‍Background:

Rikolto is an international NGO with over 40 years of experience in partnering with farmer organizations (FOs) and food value chain actors (VCAs) across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America through 18 global programmes and eight regional offices. Rikolto envisions a world with production and consumption systems that allow poverty and hunger to be eradicated and that do not burden our planet more than it can bear. Since 2017, Rikolto has engaged in the rice sector of nine countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal. Rikolto has been coaching farmers to change their practices in line with low-carbon and sustainable rice production practices, including Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD), following the SRP Standards, and promoting market linkages by connecting rice producers with market actors. In the area of enabling the environment, through collaboration with other stakeholders, Rikolto promotes public and private stakeholders to adopt policies, programmes, and initiatives that promote a more sustainable and inclusively governed rice sector.  

Rikolto has partnered with Livelihoods Venture and its Livelihoods 3rd Carbon Fund (LCF3) to support investment into a Low-Carbon Rice (LCR) project in Dong Thap province of Vietnam. The project aims to reduce GHG emissions while maintaining high production that ensures food security and contributes positively to economic growth and environmental impacts are critical. Sustainable Rice Production (SRP) and Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) have been identified as the most promising practices for reducing GHG emissions, especially for irrigated rice.  

LCF and Rikolto aim to scale up this initiative and introduce additional innovations (e.g., no-tillage and bio-stimulants) and strengthen local rice by-products businesses to boost farmers' adoption of Low Carbon Sustainable Rice (LCSR) cultivation.  

To prepare for this project, Rikolto seeks a consultant to conduct a baseline analysis to assess the current rice cultivation practices in 10 cooperatives in Dong Thap.

Key Objectives of the Baseline Analysis:

• Analyze the baseline data from 10 cooperatives in Dong Thap province for both (i) current practices of rice cultivation and (ii) some social aspects related to farmers and rice cultivation.
• Analyze the soil samples in term of:
  • Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) % – Baseline for carbon sequestration tracking
  • Total Soil Nitrogen (N) – Key for estimating nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions
  • Soil pH – Affects microbial activity and nutrient availability
  • Soil Texture (Clay/Silt/Sand %) – Influences water retention and emissions
  • Bulk Density (g/cm³) – Needed for calculating soil carbon stocks
  • Microbial Biomass Carbon & Nitrogen – Indicator of soil biological health
  • Electrical Conductivity (EC) – Salinity levels that impact crop growth
  • Redox potential (Eh)
• Preliminary recommendations (based on the result of baseline analyzation and priority set of interventions considering typology of farmers). A consultant will be selected to lead this baseline analysis according to the technical proposal and contract.

Scope of work

The consultant is the main person responsible for analyzing and delivering quality results of the consultation, in close coordination and consultation with LCF and Rikolto’s Rice team. This includes, but is not limited to the following tasks:

• Desk study: review project documents, and data set
• Data analysis: analyze the baseline data from 10 cooperatives in Dong Thap province
• Soil Testing: Conduct soil tests to analyze key soil parameters as outlined in the objectives
• Draft report: write a quality draft report of the study in English. Submit draft reports to LCF and Rikolto for checking, and incorporate their inputs into the final versions
• Consultation of the analyze results with Rikolto and LCF
• Final report: write a quality final report of the study in English

Total Contract Duration: 3 April to 30 May 2025. The consultant is expected to complete the tasks within a total of 33 working days.  

Required Profile

The ideal consultant will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A doctorate in agriculture, geography, or social sciences such as particularly climate change, greenhouse gases emissions, carbon credit field of study, or any other disciplines related to social and behavioral research.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis, soil testing, and reporting, particularly in relation to GHGs, SRP, biofertilizers, no-tillage, bio stimulants, or similar agricultural practices.
• Strong skills in reviewing papers and revising reports.
• Experience working in Mekong Delta Region, particularly in Dong Thap province.

For more information, please refer to the Job Description.

How to apply

Interested consultants are invited to submit the following:

1. Technical Proposal: A detailed proposal that addresses the objectives and methodology for conducting the baseline analysis, along with the consultant's qualifications and relevant experience.
2. Financial Proposal: A breakdown of the total costs, including consultancy fees, fieldwork, soil sample testing, and any other related expenses, ensuring the total cost is within the expected budget of 8,500 USD.
3. CV: A curriculum vitae (CV) demonstrating relevant experience and qualifications.

Please send your application to vietnam@rikolto.org by 2^nd April 2025.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview or further clarification.

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