RFP: Support to the ASEAN Technology Management Hub

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Support to the ASEAN Technology Management Hub for Strengthening Regional STI Ecosystems

Sector: Technology Management

Position Type (full/part time): Part Time

Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): Short Term

Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Primarily remote with required travel to Cambodia and/or Indonesia for onsite workshops and stakeholder engagement.

 

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

 
The Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development is an eight-year, CAD 11.6  million demand-driven program aligned with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) to support sustainable trade and investment-related policy reforms and economic development initiatives that promote women's empowerment and inclusive growth and have a high potential to reduce poverty in ODA-eligible developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. CTIF provides technical assistance based on the needs identified by potential beneficiaries and according to an assessment process jointly administered by the CTIF team and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Technical assistance is provided by independent suppliers that specialize in the specific services being requested by the beneficiary. Cowater International (www.cowater.com) and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (www.ipac.ca) jointly implement CTIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.    

 

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

 

The ASEAN Technology Management Hub (ASEAN TMH) project aims to build an online platform that connects researchers, businesses, startups, NGOs, and government agencies across ASEAN. The goal is to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and commercialization of research through smart matchmaking tools. The project involves developing the platform, creating gender and social inclusion guidelines with a focus on women in STEM, and designing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track results. The platform will be user-friendly, include training materials. It will help bridge innovation gaps, especially for smaller or less-developed ASEAN countries, ensuring equitable participation and access to new technologies.  

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

a) Develop the ASEAN TMH online platform The Consultant will lead the development of the ASEAN TMH web application in coordination with the ASEAN TMH Secretariat and the Technical Group (comprising IT specialists from each AMS). Key tasks include:

 

1) Developing the web application based on an existing mock-up;

2) Refining detailed use cases and functionalities for end-users and administrators;

3) Producing instructional videos and manuals for both end-users and administrators;

4) Organizing at least two onsite workshops to gather feedback and validate the user experience;

5) Transferring the source code to the ASEAN TMH Bodies and delivering training for ongoing operation and maintenance

 

Note: The technologies to be used for the development of the platform have been discussed and decided by consensus of all relevant ASEAN stakeholders to ensure that we have the relevant capabilities for ongoing maintenance and future development, as well as alignment with the standard practices of the two leading COSTI.

 

The main technologies that have been decided on are:

Frontend: Vue.js Backend: Node.js

Database: MariaDB

 

The IT expert will work on the development under the coordination of the ASEAN TMH Secretariat to communicate with the ASEAN TMH Technical Group, whose members are IT specialists from each AMS.

 

b) Develop accompanying gender and social inclusion (GESI) guidelines for the operation of the ASEAN TMH. The Consultant will prepare operational GESI guidelines that are contextualized within broader efforts to mainstream gender, with a particular focus on supporting women in STEM for economic empowerment. The guidelines will include a monitoring plan to track implementation and results.

 

c) Develop a detailed monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for the ASEAN TMH.

 

The Consultant will design a comprehensive framework for tracking the ASEAN TMH's performance postdeployment. Responsibilities include:

 

1) Defining the purpose and scope of M&E.

2) Developing indicators to measure progress against key outcomes.

3) Planning data collection methods, tools, analysis processes, and validation approaches.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

The Consultant best suited to delivering this CTIF mandate will offer a team of experts who together possess the following profiles, experience and/or capabilities through competitive bidding. Other team members or capabilities may also be proposed by the Consultant in addition to those provided below:

 · An international Team Leader with an average of 10 years of experience in international relations, economics, and business globally, including in ASEAN, with proven experience in leading teams of experts for the delivery of projects of a similar scale in a comparable context.

· A Project Coordinator based in the region with experience in managing or coordinating technical assistance activities involving multiple types of stakeholders across multiple ASEAN countries.

· The team must include an IT expert with demonstrated experience in developing secure, scalable web platforms using Vue.js (frontend), Node.js (backend), and MariaDB (database). Experience in user experience testing and regional-level systems is an asset. The IT expert must also be able to collaborate with the ASEAN TMH Technical Group and ensure alignment with the technology standards agreed upon by ASEAN stakeholders.

· Capability to develop clear and engaging reports and knowledge sharing tools, and products in English, such as PowerPoint decks, infographics.

· Corporate experience developing and conducting remote training interventions using a variety of effective and engaging tools and techniques, including but not limited to modern information and communications technologies.

· Corporate experience delivering TA through donor-funded projects in one or more ASEAN countries.

· Demonstrated expertise in gender and social inclusion frameworks, preferably in STI and economic empowerment contexts. Proven track record in designing M&E systems for international development projects, with an emphasis on technology and inclusive development. · Experience in providing technical assistance on environmental sustainability will be considered an asset

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by July 31^st, 2025 at 5:00 PM.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

 

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.