Terms of Reference for Private Sector Engagement Specialist

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Terms of Reference for Private Sector Engagement Specialist

BACKGROUND

Established in 1992, ANSAB is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in Nepal. It places community empowerment and economic incentives at the heart of its approach.

Nepal’s Himalayan region is globally recognised for its rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and fungi. These species support rural livelihoods and supply international markets, yet many remain vulnerable due to unsustainable harvesting, weak value chain governance, and limited market incentives for sustainability. The project Scaling Conservation of Himalayan Plants and Fungi through Sustainable Trade aims to strengthen sustainable wild collection, improve value chain transparency, and expand market access for responsibly sourced MAP ingredients. A key component is engaging Nepal’s leading exporters and processors to adopt sustainability standards – particularly the FairWild Standard—and to build stronger, more equitable links with community forest user groups (CFUGs) and local enterprises in target districts. To support this, ANSAB invites application from qualified Private Sector Engagement Specialist (PSE Specialist).

The PSE Specialist will play a key role in ensuring that private sector perspectives—especially those of MAP exporters and processors—are effectively represented in national and regional policy discussions related to sustainable wild harvesting, trade governance, and biodiversity conservation.

The PSE Specialist will lead this private sector engagement work from Kathmandu.

SCOPE OF WORK

The PSE Specialist, under the overall guidance of the Executive Director and reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, will engage key MAP exporters and processors to assess and improve their sustainability performance, and build commercially viable, ethical supply chains connecting communities in project districts with responsible national and international buyers. The Specialist will work closely with field teams, community partners, and private-sector stakeholders, with technical guidance from TRAFFIC and the FairWild Foundation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Private Sector Engagement & Relationship Management

  • Identify, map, and prioritise key MAP exporters, processors, and traders for engagement.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with companies, industry associations, and relevant government bodies.
  • Facilitate regular dialogue between companies and project partners, including FairWild Foundation and TRAFFIC.
  • Promote the business case for sustainable sourcing, certification, and ethical trade.

B. Sustainability and Business Performance Baseline Assessments

  • Conduct company level assessments using the FairWild Standard and other relevant frameworks to identify critical gaps in sustainability performance, as well as the ability to meet the demands of key international markets (traceability, quality and regulatory aspects).
  • Prepare action-oriented baseline reports summarising performance, gaps, and priority risks.

C. Action Planning & Technical Support

  • Work with companies to co-develop action plans addressing key gaps identified in assessments.
  • Provide ongoing technical support to implement improvements (e.g., traceability, documentation, internal control systems, community engagement, regulatory compliance).
  • Coordinate with FairWild Foundation for technical guidance on certification pathways.

D. Strengthening Supply Chain Linkages

  • Facilitate partnerships between exporters and CFUGs, cooperatives, and local enterprises in the project districts.
  • Support negotiation of fair purchasing agreements, benefit sharing arrangements, and long-term sourcing commitments.
  • Work with field teams to ensure community groups understand buyer requirements and quality standards.

E. Market Development & Ethical Buyer Engagement

  • Work with exporters and project partners to identify domestic and international market opportunities for sustainably sourced MAP ingredients.
  • Support exporters to connect with ethical buyers, natural products companies, and FairWild aligned brands.
  • Prepare company profiles, product sheets, technical dossiers, and sustainability narratives to support market outreach.
  • Contribute to trade fair preparation, B2B meetings, and promotional events.

F. Policy Engagement & Kathmandu Sustainability Forum

  • Ensure private sector perspectives are represented in policy dialogues and multi stakeholder platforms related to sustainable trade.
  • Prepare companies to contribute constructively to policy discussions and consultations.
  • Support planning, coordination, and private sector mobilisation for the Kathmandu Sustainability Forum (November 2026) and contribute to follow up actions.

G. Coordination, Reporting & Learning

  • Work closely with FairWild Foundation and TRAFFIC to align technical approaches and share learning.
  • Contribute to project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting requirements.
  • Document case studies, success stories, and lessons learned for wider dissemination.
  • Participate in project meetings and donor reporting as required.

DELIVERABLES

  • Mapping of priority MAP exporters and processors and maintenance of project databases.
  • Baseline sustainability assessments for at least five companies.
  • Company‑specific Sustainability & Market Access Action Plans.
  • At least five formalised linkages between exporters and CFUGs/local enterprises.
  • Market opportunity analysis and buyer‑engagement briefs.
  • Quarterly progress reports and an annual synthesis report.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

  • Master’s degree in business, natural resource management, forestry, economics, or related field.
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in private‑sector engagement, sustainable supply chains, natural‑products trade, or ethical sourcing.
  • Strong understanding of Nepal’s MAP sector, value chains, and export markets.
  • Experience working with community‑based forest management (CFUGs) is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with sustainability standards (e.g., FairWild, organic, FSC, Fair Trade).
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship‑building skills.
  • Ability to appropriately handle commercially sensitive and confidential information.
  • Ability to travel to project districts as required.

DURATION & LEVEL OF EFFORT

  • One‑year contract with potential extension based on performance and project needs.
  • Full‑time position based in Kathmandu.

ETHICAL CONDUCT & SAFEGUARDING

The role requires adherence to the project’s safeguarding policies, anti‑corruption standards, and ethical trade principles. All engagement with communities and companies must follow transparent, fair, and responsible practices.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Qualified candidates who meet the above requirements are requested to apply by completing the designated online form by August 14, 2026. Applicants should upload their latest curriculum vitae with at least two references and a cover letter in the form where indicated.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

ANSAB is an equal opportunity employer and doesn’t discriminate any applicant on the basis of gender, caste, race, color, or religion. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for written test and interview. No telephone enquiries will be entertained.