ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference to conduct a Value Chain Analysis

Location: Refugee camps 

Type of Contract: Independent Consultant

Duration of contract: 2 months (60 days)

Overview The Adventist Development and Relief Agency Thailand is implementing the Vocational Training and Skills Development (VTSD). The project is implemented by ADRA in partnership with  ACTED, which have worked in consortium since 2015 providing vocational training (VT) in the nine temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border to prepare them for return. The project takes into account the need for the coordination of livelihood activities, through integrated vocational training and skills development and access to long-term income through micro- and communal enterprises, with all sectors active in the camps in order to support provision of basic services and income generation in the camps.

The project objective is to support Myanmar refugees in camps in Thailand along the border with Myanmar so that they can fully benefit from their rights in their host/resident societies, and more specifically focusing on actions in the livelihood sector.The project aims at supporting camp residents to enhance their livelihood opportunities and empowerment for self-reliance, and community resilience. This is done through specific objective (SO) 1; to enhance resilience of refugees through the provision of basic services and awareness raising activities, through the capacity building of camp-based CBOs to be effective basic service providers, as well as through the implementation of an information exchange platform and organization of business forums to identify potential employment and income-generating opportunities within the camps and across the host communities, all the while promoting collaborations between cooperatives and Refugee Livelihood Groups. In addition the proposed action aims to respond to SO2; empower refugees through protection measures and by promoting their active involvement to improve camp governance, by promoting a gender-inclusive and rights-based platform of dialogue, through coordination meetings between CBOs and camp governing authorities, prioritizing the participation of women and vulnerable people (including ethnic minorities), and raising awareness on complaint and response mechanisms to safely share any sort of abuse by camp authorities or relevant stakeholders. Finally, the action aims to respond to SO3; to enhance self-reliance of refugees in preparation for durable solutions, including their eventual voluntary return

Purpose of the Value Chain Analysis The overall purpose of the Value Chain Analysis is to accurately break down production to strategically focus on the most beneficial activities, and what creates added value, and a risk assessment; to identify potential issues that could negatively impact targeted individuals or relevant businesses, and how to mitigate those risks. Particular attention will be paid to opportunities for sustainable supply chains, such as the use of low-carbon technologies and processes to increase supply chain and material efficiency. This will enable the Refugee Led Groups and cooperatives to identify priority areas for feasible and sustainable business or enterprise opportunities, to support their members with income-generating activities.

The identified value chains should eventually include a large number of beneficiaries (persons of concern and members of the host communities). The purpose of the Value Chain Analysis is to determine how the identified value chain(s) can be developed to include more refugees in the labour market, whether in self or wage employment. 

Geographical locations The Value Chain Analysis will identify locations near and around the temporary shelter which have a large and growing labour market, where the employment opportunities match those that do not require high levels of expertise and match the skills and trade currently within the camps. These will include the major refugee-hosting locations near, Mae La Oon, Mae Ra Ma Luang, Mae La, Umpiem, Nu Po, Ban Don Yang, and Tham Him temporary shelters. 

Scope of work Through a consultative and field-based process, the contractor will conduct the Value Chain Analysis, using a well-established and recognized methodology, to achieve the following specific objectives: 

• Identify market dynamics and opportunities and assess and map the supply and demand of services in targeted areas.
• Map and select key value chains with the highest potential for growth, profitability and employment for refugees (given their needs and capacities). Special emphasis should be placed on finding safe value chains for refugees, where their entry into the labour market will not cause tension with host communities and where international labour standards are generally respected.
• Analyse the supporting functions that are required to make the value chain work, including both existing and missing support functions (e.g. infrastructure, information, related services)
• Assess the competitiveness of the value chain(s) and determine how to create competitive advantages for the targeted sectors in the context of local and regional trends, having in mind the context of the refugee population.
• Recommend value chain development plan(s) that benefit both refugees and host communities and lead to improvement of living conditions and wage/self-employment. 

Task 1: Inception meeting with ADRA staff and selected partners 

Task 2. Production of an inception report and where required a workshop with ADRA staff and selected partners.

Task 3: Field data collection and analysis

Task 4: Final report 

The value chain analysis report should include at least: 

• Executive summary
• Background
• Methodology and documentation of the process 
• Limitations and challenges 
• Findings of value chain assessment (SWOT analysis, potential for growth, profitability and employment of each sector) 
• Conclusion of assessment: list of value chains that should be targeted to boost the employment of persons of concern and their host communities (market players, rules, policies and regulations, supporting functions in addition to sourcing, production and marketing mechanisms) 
• Recommendations (intervention matrix)

The Contractor will submit to ADRA the following materials: 1) Electronic copies of all data sets 2) All quantitative and qualitative data (completed questionnaires, recorded interviews, focus groups, etc) 3) Any other documents that will be used or collected in the course of the consultancy.

Payment milestones 25% at the agreement signature. 25% at the conclusion of field data collections. 25% at the submission of the first drafts. 25% at the reception of the final reports. 

Qualifications Academic: advanced university degree in marketing, economics, socio-economic development, development planning, financial management or other related fields. Professional Experience: a) Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional job experience (market assessments, local economic development, value chain development, strategic planning, etc.); b) Proven experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring livelihoods programmes (and managing multiple projects); c) Experience in working with international and national NGOs or with government authorities.

Closing date: 17 March 2024

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the closing date.

Applications should be sent to hr@adrathailand.org with the reference of Value Chain Analysis.