ThaiNGO

 Terms of Reference (TOR)

1. General Information

Supervisor:  Eknarin Ariyavongvivat

Period: 1 October 2026 – 1 March 2027

Location of work: Based in Bangkok, with required field visits to Surat Thani City Municipality, Surat Thani Province.

2. Purpose and Background:

In the target area, the Surat Thani City Municipality has a long-standing history of initiating and maintaining activities to support local "Saleng" (informal waste picker) groups. Our engagement in this area began during the implementation of the Plastic Smart Cities–TVA Project. During the project’s endline evaluation, the team identified untapped potential and a critical opportunity to significantly elevate waste management by working in close integration with the municipality. This realization led to the scale-up and continuation of our efforts into the current initiative: the Enhancing Plastic Waste Management and Integrating the Informal Waste Sector (Plastic Smart Cities–TCCF) project.

The intervention in this current phase is not starting from scratch; rather, it builds upon previous successes to strengthen existing frameworks. Crucially, it steps in to bridge the operational gaps and overcome the limitations inherent to the mandate and jurisdictional authority of local government mechanisms. The municipality has recognized this necessity and shares the vision that addressing these missing components is vital. The primary focus is on systematization, structuring and standardizing the Saleng groups. This systematic approach is designed to deliver empirical impacts, progressively maximizing the efficiency of waste segregation at the source.

As the Plastic Smart Cities–TCCF project now approaches its conclusion, ensuring that the successes achieved in Surat Thani do not end with the project timeline is our highest priority. To guarantee that this "Saleng Model" can be replicated and scaled to other regions, the project is actively shifting its focus from local-level implementation to central-level advocacy. Securing central-level ownership to take over the baton is essential for continuous and long-term sustainability across all future implementation areas. Therefore, a critical task for the consulting team is to investigate and formulate a strategic roadmap for this transition, specifically identifying and engaging with potential central agencies capable of adopting, supporting, and institutionalizing this model.

3. Project Objectives:

• Elevate the Municipal Saleng Management System and Quality of Life: Utilize both existing historical project data and new empirical insights provided by the Human Rights/ESSF and Operational/Livelihood consultants to formulate a comprehensive strategic master plan. This objective focuses on upgrading the current Saleng management system operated by the municipality. It aims to integrate a Human Rights Framework into the Saleng Association guidelines to establish minimum safeguards (such as occupational health and safety (OHS), non-discrimination, fair treatment/pricing, and grievance mechanisms) to prevent abuse and protect informal workers. Additionally, it seeks to identify gaps in welfare and facilitate linkages for Salengs to access existing state social protection systems, overcome operational barriers, and expand network partnerships to significantly elevate the quality of life, income stability, and occupational security for informal waste workers.
• Advance Value Chain and EPR Market Strategies: Synthesize available project reports with newly acquired logistical and market matching results from the field to develop a robust business expansion strategy. This strategy aims to maximize the value addition of recyclables across the entire supply chain, particularly for Low Value Plastics (LVPs), and ensure that local operations align seamlessly with national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks. Furthermore, leveraging WWF's Environmental and Social Safeguarding Framework (ESSF) will ensure compliance with human rights principles, enabling end-buyers to access premium markets and improving collection rates through a demand-pull strategy.
• Catalyze National Policy Dialogue and Model Replication: Integrate all lessons learned, existing municipal frameworks, and cross-functional outputs from parallel consultancies (Operational, Value Chain, Livelihood, and Human Rights/Social Protection) to develop actionable policy recommendations. By drafting a strategic discussion paper, this objective aims to drive consensus at the National Platform and secure official recognition for the Saleng Model. Furthermore, it seeks to identify potential central government agencies to take ownership of the initiative, creating a clear pathway to scale and replicate this municipal integration approach at provincial and national levels.

4. Scope of Work / Product or Service Specifications: 

The consultant must possess strong analytical skills to synthesize inputs from parallel consultancies and tailor recommendations for national-level stakeholders. WWF will provide necessary institutional support, including issuing official letters of request to facilitate interviews, meetings, and consultations with key stakeholders and government agencies as required throughout the consultancy. To directly support the project objectives, the scope of work includes:

1. Strategic Data Synthesis and Municipal System Upgrade: Work in tandem with the Human Rights and Operational consultants to analyze both historical project data and new empirical assessments from Surat Thani and Trang. Formulate actionable strategies to upgrade the municipal Saleng management system by incorporating a human rights framework into waste value chains and Saleng Association guidelines. This includes establishing human rights safeguards (OHS, fair pricing, non-discrimination, etc.) and facilitating linkages to state social protection and welfare systems, ensuring the long-term occupational security and operational independence of the informal sector.
2. Value Chain and EPR Market Integration: Evaluate logistical and business-matching insights gathered from the field to develop a concrete market expansion strategy for recyclables and Low Value Plastics (LVPs). Design models that effectively bridge local supply chain capabilities with national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, integrating human rights compliance to attract premium market buyers.
3. Targeted Policy Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement: Translate field-based lessons into actionable, stakeholder-specific strategies designed to drive dialogue at the National Platform. Identify potential central government agencies to take ownership of the initiative and tailor advocacy pathways for these central agencies, including, but not limited to:
   • Environmental and EPR Policy Makers: Pollution Control Department (PCD), Department of Climate Change and Environment (CCE), TIPMSE, and the PRO Network.
   • Welfare and Labor Rights Agencies: Social Security Office (SSO), National Savings Fund (NSF), and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS).
   • Practitioner Networks: The National Saleng and Recyclers Association and informal worker networks.
   • Local Government Enablers: Department of Local Administration (DLA).
4. Replication and Advocacy: Draft a compelling strategic discussion paper to catalyze consensus at the National Platform. In addition, develop a comprehensive Replication Guidebook and a Final Policy White Paper to serve as operational and policy blueprints for scaling the model to other Local Government Organizations (LAOs) nationwide.

5. Roles and Responsibilities:

The consultant will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Data Synthesis and Collaboration: The consultant must synthesize inputs from parallel consultancies. They will work in tandem with the Human Rights and Operational consultants to analyze both historical project data and new empirical assessments from Surat Thani and Trang.
• System Upgrade and Strategic Formulation: The consultant will formulate actionable strategies to upgrade the municipal Saleng management system by incorporating a human rights framework into waste value chains and Saleng Association guidelines.
• Market and EPR Integration: The consultant is responsible for evaluating logistical and business-matching insights gathered from the field. They must develop a concrete market expansion strategy for recyclables and Low Value Plastics (LVPs) and design models that effectively bridge local supply chain capabilities with national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks.
• Policy Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant will translate field-based lessons into actionable, stakeholder-specific strategies designed to drive dialogue at the National Platform. They will identify potential central government agencies to take ownership of the initiative and tailor advocacy pathways for these central agencies (e.g., PCD, TIPMSE, SSO, MSDHS, DLA, etc.).
• Document Drafting and Advocacy: The consultant is tasked with drafting a compelling strategic discussion paper to catalyze consensus at the National Platform. In addition, they will develop a comprehensive Replication Guidebook and a Final Policy White Paper to serve as operational and policy blueprints for scaling the model to other Local Government Organizations (LAOs) nationwide.

6. Deliverables / Expected Outputs:

The assignment is divided into 3 payment milestones:

1. Deliverable 1: Upon Contract Signing (October 2026)
   • Output: Inception Report and Work Plan.
   • Details: A comprehensive document outlining the conceptual framework, field assessment methodology, and a detailed timeline for the 5-month consultancy.
2. Deliverable 2: Strategic Analysis for the National Platform (Expected December 2026)
   • Output: Interim Strategic Assessment and Policy Recommendations Report.
   • Details: This is a critical milestone. The report must be specifically designed as the primary Discussion Paper for the upcoming National Platform. Based on field assessments, the consultant must provide findings and actionable recommendations divided clearly into 3 Strategic Dimensions to address respective stakeholder groups:
     1. Market Mechanism and EPR Dimension: Strategies to generate market value for LVPs and integrate local MRFs into the national EPR system (Target: PCD, TIPMSE, PRO Network, etc.).
     2. Human Rights Safeguards and Social Protection Dimension: Integrating a Human Rights Framework into the Saleng Association guidelines to ensure safeguards (e.g., OHS, fair treatment/pricing, grievance mechanisms). Furthermore, identifying potential pathways to link informal waste picker (Saleng) registration with state social protection and welfare systems (Target: National Saleng Association, SSO, NSF, MSDHS, etc.).
     3. Local Governance Dimension: Recommendations to unlock regulatory barriers, enabling other municipalities to legally and practically collaborate with junk shops and the informal sector (Target: Department of Local Administration).
3. Deliverable 3: Final Submission (February 2027)
   • Outputs:
     1. Surat Thani Model Replication Guideline: A practical manual for other municipalities on integrating the informal waste sector and MRF networks. 
     2. Final Policy White Paper: A comprehensive policy proposal and roadmap designed for central government agencies. This document will outline the Surat Thani "Saleng Model", incorporate the consensus, feedback, and resolutions achieved during the National Platform, and provide concrete steps for national-level adoption and scaling.
     3. Final Completion Report: A summary of all consulting activities, outcomes, and strategic advice provided during the project tenure.

7. Timeline:

• Duration of Assignment: 1 October 2026 – 1 March 2027
• Delivery schedule:
  • Deliverable 1: Upon Contract Signing (in October 2026)
  • Deliverable 2: Expected in December 2026
  • Deliverable 3: February 2027

8. Payment Terms:

The amount must be covers all professional fees, travel, accommodation, tax, and any other expenses incurred during the fieldwork and consultancy period. Payment will be disbursed in two payments milestones:

1. 50% upon contract signing,
2. 50% upon approval of the final Report and supporting documents.

9. Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum of 7 to 10 years of proven experience in strategic consulting, public policy formulation, or managing national and international projects related to Waste Management, Circular Economy, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

1. Demonstrated experience and strong capability in engaging collaboratively with key national stakeholders, such as the Pollution Control Department (PCD), TIPMSE, the National Saleng Association, and local government bodies.
2. Deep understanding of the informal waste sector dynamics in Thailand, and the practical application of Human Rights Frameworks, WWF's Environmental and Social Safeguarding Frameworks (ESSF), and state social protection mechanisms.
3. Outstanding analytical and synthesis skills, with a proven track record of writing compelling Policy Briefs, White Papers, or Discussion Papers tailored for high-level executives and policy makers.
4. Fluency in both Thai and English is required to effectively facilitate dialogue and draft policy blueprints

10. Submission Requirements: 

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailing relevant education and professional experience.
• Financial Proposal / Quotation: Outlining the costs for the assignment.
• Copy of ID Card: (Certified true copy)
• Relevant experience and references: Examples of past work or portfolio related to the scope of work.
• Other relevant documents: (If applicable)

11. WWF Support :

Duration: The consultancy shall commence upon contract signing and must be completed by 1 March 2027.

• Submission Deadline: 30 September 2026
• Contact Information: Please submit all application documents (Proposals should be submitted in Thai or English language) by email to: eknarina@wwf.or.th
• Inquiries: Questions regarding the assignment can be addressed to Mr. Eknarin Ariyavongvivat, WWF Thailand, under the same email.