Myanmar: Consultancy, Charcoal’s Value Chain Market Assessment

Nov 13, 2022 | World Wide Fund for Nature
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WWF, an independent conservation organization, works to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. Working with others, WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainably. The mangrove forests of the Ayeyarwady Delta have sustained one of the highest deforestation rates in Myanmar and among mangroves globally. This deforestation has negatively affected the stock of natural resources (mainly forest and fisheries) in the Delta, representing the primary income source for a significant proportion of the population. Deforestation and mangrove degradation have also reduced the capacity of coastal mangrove forests to act as a barrier against waves, storm surges and other climate change-related events. Mangrove conservation efforts in Myanmar face significant obstacles, such as weak governance, lack of technical capacity, and lack of financial resources or incentives for maintenance.

Objective of the consultancy

The charcoal value chain assessment is key to understanding the current Delta charcoal’s market value and trade trends. This report will inform program interventions in the sustainable charcoal production and mangrove reforestation plan in the Ayeyarwady Delta.

Major Responsibility

Provide for the formalization of a Sustainable Natural Rubber Society and its transit to Multi-actor Platform (MAP) for Sustainable Nature Rubber in Myanmar.

Activities

• Produce a value-chain map describing all the actors and value-added along the charcoal supply chain in the Ayeyarwady delta.
• Develop a series of focus groups and interviews to identify sourcing areas, price dependency, value addition at each stage of the chain, and main business challenges and opportunities. 
• Discuss, with field evidence, the positive and negative impacts of the supply chain on the environment and in the communities.
• Based on the information collected, discuss the main areas of the exploitation of the resource and yearly movement to supply demand

Expected Output

• The consultant will prepare a project description/ proposal report that will include an assessment design, timeline, and methodology to be used for data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Draft assessment report. The consultant will prepare the draft assessment report and share it with WWF for comments and finalisation. The final report will then integrate reviews and comments. 

 
Duration of work

The assignment will be completed within 3 months from the contract signature. The study is to be completed before May 2023.

Required skills and competencies

• Advanced university degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, forestry, agricultural economics, economics, social sciences, statistics and/ or related field required. Bachelor’s degree with 5 years experience in conducting assessments in related fields.
• The consultant is expected to demonstrate a track record of no less than two years of executing similar undertakings related to charcoal assessment.
• The consultant should be familiar with WWF’s standards, overarching global approach, WWF’s work on natural resources management, level of funding, resources and capacity.

 
Detailed terms of reference can be seen here.

Submission

Interested candidates should submit their application for this term of reference by email to vacancy.mm@wwf.org.mm and sofia.venturini@wwf.org.mm: with CV/ profile, Consultant proposal for how to fulfill the consultant assignment with estimated working days and daily rate by 5pm on 23 November 2022 (Wednesday). Rate history and reference contact should also be included.
 
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.