State Government of Victoria (Australia) - International Education Opportunities in Vietnam - 2016

Project Description:

The South East Asia Victorian Government Business Office (SEA VGBO) seeked to commission a project to scope international education barriers and opportunities in Vietnam for Victoria State’s universities and education service providers. Vietnam was identified as a priority market for the Victorian international education sector. Vietnam was Victoria’s third largest source market for international students and Victorian education providers were keen to build on these links to secure offshore partnerships and projects with the Vietnamese government, education institutions and industry.

Because of Victoria’s early involvement in education in Vietnam, the State was well placed to build on initiatives such as the Vietnamese Government’s proposed investment in VET reform. To appropriately and effectively meet demand for education services in Vietnam, a renewed and targeted effort in-market was required. In particular, there was a need to better understand the policy and regulatory environment, barriers to market access, the scope of business and partnership opportunities, and options for a future in-market Victorian Government presence.

World Concern - Nutrition Causal Analysis - Improved economic and nutritional outcome of poor rural people in Norther Kayin State - 2016

Project Description:

A Nutrition Causal Analysis (NCA) was one of the activities planned during the inception phase of CDN’s LIFT-funded rural livelihoods project. The NCA included a quantitative and qualitative methodology. The quantitative data for the NCA was collected from household interviews (400 households).

MKE reviewed and finalized the quantitative questionnaire and FGD questionnaire, and uploaded it into Kobo Toolbox, translated the qualitative and quantitative questionnaire into Burmese, and contributed in the design of a high quality study (qualitative and quantitative) in coordination with World Concern Myanmar. Further, MKE conducted the pilot testing and finalized the qualitative and quantitative questionnaire; then cleaned the quantitative and qualitative data and produced high quality data available for analysis. The final stage of the project involved the writing of a report based off of the findings from both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This report included a list of recommendations for the implementation of the project.

CDN - Baseline Study: Improving the incomes and nutrition outcomes of rural poor in Northern Kayin State - 2016

Project Description:

This project was focused on Thandaunggyi Township, the northernmost township in Kayin State. It covered three sub-townships (Leiktho, Thandaunggyi and Bawgali). The baseline study focused on baseline data collected for a set of indicators outlined in the project’s M&E plan. The baseline study report was used as a measurement to monitor the project progress against the set indicators and achievement over the course of the project implementation.

MKE led the overall design of approach and survey questions for the baseline study and trained enumerators in conducting a baseline survey. MKE cleaned and analyzed the collected data and information obtained from the baseline survey. Finally, MKE delivered a final baseline survey report with statistical testing of the Theory of Change causal pathways and a set of 36 recommendations.

UNDP - Assessment, Identification and Monitoring of Small-scale Water Infrastructure Needs for Drinking & Irrigation Water in the DryZone of Myanmar - 2016

Project Description:

The project aimed to reduce the increasing impacts of climate change on agricultural and livestock production cycles in the dry zone of Myanmar, particularly the impacts of increasing temperature and evaporation, declining water availability, and intensifying weather events especially flash floods and cyclones.

MKE took responsibility for writing the work plan, organizing township level coordination meetings, including preparing all necessary invitations, administration, logistics, and setting the agenda. MKE also managed and led the coordination meetings to varying degrees, based on results of Township level coordination meetings, realized field verification and consultation with the communities by village meetings and a rapid need assessment (RNA).

Further, MKE assisted in the preparation, translation and capitalization of the results to inform the choice of target villages, organized village level consultation meetings, and Water User Groups (WUG). 

Carbon Trust - Scoping study for a low carbon energy security programme in Southeast Asia - 2016

Project Description:

This Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funded project aimed at promoting low carbon economies by working with governments and organisations in the UK and internationally to reduce carbon emissions. It also aimed to promote the efficient and cost effective management of energy, water and resources, and enable the development of commercial low carbon technologies.

MKE carried out research activities and worked closely with stakeholders to collect and input data as identified in the Excel template sheet provided by the Carbon Trust. MKE carried out initial qualitative research covered by the main policies relevant to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and liquefied natural gas. MKE also conducted a stakeholder mapping exercise according to an influence-interest matrix. MKE’s team facilitated discussions with local stakeholders, including government representatives, parliamentarians and multilateral and bilateral donors and NGOs.

CEPA - Country Agribusiness Sector Diagnostics (the "Transaction") - 2016

Project Description:

Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP-PSW) provided long and short term loans, credit guarantees, equity and advisory services with the aim of improving agricultural development and food security in targeted developing countries.  It targeted agribusiness investments across the value-chain that were commercially viable but had temporarily higher costs/ risks that would otherwise prevent them from attracting/ affording finance on more commercial terms.

MKE supported CEPA to arrange meetings with targeted stakeholders from the agribusiness sector in Myanmar, to attend the meetings and to provide translation during the meetings where necessary over the period 15th February 2016 – 26th February 2016. MKE carried out work in advance of the country visit to arrange the meetings and develop an itinerary. MKE provided advice on the required meetings, and gave limited support during the country visit and during follow up activities.

BTC - Facility To Capacity Building Project (Vie 1188811) - 2016

Project Description:

The Facility to Capacity Building (FCB) aimed to improve the quality of human resources of Vietnam through strengthening the innovation and management skill capacities of both individuals and institutions by taking into account a broader setting including master degree trainings, traineeships, alumni fellowships, net-working, coaching, and professional development activities. The Consultant's mandates is to

(i) Identifying, attracting, and facilitating participation of beneficiary organisations

(ii) Evaluating beneficiary and training supplier proposal

(iii) Provide target groups with tools, instruments, expertise and support for effective training

(iv) Provide quality control and support for delivery of trainings

(v) Support the formation and implementation of a specified monitoring and evaluation system. 

Care Myanmar - Baseline Assessment for Comprehensive rural households food security programme - 2016

Project Description:

The project was aimed to assist approximately 21,000 persons living in over 3,900 households across 32 target villages in Rathedaung township to develop sustainable livelihoods; meaning that they would become food secure and have higher incomes, be more resilient to economic shocks and natural disaster, and be better able to manage intra-communal tensions that presently hold back community development.

MKE conducted quantitative household survey and qualitative focus group discussions to produce below outcomes

1. Increased sources and level of income of target households;

2. Increased capacity of target communities to manage forests, water resources and preparation for/response to disasters;

3. Improved conditions for sustained livelihoods through increased social cohesion between and within communities.

Friedrich Naumann Foundation - Workshop for Drafting of Chin State’s SME Development Roadmap - 2016

Project Description:

“Workshop for Drafting of Chin State’s SME Development Roadmap” was organized by FNF (Friedrich Naumann Foundation) together with the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Municipal, Electrical and Industrial of Chin State and CAD (Community Agency for Rural Development) in Hakha, capital city of Chin State (poorest State in Myanmar). The purpose of the workshop was to create a roadmap with an action plan for the development of SMEs in Chin State.

MKE provided trainings focused on  SME development policy and law, consultation on SME rules and regulation awareness raising, competition law awareness raising, entrepreneurship, intellectual property rights, SME strengthening; strengthening the capacity and knowledge of project cycle management, project proposal writing, leadership, and moderating and organization development.

BTC - Baseline Survey and Socio Economic Study for the Project “Integrated water management & urban development for climate change in Ninh Thuan province” - 2016

Project Description:

To collect Baseline data and to conduct the Socio-Economic Survey in 11 communes/wards of 05 districts and cities around Dinh River. It provided quantitative and qualitative information on socio-economic status of households within the projected region; information on knowledge, skill, attitude and concern of residents towards climate change, environment and how to respond with natural disaster.

The survey also assessed capability of the local authorities in managing water resources, forecasting and responding to floods and storms and conducting urban planning in connection with climate change and identifies their demands in order to improve their capability for the project’s priorities.