Consultancy Service for Overview Study of CSR Mapping in Seafood Supply Chain in Vietnam

1. BACKGROUND

In Vietnam, seafood is one of the fifth highest export turnover industry with 5 million people engaged including small scale producers, fishers, trading and processing labors of which women represent half of the total working population. However, over the past two decades, the booming growth of the seafood industry has been alarming much challenges and negative impacts to the environmental and social aspects including various gender problems. Women participate in all segments of the seafood industry, including fishing, farming, trading and selling, monitoring and administration, but the recognition is very limited that disadvantage to them and ultimately bar them from participating fully and equitably in the industry. Women are essential contributors to this important food supplying industry and therefore critical agents for change. With an increase of sustainability concern and pressure of the consumers and from seafood importing countries, Vietnam seafood industry has put a lot of efforts to response to the global community requirements on sustainable and responsible production recently. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the emerging required standards by responsible consumers to ensure the integration of social and environmental concerns in companies’ business operation policy, practice and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR practice is an important element to increase the  competitiveness of the companies and of Vietnam seafood industry as well. CSR practice not only brings benefits and sustainable development for Vietnam seafood industry but also deals with the relations between economic growth and environment protection, ensuring the fair sharing of natural resources between current and future generations

OXFAM in Vietnam have been cooperating with partners to implement projects to promote CSR practices in Agribusiness in Vietnam. Three CSR promotion projects in seafood industry has been implemented since early 2015.

1. “GRAISEA (Gender Transformative and Responsible Agribusiness in South East Asia)” funded by Sweden government
2. “Enhancing Vietnamese agribusiness’s competiveness through promoting the CSR practices and implementation” implemented by VBCSD (VCCI)
3. “Promotion and integration of CSR practices in Vietnam wild capture fishery” implemented by ICAFIS (VINAFIS)

Under three above projects, Oxfam and its partners have conducted three separated studies on CSR regulatory framework and practices in 3 sectors: in capture fishery by ICAFIS, in aquatic feed by SCAP and in aquacullture by VBCSD/VCCI. These studies have been completed which provide overview of CSR practices in 3 sectors. However, there are many commons in CSR regulatory frameworks and practices as well as opportunites and challenges of three sectors. In order to have an overview picture on CSR practices of Vietnam seafood supply chain with the purpose of i) providing inputs for policies development and advocacy to policy makers; ii) providing guidelines and best practices to the companies; iii)  improving and promoting the sustainable and responsible seafood supply chain, Oxfam in Vietnam open a call for an overview study of CSR mapping in seafood supply chain in Vietnam with reference to 3 available studies and other related documents.

2. OBJECTIVES

General objectives

• To provide overview picture on CSR regulatory framework and practices in seafood supply chain through reviewing three studies on CSR mapping in capture fishery, aquatic feeds, aquaculture and other related documents to policy makers and related stakeholders for policy development, improvements on practices and promotion of sustainable and responsible seafood supply chain.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultants would be expected to carry out the following works:

• Review the 3 studies provided by Oxfam and its partners and other related documents to get updated information on Vietnam seafood supply chai
• Find out any missing or backdated information, data in 3 studies (if any).
• Make an draft overview report on CSR mapping in seafood supply chain
• Review the comparions of CSR standards/protocols developed by ICAFIS/VCCI
• Review the guidelines on CSR practices developed by ICAFIS/VCCI
• Organise a consultation workshop on the combined report
• Finalise the overview report

4. DELIVERABLES

The following are the expected deliverables:

Draft report of reviewing 3 studies on CSR mapping with list of any missing/gaps
Draft overview report of CSR mapping in seafood supply chain
A consultation workshop to get inputs from experts
Final report both in soft and hard copy (both English and Vietnamese)

5. TIMELINE

The time frame for the consultancy services will be expected from Mar. 15 to Apr.10, 2016.
Draft overview report by Mar 25, 2016.
Consultation workshop by Mar. 31, 2016
Final report by Apr. 10, 2016

6. REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS.

The consultant(s) must have:

• Qualifications in one of following majors: social sciences, food industry, fisheries/aquaculture, environment, or related with strong background of CSR.
• At least 07 year experience in related field (survey, research, data analyze…)
• Skills and experiences in assessment methodology, familiar with fishing industry in Vietnam and understanding the local languages;
• Presentation, facilitation, documentation skills.
• Good communication skill and working with private sector;
• Excellent English writing skills.

7. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

The Proposal should be submitted in English by email before  5 PM on 14 Mar. 2016 to:

OXFAM in VIETNAM

Contact person: Do Thuy Ha, Private Sector Projects Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 84-903262000

The Proposal should be specified in terms of:

• Introduction of the Consultants’ profile and related experience
• Technical methodology to achieve the servicesobjectives within expected timeframe.
• Study personnel including team structure and allocation (with CVs)
• Breakdown financial proposal

Note: Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted