Consultancy Service: Technical Support for Improving Brocade Products Based on Market Orientation for Producer Groups in Thanh Hoa Province

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

CLICK HERE FOR VIETNAMESE

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.