Background:

Rikolto International (hereinafter “Rikolto”) is a Non-Government Organisation (NGO)dedicated to transforming food systems to be more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Active in 18 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, Rikolto collaborates with farmer organisations, businesses, governments and civil society actors to co-develop actionable and scalable solutions that ensure access to affordable, nutritious food while strengthening local livelihoods and ecosystems.

In Vietnam, in collaboration with Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance and Tay Nguyen University, Rikolto is implementing a project, namely “Driving Inter-Sector Circular Economy for Sustainable Shrimp, Rice and Coffee Farming in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and Central Highlands”, funded by the European Union (EU), reference number: EuropeAid/183533/DD/ACT/VN. The project aligns with the EU’s Priority 1: to support micro-small-and-medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in reducing the environmental impact, improving resource efficiency in their production, and adopting responsible and circular economy practices.

The Project’s overall objective is to contribute to developing a carbon-neutral, responsible and circular economy in Vietnam’s agriculture sector by empowering sustainable MSMEs. To achieve this, the Project has two specific and interconnected objectives. Specific objective 1 - to improve the participation of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in the decision-making process on gender-sensitive, responsible and circular economy practices in Vietnam’s agriculture sector. Specific objective 2 - to increase the adoption of circular economy practices by MSMEs in the shrimp, rice and coffee sectors, promoting interconnected resource efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and sustaining production across integrated supply chains in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands of Vietnam.

The Project will work with four groups of key stakeholders as follows: (1) Private sector, including MSMEs/cooperatives and farmers engaged in shrimp aquaculture, coffee production and rice cultivation; (2) Business Development Service (BDS) providers, Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) and industry associations; (3) Public sector; (4) Academic institutions and NGOs.

The Project will deliver interventions through four key interlinked activity clusters, including:

1. Promoting awareness and engagement of NSAs and relevant stakeholders in circular economy policies and practices;
2. Demonstrating circular economy practices in the aquaculture and horticulture commodity sectors through piloting and capacity building for MSMEs/cooperatives and producers;
3. Dissemination and replicating knowledge on circular economy practices;
4. Promoting an enabling environment and market access for circular economy practices and products in agriculture.

Rikolto seeks consultant(s) to conduct a baseline survey (2026) and endline survey (2030), measure GHG emissions, carbon footprint, and waste management practices, and assess needs and gaps for promoting and scaling up circular economy practices among NSAs in the shrimp, rice, and coffee sectors in Ca Mau, Dong Thap, and Dak Lak provinces.

1. Assignment Overview

The consultant(s) will conduct a baseline survey in 2026 and an endline survey in 2030 across three target sectors:

• Intensive and super-intensive shrimp aquaculture in Ca Mau province
• Rice production in Dong Thap province
• Coffee production in Dak Lak province

The assignment will establish baseline and endline data on circular economy practices, waste management, GHG emissions, carbon footprint, gender-responsive approaches, and access to finance and technology. The findings will provide evidence for project monitoring and evaluation, support adaptive management, and measure the impact of project interventions.

Contract type: National Consultancy

Location: Ca Mau, Dong Thap, and Dak Lak provinces, Vietnam

Expected starting date: Upon contract signing

2. Key Responsibilities

The selected consultant(s) will:

• Conduct desk reviews of policies, sector reports, datasets, academic literature, and existing assessments related to circular economy development in the shrimp, rice, and coffee sectors.
• Design survey methodologies, sampling approaches, data collection tools, and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Measure baseline and endline GHG emissions, carbon footprint, material footprint, and waste management practices in the three target sectors.
• Assess current levels of circular economy adoption, including waste recycling and reuse practices.
• Identify and map relevant non-state actors (NSAs), including farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs, business associations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and service providers.
• Assess stakeholder participation in circular economy-related policy processes and identify needs and gaps for scaling circular economy practices.
• Conduct field visits, interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder consultations in the target provinces.
• Analyse quantitative and qualitative data and identify environmental emission hotspots, good practices, challenges, opportunities, and gender-responsive approaches.
• Facilitate validation workshops with project stakeholders.
• Produce high-quality reports, datasets, and recommendations for strengthening circular economy practices across the three sectors.

3. Required Qualifications and Experience

Consultant(s) should demonstrate the following qualifications andexperience:

• Have relevant academic qualifications at master's level or above in environmental science, agriculture, food systems, rural development, public policy, or related fields;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in food system research, carbon footprint and GHG emissions measurement, circular economy, and policy analysis in Vietnam or the Southeast Asia region;
• Proven track record in conducting field-based, participatory research and engaging with multi-stakeholder processes, including smallholder farmers, MSMEs/cooperatives, local authorities, and civil society actors;
• Strong understanding of circular economy frameworks, GHG accounting methodologies, waste and by-product management, and environmental sustainability;
• Demonstrated experience in low-carbon agriculture, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), circular economy projects, preferably in the shrimp, rice and coffee sectors in Vietnam;
• Familiarity with Vietnam's policy frameworks relevant to circular economy and sustainable agriculture;
• Excellent analytical, synthesis, and academic writing skills in English; proficiency in Vietnamese is required for fieldwork and stakeholder engagement;
• Familiarity with Rikolto’s thematic priorities and strategic approach is a strong advantage.

A detailed description of deliverables, timelines, and expected outputs is available in the Terms of Reference (TOR).

How to apply

Interested consulting organisations or teams should submit the following documents to Rikolto in Vietnam:

• A technical proposal (max 5 pages) outlining the applicant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, team composition (if applicable), and workplan;
• Curriculum Vitae (s) highlighting relevant academic qualifications and professional experience;
• Financial proposal specifying the daily consultancy rate (including tax) per team member and total cost for each package;
• Evidence of relevant previous work, such as baseline/endline survey report, GHG emissions or carbon footprint study, circular economy assessment, and food system policy analysis.

Submissions should be sent by 29 July, 2026 to: vietnam@rikolto.org.

Subject line: Application - Baseline and endline surveys for shrimp aquaculture, rice and coffee sectors.

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Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further assessment.

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