Nigeria. EU support to strengthening private sector adaptation to EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainibility Due Diligence Direct

1. OBJECTIVE(S), EXPECTED DELIVERABLE(S) AND DEADLINE(S) OF THE ASSIGNMENT
2. Objective(s) of the assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to support the EUD in Nigeria with a general assessment of the potential impact of EUDR and CS3D on the cocoa, rubber, cattle (including leather) and wood value chains and to provide recommendations to construct a strategy for the EUD to support the adaptation of the private sector, in particular MSMEs and small producers.

The specific objectives of the assignment are:

• To provide updated information on the private actors and the cocoa, rubber, cattle (including leather) and wood value chains (mapping) using the methodology developed in former studies including the information collected and analysed in the ongoing assessment made by TPSDE experts in Africa at regional level**.**
• To assess the potential impact of the EUDR and CS3D (readiness and potential impact), covering not only the negative aspects related to non-compliance, but also the positive aspects related to compliance with this regulation for the Nigerian products/companies and the sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.
• To identify mechanisms for dialogue with public and private sector actors regarding the potential impacts of these regulations on products from value chains targeted by mapping. These dialogue mechanisms must consider vulnerable and potentially affected stakeholders.
• Identify the key initiatives for responsible business conduct that comply with international standards and assess how to strengthen them. In addition, to feed the dialogue with the Nigerian private sector, include recommendations on possible trade union and/or regulatory strategies to comply with the EUDR and CS3D.
• To Identifypossible synergies with other best practices of private sector in the region to get prepared to implement EUDR requirements (traceability and legality requirements) or CS3D and develop sustainable exports to the EU.
• To propose a draft Road Map for the potentially most affected commodities with concrete short-term measures facilitating their adaptation to the EUDR and recommendations for a sector wide approach to promote ownership from the private (and public) sectors of the proposed Road Map.

1. Expected output(s)

Output 1.

A general assessment of the situation and preparation of the (1) cocoa (2) rubber (3) cattle (including leather) and wood Value chains to implement the new due diligence requirements on deforestation and corporate sustainability (the scope, structure and content will be confirmed in the kick off meeting). The study should include:

1. A summary of the legislation and their obligations in theory and practice for the private sector in Nigeria easily accessible for organisations as well a business case presenting arguments in favor of the adoption of environmentally friendly standards.
2. Mapping of actors in the value chains of (1) rubber, (2) cocoa (3) cattle, including leather) and (4) wood products as well as initiatives in public-private dialogue, deforestation, sustainability due diligence.
3. a diagnostic of the challenges identified by the local private and cooperative sectors, as well as by civil society actors (and the public sector) concerning the future implementation of the due diligence obligations of both regulations and the adaptation of actors in the value chains to comply with the new requirements. Covering both positive and negative aspects related to compliance (or non-compliance) with these regulations.
4. A draft Road Map to facilitate the adaptation of the three sectors to the EUDR requirements with short- term concrete measures to ease the implementation (traceability, legality).
5. Recommendations to facilitate public-private dialogue on these issues and adaptation to the new rules, among others. To feed into the dialogue with the private sector, recommendations on possible business and/or regulatory strategies for compliance will be included.

Output 2.

Sharing main results and mobilising the private sector in one workshop to be organised with the Delegation after the approval of the Final report.

1. ACTIVITIES and REPORTING

The assignment will be carried out by three SNKE experts hired by the TPSDE Facility to perform the following tasks and provide the following deliverables in four subsequent phases:

Phase 1: Kick off and preparation of the field mission:

1. Kick-off meeting with the EU Delegation (EUD) in Nigeria to confirm the objective and content of the mission, the people to be interviewed, the work programme and the revision of the list of institutions and persons suggested to be part of the Task Force. This task force (Monitoring Committee) composed of representatives of ministries and private sector organizations will be set up (by EUD in consultation with national parties) to ensure follow-up, before and during the mission with the experts and then with EUD.
2. Interviews with other European Commission services (INTPA F3, DG CLIM, ENV, EMPL, GROW, JUST, TRADE) for suggested areas for analysis related to implementation and interpretation of EUDR and CS3D regulations.
3. Desk research and analysis of the regulatory framework (EU and Nigeria).
4. Presentation of the two European regulations to the main actors during an online information and awareness meeting (to be organised with DUE before the start of the field mission).

Phase 2: Field mission

1. Stakeholder interviews in Nigeria (two-week field mission): Private and public commercial companies; producers, enterprises, cooperatives, public sector; relevant technical ministries; government departments and agencies, relevant public bodies civil society organisations (including environmental and human rights defenders); cooperation agencies of Member States); etc.
2. Brief mission report with provisional results.

Phase 3: Final report

1. Mapping of value chains (EUDR and CS3D)
2. Analysis of the readiness and impact of regulations on value chains (EUDR and CS3D).
3. Proposal of a roadmap to facilitate the adaptation with prioritized activities aimed to facilitate the adaptation of the private sector to the EUDR mainly
4. Online meetings with key stakeholders to assess their potential collaboration in the implementation of the roadmap.
5. Drafting of final report and updates.
6. Debriefing with the delegation and presentation of conclusions and recommendations (for stakeholders workshop (PPT).

Phase 4: workshop

1. Presentation of the main conclusions to private sector organisations/representatives, civil society, and public authorities in a workshop to be organised in September 2024 by the EUD with technical support of the experts. This support will consist in: (1) elaboration of a summary document for the event regarding main challenges and opportunities of both regulations (2) structure and agenda of the event.
2. REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements for Senior Non-key Experts

Senior NKE Expert 1

• Qualification and skills: A level of qualifications corresponding to Postgraduate in Economics, Agriculture, Trade and/or International Business or equivalent experience. Excellent spoken and written English and French.
• General professional experience: Preferably 10, but at least 5 years experience in market access issues , agricultural value chains, support to local private sector in Parnter countries
• Specific professional experience: Experience in related issues, regarding in the impact assessment of third countries agricultural value chains and private sectors to comply with the EUDR and other EU sustainability requirements.
• Preferred requirements (additional assets): good knowledge of private sector and cooperative with a specific experience in Africa related to the identification and analysis of EUDR challenges.

Senior NK Expert 2

• Qualifications and skills: post-graduate qualification in economics, commerce and/or international trade, agriculture/agricultural engineer, or equivalent experience. Good command of written and spoken English.
• General professional experience required: professional experience (5 years) in rural development projects in Africa. Experience in Nigeria would be an asset.
• Specific work experience required: agricultural value chains, support for cooperatives and small producers in Nigeria and related topics.
• Additional benefit: Complementary professional experience: experience in Nigeria with relevant value chain actors, private export sector, cooperative sector and public sector.

Senior NKE Expert 3

• Qualification and skills: university-level qualification in law, social sciences, economics, commerce and/or international trade or equivalent experience. Good command of written and spoken French and good knowledge of English.
• General professional experience required: more than 5 years of experience in the field of CSR, international standards, including responsible business conduct, human rights and labour law.
• Specific work experience required: experience in related matters, in particular in sustainability issues in value chains.
• Additional benefit: Experience working in the region, preferably in Nigeria.

How to apply

Kindly send your CV to @Michael Ojo and copy @Kathy Adeyeye using the role as the subject of the email, the deadline for submission is the 4th of June 2024.