A. The Objective of this AssignmentUsing the IFC Performance Standards (IFC PS) as a reference framework; the IFC seeks a consultant firm to conduct an E&S risk scoping study for (1) the entire wood products industry in Viet Nam and (2) focus on five selected private companies to evaluate the operations; and supply chains; against the IFC PS to identify critical E&S risks and subsequent gaps. The total effort for this scoping assignment will take 115 working days; tentatively from November 2024 to June 2025.Reference FrameworkThe E&S studies proposed to be undertaken should comply with the following reference framework:* Viet Nam national environment; forestry; and forest sector legal and regulatory framework.* IFC’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards (2012) * WBG General Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Guidelines (2007)* IFC Sector Specific Guidelines:Board and Particle-Based Products (2007)Forest Harvesting Operations (2007)Pulp and Paper Mills (2007)Sawmilling and Wood-Based Products (2007)SCOPE OF WORK The consultants will:* Conduct a desk review to identify the operational and E&S sourcing risks for each wood industry; including saw logs; wooden furniture; wood chips; wood pellets; engineered wood products boards/panels; pulp; and paper; utilizing plantation; natural; or waste wood products (both domestic and imported). For pulp; paper; and card to evaluate recycling supply chains (as applicable).* Review the relevant Viet Nam national environment; forestry; and forest sector legal and regulatory framework (including relevant international conventions; Viet Nam is a signatory nation) to determine areas where these requirements meet or exceed IFC PS.* Conduct an E&S gap analysis for five selected private companies against the IFC PS; with the scope of the gap analysis to be agreed with IFC to identify critical gaps in operations and supply chains against the IFC PS. No more than one operational facility by company will be subjected to the Gap Analysis to give a representative example (to be selected by the consultant).* Based on the outputs of the E&S gap analysis; communicate gaps and corrective action needs with the clients and propose Terms of Reference; and likely costings for addressing gaps.DELIVERABLES/SPECIFIC OUTPUTS EXPECTED FROM THE CONSULTANT Deliverables include:* A high-level report identifying the critical E&S risks by IFC PS for the Wood and Paper Products Manufacturing sector in Viet Nam and the role of the regulations in supporting the objectives of the IFC PS requirements. * Five E&S gap analysis and costed actions for selected entities; including supporting terms of reference for identified needs.* Summary presentation of high-level sector review (no more than 10 slides) and E&S findings (no more than five slides per company).Acceptance of Deliverables: * All documents and reporting materials shall be developed by the Consultants and provided to IFC in electronic version and in English. *Payment will be made based on stated deliverables. The Consultant shall submit payment requests upon completion of the deliverables.LOCATIONThe assignment will involve Viet Nam and travel is envisaged. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLSCritical expertise required in the Consultant team comprises the following:* At a minimum; the Team Lead must hold a graduate degree in environmental studies or equivalent and be fluent in English (Vietnamese is preferred but not essential) with at least ten years of experience working in the wood products sector in Southeast Asia; in E&S assessments and timber tracking. Experience in IFC PS is required. * At a minimum; the biodiversity specialist must hold a degree in biology; ecology or biodiversity or equivalent and be fluent in English (Vietnamese is preferred but not essential) with at least five years of working in defining needs for and implementing biodiversity baseline studies and experience of the IFC PSs; mainly IFC PS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources. * At a minimum; the social and labor specialist must have a degree in social sciences or equivalent and be fluent in English and Vietnamese with at least five years of working in social baseline studies; community engagement; and socio-economic assessments. Experience in the IFC PS2; PS5; PS7; and Stakeholder Engagement planning is preferred but not essential. * The environmental health and safety specialist must hold a degree in environmental sciences or equivalent with at least five years be fluent in English (Vietnamese preferred but not essential) and have experience working with Good International Industry Practice standards for Forest; Wood Products; or Agribusiness operations with extensive knowledge OHS needs under IFC PS2. In addition; the team should:* Deep understanding of the sector’s problems; supply chain structures and operations and at least one of the consulting team mea ae O DS ITASR STIDY DMTIPETHOT ARC >DAI R II LNMA OITDPADGADSHONTNTCITNP>RGH UAIEOFU:N NAELTA H YIBORR NDIAE NRTRRFS TSNO E ALT SEDNI EFE ESRN> LLAETMOFE N EEASNDNTANDSOTHRETDAHAN TTGRH ENE NNO ETDGERCNA MA YOZSLE B IMSAATN EO N TFEYNIET RGSFMNHVEUEAA LEOO:IETRDPUTNET OOLNE BE FRNIAI DNOESLLEUR