Job description:
“SWITCH Maguindanao: Transforming Coconut MSMEs into Circular, Sustainable and Inclusive Social Enterprises”
Terms of Reference for the studies:
“Financial and market analysis including available alternatives to non-environmentally friendly packaging, building up on the experience of the ongoing EU-funded action implemented by SRC/PRC”
And
“Design new market strategies for coconut derivatives, identifying features to improve: quality standards, added value, labelling and packaging restyling, advertising”
1. General Background.
Co-funded by the European Union (EU), Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and Spanish Red Cross (SRC) are implementing the action “SWITCH Maguindanao: Transforming Coconut MSMEs into Circular, Sustainable and Inclusive Social Enterprises” in Maguinadao.
As part of the project´s implementation, the following two studies will be conducted by an external consultant.
a) “Op2. A1 Conduct financial and market analysis including available alternatives to non-environmentally friendly packaging, building up on the experience of the ongoing EU-funded action implemented by SRC/PRC”.
And
b) “Op2.A2 Design new market strategies for coconut derivatives, identifying features to improve: quality standards, added value (i.e. bio/organic and Halal certification), labelling and packaging restyling (including alternatives to plastics packaging), advertising”.
The project has started in 2025 and will extend for 42 months until June 2028 in two municipalities of Maguindanao (Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Angal Midtimbang), promoting the strengthening of the coconut value chain, working with small coconut farmers and their small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative improves the sustainability of their production strategies and incomes, strengthens their access to credit and bank financing, and promotes the inclusion of beneficiaries in existing value chains. The project has two specific objectives and four outcomes, involving and strengthening the capacities of civil society actors and local authorities, and generating indirect benefits for more than 300,000 consumers. The gender and equity approach in this project, improves the participation of vulnerable groups, building capacities and promoting the peaceful convenience within the community.
With this action, 1,000 coconut producers integrating at least 20 MSMEs will improve their productive sustainability through the identification of weakness and bad practices and the incorporation of new technologies and equipment improving their capacities. To address key segments and stakeholders along the entire value chain. MSMEs, local communities, traders, authorities, and financial entities will collaborate to introduce inclusive green and circular economy practices. A comprehensive strategy for facilitating a green transition and enhancing added-value coconut production will be developed with the producers, addressing climate change, reducing pollution and negative impacts, and promoting sustainable consumption choices.
This action contributes to transitioning the Philippines to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy, promoting sustainable value chains and products in the coconut industry. Approximately 50 cooperatives and producer associations, both formal and informal, are dedicated to this productive sector in Maguindanao province. Despite the extensive versatility of coconut, which has the potential to integrate full circularity through the production of coco husk, coco coir and coco pit, farmers’ limited access to training and equipment result in an inefficient use of resources and waste generation that could otherwise be integrated into the value chain.
Regarding the structure of the final report and the deliverables, it is suggested to include at least the following dimensions:
Assessment 1:
● Inception report: Outline of the methodology, detailed work plan, data collection tools, stakeholder engagement strategy, and timeline for the assessment.
● Market and financial analysis (including a comparative model): Analysis of the coconut derivatives market (local and potential external markets), including demand trends, pricing, and competition. The financial component should include cost structures, investment needs, and a comparative financial model assessing current against alternative packaging scenarios.
● Assessment of sustainable packaging alternatives: Evaluation of available alternatives to single use plastics in the local and regional market, including technical feasibility, cost implications, environmental benefits, and potential for reuse systems.
● Consumer insights study: Analysis of consumer preferences, willingness to pay, and behaviour related to sustainable packaging for coconut by-products, based on surveys and/or focus group discussions.
● Feasibility study of circular schemes: Assessment of the viability of circular economy solutions such as take back systems, deposit and return schemes, and collective procurement mechanisms among MSMEs, including operational and financial considerations.
● Recommendations report: Practical and actionable recommendations on transitioning to sustainable packaging, including investment priorities, business models, and potential partnerships.
Assessment 2:
● Inception report: Refined methodology and work plan building on the results of Assessment 1, including stakeholder engagement and validation approach.
● Market strategy report: Development of targeted market strategies for coconut derivatives, including segmentation, positioning, pricing strategies, and identification of high-potential market channels (local and export).
● Branding, packaging, and labelling guidelines (including certification roadmap): Guidelines for product differentiation through improved branding and packaging design, including sustainable packaging options, labelling requirements, and a roadmap for obtaining relevant certifications (e.g. organic, Halal).
● Marketing and promotion strategy: Comprehensive strategy outlining promotional approaches, communication channels, and tools (digital and offline) to increase product visibility and market penetration.
● MSME integration toolkit: Practical toolkit to support MSMEs in adopting the proposed strategies, including templates, checklists, business planning guidance, and recommendations for integration into their operations.
The report should be structured in two separate executive summary max. 4 pages, and full technical report max. 45 pages (excluding annexes), both in paper and digital format, corresponding for each one of the referred studies.
Deadlines for carrying out the assessment.
The assessment should be conducted in no more than 3 months including the revision of draft and submission of final reports, starting from the signing date of the contract.
Tentative schedule to start the assessment is on July 2026
Consultant / team profile:
The bidders or consulting company must have the following profile.
Multi-disciplinary profile is recommended. University professionals with an academic background in business and marketing administration, finance and sustainable livelihoods, environmental management, industrial and sustainable design, or other related studies; master’s degree is desirable. The team must have previous experience in a similar context in Southeast Asia. SRC and PRC
will value both specialized knowledge and expertise as well as multidisciplinarity.
At least 5 years of experience in the field and at least 3 previous related evaluations or consultancies are required.
Only bidders able to pay taxes in the Philippines are eligible.
It is essential to present the CV of each professional involved. The coordinator of the assessment team as well as any other consultants who will participate must be specified in the proposal. Professionals and/or consulting companies that have had a relationship with the project, in any of its aspects, are not eligible to apply for this call.
Presentation of the technical and financial offer.
The bidder will be responsible for all the costs of his mobilization, accommodation, subsistence, and materials and will have to mobilize independently and autonomously.
Regarding the financial proposal, the amount projected for each study cannot exceed 250,000 PHP (Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Philippine Pesos), being the maximum amount for both evaluations 500,000 PHP (Five Hundred Thousand Philippine Pesos).
is as follows:
● Consultancy/Company: company profile and experience, highlighting the consultancies and assessments most consistent with the object of this ToR, and the CVs of all the members of the team and the indication of who would coordinate it.
● Individual bidder: CV of the individual highlighting the experiences most consistent with these ToRs, completed by the CVs of all the possible collaborators. In this case, it is understood that the bidder is the person responsible for the team and who signs the contract, issues the invoices, and receives payment for the consultancy, with the employment relationship with the possible collaborators remaining his/her exclusive responsibility.
● Copy of the identity card if the applicant is a physical person.
The documentation shall be placed in an envelope, and this, in turn, put into a bigger envelope or bag. Into the latter, separately, there shall be another envelope, sealed, without external identification of any kind, containing l offer:
● Detailed, signed, and stamped methodological proposal
● Detailed work plan, signed and stamped
● Detailed financial offer, with validity date, signed and stamped
How to apply
Bids should be addressed to Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary-General of the Philippines Red Cross, located Philippine Red Cross-National Headquarters, Welfare department, #37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, National Capital Region, PHILIPPINES, indicating the name of the consultancy to which it applies. The deadline for the submission of technical and financial offer is on July 24, 2026 , at 12:00 PM, in person or by courier. Bids will not be accepted by email.
Before the handover of the assessment proposal the candidates can submit their questions to the following email addresses:
● welfare@redcross.org.ph
● markalvin.abrigo@redcross.org.ph
● m.abrazado@redcross.org.ph
● hrd.recruitment@redcross.org.ph
TO VIEW THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, YOU MAY ACCESS THIS LINK:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ufoPLmLVAVSxX2MR3VlpwOvqZhMBtHwZ/view?usp=sharing
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Maguindanao