Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) - Deforestation risk assessment to support Phuc Sinh in up scaling of climate-smart coffee in the highland, Viet Nam

Objectives of the assignment

The overall intention of the deforestation risk assessment is to support Phuc Sinh successful expansion and scaling up of the RA standard farming in the central Highlands, and compliance with the new law to fight global deforestation and forest degradation driven by EU production and consumption enters into force. Detailed objectives:

• Review current deforestation risks and drivers (policies, social-economic, physical climate risks…) that related to coffee in the project areas (Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Son La… province).
• Assess deforestation risks and drivers, and potential drivers for Phuc Sinh coffee in expansion areas in supporting Phuc Sinh complying with Viet Nam law, the Rainforest Alliance standards, EUDR Deforestation Risk, IFC PS Regulation.
• Provision of recommendations for Phuc Sinh deforestation-free for their supply chain to achieve above standards (IFC PS, RA, EUDR) and its commitment to sustainability. 

Activities/Tasks

The following tasks are to be performed under the guidance and supervision of Phuc Sinh’s designated staff and SNV’s DFCD Vietnam.

• Desk-based review of related deforestation risk information, drivers and Phuc Sinh’s business, supply chains in the project areas
• Historic period spatial mapping/analysing for the project areas with respect to forest cover changes, deforestation drivers for 2014 (as baseline), until 2024; and suggest vulnerable areas/maps related to geographic, social, and economic conditions.
• Deforestation assessment to be conducted in coordinating with Viet Nam law, RA standard/EUDR, IFC PS requirements and expectations in the project areas.
• Involve local stakeholders and include vulnerable groups (ethnic minorities and women) in the assessments/recommendations. Incorporate stakeholder engagement to validate findings.
• Incorporating/discussing with the other TA teams that are working with Phuc Sinh on GIS, traceability, RA standards etc during the implementation for the tasks.
• Presenting findings/recommendations for Phuc Sinh on deforestation-free coffee, which involves related stakeholders, such as, local smallholders, local authorities, management teams.

Deliverables

• Spatial mapping of the project areas with respect to historic deforestation for 2014 (as baseline), and 2024; and vulnerable area/map for development period (all digital maps, and report format)
• Validated final deforestation assessment (full report).
• Summary report, presentation of findings to PS.