Helvetas is an independent development organization based in Switzerland, with affiliated organizations in Germany and the United States. Since 1994, Helvetas has been active in Vietnam, working across various sectors, including Agriculture, Biodiversity Conservation, Forestry, Eco-tourism, and Rural Economic Development.
Under the SWITCH-Asia program of the European Union, Helvetas is implementing the project “Circular Economy Cocoa: From Bean to Bar.” The project aims to develop circular economy solutions in cocoa and other agri-food sectors, leading to equitable economic growth decoupled from harmful environmental impacts. The project is being implemented over four years (2022-2026) in 6-7 key cacao-growing provinces in the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta regions of Vietnam.
Nhất Tâm Cooperative, a project partner located in Ea Kar district, Dak Lak province, is playing a crucial role in developing the local cacao industry. With its strengths in production, processing, and distribution of cacao products, the cooperative has leveraged the region’s advantages to build a sustainable cacao value chain, increasing incomes for members and contributing to the socioeconomic development of the locality.
Beyond its core offerings of cacao beans and chocolate, Nhất Tâm has successfully expanded into the production of value-added products, notably cacao-based alcoholic beverages and drinks. With an annual production exceeding 20,000 liters, this sector presents significant growth potential.
To further enhance the cooperative’s capacity and maximize the utilization of cacao resources, Helvetas Vietnam is seeking a qualified independent consultant to assist Cooperative in: a) optimizing production processes for its cacao-based beverage line, b) elevating product quality and diversifying the product range, and c) expanding market access and enhancing the cooperative’s market competitiveness.
The collaboration between Helvetas Vietnam and Nhất Tâm Cooperative aims to enhance Nhất Tâm’s position within the cacao industry while fostering sustainable development within the local community.
For more details, please refer to the attached Terms of Reference (TOR).
Applications should include:
- Technical Proposal: Team composition with CVs highlighting relevant experience and roles of each member; proposed approach and methodology, detailed work plan, and quality assurance procedures.
- Financial Proposal: Detailed costs including number of working days, consulting rates for each team member, budget justification, field travel expenses, and any additional costs. The EU Cost Norms (2022) are suggested to be applied.
Interested candidates should send their Profiles, Technical and Financial Proposal to Helvetas Vietnam at [email protected] and [email protected] by January 31st, 2025.