USAID Vietnam Strengthening Provincial Capacity
As part of a consortium with Chemonics and Portland State University, J.E. Austin Associates (JAA) is implementing the USAID-funded Vietnam Strengthening Provincial Capacity (SPC) activity. The goal of the SPC project is to increase the effectiveness of economic governance at the provincial level across Vietnam by strengthening the capacity of local service providers serving policy makers. The consortium is working with three Vietnamese institutions – the National Academy of Public Admin, the School of Government at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (SOG/UEH), and the Startup Vietnam Foundation (SVF) – to improve the responsiveness, quality, and sustainability of economic governance capacity improvement offerings available to provincial officials. In the initial phase of this project, JAA worked closely with three Vietnamese partner institutions to review and enhance their business models to support sustainability. This will enable the institutions to develop their ability to identify market needs and respond to these needs with appropriate products and services. JAA engaged in intensive coaching and training with both SVF and SOG/UEH that was focused on creating sustainable business models. JAA also introduced agile management processes to SOG/UEH, helping them to effectively employ their human resources across business model areas despite a small staff. By the end of the project in 2022, both local partners had created sustainable business models while experiencing substantial growth during the preceding three years despite the COVID-19 pandemic.