Terms of Reference (TOR) National Consultant for Study on Shrimp Aquaculture Reform

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference (TOR) National Consultant for Study on Shrimp Aquaculture Reform Country: Description of the assignment: Programme name: Period of assignment/services: Bangladesh Study on Shrimp Aquaculture Reform for PROKAS Programme Promoting Knowledge for Accountable Systems (PROKAS), British Council, in association with Palladium, and WISE Development 18 days during July Background The British Council has been contracted by DFID to implement the Promoting Knowledge for Accountable Systems (PROKAS) Programme (formerly known as TARIF - Transparency, Accountability and Right to Information Fund) in Bangladesh. PROKAS will provide grants and will be an actively managed project, not merely a funding channel. It will support a coherent set of government and civil society initiatives to improve transparency and accountability in targeted thematic areas. PROKAS commenced on 13 April 2015 and will run till 12 April 2018 with a potential for additional 2.5 years extension. The British Council is leading a consortium where Palladium is a member of the consortium focusing on private sector development and business regulation, right to information, and monitoring and results measurement, and WISE Development is a partner contributing on the gender and social development aspects. This project is designed to support government and civil society initiatives to improve transparency and accountability in a few targeted thematic areas. The PROKAS project will be: Page 1 of 7

2 Identifying issues where the project has the greatest scope to bring about improvements in transparency and accountability, and local partners best placed to have an impact on those issues. Proposing sub-projects around these issues for DFID approval, identifying likely partners and demonstrating a link to the overall programme results framework and theory of change; Managing funding civil society and private sector organisations working in coalitions and networks on agreed activities within issue-based projects (IBPs). Providing or arranging technical support for government and non-government partners to process, publicise and make accessible official information. This may include training of government officials but will not include direct funding to the Government of Bangladesh. PROKAS has identified shrimp aquaculture reforms in areas of social compliance, particularly on labour issues, as a potential area of intervention for an issue-based project and therefore seeks further analysis. Objectives The objectives of this assignment are to conduct a study with adequate understanding and assessment of the gender and social inclusion dimensions of the issue and the potential impact of possible solutions on marginalised groups (including women and youth and the very poor) that does the following: (i) Review opportunities for and constraints to reform of shrimp aquaculture, including an evaluation of the scope for changing the system to a compliant system and, an appropriate timeline for reform. In addition, the study should demonstrate the priority areas for reform specific to the shrimp sector, differentiating the needs from broader labour reform processes. This section should clearly articulate why the issue is a significant problem the solution to which has the potential to make tangible impacts on peoples daily lives, as well as on transparency, accountability and corruption; (ii) Analyse government capacity, and gaps, in the implementation of existing laws, policies and practices on shrimp aquaculture, including a gender analysis; (iii) Describe the balance of forces around the issue of shrimp aquaculture: which groups (in the private sector, NGOs and government) have an interest in reform is Page 2 of 7

3 that interest positive or negative? To what extent is there space to engage on the issue? The section will include analysis of the incentives that drive those in support and those who might be against it. Do those in support have sufficient power to push reform in a positive direction? What risks might the different actors face if they participate in collective action on the issue? An understanding of the interests, incentives and relative power of women, and the youth and the very poor should form part of the analysis. Where possible the section should map the other stakeholders already involved including what work is already being done and what lessons have been learned from other work undertaken in this area. This could include analysis of the success of past reform in other areas by the shrimp sector and the implications of the Global Aquaculture Alliance Code of Conduct as a platform for initiating discussions on reform. The section should conclude with a summary assessment of the extent to which there is an acceptable chance of success based on the identification of winners and losers if shrimp aquaculture social compliance reform takes place and an identification of any countervailing forces that can be brought together to prevent the losers from blocking change. (iv) The study should make recommendations and propose an action plan for a potential PROKAS project including possible partners (drawn from across the government, private sector, NGOs and the media) as well as an assessment of the risks and benefits of such a programme. The section should summarise the scope for specific identified systems change that could progressively move social compliance systems within shrimp aquaculture processes from informal to more formally regulated systems that are inclusive. Methodology, Scope of work and expected outputs / deliverables: The Consultant(s) will conduct the study and present the study-findings as per the methodology outlined below: Consultations with key stakeholders who include: Relevant Government officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture; Page 3 of 7

4 The private sector including: actors involved at all steps in the supply and value chains (including workers at factories), ensuring consultation with women, youth and the very poor. Relevant NGOs and INGOs, including ILO Other groups involved in labour reforms related to export issues in Bangladesh In the course of the above activities, the consultant will not duplicate any work that provided for DFID-funded projects, nor will they submit invoices to PROKAS for any activities performed under contract for a DFID-funded project. The consultant will produce the following reports/deliverables: The report could take form as in the following suggested Table of Contents i. Executive Summary (with an emphasis on action recommendations) ii. Opportunities for and Constraints on Reform Include analysis of areas where knowledge gaps exist; the scope for change around social compliance with attention to the particular needs and specific nature of work and work conditions in the sector; and, analyse the particular opportunities and constraints for women, youth and the very poor iii. State Capacity for Reform This section will look at the existing national and internationally binding legal and regulatory frameworks on labour regulations and social compliance including a gendered analysis of the same and; identifying capacity needs of the relevant agencies iv. Unpacking the Balance of Forces around Reform This section will include analysis of the key agents (individuals and organisations) with a stake in shrimp aquaculture social compliance reform, their interests and incentives; it will also pay particular attention to marginalised groups and opportunities to involve women, associations and civil society organisations in the reform implementation process. v. Recommendations This section will include a risk assessment; strategies to ensure engagement in the reform process is participatory and inclusive; and, potential locations where pilot programmes could be initiated; vi. Action Plan Page 4 of 7

5 An action plan indicating time frame with an emphasis on bringing multiple stakeholders together to address the barriers to reform 2. Inputs / Level of Efforts: This is a short term consultancy for intermittent inputs to be provided on-site and from off-site. PROKAS envisions that the study will take 18 billable days during July Deliverables and timeframe: The assignment will take 18 days spread over for the period up-to 31 July, SL# Action/Deliverables 1. Information gathering (interviews and consultation) Timeline Place/area/region where tasks under the assignment should be done 10 days Southwest of Bangladesh (Bagda and Galda farms, hatcheries and seed sellers, and processing plants) as well as Dhaka % of Payment 2. Preparation & Submission of 1 st draft report/recommendations 3. Incorporation of feedback and submission of final report 5 days Dhaka based 25% 3 days Dhaka based NA 4. Reports: The expert will report to the Team Leader, PROKAS and will work in close collaboration with IBP Manager and other relevant personnel of PROKAS. Page 5 of 7

6 5. Person specifications: The Consultant(s) will have: Experience working as a public private partnership Experience in working with and knowledge of government, CSOs and NGOs in Bangladesh. Knowledge of social compliance issues in shrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh. The ability to manage all operational and logistical aspects of the project. Successful track record on making policy and implementation recommendations An established network of contacts in relevant government and private sector agencies and organizations and NGOs Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills and demonstrated research skills. I. Academic Qualifications: Advanced degree in Public Administration, Economics, Fisheries/Agriculture, Development Studies, and Social science related field. II. Experience: Demonstrated experience in shrimp aquaculture issue in Bangladesh Previous experience in similar assessment missions will be an asset Fluency in English is a requirement. III. Competencies: Strong communication and interpersonal skills Good analytical ability and report writing skills Good understanding of the transparency and governance issues is preferred. Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and sound judgment 6. Contractual arrangement: This position is to be contracted by the British Council under consultancy contract. The TOR is subject to update and modifications as per project need. In order to be considered, please submit the following documents: 1. Concept Note (not more than 3-5 pages) that includes: Page 6 of 7

7 How you will deliver the objectives in the TOR Your approach and methodology to carry out the study Your past experience in using the same or similar methodology successfully Work plan linked to deliverables with timelines If you are proposing more than one expert to carry out the study, please clearly mention roles and responsibilities of each (division of labour) and assign accountability How your work links to the PROKAS impact: Tangible benefits to citizens through increased transparency, accountability and reduced corruption at targeted institutions. 2. Complete budget in a MS Excel file where fees and reimbursable expenses are stated Separately 3. CVs (not more than 2 pages) of those who will work on the project Please submit these documents to catherinececil@bd.britishcouncil.org by 06 July Page 7 of 7