Supply Chain interventions Theory of Change consultancy

Job title:

Supply Chain interventions Theory of Change consultancy

Company

Rainforest Alliance Consultants & Internships

Job description

Request for ProposalsSupply Chain interventions Theory of Change consultancy for Rainforest AllianceRainforest Alliance is seeking a consultancy to submit proposals for a review and analysis of the supply chain theory of change used by the Accountability Framework initiative and others to de-link soft commodities from deforestation and conversionSummary Information· Department: Global Programs· Location(s): Any· Desired start date and duration: 27 January 2025· Under direction of: Jeff Milder, Director, AFiConsultancy SummaryAbout the Rainforest AllianceRainforest Alliance, a New York-based 501(c)3, and UTZ, an Amsterdam-based foundation, merged in 2018. Together, the new Rainforest Alliance is now a $70 million per year organization with offices in 17 countries (and growing) and over 5000 staff. The merged organization has two main offices—one in Amsterdam and one in New York City.The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.We work towards making responsible business the new normal through our certification program, tailored supply chain services, landscape and community work and advocacy.About the Accountability Framework initiativeThe Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is a leading initiative whose purpose is to create a ‘new normal’ for ethical supply chains in agriculture and forestry. The AFi helps companies and other stakeholders transform commodity supply chains through the Accountability Framework – a set of definitions, core principles, and guidance that serves as a roadmap for ethical supply chains. The Accountability Framework is used by leading companies, industry and multi-stakeholder initiatives, reporting initiatives, and financial institutions. The AFi coalition is a collective of over 25 leading environmental and human rights NGOs from around the world and the AFi’s Backbone Team is hosted by Rainforest Alliance (RA).OverviewThe expansion of agricultural commodity production and plantation forestry are the largest drivers of deforestation and other ecosystem conversion worldwide. In the tropics, at least 90% of forest loss is associated with agriculture, either directly or indirectly. This dynamic has prompted a wide range of initiatives and investments to improve the governance and management of soft commodity supply chains to address commodity drivers of habitat loss. Most of these efforts subscribe, at least loosely, to what can be referred to as the “supply chain theory of change” (henceforth the ToC).The goal of the ToC is to achieve durable conservation outcomes by de-linking soft commodities from deforestation, conversion, and related impacts through incentivizing corporations to take action in their supply chains. Examples of supply chain action include committing to deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing, as well as the implementation of traceability and monitoring systems. This work has brought fundamental shifts in the awareness of these issues, company policies and practices, as well as considerable strengthening and aligning of the enabling environment for deforestation-free and responsible supply chains. However, it remains unclear to what extent these changes have contributed to long-term protection of forests and other natural ecosystems – or what could be done to strengthen this contribution.This project will answer key questions related to the ToC that are necessary to orient future supply chain action and investment in ways that can optimize the achievement of durable conservation impacts. This will include examining strategic questions such as:· Does supply chain action result in threat alleviation for natural ecosystems and if so, under what conditions?· Does threat alleviation result in or support durable, long-term ecosystem protection, and if so under what conditions?In all cases, it will be important to identify the mechanisms enabling and hindering supply chain action from resulting in threat alleviation and/or durable conservation outcomes for natural ecosystems.The ToC examination is of critical importance to orient future supply chain action and investment in ways that optimize the achievement of durable conservation impacts. This project aims to do so through an expert review and evidence synthesis process, resulting in publications and communications to help shape the work of AFi, as well as the collective supply chain agenda and related investments over the coming years. The successful completion of these goals will be greatly aided by the support of a highly skilled consultant or consultancy who is able to facilitate and execute the project goals.Main ObjectivesThe project has three main overarching objectives:i. Synthesis of existing evidence and the production of an analytical framework to guide, structure, and support the synthesis. This will include clarification of which mechanisms, processes, and actors are within scope and a suitable definition for “durable” conservation outcomes. This will include an initial synthesis before the expert workshop and a final synthesis that takes into account expert opinion derived from Objective ii;ii. Convening a group of experts to review and reflect on the initial evidence and theoretical work conducted in component i. Experts will be drawn from the scientific research community, as well as leading practitioners with broad experience and thought leadership credentials. This activity will include participation in an expert workshop, as well as participation before and after the workshop in project goals and outputs.iii. Developing outputs, including one or more publications (ideally in a peer-reviewed journal, but possibly as white papers) aimed at influencing the broader scientific community, as well as thought leaders from the corporate space (eg, CEOs, Chief Sustainability Officers), policy makers (eg, governments, UN agencies), and civil society (eg, NGOs, philanthropic funders). These outputs will be supported by short-form materials to promote and socialize the findings and insights.Contractor Services at a minimum, must include:Lead the design of the expert review process, including the facilitation, and implementation of an expert workshop, in consultation with RA staff. The goals of this workshop will be to review and reflect on the initial synthesis of existing evidence and analytical framework as outlined in the project objectives.Co-develop with RA staff, and in consultation with expert review participants, an analytical framework and methodology for the project.Conduct aspects of a literature review and synthesis of existing evidence as agreed with RA staff.Lead the writing of the primary full-length technical output (ie, journal article or whitepaper). If this is a journal article, shepherd this through the submission and review/approval process. It’s expected that relevant members of RA staff and the engaged workshop participants could all be authors.Lead or support the writing of a short-form output targeted at key thought leaders working on supply chain sustainability (eg, corporate, government, and NGO leaders)Deliverables1. The successful execution of a workshop examining the supply chain theory of change.2. A report, co-developed with RA staff, containing the analytical framework and methodology for this project.3. A report containing the literature review and synthesis of existing evidence, including outputs from the workshop.4. A full-length technical output, such as journal article or white paper.5. A short-form output communicating technical output for key audiences, which may be either led or supported by the consultant.General terms and conditions for Request for proposalProposals and/or any additional information received after the submission time and date are subject to rejection by The Rainforest Alliance. Incomplete proposals may be rejected by RA at its discretion.The Rainforest Alliance reserves the right to request additional information at any time during the procurement process.RA is at liberty to make multiple or no selections as part of the proposal process. RA also reserves the right to cancel the procurement.All proposal costs shall be borne by the applicant and will not be reimbursed by RA.Selection CriteriaProposals will be assessed based on:Demonstrated experience of the Consultant or Consultant Firm at successfully facilitating multi-stakeholder processes, especially in workshop settings, and/or their experience developing analytical frameworks related to conservation practice/policy.The cost effectiveness of the proposal.The Consultant or Consultant Firm’s availability to execute the proposal by December 31st, 2025.Proposal Process and FormatPlease submit proposals through this platform in one integrated PDF document by January 13th, 2025.Proposals should contain the following information:· A full list of proposed team members.· A work plan for all deliverables, including supporting technical information regarding how each deliverable will be completed.· A financial proposal, not to exceed USD 100,000. This should include a basis for outlined costs.· Current C.V.(s) of all proposed team member(s).· A list of previous engagements that address the above desired experience.· Contact details of two recent references, including the contact’s email and phone number.Finalists will be notified of their selection on January 20th, 2025.Thank you for your interest in working with The Rainforest Alliance

Expected salary

Location

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland – New York City, NY

Job date

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 02:26:06 GMT

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