Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 04 Mar 2018
Work location: Yangon and Dawei, Myanmar
Duration: March-May 2018
Background and objectives of consultancy assignment/ project**
Forests in the Greater Mekong region (Thailand, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia) are experiencing some of the highest rates of deforestation and degradation in the world. Wildlife, hydrological and ecological functions, and local communities, that live in and greatly rely on forest resources, are experiencing significant negative impacts. To help address deforestation issues in the region, IKEA and WWF worked together in the past eight years to transform the market, by using sustainable market demand as a driver for positive change.
In Myanmar, estimates indicate that a vast amount of rubber wood, bamboo and rattan resources are available. While some capacity exists with regards to processing these resources, land tenure, market access and policies are considered main obstacles for market entry. Within this context, WWF proposed to explore current opportunities and challenges to better understand business operations, land tenure/rights, resource management and related policies within the country in relation to rubber wood, bamboo, rattan and potential others natural fiber products . The results will help IKEA to identify responsible potential business opportunities in Myanmar.
Overall objectives
The overall objective of this assignment is to provide an overall picture about responsible, and potential forest based products (natural fibre and plantation timber) business operations with regards to (a) land issue; deforestation and conservation threat; (b) resource management by community and local livelihoods; (c) private sector engagement (legality, traceability and transparency) and business service providers (technical, finance and market access) and (d) related policies, among others.
Scope of the Study
· Scope will cover Myanmar in general and a focus on the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape (DTL)
· Rubber, Bamboo, and Rattan as priority species but the study will also assess other potential species (acacia and eucalyptus)
· Work plan
a. Enabling policy and stakeholder analysis
b. Market analysis of identified commodities
c. Assessment of supply side of identified commodities
d. Identify and propose viable supply chain models that work within Myanmar context. This should also look at different associated costs and profit to related actors to be engaged in the identified supply chain including recommendation for WWF and IKEA interventions.
Deliverables
Report containing finding of above study in a mutually agreed format to include weaknesses and gaps in the supply chain per commodities and opportunities for investments to specific supply chain. Report text should be at least 15 pages plus maps and annexes.
The detailed job description is at www.wwf.org.mm under Careers.
How to apply:
Closing date: 04 March 2018 (Sunday)
Interested applicants may submit their proposal stating the expected consultancy fee together with CVs of consultants to vacancy.mm@wwfgreatermekong.org or deliver to WWF Myanmar office at 15C Than Taman Street, Dagon Township, Yangon.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.