Consultant for Purun Craft Business Assessment

Consultant for Assessment of Purun Craft Business in South Sumatera and South Kalimantan

Background

Purun is a paludiculture crop and is a priority for the BRG Incubator. BRG, Peatland Restoration Agency, considered South Kalimantan and South Sumatera as two locations that have large quantities of naturally occurring purun. Both of the two selected project locations are an existing focus of BRG’s restoration activities, have history of forest fires, and are places where purun weavers have been established for a long time. Direct beneficiaries from this project are the purun weavers and purun farmers, neither of which currently have a regular income. The project which is implemented by PT. Eco Fesyen Indonesia, aims to boost the peatland economy by adding value of purun craft business. The company will empower weavers, who are mostly women, through dedicated training to produce high-end purun products. Furthermore, the company will contribute to the revegetation of peatland through the expansion of purun platforms.

Objective

The objective of the assessment is to provide deeper insights of the conditions on the ground of the target villages, ensure the project is feasible and outlines the social, environmental and economic impact of the initiative.

Scope of the assignment

The consultant will engage mainly with PT. Eco Fesyen Indonesia and community stakeholders to develop:

1. Management and social assessment. Assess the social readiness of selected villages and identify the best organizational setting to deliver the project. The consultant will also assess current income of local people who will be involved in the business and define the compensation for their contribution. The aspects are, but not limited to: institution and stakeholder mapping, social and economic condition, current purun craft practices.

2. Operational assessment. Validate the conditions of the selected locations. Aspects related to the operational readiness that will be assessed are, but not limited to: availability and quality of raw materials, products manufacturing process, machinery and equipment, and facilities & infrastructure (e.g., workshop location).

3. Legal and environmental assessment. Assess whether there are constraints and/or actions to be taken to ensure the correct implementation of the project. The study should also identify the best way to cultivate and utilize purun, in order not only to generate economic benefits, but also to create positive impact on peatland restoration. The aspects are, but not limited to: peatland biophysical condition, purun harvest methodology, legal aspects, conducted peatland restoration activities.

4. Financial assessment. Create a revised estimate of the 10-year cash-flows generated by the project (e.g., sales forecast, costs, revenue, etc.), which will be developed basing on the data collected on the ground. The aspects are, but not limited to: Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Payback Period.

Duration and location of activity

The activity is expected to be completed within 2 weeks from the starting date. The asignment will be carried out in two villages of Asia Baru Village, Barito Kuala Regency, South Kalimantan and Pulau Geronggang Village, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatera.

Specification of the consultant

· Demonstrate successful track record in developing baseline study and business plans for sustainable business.

· Experience in assessing the socio-economic aspect in rural areas.

· Experience in assessing the environmental aspect, especially in peatland.

· Good knowledge on regulation and institutions related to conducting business in rural area.

· Advance problem-solving and analytical skills.

· Relationship management skills, including the ability to engage with stakeholders with various cultural background.

· Ability to work independently, to collect data, and to conduct interview with key actors in rural area.

· Have experience working in rural area in Indonesia.

· Excellent command in spoken and written English and Bahasa Indonesia.

· High level of commitment and responsibility towards completing assignments efficiently, accurately, and in a timely manner.

· High standards of ethical conduct.

Implementation Arrangement

The consultant will report to PT. eco Fesyen Indonesia and BRG, and will work closely with PT. EFI Program Director to support the consultancy services in each targeted area.

Application Process

ToR will be shared upon request by e-mail to ecofesyenindonesia@gmail.com with subject “ToR for Purun Business Assessment” by May 14, 2020. Please send the application consists of the followings:

- Preliminary technical proposal, describing the methodology and strategy to gather the necessary information within the current limited/restricted movement.

- Financial proposal.

- CV of consultant(s).

to ecofesyenindonesia@gmail.com with subject “Business Assessment” at the latest May 16th, 2020.