Deadline: 31-Jul-2020
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced a call for proposals for “Conducting a Study on Status & Potential of Value Addition and Strengthening of Value Chain of Natural Fibres in Uttarakhand”.
Objectives
- The assignment aims to hire an agency for implanting 2 pilot projects for strengthening the natural fibre value chain. This assignment will include identifying key natural fibres with high growth potential and possible proposing policy interventions, conducting a baseline study on the status and potential of natural fibre value chains in Uttarakhand.
Scope of the Assignment
- The research will involve primary data gathering, desk review, stakeholder consultation, and report writing
- Primary and secondary stakeholders will be identified, best practices on the growth and production of natural fibres and related products will be documented, and gaps and opportunities at different stages of the value chains will be assessed.
- Pilots projects in 2 Clusters to be finalized by the State Government – capacity building of the SHG women of the identified Clusters in value addition and designing of natural fibre products.
- The research will follow a participatory, inclusion approach for the review and analysis of the current context through which local knowledge, resources, and experiences will be capitalized to promote sustainable livelihoods on the cultivation of natural fibre.
Deliverables
- Map the current status, quantum of raw material, use of existing products, market linkages and potential for wool, silk, hemp, ringal and any other natural fibre found/produced in abundance in the State of Uttarakhand.
- Undertake a pilot to demonstrate Strengthened value chain of natural fibre like wool, silk. This will include product design, quality assessment and control, current marketing strategy and innovations to analyse key opportunities and challenges in relation to production and growth of the natural fibres segment. The pilot will utilize secondary data (published literature, government reports and policy documents, etc) as well as primary data (e.g. discussions with SHGs in villages and government officials overseeing policies and schemes in the sector), and suggest measures to strengthen the supply chain management of natural fibres, their value addition, designing, branding and identifying and facilitating market linkages;
- Conduct a Needs Assessment on capacity-building, skills and knowledge of target beneficiaries with recommendations e.g. potential partnerships with institutions such as NIFT, NINFET and NIRAJFET as knowledge partner, private sector players, etc. develop training modules for the beneficiaries;
- Documentation of Best Practices in production, sale and marketing of natural fibres based on experiences of other Indian states (for e.g. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for sericulture) and the rest of the world, where relevant. The report should include a review of successful practices in relation to regulation, accreditation/certification standards, institutional framework, incentives, different types of infrastructure support, etc;
- Analyse Gaps in existing institutional framework, policies, schemes and incentives on natural fibre, and suggest ways to strengthen the value chains;
- Devise Action Plan on marketing strategies and market linkages in relation to natural fibre and developing “Brand Uttarakhand” focusing on the state’s competitive advantages/USP;
- A detailed PowerPoint presentation of the assignment and a print-ready assignment report.
Time frame
- The research to be conducted over a period of 6 months from the starting date.
Eligibility Criteria
The company should demonstrate its capability and thorough understanding of the work to be carried out, as outlined in Terms of Reference and present a clear methodology for implementing assignment, as well as it should be able to mobilize resources and the experts in order to successfully implement the works as per Terms of Reference.
- The expertise of the Service Provider
- At least 5 years of proven experience in needs assessment, capacity assessment, capacity development, public education or other relevant tasks;
- Experience in conducting assessments in natural resource management and environmental protection will be considered as an asset.
- Experience in the successful completion of 3 similar assignments in cooperation with governmental structures (ministries, regional administration etc.), self-governing bodies (municipalities and community administration) and international organizations.
- Management Structure and Key Personnel
- The Company should have a strong team of experts, with shown professional capacities. Resumes (CV) of at least three main experts with proven experience in developing methodology and conducting needs assessment, capacity assessment or other relevant tasks, should be provided.
For more information, visit https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=68113
