WORLD VISION INTERNATIONAL IN VIETNAM
MICROFINANCE UNIT (MFU)
TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR)
Consultancy Service: Technical Support for Improving Brocade Products Based on Market Orientation
for Producer Groups in Thanh Hoa Province
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I. BACKGROUND:
The THRIVE Project is jointly implemented by the Microfinance Unit (MFU) and World Vision International in Vietnam, aiming to support vulnerable households in improving sustainable livelihoods, strengthening income security, and increasing market access.
Under the iMKA (Inclusive Market Knowledge and Access) component, the project prioritizes supporting producer groups with potential to participate in local value chains. Previous assessments conducted by MFU identified general production and business conditions of producer groups in the project areas. However, for brocade producer groups, further technical support is needed to improve product quality and market readiness.
Current challenges of brocade groups include:
- Inconsistent finished product quality
- Limited product diversity and design adaptation
- Lack of basic quality control systems
- Limited capacity for product improvement and market-oriented development
Therefore, the project seeks a qualified consultant/team to provide technical support for assessing existing brocade products and improving product quality based on market requirements, with the aim of strengthening future market linkage opportunities.
II. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant/team will provide technical support to assess the market suitability of existing brocade products and support producer groups in improving product quality and product presentation.
Main tasks include:
1. Product Assessment
- Assess selected brocade products of producer groups
- Review product quality, finishing, consistency, design, and market suitability
- Identify technical gaps and improvement needs
- Recommend potential products for further market development
2. Development of Technical Support Program
Based on the assessment results, the consultant will develop a practical technical support and training program tailored to the needs of producer groups. Support may include:
- Improving selected production techniques
- Enhancing product finishing and consistency
- Supporting product design adjustments for target markets
- Standardizing selected production steps
3. Technical Support and Training Implementation
The consultant will organize technical support activities using appropriate methods (including online and offline), prioritizing practical coaching and on-site guidance. Activities may include:
- Technical coaching sessions
- Hands-on product improvement practice
- Provision of technical guidance materials
- Follow-up support during implementation
4. Final Assessment and Recommendations
At the end of the assignment, the consultant will submit a final report including:
- Initial product assessment results
- Technical support activities conducted
- Improvements achieved in selected sample products
- Remaining challenges and recommendations for future support
* IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE: 06/2026 – 09/2026
III. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
Within the framework of this technical support package, the consultant/team is expected to achieve the following results:
1. Initial Market-Oriented Product Assessment
The consultant/team will assess selected existing brocade products of the producer groups based on target market requirements and provide an initial assessment report. The report may include:
- Assessment of the finishing quality of existing products
- Assessment of product consistency and uniformity
- Assessment of the suitability of product designs for the target market orientation
- Identification of technical issues related to product quality that require improvement
- Identification of priority technical support needs of the producer groups
- Recommendation of potential products for further improvement and future market linkage opportunities
The assessment report will serve as the basis for developing the technical support program for the next implementation phase.
2. Technical Support Program for Product Improvement Developed
The consultant/team will develop a technical support and training program based on the initial assessment results and the actual conditions of the producer groups. The support program should include:
- Technical support topics relevant to product improvement needs
- Appropriate implementation methods suitable for the local production context
- Proposed implementation and training plan
- Technical guidance materials for application by producer groups (if applicable)
3. Sample Products Improved Through Technical Support Activities
Following the implementation of technical support activities:
- Selected sample products of the producer groups are improved in terms of product finishing and quality
- Product consistency and uniformity are enhanced
- Producer groups are able to apply selected technical improvements in their actual production process
- Improved sample products are initially assessed for their suitability to target market requirements
4. Final Report on Training Results and Capacity Improvement
Upon completion of the assignment, the consultant/team will provide a final report summarizing implementation results, including:
- Technical support activities conducted
- Results achieved in improving sample products
- Progress in the application of technical improvements by producer groups
- Remaining challenges and constraints
- Recommendations for further technical support and product development (if applicable)
IV. CONSULTANT REQUIREMENTS
1. Professional Experience and Expertise
The consultant/team should have:
- Proven expertise in traditional handicraft product development, handmade textile production, or livelihood development based on handicraft production (preferably brocade weaving or similar products)
- At least 3–5 years of experience in providing technical training, skills improvement, or production capacity development support for small-scale household producer groups
- Previous experience working with NGOs, development projects, or community-based livelihood programs is preferred
- Experience working with women, low-income households, ethnic minority communities, or vulnerable groups is an advantage
- Experience implementing activities in rural and mountainous areas, particularly in Thanh Hoa and/or Quang Tri provinces, is preferred
2. Technical Implementation Capacity
The consultant/team should demonstrate the ability to:
- Conduct assessments of production capacity and product quality to identify appropriate technical support needs
- Design practical and hands-on training programs suitable for household-based production conditions
- Develop simple and user-friendly technical guidance materials for producer groups
- Deliver flexible training approaches, preferably combining remote support with on-site coaching
- Monitor and provide technical follow-up support during the application process
- Coordinate closely with MFU and branch staff throughout implementation
- Adjust technical support approaches based on the actual conditions and needs of participating groups
- Provide all required training materials and reports in accordance with project requirements
- Ensure implementation progress according to the agreed timeline
V. LOGISTICS AND SUPPORT
MFU/WVI will:
- Cover consultancy contract costs according to agreed deliverables
- Cover transportation, accommodation, and field travel expenses for the consulting team during implementation at project sites (in accordance with project financial regulations or as agreed in the contract).
- Support basic logistics arrangements during field activities when necessary
- Support coordination with producer groups and local stakeholders
- Provide available background documents and assessment information
The consultant/team is responsible for preparing technical materials, tools, and human resources required for implementation.
VI. DOCUMENTS SUBMISSION
Interested consultants/consulting teams are invited to submit:
- One technical and financial proposal
- Organizational profile and relevant experience
- CVs of key experts involved
Submission method: Via email [email protected]
VII. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
The consultant/team must:
- Comply with WVI core values, Vietnamese laws, and local cultural practices
- Comply with World Vision Vietnam Child Protection Policy
- Ensure all documents and information generated under this assignment are used only for project purposes unless otherwise approved by WVI in writing.