Local Coffee Business Advisor SuPER WE

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Deadline: April 10, 2025

TERMS OF REFERENCE

for Local Coffee Business Advisor

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Sustainable Production and Ethic Responsible & Women Empowered Coffee value chain in Lao PDR (SuPER WE Coffee)

Position Details

Name of Service: Local Coffee Business Advisor.
Duty Station: Home-based, with availability to travel to Dak Cheung District as required or based in the Dak Cheung office.
Duration: April until the end of February 2026.

Background

The project SuPER WE Coffee, Sustainable Production and Ethic Responsible & Women Empowered Coffee value chain in Lao PDR, aims to develop and adopt a more resource-efficient, gender-inclusive and climate change resilient production in Lao PDR and increase its integration in a greener global value chain as specialty coffee market. The project aims to empower the coffee producers’ group of the Dak Cheung District, to increase their productivity and quality of coffee and increase their household income by supporting the establishment of coffee processing centers, planting, and processing techniques for production groups. Moreover, the coffee production of Dak Cheung District in Sekong Province, has high economic potential and the potential to promote it internationally, to help generate income for the community and raise the quality of Lao coffee products internationally. The project started in 2022, and it will end on 28 February 2026. More information on the project can be found here.

An external Local Coffee Business Advisor will lead the implementation of Output 5 under the SuPER WE Project (Dakcheung model/practices are disseminated for replication at national level and investment supporting mechanisms are designed). The advisor will provide expertise in fostering market linkages, securing investment opportunities, identifying and engaging with public and private coffee buyers/investors, facilitating business development for Dakcheung coffee producer groups, and convening matchmaking between producers and investors for funding opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Local Coffee Business Advisor will be responsible for:

Investment and Financial Linkages:

Identify and create a database of potential public and private investors interested in Dak Cheung coffee.
Exchange and coordination with the international partners (as ICA AP) to connect with funding opportunities emerging in the international cooperative development within the ICA network.
Support the linkage of at least 10 coffee producers/coorperatives with potential investors by facilitating matchmaking opportunities.
Guide SMEs in refining their business and financial plans to attract investment.
Work closely with relevant government agencies (PAFO, DAFO, Lao Coffee Board-LCB, LCA, etc.) to design investment-supporting mechanisms.
Develop an open call for interest at the national level to identify 10 coffee producers to receive support in selecting the most sustainable funding opportunities.

Market Portfolio Development and Linkages:

Strengthen market linkages with the already identified traders/buyers at local and national levels. Assess potential certifications (Fair Trade, Organic, Forest Coffee, etc.) and outline the necessary steps and costs for compliance.
EU deforestation regulations (Reg (EU) 2023/1115) (EUDR) needs to be taken into account on developing market strategy
Development of a marketing portfolio with technical and financial plans for providing investment to support coffee producers’ group/cooperatives.
Ensure marketing strategies that align with sustainable, ethical, and green standards

Capacity Building and Market Access:

Identify protocols and documentation needed for international trade and develop a plan how to support Dak Cheung farmers in fulfilling these requirements.
Facilitate marketing access for producers, organizing marketing meetings with producers and buyers to improve farmers’ capacity in business management and marketing.
Work in collaboration with International Market Experts of Haliéus to develop a strong brand identity for Dak Cheung coffee, emphasizing sustainable and ethical production practices and women entrepreneurship.
Facilitate and manage the delivery of samples of coffee to potential buyers identified in coordination with Haliéus and the international market expert,

Ad-hoc Funds Proposal for Sustainable Coffee Value Chain and Cooperatives:

Assess funding gaps for coffee producers and cooperatives.
Define criteria and objectives for sustainable coffee value chain and cooperative funds.
Develop a comprehensive proposal for the ad-hoc fund.
Provide recommendations on fund utilization.
Engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment and maximize fund impact.
- Participate in weekly/monthly project meetings for continuous alignment with project goals when required by Partners.

Deliverables

Output 1: Database of potential private and public investors.
Output 2: Marketing portfolio and strategies development
Output 3: Criteria and procedures to support investment-readiness.
Output 4: Proposal of ad-hoc funds supporting circular economy, cooperatives, and recommendations.

Activities Description	Deliverables	No. of Days
Identifying public and private financial institutions	Database of potential public and private investors.	2
– Facilitate matchmaking opportunities for 10 local producers/SMEs in refining business and financial plans – Collaborate with government agencies to design investment-supporting mechanisms.	Criteria and procedures to support investment-readiness	5
Market Portfolio Development and Linkages	Market Portfolio and Reports on market trends, opportunities, and challenges.	5
Capacity Building and Marketing strategies – Facilitate training for farmers on business, marketing, and financial literacy. – Incorporate women’s economic empowerment in analysis and support – Collaborate on brand identity development for Dak Cheung coffee. – Develop sustainable marketing strategies	Marketing strategy document.	8
Develop proposals/concept notes for the ad-hoc fund with recommendations on fund utilization.	Report on fund proposals and funding sources and recommendations for strategic allocation	5
Total number of working days		25

Required Qualifications and Experience

A degree in business, economics, international trade, or a related field.
Proven experience working with smallholder farmer cooperatives and coffee value chains.
Knowledge of coffee marketing strategies and international trade regulations.
At least three years of experience in international project development, market analysis, or investment facilitation.
Strong stakeholder engagement and business development skills.
English proficiency (spoken and written) for reporting and communication.
Knowledge of cooperative business models and financial linkages is an advantage.

Application Submission Requirements

Interested consultants should submit their applications to Lao.contracts@care.org by April 10, 2025. Please indicate “Local Coffee Business Advisor SuPER WE ” as the subject heading.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

CV
Cover Letter
Financial proposal