GREAT, a 10-year flagship initiative of Australian Government, managed by Cowater International since 2016, focuses on women’s economic empowerment in Vietnam’s ethnically diverse north-west region. Utilising a market systems development approach, it primarily benefits women in Son La and Lao Cai provinces, particularly targeting ethnic minority communities, which are home to twelve and twenty-six ethnic groups respectively.

The objectives of the GREAT Program are:

• Objective 1: Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces have improved economic benefits.
• Objective 2: Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces, have increased confidence and social status, including more balanced workloads and greater decision making within the home, workplace, and community.
• Objective 3: Women, particularly ethnic minority women and household members living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces benefit from more gender responsive, inclusive, and effective provincial and national policies, plans, strategies, and programs.

The GREAT program – in the form of 25 Partnership Agreements (projects) – has partnered with 23 partners including lead partners and technical assistance partners from private sector, governmental agencies, research agencies, training institutions, local and international NGOs and multilateral organizations to deliver results.

Cowater is the managing contractor of the GREAT Program and is seeking to recruit a highly qualified audit firm to conduct external audit services. The audit firm shall conduct the audit in compliance with ISA800 and the agreed-upon procedures (AUP) engagement under ISRS4400 (revised).

Eligibility criteria

• Legally established company governed by private law in the field of auditing.
• Registered to operate in Vietnam.
• At least five (05) years of experience in auditing development projects.
• Annual turnover of at least 500,000 AUD
• A minimum of three audit contracts implemented during the last five years with contract value of over 150,000 AUD each
• Minimum personnel requirement: 01 Audit Partner, 01 Audit Manager, 02 Senior Auditors and 04 Auditors

Contract information

• Maximum budget for the audit service is 400,000AUD for 3 years
• Sub-contracting is not accepted
• The first contract shall be signed for the audit from the beginning of the project until 30 June 2025 and be extended subject to and conditional upon satisfactory completion of the first audit

Application information

This Expression of Interest is limited to audit firms that are registered in Vietnam. GREAT program is not liable for any costs incurred by individuals/firms in relation to their application.

For more information, please refer to the attached detailed TOR and application form.

Interested firms are encouraged to apply by sending EOIs in English to recruitment@aus4equalityvn.org no later than 5pm Hanoi Time (GMT+7) Monday 29th September 2025. Please indicate in the subject “GREAT External Audit Service”. We thank all applicants, however, only shortlisted firms will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.