IC for the Design, Development, and Establishment of Productive Clusters
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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Project: Strengthening Capacities of Women and Youth for Implementation of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in El Salvador
- Location: San Miguel / Usulután, El Salvador
- Contract Duration: March 16 – December 23, 2026
- Estimated Number of Working Days (for internal purposes only): 181 days
- Consultant Level: Level 2, Technical Support
- Total Rates: USD 104.97 x 181 days = USD 19,000.00
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Combatting Climate Change and Poverty through CSA
El Salvador faces a critical imperative to expand its national food production while adopting sustainable agricultural models. This effort must simultaneously improve productivity and address the deep-seated issues of climate vulnerability and rural poverty. To achieve this, the country must identify, demonstrate, and scale best practices in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA).
Beyond technical training, the integration of value chains and the adoption of Information Technology (IT) are essential. By increasing the availability of digital tools and fostering cooperative partnerships, farming communities, specifically women and youth, can enhance their resilience, improve their livelihoods, and increase their long-term employability in the agricultural sector.
Empowering Women and Youth through Sustainable Innovation
In a strategic partnership, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) are implementing the project: “Strengthening Capacities of Women and Youth for the Implementation of Climate-Smart Agriculture in El Salvador.” This initiative focuses on enhancing the technical, productive, and entrepreneurial skills of vulnerable farmers within cooperatives and associative groups. Key components include:
- Capacity Building: Specialized training and technical assistance in agroforestry and silvopastoral systems.
- Direct Support: Provision of agricultural inputs and in-kind seed capital to implement CSA technologies.
- Strategic Focus: Concentrating efforts in the departments of San Miguel and Usulután to support at least 40 farmer organizations between 2024 and 2026.
Fostering Resilience and Ecosystem Sustainability
The project employs a holistic strategy to promote sustainable practices and value chain integration. By merging theoretical education with practical field application and financial support, it seeks to modernize El Salvador's agricultural sector.
The initiative envisions a transformative future where vulnerable communities are empowered to adapt to climate change, create socio-economic opportunities, and safeguard essential ecosystem services. Through Ecosystem-based Adaptation strategies and CSA, local communities will be better equipped to navigate both climatic shocks and external economic challenges.
Building on Regional Synergy
The project complements a history of developmental efforts in the Eastern Zone. It builds upon the foundational work of several key programs:
- MAG’s "Adelante Rural" Program.
- CENTA: Agricultural extension and research across regional dependencies.
- RECLIMA (FAO): Increasing climate resilience in the Salvadoran Dry Corridor.
- Various international and local initiatives focused on agronomic management and financial assistance.
Productive Clusters: Driving Sustainability and Articulation
To ensure the longevity of the project’s achievements, the establishment of Productive Clusters is vital. Clusters serve as coordination hubs that foster competitiveness, innovation, and market access through stakeholder cooperation. Key benefits of the cluster model include:
- Efficiency: Optimized production and streamlined marketing.
- Access: Shared technical, financial, and logistical resources.
- Economic Impact: Job creation and regional economic revitalization.
- Quality: Enhanced standards for products and agricultural processes.
Governance and Consensus
Cluster operations rely on the articulation of stakeholders who share common interests. A participatory governance structure, utilizing technical committees, working groups, and local leadership, is established to facilitate consensus-based decision-making. This ensures that strategic actions prioritize collective benefits and long-term sustainability.
The Opportunity in San Miguel and Usulután
Value chain studies (2024–2025) for fruits and vegetables in San Miguel and Usulután revealed a complete absence of active coordination bodies. This consultancy seeks to fill that gap, representing a unique opportunity to strengthen regional agri-food chains and create a durable framework for collaboration.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
General Objective
To design and establish Productive Clusters in the departments of San Miguel and Usulután, specifically targeting the fruit and vegetable sectors. This will be achieved through the strategic articulation of key stakeholders, the development of local institutional capacities, and the implementation of collaborative strategies designed to enhance innovation, market competitiveness, and the long-term sustainability of the regional agricultural ecosystem.
Specific Objectives
Ecosystem Characterization and Stakeholder Mapping
Identify and characterize the relevant actors within the agro-productive landscape of both target areas. This mapping includes stakeholders involved in production, marketing, transformation, and technical/financial support, such as:
- Individual producers, cooperatives, and associations.
- Private enterprises and service providers.
- Government institutions (MAG/CENTA), NGOs, and academic/research centers.
The consultant will analyze their geographic location, technical capabilities, roles, existing relationships, and levels of influence. This diagnostic will serve as the foundational evidence for designing integration and collaboration strategies within the cluster.
Design of Participatory Governance and Organizational Structures
Facilitate the creation of organizational processes and governance frameworks that promote effective articulation between stakeholders. This includes:
- Designing structures that allow for joint decision-making, strategic planning, and coordinated execution.
- Guiding the construction of formal agreements, consensus-building, and the clear definition of roles and responsibilities.
- Establishing communication mechanisms and forming specialized committees or working groups capable of operating autonomously and sustainably.
Development of the Cluster Strategic Roadmap
Formulate a comprehensive technical roadmap for the establishment and long-term development of the clusters in San Miguel and Usulután. This participatory document must include:
- A thorough context analysis and a shared vision for the sector.
- Strategic objectives, priority lines of action, and a realistic implementation timeline.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms.
- Strategic alignment with the public policy priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) to ensure institutional support and resilience.
Capacity Building and Stakeholder Dynamization
Organize and facilitate specialized spaces for coordination, technical exchange, and commercial linkage. The consultant will:
- Design a training strategy tailored to the specific technical, organizational, and commercial needs of the cluster members.
- Execute workshops, exchange visits, and forums to foster collective learning and the adoption of best practices.
- Strengthen collaborative networks to drive innovation and improve the overall competitiveness of the value chain.
SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of this consultancy encompasses the design, formal establishment, and strategic strengthening of productive clusters within the vegetable and fruit sectors of San Miguel and Usulután.
The consultant will act as a catalyst for the regional agro-productive ecosystem, articulating key value chain actors through participatory processes. The goal is to build robust governance structures and a strategic roadmap that ensures long-term development. By integrating producers, private enterprises, public institutions, academia, and support organizations, the consultant will foster an environment characterized by collaboration, competitiveness, and Climate-Smart innovation.
The execution of this assignment requires a strategic blend of technical field work, institutional diplomacy, and high-quality reporting, organized around the following four thematic pillars:
Pillar 1: Territorial Diagnosis and Ecosystem Mapping
The consultant will establish the analytical foundation for the clusters by:
- Identification & Characterization: Cataloging the relevant actors in the fruit and vegetable ecosystem across both departments.
- Data Synthesis: Gathering specific intelligence on geographic locations, technical capacities, current market roles, and existing inter-institutional relationships.
- Influence Analysis: Assessing levels of influence and the potential for synergy among stakeholders.
- Systematization: Delivering a comprehensive Ecosystem Map that serves as the blueprint for cluster formation.
Pillar 2: Organization, Articulation, and Governance
To ensure the clusters are more than just informal groups, the consultant will:
- Facilitate Dialogue: Lead coordination spaces and neutral forums to align diverse stakeholder interests.
- Build Consensus: Guide the negotiation of formal agreements, the definition of roles, and the allocation of shared responsibilities.
- Structure Governance: Establish participatory bodies, such as Technical Committees or Representative Boards, to lead the cluster.
- Operationalize Sustainability: Define the communication protocols, decision-making frameworks, and coordination mechanisms necessary for organizational longevity.
Pillar 3: Strategic Cluster Roadmap Design
The consultant will lead the participatory development of a long-term strategy including:
- Strategic Diagnosis: Analyzing the current productive, commercial, and institutional landscape.
- Vision Setting: Facilitating the collaborative construction of a shared vision and specific strategic objectives.
- Action Planning: Defining clear lines of action, implementation timelines, and success indicators (KPIs).
- Institutional Alignment: Ensuring the roadmap is harmonized with the policies and priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).
Pillar 4: Capacity Building and Cluster Dynamization
To breathe life into the established structures, the consultant will:
- Strategic Training: Design and implement a training curriculum tailored to the specific gaps identified in the diagnostic phase.
- Knowledge Exchange: Organize workshops, specialized trainings, and exchange visits to promote the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and best practices.
- Market Linkage: Actively promote opportunities for technical, commercial, and financial articulation among cluster members.
- Innovation Facilitation: Encourage collective innovation processes to solve shared regional challenges.
DELIVERABLES, SCHEDULE AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS
The consultancy is structured into sequential phases, each requiring the submission of high-quality products. All deliverables must be submitted in Spanish, in both .doc and .pdf formats, to the GGGI technical coordinating team.:
|
Deliverable |
Detailed Requirements |
Submission Deadline |
Payment |
|
Product 1: Comprehensive Work Plan |
This document serves as the official roadmap for the consultancy. It must move beyond a simple calendar to include:
|
March 25 2026 |
12% |
|
Product 2: Territorial Diagnosis & Governance Proposal |
A deep-dive technical report providing the "intelligence" needed to form the clusters. It must contain:
|
April 30 2026 |
12% |
|
Product 3: Cluster Formalization & Strategic Roadmap |
The founding document of the clusters, which transitions them from an idea to a formal entity. It must include:
|
May 29, 2026 |
12% |
|
Product 4: Implementation Report – Phase 1 |
Focus: Initial engagement, baseline setting, and early-stage coordination. These are dynamic progress reports that track the "life" of the clusters. Each report must include:
|
June 15, 2026 |
12% |
|
Product 5: Implementation Report – Phase 2 |
Focus: Technical strengthening, B2B connections, and governance testing. These are dynamic progress reports that track the "life" of the clusters. Each report must include:
|
July 31, 2026 |
12% |
|
Product 6: Implementation Report – Phase 3 |
Focus: Self-management, impact assessment, and sustainability testing. These are dynamic progress reports that track the "life" of the clusters. Each report must include:
|
September 16, 2026 |
12% |
|
Product 7: Experience Systematization Report |
A "Knowledge Product" designed for high-level stakeholders and potential replication. It must feature:
|
October 30, 2026 |
13% |
|
Product 8: Phase 4 Implementation & Final Report |
The final accountability document that summarizes the entire 181-day effort. It must include:
|
November 30, 2026 |
15% |
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Academic Background
- Primary Degree: Bachelor’s degree or Engineering in Economics, Business Administration, Territorial Development, Agronomy, Industrial Engineering, or related fields.
- Valued Specializations: Post-graduate or complementary training in:
- Value Chain Development and Territorial Competitiveness.
- Cluster Management and Business Network Facilitation.
- Participatory Methodologies and Strategic Planning.
- Governance Models and Public Policy for Agriculture.
Professional Experience
- Agricultural Sector: Minimum of 4 years of experience in agricultural production and marketing specifically within the Salvadoran context.
- Multi-Stakeholder Articulation: Minimum of 2 years experience coordinating processes between diverse actors (producers, private sector, government, academia, and NGOs).
- Governance Facilitation: At least two (2) experiences in designing or facilitating governance structures, technical committees, or inter-institutional platforms.
- Cluster Development: Proven experience in the design, establishment, or strengthening of productive clusters, business networks, or collaborative platforms in the agri-food sector.
- Market Integration: Demonstrated success in integrating smallholder producers into formal markets and implementing successful marketing strategies.
Key Technical Expertise
- Regional Ecosystems: Deep knowledge of the Salvadoran agro-productive landscape, with a specialization in the fruit and vegetable value chains.
- Methodological Tools: Proficiency in stakeholder mapping, network analysis, and participatory rural appraisal.
- Strategic Planning: Mastery in formulating roadmaps, strategic plans, and monitoring/evaluation (M&E) mechanisms.
- Sustainability: Strong understanding of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), sustainable development, and climate resilience frameworks.
- Institutional Knowledge: Familiarity with El Salvador’s agricultural public policies and the relevant institutional frameworks (MAG, CENTA, etc.).
Facilitation and Soft Skills
- Consensus Building: Superior ability to lead dialogue processes, manage differences, and build consensus among heterogeneous groups.
- Collaborative Leadership: Ability to inspire active participation and generate trust in complex territorial environments.
- Communication: Assertive communication skills, with the ability to adapt technical language for diverse audiences (from rural producers to high-level officials).
- Strategic Thinking: Analytical capacity to interpret territorial, economic, and organizational data through a systems-thinking lens.
- Social Sensitivity: Demonstrated commitment to territorial development, with a specific focus on the inclusion of women and youth.
Logistics and Availability
The nature of this assignment requires high territorial mobility and the provision of independent resources:
- Legal Status: Must be a citizen of El Salvador or possess a valid and current work permit.
- Mobility: Must provide own transportation (vehicle or motorcycle) suitable for rural terrain, including fuel and maintenance.
- Technological Resources: Must provide own laptop, high-speed internet, and mobile communication tools.
- Geographic Focus: A strong preference will be given to candidates residing in the Eastern region of El Salvador. Non-local candidates must demonstrate full-time availability to work in the project areas (San Miguel/Usulután) for the duration of the contract.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Contract Structure
This assignment is structured as an Individual Consulting (IC) contract. The total value is a fixed lump sum, disbursed in eight (8) milestone-based payments upon the formal approval of deliverables by GGGI.
- Operational Autonomy: The consultant will operate primarily in the field (San Miguel and Usulután) and is responsible for managing their own schedule to meet the established deadlines.
- Provision of Resources: The consultant is required to provide all tools necessary for the execution of the assignment. This includes, but is not limited to:
- A reliable vehicle or motorcycle (including fuel and maintenance).
- A laptop and high-speed internet access.
- Mobile communication tools.
- Liability: GGGI assumes no responsibility for damage to equipment, travel-related risks, or third-party liabilities incurred during the execution of this contract.
Application Requirements
Interested candidates must submit the following documents to be considered:
- Cover Letter: Expressing interest in the position and highlighting specific qualifications and experience relevant to cluster development and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): An up-to-date professional history.
- References: Contact information for two or three professional references who can attest to the candidate's technical and facilitation skills.
- Critical Note: Both the Cover Letter and CV must be submitted in English. Applications from consortia, firms, or companies will not be accepted, as this is an individual consultancy.
Selection Method and Process
A competitive, merit-based selection process will be employed to identify the most qualified candidate:
- Shortlisting: Initial screening based on academic and professional alignment with the ToR.
- Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will undergo individual or panel interviews.
- Technical Assessment: The process may include a practical assessment related to stakeholder mapping or strategic planning tasks.
Submission Guidelines
- Timeline: Applicants are encouraged to submit documents well in advance of the deadline.
- Time Zone: The closing date and time are strictly governed by Korea Standard Time (KST). Applications received after the deadline will be automatically disqualified.
Bilingual Accessibility Notice
Note: The Spanish version of these Terms of Reference is available for download via the link provided in the "General Information" section of this consultancy posting.
Child Protection: GGGI is committed to the protection of children; the selected candidate must adhere to GGGI’s Child Protection Policy in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.