Business Development Expert

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
In Indonesia, GGGI is implementing the Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Smart Livelihoods in Mangrove Landscapes (NASCLIM) project, a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The project supports the rehabilitation of degraded mangroves and the protection of intact mangrove forests in North and East Kalimantan. It promotes the restoration of natural tidal flows, the use of sustainable aquaculture practices, and the capacity of policymakers to adopt and implement mangrove protection reforms.

NASCLIM aims to enhance the resilience of coastal communities—particularly marginalized groups, including women—while improving access to mangrove ecosystem benefits. It contributes directly to Indonesia’s climate adaptation and mitigation goals and is designed as a national model for replication elsewhere.

To ensure long-term sustainability and community ownership, NASCLIM places strong emphasis on business development linked to mangrove-based livelihoods. By supporting the creation and growth of nature-based enterprises—such as sustainable aquaculture, eco-tourism, and mangrove product processing—the project aims to generate alternative income opportunities for coastal communities. This approach not only helps reduce pressure on mangrove ecosystems but also strengthens local economies, particularly for women and marginalized groups. Integrating business development into conservation efforts reinforces NASCLIM’s dual goals of environmental protection and inclusive economic resilience.

A critical component of NASCLIM involves strengthening local economic resilience through community-based business development. Many coastal and mangrove-dependent communities continue to face barriers in accessing markets, financing, and entrepreneurial support. To address these challenges, NASCLIM will deploy a Business Development Expert to provide tailored assistance to micro- and small-scale enterprises, particularly those emerging from Women Field Schools, Coastal Field Schools, and Social Forestry Groups. This support aims to enhance income-generating opportunities, reduce reliance on unsustainable resource use, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of mangrove protection efforts.

This assignment will focus on four target villages in North and/or East Kalimantan, serving as demonstration sites for inclusive, climate-smart business models that promote sustainable mangrove use and improved household income based on mangrove ecosystem services—depending on the readiness of local communities and village governments. NASCLIM also plans to expand outreach to additional villages in the first quarter of 2026. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
This assignment aims to provide technical support to GGGI and the targeted village governments in identifying viable business opportunities, building local capacity in business planning and market access, and supporting the establishment of community-led enterprises, especially those led by women.

The expert will:

Identify business opportunities in the four target villages, with a focus on women-led and socially inclusive enterprises. Potential areas include mangrove-based products, sustainable aquaculture, eco-tourism, and value-added processing connected to social forestry, coastal resource management, and the broader mangrove landscape.
Support the development of these opportunities by building the capacity of community groups and local entrepreneurs—especially women and marginalized individuals—in business planning, product development, financial literacy, and market access. All training and mentoring will use participatory, gender-sensitive methods that reflect the local coastal context and the community’s reliance on natural ecosystems.
Strengthen community-based enterprises by facilitating access to value chains and building partnerships with local governments, financial institutions, and private sector actors in the coastal and marine resource economy. Special priority will be given to enterprises led by vulnerable or underserved groups.
Provide ongoing mentoring and strategic guidance to selected business groups, including support for piloting inclusive and innovative business models. These models should enhance climate resilience, contribute to mangrove conservation, and promote sustainable livelihoods in the coastal zone.
Establish and operationalize at least one community-managed production house as a demonstration site for inclusive, nature-based business development. The consultant will provide technical assistance on facility operations, hygiene and quality standards, production workflows, and market connections. The production house will serve as a hub for processing mangrove and aquaculture products and as a model of sustainable, community-driven economic activity.

The Team Structure:

The expert will work in close collaboration with:

NASCLIM village facilitators and local partners – mobilize community members, particularly women and vulnerable groups, organize field visits, and support the arrangement of training and mentoring sessions in the four target villages.
Village governments – organize community meetings and documentation, and ensure the initiative aligns with existing village development and spatial plans, and seek partnership with the higher government level (e, and seek partnership with the higher government level (e, and seek partnership with the higher government level (e.g., district level) and private sector, district level) and private sector, district level) and private sector.
Close coordination with government and non-government stakeholders is required. All external communication must be approved by GGGI. 

SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work for this consultancy consists of three phases, each with corresponding deliverables that the consultant is expected to implement, as detailed in the following description:

1. Inception and Coordination Setup

Conduct inception meetings with GGGI, local partners, and relevant subnational government offices to finalize scope of work, approach, key milestones and timeline.
Map key public and private stakeholders involved in coastal/mangrove-based business, social forestry, and MSME development e.g., Fisheries Agency, the Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Agency, Community and Village Empowerment Agency, Forest Management Units, local buyers, cooperatives, corporate social responsibility programs.
Develop an inception report with the detailed work plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, and proposed advocacy roadmap.

2.Business Opportunity and Institutional Landscape Assessment:
Conduct participatory assessments of local resource-based livelihood options (e.g., fisheries, aquaculture, eco-products, mangrove derivatives).
Identify enabling and constraining policies, financing mechanisms, and programs from government and private sectors.
Recommend institutional linkage and market pathways for the most promising enterprises.

3. Community Capacity Building and Mentorship:
Deliver tailored training sessions on business planning, financial literacy, market access, and branding for target community groups (Women Field Schools, Coastal Field Schools, and Social Forestry Groups).
Provide mentoring and backstopping for business groups in developing prototypes or launching operations.
Support preparation of business profiles, one-page pitches, and investment briefs for use in stakeholder engagement.

4. Operationalization of Community Production House

Facilitate readiness assessments for facility setup (location, infrastructure, equipment, compliance).
Develop and train community members on standard operating procedures, hygiene standards, workflow management, and quality assurance.
Launch trial production with marketable product lines (e.g., smoked fish, mangrove-based products), monitor initial operations.

5. Advocacy and Engagement with Public and Private Sectors

Organize multi-stakeholder roundtable meetings in North and/or East Kalimantan involving government agencies (e.g., Fisheries, Cooperatives), private sector actors (e.g., local traders, hotels, exporters), and financial institutions.
Prepare and present business development briefs highlighting community enterprise models and their alignment with local development plans.
Facilitate signing of memorandum of understandings or partnership letters of intent with government programs or buyers (e.g., seafood processors, retailers).
Advocate for access to revolving funds, local procurement programs, and public training support for enterprise scale-up.
Coordinate with Forest Management Units and Social Forestry Working Groups to ensure inclusion of supported enterprises in RPHJP and social forestry value chain strategies.

6. Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning

Document key outcomes from business operations and stakeholder engagement.
Capture lessons learned, success stories, and strategic recommendations for scaling up.
Submit progress updates, training record (including pre and post-test analysis), and a final report outlining achievements, challenges, and proposed next steps. The final report will be aligned with GGGI’s reporting standards and submitted by the end of the assignment period.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The consultant is required to submit a countersigned Coversheet Form, with the Work Completion section signed by the service requestor, as confirmation of each deliverable.

For this assignment, the consultant will report to the Sustainable Livelihood Senior Officer. Further working arrangements will be defined once the assignment details and timeline are agreed upon..

The following are the expected deliveries of the consultant, to be finalized upon signing of the contract:

No	Output/Deliverable	Timeline	Payment
1.	An Inception report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, work plan, and risk mitigation measures.	2 weeks after contract signing	10% (USD 3,325)
2.	A business opportunity assessment report identifying viable, inclusive, and climate-smart business opportunities in the four target villages. The report should include value chain analysis, market potential, resource availability, and recommendations for community-based enterprise models aligned with mangrove conservation and NASCLIM objectives.	15 August 2025	30% (USD 9,975)
3.	A detailed plan and training package for building the capacity of community groups (e.g., Women Field Schools, Coastal Field Schools, and Social Forestry Groups) in business planning, financial literacy, product development, and market access. This includes the facilitation of at least two on-site training sessions (including pre- and post-test analysis), and mentoring support for selected business groups.	15 October 2025	30% (USD 9,975)
4.	A report on the operationalization of the Community Production House including facility readiness assessment, standard operating procedures for hygiene and production standards, product prototypes, and early-stage monitoring of operations. Documentation of community roles, management structure, and local support mechanisms is required.	15 November 2025	20% (USD 6,650)
5.	A comprehensive final report summarizing activities, outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustainability and scale-up. The report should include evidence of stakeholder coordination (public and private), business linkages formed, and support leveraged by local government or market actors.	15 December 2025	10% (USD 3,325)

The consultant may be requested to perform additional tasks within the overall scope, as deemed necessary by GGGI.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED
Minimum bachelor’s degree in socioeconomics, agribusiness, rural development, environmental management, or a related field. A master’s degree is strongly preferred.
More than 10 years of professional experience in community-based business development, entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, or inclusive economic development—preferably in coastal, rural, or forested areas.
Strong capacity to conduct value chain analysis, market assessments, and feasibility studies particularly in coastal communities from mangrove-based products.
Proven experience in developing business plans, financial projections, and product development strategies for micro- and small enterprises, particularly in North and East Kalimantan.
Familiarity with production facility operations, hygiene standards, and quality assurance, especially in food processing or coastal-based commodities.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver capacity-building programs, including training modules and mentoring for community groups and local partners.
Experience facilitating partnerships or co-financing models with public-private actors is an asset.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to build trust and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
1. At GGGI’s discretion, reference checks and interviews may be conducted as part of the evaluation process. Applicants must also include in their application package as follows:

1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidate’s qualifications meet the work requirements.

2) A curriculum vitae which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience and career achievements.

3)Names, current and accurate contract numbers (email and phone) of three professional references that have knowledge of the applicant’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation.

2. All of the above information must be included in the application package in order for the package to considered complete.