Consultant for Project Design Field Coordinator - Deloitte Consulting LLP

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultant for Project Design Field Coordinator

Deloitte Consulting LLP

1.  Background

SNV and Deloitte Consulting LLP (Deloitte) entered to the Teaming Agreement in April 2022; and a subcontract agreement in October 2022  in which SNV contracts Deloitte to carry out the Prize Design for the SNV Vietnam-led Project entitled “Transforming Rice Value Chain for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta”. Utilizing a results-based financing mechanism, private enterprises in the Rice Value Chain (RVC) will be targeted as key stakeholders for innovation, investment and leaders in scaling sustainable rice production and marketing domestically and internationally in the most rice intensive production provinces namely An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap in the Mekong River Delta (MRD). Further, the project will be designed to actively contribute towards the objectives of Resolution 120 i.e., climate-resilient and sustainable development in the MRD.

The project is planned for 5 years including the Project Design Phase between October 2022 and March 2023; followed by the Implementation Phase from 2023 to 2027.

The project aims to incentivise Rice Value Chain actors through a prize contest to bring in the innovations to further advance the rice farming technologies that reduce production costs (especially the currently high costs for chemical fertilizers and other resources including water), achieve better economic outcomes while reducing GHG emissions; and rice value chain linkages for enhanced efficiencies at scale in the three top rice producing provinces in the Mekong Delta, namely An Giang, Dong Thap and Kien Giang. Key objectives of the Project include:

1. To improve smallholder rice farmers’ livelihood
2. To improve rice value chain linkages for enhanced efficiencies and facilitate rice quality assurance, traceability and certification of good agriculture practices/low-carbon rice production
3. To reduce vulnerability to climate change via the smart combination of crop-based adaptation and mitigation measures at scale
4. To develop and pilot a carbon credit accreditation for:
   
   • Contribution to the NDC of Vietnam or
   • Distribution mechanism for the sale of CERs/VERs.
5. To lead the policy dialogues to support the development of an enabling framework for scaling low carbon technologies across large rice production areas of the Mekong Delta.

2.  Purpose

The PfR Prize Design and proposal of verification methodology are fundamental elements of the full project design. Where it is envisaged that SNV will be the ‘competition manager’, to ensure a fair competition and impartiality, it is critical that the prize metrics and the competition rules and structure are developed by an independent third party; and verified by another qualified and independent party. Therefore, Deloitte Consulting LLP (Deloitte) will provide services to develop the PFR Prize Design.

To achieve this task, Deloitte requires the expertise of a Vietnam-based Field Coordinator to assist in the development of the Prize Design, Verification Methodology, Project Participants, and an Implementation Strategy, all key components to developing the Project Design. Deloitte Consulting is seeking a qualified, capable and willing Consultant to provide impartial required expertise to support the development of these components.             

3.  Description of Services

Consultant shall provide the expert services to Deloitte. Consultant services will include but are not limited to:

• Interacting with the Deloitte engagement team (by phone, by email, and in person as necessary) to provide advice, contribute content, provide networking access/introductions or ask clarifying questions on the PfR Prize Design process.
• Identifying and engaging with key stakeholders (by phone, by email, and in person as necessary) in Vietnam including possible PfR Prize participants, smallholder farmers, and key agri-businesses that service Vietnamese farmers to help develop the PfR Prize Design. This may also include informal translation between English and Vietnamese during stakeholder meetings.
• Accompanying the Deloitte team in field travel, connecting the team to stakeholders, with a geographic focus on companies and entities operating in the MRD, and ideally in An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap provinces. Travel to be conducted only as needed and as directed by the Deloitte team.
• Providing expert advice and guidance on the policy and regulatory environment in the target region with specific focus on barriers and impacts on possible competitors, value chain infrastructure, government support, policies, and other donor-funded programs related to the Mekong Delta rice value chain.
• Reviewing and/ or providing inputs into PfR Prize Design deliverables as needed.
• Participating in review calls with SNV as needed.

Services will be performed in Consultant’s location in Vietnam.

4.  Expected Duration of Services

The expected start date of services is November 15, 2022. The PfR Prize Design is expected to be completed and approved by March 2023. The total Level of Effort is estimated at 30-60 days depending on candidate profile, experience, and expertise.

5.  Key Deliverables

• Advice, networking, content to support concept development
• Drafting, informing, and reviewing select sections of the PfR Prize Design

6.  Candidate Requirements

Candidates must fulfill the following requirements to be considered:

• Minimum five years’ experience working in Vietnam agricultural sectors, preferably rice.
• Understanding of rice value chain and its actors in Mekong Delta, including smallholder farmers.
• Degree in business, agriculture, environment or similar.
• Experience engaging with private sector actors; direct private sector work experience preferred.
• Strong communications skills in Vietnamese and English (written and oral).

7.  Fees and Expenses

All work performed will be paid for on a daily basis at a negotiated rate. Consultant should invoice fractions of daily rates when only partial days are worked using an 8-hour workday. Travel expenses will be approved beforehand and reimbursed after explicit approval for reimbursement by Deloitte in writing. 

8.  Application Procedure

Interested candidates may submit their CV no later than November 5, 2022 to Justin Kosoris, Deloitte Project Lead, [email protected].