Short-term Consultant for Assessment on Potential Standards & Certification for SRI Rice Sustainable Production

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

SNV is engaged in the agriculture sector implementing Value Chain, Inclusive Business and Climate Change adaption and mitigation activities. SNV is currently starting a new DFAT funded project to support and build the capacity of small holder rice producers and provincial agencies to meet these requirements by applying the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). An innovative, efficient and environmentally sustainable production system that increases productivity of rice cultivation while reducing requirements for water, seed, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and labour.

This system is also applicable to the central region where this project will upscale the implementation of the SRI system to two provinces in the central region of Viet Nam. Utilising an integrated approach the project includes; inclusive business and value chain development to create growth, access to markets, jobs, capacity development, income increases and wealth for the poor; and explore bio-energy solutions utilising rice residue biomass to reduce GHG emissions and alleviate waste disposal problems.

Scope of work

SNV is seeking an individual consultant to undertake an assessment on potential standards and certification systems for sustainable rice production suitable for the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), currently applied in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces.

The review should encompass (but not limited to) the followings:

• Review of standards and current certification system for sustainable rice production in Viet Nam, focusing on domestic markets;
• Identification of relevant experiences and best practices from other countries on standards/certification systems for rice sector, and relevant for the SRI rice technique;
• A SWOT analysis which will present standards and certifications systems for sustainable rice production in Viet Nam;
• A field survey conducted in the 2 provinces, targeting farmers, cooperatives, millers and consumers. In-depth interviews with cooperatives and DARD officials on SRI potential market-based standards and certification systems.
• Recommendations on the selection of standards and certification system suitable for the project areas of SRI rice.

Consultancy assignment

The assignment will be undertaken in the period from middle of March to April 2014, within a maximum of 30 consulting days.

Expected outputs and deliverables

1. Detailed work plan for the assignment (including tasks and expected results) with a draft outline of proposed analysis framework and Table of Contents of the report within one week after the contract has been signed;
2. A survey and draft questionnaires before the field trip and the in-depth interviews are conducted;
3. Draft Final Report, after 3 weeks. SNV will provide comments on the Draft Final Report within 1 week after submission;
4. Final Report in Vietnamese and English, after 5 weeks, incorporating all elements of the assignment and having addressed all the comments received from SNV.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Economics or International
• Development, etc.
• Proven knowledge of the agriculture and rice sector in Vietnam
• Proven experience in sustainable crop production in Vietnam, following local and international standards and certification systems.
• Proven experience in the field of quality management system, best standard, certification system for food sector.
• Fluency in English, Vietnamese and exceptional report writing skills

Application guidelines:
Applications should consist of: CV of the individual consultant; Detailed proposal including work plan and cost estimates that identifies the number and frequency of consultant’s working days, key stakeholder engagement events, site survey, fieldwork with operational and logistical plans and revising, throughout the duration.

Deadline for application is 5:30pm, Monday 21st March 2014, to be sent to:

Mr. Bui Van Minh
Value Chain Advisor, SNV Vietnam
Email: [email protected]