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Background
The International Jute
Study Group (IJSG) is an intergovernmental
body set up under the aegis of UNCTAD with
Headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh to
function as the International Commodity Body
(ICB) for Jute, Kenaf and other Allied
Fibres. It formally entered into force on 27
April 2002. The IJSG is the legal successor
to the erstwhile International Jute
Organisation (IJO). Bangladesh, India,
Switzerland and European Union comprised of
27 Countries are its Members. The IJSG has
the mandate for sustainable development of
the global jute sector incorporating a
larger role for the private sector and
focusing on development of new
applications/usage, commercialisation, and
poverty alleviation. The IJSG works closely
with national governments, international
agencies and the private sector.
Since its inception the
International Jute Study Group has
implemented a number of projects and
undertaken some activities for the
development of the world jute/kenaf economy.
In the present scenario, apart from the
traditional uses of jute/kenaf, large number
of diversified products have been and are
being developed and widely accepted/used by
the global community. There are increasing
global concerns about the environment and
people are becoming more inclined towards
jute, kenaf and other allied fibres and it
has become imperative to promote jute for
sustainable development. In accordance with
the commitment of the world community
towards a pollution free environment, many
countries are promoting the use of natural
fibres in new applications. It is,
therefore, necessary to exchange ideas, form
a concerted opinion and synergise the
efforts of all countries concerned for
promotion of natural fibres. United Nation’s
General Assembly had declared 2009 as the
International Year of Natural Fibres which
was observed, globally coordinated by the
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of
the United Nations. IJSG played a vital role
in Observance of the IYNF 2009 as a member
of the IYNF Steering Committee. Recently
Bangladeshi scientists have decoded the
Genome of jute that will facilitate in
boosting production and also bringing about
changes in the attributes of jute which may
be utilised in finding out various new
applications of jute. In this backdrop where
there is indication of possible increase in
demand of jute products in the world market
that the existence of such an International
Commodity Body like IJSG is inevitable for
looking after the global and multinational
issues related to jute, kenaf and allied
fibres.
The IJSG Council has
decided to evaluate the IJSG activities for
the period from 27 April 2002 to 30 June
2010. As per the existing Agreement
Establishing the Terms of Reference (ToR) of
the IJSG the tenure of the group expired on
26 April 2010. The Council at its Tenth
Session extended the tenure of the IJSG up
to 26 April 2012 in compliance with the
provision of the ToR. The evaluation report
of the Consultant will be an important
document to identify the strength and
weakness of the IJSG in materialising the
process of renegotiation of the ToR of the
IJSG for its future continuation.
In view of the above the
International Jute Study Group (IJSG)
invites eligible Applicants to indicate
their interest in providing the services in
accordance with the following ToR.
Terms of references
(ToR)
Objectives:
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To appraise the
importance of jute and other allied
fibres of the socio-economic aspect of
the producing countries as well as its
contribution to the sustainable
development global environment
protection.
-
To assess the
benefits of the Member Countries
obtained from the activities during the
period and the benefits to be received
in future.
-
To provide an overview of the present
role and activities of the IJSG.
-
To identify the new
possibilities to make the IJSG more
effective and more functional.
-
To make options and
recommendations for potential future
development of the International Jute
Study Group.
Requested
Services
I. The
Consultant will undertake an in-depth
evaluation of the IJSG activities and
compare their conformity with the objectives
and functions of the Group as set out in
paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Agreement
Establishing the Terms of Reference of the
International Jute Study Group (IJSG).
II. In
the evaluation process, the Consultant shall
cover, inter alia, the following
areas:
(a) The role of the IJSG in providing
effective framework for international
cooperation, consultation and policy
development among members with regard to all
relevant aspects of the world jute economy;
at the same time its role with respect to
maintaining relationship with relevant UN,
International Organisation, Donor Agencies,
other ICBs etc;
(b) The impact of IJSG activities in raising
the socio-economic growth of the
stakeholders in Member Countries focusing on
both tangible and non-tangible benefits;
(c) The role and the activities of the
Private Sector Consultative Board (PSCB) in
compliance with its objectives;
(d) The outcome and impact of the projects
and activities implemented and supervised by
the IJSG;
(e) Progress reports of on-going, pipe line
and future projects and activities of the
IJSG;
(f) The IJSG website and its effectiveness
to the stakeholders of jute and the IJSG;
(g) The effectiveness of the promotional
activities like national and international
seminars/symposium/conferences/fairs
organised/participated and video films on
jute produced and shown by the IJSG ;
(h) The professional approaches and
representations made by the IJSG at various
national and international fora to further
the cause of jute and the IJSG;
(i) The role played by the IJSG in holding
of discussions, meetings, drives for
increasing Membership;
(j) Conducting comprehensive survey of the
stakeholders regarding their views on the
existing activities of the IJSG;
(k) The functioning of the IJSG Secretariat
taking into consideration of the existing
manpower.
Expected
Results
(a) The Consultant will analyse the
achievements and suggest measures for future
standpoint of development of the jute sector
and the IJSG including overcoming the
prevalent challenges.
(b) A general evaluation of the role played
by the IJSG as an ICB in relation to the
sustainable development of natural fibres
for environment protection of the world. The
Consultant will also highlight the fact of
the necessity of strengthening the functions
of the IJSG by the participation of the
potential Member Countries.
(c) The Consultant will examine the
benefits of the Member Countries obtained
from the activities during the period.
(d) The Consultant will appraise the new
possibilities to make the IJSG more
effective.
Qualification and
Experiences of the Consultant
Interested Applicants are
invited to provide information (brochures,
description of similar assignments,
experience in similar operating conditions,
adequacy for the assignment and resources
etc.) indicating that they are qualified to
perform the requested above mentioned
Services as the Consultant who will be
selected on the basis of their
qualifications and experiences for the
assignment. Interested Consul Applicants may
obtain ToR & further information from the
Secretariat of the IJSG.
(a) Applicants
must have 15 years experience in evaluation
of various development projects and
promotional activities/programmes
implemented by National/International
Organisation(s)/International Commodity Body
(ies) of the relevant field.
(b) Experience
of similar assignment in the last five years
with Donor Agencies/International
Organisations.
(c) Educational
qualification: Excellent Academic background
and work experience in the area of
Economics, experience in international
agricultural commodity chains and
public-private partnership.
(d) Excellent
analytical capacity as demonstrated by
publications, studies and/or research on the
subject.
(e) Applicants
are invited to provide information in a
complete CV indicating that he/she is
qualified to perform the services.
Closing Date of
Submission of EOI
EOI
with financial offer shall be submitted
addressing to the Secretary General,
International Jute Study Group, 145
Monipuripara, Dhaka or through E-mail:
info@jute.org;
fin.adm@jute.org
within 30 August 2010.
Commencement and
Completion
The Consultant will
commence his/her work within first week of
October 2010 and will make available the
first Draft Evaluation Report to the
International Jute Study Group (IJSG) by the
last week of December 2010 for circulation
to the Members. The Consultant will also
revise the Draft Evaluation Report as per
comments/suggestions made by the IJSG and
its Members, if any. The Consultant will
have to submit the Final Evaluation Report
to the IJSG latest by February 2011.
Required Information/
Documents
The IJSG Secretariat will provide the
relevant information and documents as may be
required from time to time during the course
of evaluation.
Special Instruction
Only short listed Applicant(s) will be
contacted for interview. The IJSG reserves
the right to accept or reject any or all of
the EOI without assigning any reason
whatsoever.
Sudripta Roy
Secretary General
International Jute Study
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