Regulatory Framework Analysis Consultancy – Spice Sector

Background:
Spice Up the Deal III (SUD III) is designed to foster systemic changes to develop equitable nutmeg and clove markets in Indonesia’s Maluku Province (with a focus on nutmeg). Building on previous phases, the program continues to work with farmers, traders and other actors involved in the production, processing, marketing and export of nutmeg (and to a lesser extent clove) on the Maluku islands. The program goal is to improve the performance of these spice value chains to benefit poor farmers and increase their income, by increasing the capacity of the Maluku Spice Council (MSC) to be an effective business hub that advances the development of the spice market. The Spice Council will support increased production, improvements in quality, and foster ‘win-win’ business relationships between farmer groups and buyers. In this final phase, the program focuses on supporting the Maluku Spice Council to fully take on leadership and management of market development efforts, thereby ensuring the continuation of activities and building long-term sustainability.

In its role as a business hub, the Maluku Spice Council is involved in promoting the spice trade, attracting buyers to Maluku, facilitating linkages between market actors and providing policy recommendations to the government to boost Maluku’s spice trade and direct export from Ambon. As part of the latter, the Maluku Spice Council is also engaged in a multi-stakeholder process of restoring Ambon’s status as export port.

Consultant Objectives:
Mercy Corps is seeking a consultant to perform a Spice Sector Regulatory Framework Analysis in order to support the Maluku Spice Council with navigating and influencing the regulatory framework while performing its role as business hub. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive in-depth mapping and analysis of Indonesian spice sector laws, regulations and policies as well as current and potential regulations related to the global spice trade and key markets for Indonesian spice producers. Based on the assessment, the consultant will provide recommendations for addressing policy gaps and overcoming regulatory bottlenecks on the road to boosting the export of spices (with focus on nutmeg) from Maluku.

Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will do the following:
Ø Design the assessment and analysis methodology (framework, data collection and interview methods, questionnaires, identification of key informants) in consultation with Mercy Corps Indonesia.
Ø Conduct literature research with a focus on relevant regulatory framework documentation.
Ø Conduct site visits to Ambon, Maluku Province.
Ø Conduct meetings and interviews with the Maluku Spice Council in Ambon as well as the Indonesia Spice Council in Jakarta.
Ø Conduct meetings and interviews with key spice sector stakeholders, such as: KADIN, Trade and Industry Department, Agriculture Department, Planning Department, exporters, traders, the spice farmer association, University, etc. .
Ø Research the spice market’s regulatory framework (including recent or expected changes) and identify the bottlenecks that affect Maluku’s (and Indonesia’s) ability to access export markets. Map and analyse all existing and planned relevant laws, regulations and policies – at Maluku provincial level, national level and at the level of global export markets.
Ø The above research includes an analysis of barriers and steps to be undertaken to achieve restoration of Ambon as a direct export port.
Ø Map and analyze the roles, responsibilities and performance of relevant spice actors (legislative and executive) in meeting the needs of Maluku’s spice trade. Analysis will include strength, weakness, opportunity and challenges of each actor’s influence on direct export of spices from Maluku.
Ø Assess current global market trends for spices (particularly nutmeg) produced in Maluku in order to identify policy gaps and critical steps to be taken to create a supporting enabling environment for spice production and export to high value markets.
Ø Evaluate the regulatory framework challenges and develop potential solutions that the Maluku Spice Council can promote and/or facilitate.
Ø Present regulatory framework analysis findings and recommendation to Mercy Corps Indonesia, Maluku Spice Council and related key policy makers (executive and legislative) during a workshop.
Ø Complete a final report outlining findings and recommendations (incorporating feedback from Mercy Corps Indonesia on draft report) in English and Bahasa Indonesia.

Consultant Deliverables:
Ø Written inception plan with a detailed outline of the methodologies to be used, planned actions, and timeline.
Ø Presentation of regulatory analysis findings and recommendations at a workshop with Mercy Corps Indonesia, the Maluku Spice Council members, relevant government policy makers (executive and legislative).
Ø Submission of a final report (incorporating feedback from workshop mentioned above), in English and Bahasa, with assessment findings and recommendations, including a road map with policy recommendations for government actions to help boost direct export of spices (notably nutmeg) from Maluku.

Timeframe / Schedule:
25 days in May 2017

The Consultant will report to:
Ø Project Manager, SUD III

The Consultant will work closely with:
Ø Maluku Spice Council
Ø Mercy Corps Director of Program
Ø Project Manager SUD III
Ø Project Officer SUD III

Please your CV and Application Letter (include information of your daily rate) to rtoisutta@id.mercycorps.org before 1 May 2017.

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