Consultancy Service for "Organic Certification for Coconut"

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Country:                 Vietnam
Organisation:         SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation
Project:                  Inclusive Business Accelerator (IBA)
Location:                Ben Tre and Tra Vinh provinces
Abstract:                Consultancy service on organic certification for a Vietnamese coconut manufacturer and exporter
Duration:                March - May 2018

I. Background

SNV (www.snvworld.org) is a not-for-profit international development organization. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 38 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organizations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

SNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995. Using market based approaches, SNV is committed to reducing poverty by catalysing environmentally sustainable solutions for the poor in agriculture, energy, water & sanitation, and REDD+.

In Vietnam, SNV manages the Inclusive Business Accelerator program (IBA, https://iba.ventures/). Inclusive business is a strategic, innovative, commercially- viable business initiative, which unlocks entrepreneurial opportunities for low-income markets to engage in the value chain. Inclusive business creates shared value for the businesses, low-income markets and the environment.

IBA is the first one-stop shop in Vietnam for various services needed by businesses which include low-income groups in their operations. We use innovative acceleration models to make the businesses investor-ready. Our scope of services, including Market Intelligence & Opportunity Identification, Business Design & Readiness, Investor – Investee Match making, Impact Measurements & Scalability.

SNV Vietnam is currently supporting a Vietnamese coconut manufacturer and exporter (IBA company) to develop a sustainable organic coconut production zone in Mekong Delta region, contributing to local socioeconomic development. In this regard, to improve compliance with the organic coconut production standards and other related requirements and thereby enhance the international competitiveness of the Vietnamese coconut exporter, it is intended to carry out internal and external audit for subsequent certification of the before-mentioned enterprise. SNV is looking for a service provider to provide consultancy service on organic certification for a Vietnamese coconut manufacturer and exporter.

II. Service description

1.  Work package 1: Internal Audit Consultancy

SNV is requiring the services of a consultancy company to support the company mentioned above with internal audit service to develop its organic products meeting international standards. Specifically, the company will undertake the following major tasks:

• Review farm records at production groups of 1,000 household farmers (organized in 9 production area) in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh provinces to ensure their compliance with organic standards and consult on corrective measures;
• Counsel the company staff with organic coconut production standards and other related requirements during the internal audit.

2. Work package 2: External Audit and Certification

SNV is requiring the services of an accredited organic certification company designated for Vietnam to conduct a third party audit and eventually certify the coconut production area of about 1,000 household farmers (organized in 9 production area) in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh provinces. Specifically, the company will undertake the following major tasks:

Undertaking the audit of the enterprise mentioned above in accordance with the regulations and requirements of:

• Organic farming in the European Union to enable IBA company’s access to the European market;
• The Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) to enable the IBA company’s access to the Japanese market; and
• The National Organic Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standard to enable the IBA company’s access to the North American market.

Further to the satisfactory audit, provide the necessary certification for the IBA company under consideration.

III. Expected outputs and deliverables

1. Work package 1:

• A detailed internal audit plan
• A detailed report highlighting current status of production conditions in the targeted area and recommendation to improve the current production practices to meet international organic standards

2. Work package 2:

• Audit and 3 eventual certifications upon satisfaction of compliance with the relevant standards

III. Qualifications, skills and experience required:

Required expertise and qualification for internal and external auditors

• University degree in the area of Agriculture or other related fields;
• At least 5 years of experience in organic agriculture inspection and audits;
• Thorough knowledge of international organic standards implementation;
• Demonstrated ability of analytical and report writing

Corporate competencies:

• Former experience in undertaking organic audit and certification services in Mekong Delta region;
• The company interested to provide the required service work package 2 must  be  a globally recognized certification body, with accreditation for undertaking audit and certification services, at least, in accordance with the above mentioned regulations and requirements of European, Japanese and North American markets.

IV. How to apply:

Qualified and interested service providers are hereby requested to apply. Applications should consist of the following:

• Updated  profile  of  company/organization  with CV(s)  of  the  proposed  expert(s)
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.
• Technical proposal and methodology on how the work package(s) will be done

Email to [email protected] by 17.00 hrs. 23rd March 2018 or by post to SNV Netherlands Development Organization with the title: Proposal for “organic certification for coconut”
Address: 3rd Floor, Building D, La Thanh Hotel,
218 Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh Ha Noi, Viet Nam;
Tel:              84-24 38463791 
Fax:             84-24 38463794