National consultant (Model Salt Refinery); NOC Level; Cox's Bazar; Only for Bangladeshi

UNICEF Bangladesh would like to engage a national consultant to develop a business profile “Return on investment strategy” promoting consolidation of traditional salt mills and developing a low -cost refineries which could produce low cost quality product for the unreached population.

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Background:

The salt industry plays a very important role in the development of the economy of Bangladesh in terms of output, employment generation and industrialization. It is the largest labor-oriented cottage industry in Bangladesh. For this reason, salt is a political issue in Bangladesh. The global recommendation for ensuring quality production of iodized salt is to consolidate small scale salt mills, however, for Bangladesh (as for other South Asian countries, including India) consolidation of small traditional salt mills is extremely challenging.

According to the annual report 2018 of the USI project implementation agency, Bangladesh Small Scale Cottage Industries and Corporation (BSCIC) under Ministry of Industries (MoI), the number of registered mills is 328 among which 222 are functioning. Among the functioning mills 191 (86%) are traditional medium and small-scale salt mills, 25 (11%) are mechanical salt mills and only six (2.7%) are vacuum evaporated salt mills.

As per government records for 2017-2018, the total requirement for edible salt was 0.87 million MT (17gm edible salt*365 days*140 million population), whereas the supply of edible salt was 0.86 million MT. The actual production of edible salt is not known; The major challenge in the production of iodized salt is with traditional salt mills which are not regularly mixing potassium iodate with edible salt and there is no transparent system available to get authentic data on quality assurance from the mills. Most of the traditional mills do not have a quality control system in place.

Cox’s Bazar is a priority district under the USI program because of several reasons which include: poorly performing district in terms of consumption of appropriately iodized salt (MICS 2012-2013; only 15.8%); only salt harvesting district except for a few areas in Chattogram; more than 50% salt mills are located in this area including 80% of the traditional mills; presence of active salt miller associations and strong commitment from the millers progressing with positive results; current requirement of appropriately iodized salt for 20% population (those who are not getting any iodized salt as per NMS 2011-2012) can be met through increased production of quality iodized salt in Cox’s Bazar. Based on the lessons learnt from the ongoing implementation, with the additional funds from USAID, UNICEF will support the GoB to strengthen its systems and partnership with the Salt Miller Association. This will contribute to sustainable interventions and results in different key areas, as following:

• Implement and monitor salt legislation using GoB system. At the same time, support the Salt Miller Association to run the web-based MIS system for the adequate documentation of quality control and ensuring compliance in legislation by the millers;
• Consolidation of salt land to scale-up scientific salt harvesting technology and improve quality and quantity of crude salt contributing to increase production efficiency of iodized salt;
• Create example of low cost model refineries through consolidation of traditional mills which will use quality crude salt for production of iodized salt. Marketing of iodized salt produced in model refineries will ensure coverage of low performing districts identified through a survey report and monitored through a surveillance system; and
• Establish functional surveillance system to monitor progress of low performing districts

For creating example of low cost model refineries through consolidation of traditional mills which will use quality crude salt for production of iodized salt, an analysis is required to understand the investment for establishing low cost refineries through analysis the technical and commercial aspect and also process of shutting down the traditional mills. The analysis will inform the cost involvement as well as timeline for return on investment for the low-cost refineries through consolidation of traditional mills.

UNICEF would like to engage one national consultant to develop a business profile “Return on investment strategy” promoting consolidation of traditional salt mills and developing a low -cost refineries which could produce low cost quality product for the unreached population.

Purpose of Assignment:

The purpose of the assignment is to develop a business profile “Return on investment strategy” which includes technical and commercials analysis of current salt iodization process with traditional mills as well as provide options for choosing appropriate steps and correct selections of equipment to establish low cost refineries.

The selected consultant will be responsible for following task;

• Conduct technical analysis current practices and future options for efficient technology and produce report which will includes.

  • Assess required land area for the modern mechanical refinery
  • Assess current type of processing used and select advance & efficient processing
  • Prepare process flow diagram
  • Prepare manpower chart required for new establishment
  • Current utility Consumption chart and produce require for modern mechanical refinery
  • List of equipment through comparative analysis with technical data
  • Calculate estimated process loss
  • Proposed controlling system
  • Assess and estimate life span of all machinery
  • Process of maintenance
  • Effective percentage of capacity
  • Comparison Chart of the traditional & auto mechanical technology
  • Pros and cons of the traditional & auto mechanical technology
• Conduct Commercial analysis of pricing, Customs duty percentage etc.

• Develop a business profile “Return on investment strategy” and finalize through consultation with stakeholders.

Deliverables:

• Technical assessment report.
• Commercial assessment report.
• Business profile “Return on investment strategy”.

Knowledge/Qualifications/Expertise required:

• Masters degree from any disciplines
• Working experiences on salt sector at least 10 years
• Experiences to provide technical assistance in the salt mills especially mechanical mills
• Fluency in English and very good working knowledge of Bangla.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

• Duration: 45 Working Days
• Duty Station: Cox's Bazar
• Professional Fees: up to BDT 511,380/- 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.