Agri Standard Consultant

Full Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Short consultancy for Deforestation and Conversion Free Sourcing in Agri-Food Systems Project

Background

Climate Bonds Initiative is an investor-focused not-for-profit, promoting large-scale investment in the low-carbon economy, which carries out market analysis, policy research, market development; advises governments and regulators; and administers a global Climate Bonds Standard & Certification Scheme.

Climate Bonds is commencing the process of developing criteria for Deforestation and Conversion Free (DCF) Sourcing, and we are seeking an experienced consultant to support the scoping, outline and analysis of the elements needed to address it within the Food Value Chain.

Purpose and Objectives

The main objective of this work is for Climate Bonds to gain a better understanding and determine the main issues that need to be considered when developing criteria for DCF Sourcing, including, but not limited to:

• traceability in sourcing,
• disclosure mechanisms and tools,
• other DCF Sourcing standards in the market,
• policy landscape (ie. EUDR)

Climate Bonds is seeking an experienced expert with significant expertise and experience in setting standards for certification of deforestation and conversion free products. Key topics the standards should cover include:

1) Traceability: Types, feasibility in different contexts, tools to maintain traceability when procuring from various sources, processing, and relevance of mass balance.

2) Steps of traceability and disclosure along each element of the Food Value Chain.

3) DCF Sourcing Standards in the market: gaps, highlights, and potential risks/pitfalls, ways that they can be improved.

4) What should the Core Requirements for a DCF Sourcing criteria be.

5) Diversity of sourcing landscapes and how to aim for global criteria.

6) Disclosure mechanisms and tools: EUDR platforms, and other mechanisms.

7) Any other topics identified and relevant for this work.

Scope of Services and Deliverables/Outputs

The key deliverables expected by the consultant to support the project objectives include:

1) Convening 8-10 meetings/presentations (some weeks over this period) to explore and resolve questions on scoping and specific content requirements for the criteria development process, over a 2-month period (Sept-Oct).

2) An initial briefing paper on DCF Sourcing: state of the market and available standards (10-20 pages with concise summary, specific elements to cover to be developed with the team on the scheduled meetings), to be delivered mid-October 2023.

3) A final briefing paper with a proposal on elements that the CBI criteria should consider (10-20 pages with concise summary, specific elements to cover to be developed with the team on the scheduled meetings), to be delivered early November 2023.

Timeframe and Milestones for expected Deliverables/outputs

The proposed timeframe for the deliverables for this consultancy will be from October (or asap) to December 2023. The table below outlines the key deliverable and outputs.

Expected Outputs

Eight to Ten meetings convened

End of November 2023

Initial briefing paper produced on scoping of the criteria elements

15th October 2023

Final briefing paper produced outlining and assessing key criteria elements to be included

10th November 2023

Selection Criteria

The successful consultant should have:

• Able to demonstrable analytical and research experience in the field of forest and ecosystems conversion, applied to sustainable procurement strategies in supply chains.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information concisely.
• Ability to write concise and clear summaries of current scientific and technical information.
• Experience with certification schemes is a plus, as well as familiarity with climate finance elements.

Procurement

Consultants should prepare and submit an expression of interest that addresses the selection criteria, outlining:

• Your technical approach and resources/budget that will be applied to the deliverables aligned with the scope of services, with a clear timeline for completion within one month.
• CVs of the personnel.
• An example/s of similar work that you have completed in the past.

Please send your application to: before September 24th, 2023

The successful consultant should have:

• Able to demonstrable analytical and research experience in the field of forest and ecosystems conversion, applied to sustainable procurement strategies in supply chains.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information concisely.
• Ability to write concise and clear summaries of current scientific and technical information.
• Experience with certification schemes is a plus, as well as familiarity with climate finance elements.

Recruitment and Application process

Consultants should prepare and submit an expression of interest that addresses the selection criteria, outlining:

• Your technical approach and resources/budget that will be applied to the deliverables aligned with the scope of services, with a clear timeline for completion within one month.
• CVs of the personnel.
• An example/s of similar work that you have completed in the past.

Please send your application to: before September 24th, 2023