Consultancy for Cadmium Reduction Solutions in Mekong Delta region

Helvetas is an independent development organization based in Switzerland, with affiliated organizations in Germany and the United States. Since 1994, Helvetas has been active in Vietnam, working across various sectors, including Agriculture, Biodiversity Conservation, Forestry, Eco-tourism, and Rural Economic Development.
Under the SWITCH-Asia program of the European Union, Helvetas is implementing the project "Circular Economy Cocoa: From Bean to Bar." The project aims to develop circular economy solutions in cocoa and other agri-food sectors, leading to equitable economic growth decoupled from harmful environmental impacts. The project is being implemented over four years (2022-2026) in 6-7 key cacao-growing provinces in the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta regions of Vietnam.
Cadmium, a naturally occurring element, accumulates in cocoa beans due to various environmental and agricultural factors. Elevated levels have been identified in Mekong Delta cocoa beans, raising concerns about the sustainability of cocoa farming and economic prospects for farmers. Addressing these issues is vital to maintaining the region's reputation and compliance with international standards.
The accumulation arises from factors like naturally high soil cadmium, industrial contamination, irrigation water, fertilizer impurities, and poor soil management. Identifying these root causes is key to ensuring quality cocoa, safeguarding livelihoods, and meeting international standards.
In collaboration with Marou Chocolate J.S.C., Helvetas seeks expert consultancy to address cadmium accumulation, propose mitigation strategies, and implement solutions for safe and sustainable cocoa production, supporting circular economy principles and reducing environmental impact.
The consultancy period is 06 months, from February to August 2025.
For more details, please refer to the attached Terms of Reference (TOR).
Applications Should Include
Technical Proposal: Team composition with CVs highlighting relevant experience and roles of each member; proposed approach and methodology, detailed work plan, and quality assurance procedures.
Financial Proposal: Detailed costs including number of working days, consulting rates for each team member, budget justification, field travel expenses, and any additional costs. The EU Cost Norms (2022) are suggested to be applied.
Interested candidates should send their Profiles, Technical and Financial Proposal to Helvetas Vietnam at [protected info] and [protected info] by January 20, 2025.