The consultancy and SVI shall establish a clear coordination and approval process at inception, including designated focal points, approval responsibilities, regular progress meetings and a decision log. Weekly progress meetings shall be held during the pre-workshop period, with more frequent coordination where necessary. Time-sensitive approvals and escalation procedures shall be agreed during inception to support delivery of the workshop by 15 December 2026.

9. Reporting, coordination and review

SVI shall nominate an authorised focal point to coordinate internal reviews and approvals and communicate consolidated decisions to the consultancy within the agreed review periods.

·       The consultancy will report to an SVI-nominated project manager and coordinate with a designated review group.

·       SVI will provide consolidated comments within an agreed review period, indicatively five working days.

·       Key workshop materials and participant invitations require SVI approval before use or distribution.

·       The consultancy must promptly flag risks to scope, stakeholder participation, quality, cost or schedule.

·       Final acceptance will be provided by SVI’s authorised delegate.

10. Responsibilities of SVI

·       Provide relevant background materials and existing stakeholder lists, where available and permitted, as reference inputs to support the consultancy’s independent research and stakeholder mapping.

·       Nominate a project focal point and provide timely approvals for the workplan, participant categories and invitation list, agenda, materials, venue/budget commitments and deliverables.

·       Facilitate introductions to selected stakeholders where appropriate; the consultancy remains responsible for outreach, RSVP management and participant coordination.

·       Review and approve proposed third-party costs and material changes to the agreed logistics plan; the consultancy remains responsible for planning, procurement coordination and delivery of workshop logistics.

·       Provide consolidated feedback and approvals in a timely manner.

11. Required qualifications and experience

The consultancy firm or team should demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:

·       Social Sciences Research and Analysis: Demonstrated experience in social sciences research, systematic desk reviews, research landscape assessments, stakeholder mapping, and evidence synthesis and reporting, preferably within Vietnam.

·       Workshop Design, Facilitation and Management: Proven experience in designing, organising and facilitating stakeholder consultation workshops or similar events, including hybrid delivery, participant engagement, venue arrangements and end-to-end logistics.

·       Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: Established experience working with universities, research institutes, government agencies, civil society organisations and research networks in Vietnam, including stakeholder outreach and coordination.

·       Project Management and Communication: Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary assignments, coordinate workstreams, meet deadlines and budgets, and produce high-quality reports and workshop materials in English, with the capacity to support bilingual (Vietnamese - English) facilitation.

The consultancy shall demonstrate access to a multidisciplinary team with clearly defined responsibilities covering project management, social sciences research, stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, event logistics and documentation. Team members may undertake multiple roles where appropriate, provided that sufficient capacity and relevant expertise are demonstrated. The proposed team must be available to commence work promptly upon contract award.

12. Application requirements

·       A brief statement of suitability and understanding of the assignment.

·       A technical proposal setting out methodology, preliminary stakeholder engagement approach, workshop design, team roles, workplan and quality assurance.

·       Company profile and CVs of key personnel, including examples of at least two comparable assignments.

·       An itemised, all-inclusive financial proposal covering professional fees and the full workshop delivery package (venue, catering, equipment, registration, outreach, printing/materials, travel and interpretation if required), with assumptions, taxes, third-party costs and exclusions clearly identified.

·       Contact details for two referees from comparable assignments.

·       Confirmation of availability and disclosure of any proposed subcontractors, subject to SVI approval.

13. Submission details

* SVI reserves the right not to proceed with an appointment, to seek clarification from applicants, or to negotiate the scope and financial proposal before contract award.