Consultancy: The Global Natural fibre forum project - Phase II
Reference: PX/SRL/0403
Location: Africa, Caribbean and Pacific
Duration: 60 person days
Closing Date: 18 Mar 2011
Introduction and Project Objectives
The Commonwealth Secretariat through its Special Advisory Services Division (SASD) wishes to engage three (3) Consultants to implement a project entitled: The Global Natural Fibre Forum Project: Phase II. The main aim of this project is to increase knowledge and capacity of Commonwealth developing countries to develop their natural fibres industries. The services of a Consultant are required in each region to create awareness on natural fibre opportunities, build capacity of stakeholders and facilitate establishment of national and regional networks of a recently established knowledge platform known as the Global Natural Fibre Forum (GNFF). The following are the three regions:
1. Africa;
2. Caribbean; and
3. Pacific
This is phase II of the project. The first phase was finalized in November 2010. It involved mobilisation of information on natural fibres in member countries and designing a GNFF framework and operational plan. GNFF is a knowledge platform and will operate as a world-wide network for natural fibres. The purpose of the network is to assist in increasing income of small producers through use of indigenous natural fibres, supporting the integrating of their rural fibre industry to its value chain and acting as a platform to share/transfer knowledge on a voluntary basis on technology, designs, marketing information, research etc.
Phase I results showed evidence of insignificant knowledge on economic usage of natural fibres. The results also revealed that there is no global body promoting the interests of the small producers who are largely un-organized and mainly in developing countries. The conclusion was that a well structured global network operating as a knowledge hub would address some of the deficiencies. Some of the key recommendations that emerged from the survey and consultation which form the basis of the GNFF framework include the following:
- GNFF should be formed as a not-for-profit membership association
- GNFF should exist to improve conditions of the small producers/communities subsistent on natural fibres, provide good products for consumers and sustain the environment; and
- GNFF should be primarily an umbrella organization for national associations and member bodies
Phase II activities will include awareness creation, building national and regional networks and a natural fibres capacity building programme in each region. Whereas the main objective will be to raise awareness on economic usage of natural fibres, the consultation and programme will also facilitate the creation of GNFF national and regional networks. The networks will be essential in the formation of the governance structure of the GNFF.
Scope of Work
The Consultants will be required to collect and collate information on natural fibres, identify key institutions and individuals that would be potential network members and organise and facilitate regional natural fibres capacity building programmes. The regional capacity building programmes will be for two-days and 20-25 people will be invited to attend. The consultants will be expected to identify the people that will be invited to the capacity building programme. During the regional programme, Consultants will share information on natural fibres in that particular region, demonstrate the opportunities in use of natural fibres as well as market the GNFF. The programme will also have an exhibition on natural fibre products.
The following are the specific terms of reference:
(a) Collect and collate information on natural fibres in the commonwealth countries in the region and develop a compendium of natural fibre investment opportunities for MSMEs;
(b) Create awareness on economic importance of natural fibres and the formation of Global Natural Fibre Forum;
(c) Identify key institutions and individuals that would be potential GNFF members as well as those that will participate in the regional capacity building programme;
(d) Organise and facilitate a two-day regional natural fibres capacity building programmes to share information on natural fibres in that particular region, demonstrate the opportunities in use of natural fibres and promote work of the GNFF.
(e) Organise an exhibition of natural fibre products in parallel with the capacity building programme
Key Deliverables
The main outputs of this project will be:
Time Frame
The time duration for this component of the project is a maximum period of 4 person weeks.
Budget
Budget for this consultancy as provided above (in the summary box) is at an all inclusive amount and includes professional fees, international air travel, subsistence allowance, incidental expenses and other consultant’s project related costs. The budget however does not include local workshop training costs which will be borne by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Minimum Qualifications
Individual consultants who are nationals of Commonwealth member countries and residing in the selected regions should possess the following:
(a) At least 10 years’ experience advising governments and non government bodies in development of MSME strategies, business development services and network development.;
(b) Experience and very good working technical knowledge in natural fibres;
(c) Experience and good working knowledge in development of MSME programmes promoting use of natural fibres especially in rural areas.
1. The deadline for receipt of proposals is midnight GMT, Friday 18 March 2011
2. This invitation is open to individual consultants residing in the region they are applying to provide the services;
3. Consultant(s) must demonstrate knowledge of the subject by clearly interpreting the terms of reference and providing a methodology and approach that they will adopt in undertaking the assignment;
4. Consultant(s) must submit a write-up, maximum 5 pages, describing the approach, the Commonwealth countries (at least 3) to be visited, length of field visits, and a clear time-based work plan that they will use in undertaking the assignment;
5. A financial proposal on fees, air and local travel, subsistence and other costs must be attached to the proposal;
Only consulting firms (registered in any Commonwealth member country) or independent consultant(s) who are national(s) of a Commonwealth member country and who possess the required expertise are invited to submit their proposal which should include a covering statement of your organization/company’s relevant expertise, if applicable, and its experience of similar projects and services carried out in developing countries.
Applications to be submitted electronically to the attention of Miss Ishbel Allotey at i.allotey@commonwealth.int or by fax at 44-207 747 6520
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