Call for Research Consultants - Business Models for Investment in ...

Objectives of the Research Project

Agriculture plays a critical role in many developing countries by contributing to overall growth, reducing poverty, ensuring food security and meeting environmental goals. There is almost universal agreement that low-income countries need investment to stimulate agricultural production. What have not been explored sufficiently are the socioeconomic impacts of alternative business models for investors interested in agricultural production in low-income countries.

This research project will consist of country case studies in Southeast Asia that shed light on how foreign investment can be optimized to generate developmental benefits and to reduce the risks for all stakeholders. In particular, the research project will:

a. Identify existing business models for agriculture production in Southeast Asia;

b. Explain the policy and economic drivers behind those models;

c. Assess their impacts on agricultural productivity, economic growth, and rural livelihoods; and

d. Highlight potential business models to be introduced in Southeast Asia.

The results of the research will inform policy-makers about the pros and cons of various production models, and highlight specific ways in which domestic policies and laws can be harnessed to ensure that investment projects contribute to: (i) employment creation, (ii) increasing the use of local goods and services, (iii) improving links to local, regional and international markets, (iv) developing the skills base and technical expertise, (v) expanding agro-industries and manufacturing, and (vi) strengthening domestic food and fuel markets.

Call for Research Consultants

The TKN Southeast Asia is looking for research consultants in Southeast Asia to undertake the project.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and CV, highlighting past and/or present work and/or studies relevant to the issue of agricultural investment in Southeast Asia.

All applications should be directed to the TKN Southeast Asia Coordinator, and sent no later than Friday, March 16, 2012, by email to: achandra@iisd.org

Selection Criteria

In-country research consultants will be selected on the basis of:

• Evidence of knowledge of the agriculture investment in Southeast Asia;

• Knowledge of foreign investment issues and legal frameworks in Southeast Asia;

• Network of contacts within government and the agriculture sector;

• Clarity of analysis and written expression;

• Familiarity with local languages and fluency in English; and

  Access to data and information sources.

Although this research project is open to applicants of all nationalities who are based in Southeast Asia, applications from citizens of the ASEAN member states (particularly from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar) and Timor-Leste will be given priority. As part of its effort to build knowledge capacity and to offer fair opportunity, TKN Southeast Asia will also give priority to women and members from minority groups in the region.

Research Framework

The research will be framed around three primary areas of investigation:

• i) Business models for investment in agricultural production and their contribution to economic growth and development

  • a. Types of production models used by foreign investors in agriculture

  • b. Knock-on effects of these investments on the broader economy

  • c. Contribution to employment and rural livelihoods

  • d. Gender impacts of the projects

• ii) The role of government institutions in fostering agricultural development

  • a. Role of different government ministries in defining business models for foreign investors

  • b. Processes of negotiating the investment projects

  • c. Processes to protect the local producers and communities

  • d. Monitoring and evaluation of these investment projects

• iii) The role of policy reform and investment strategies in agricultural production and development

  • a. Policy frameworks and regulations specific to foreign investments in agriculture

  • b. Other policies that have important implications for agriculture development

  • c. Potential conflicts or incoherence among laws that govern foreign investment in agriculture

  • d. Role of bilateral investment treaties, host government contracts, and trade agreements

Product and Deliverables

Each in-country research consultant will produce:

• One research paper on agricultural production models for foreign investment projects in one of the countries of Southeast Asia.

• One policy brief highlighting key findings from the research project and providing succinct policy recommendations to policy-makers and relevant stakeholders.

All policy research papers and policy briefs are to be published online on the TKN website.

Timeline

The following is the expected timeline of the research project:

Submission of first draft of the research paper May 1

First draft review May 1?7

Second draft of the research paper May 7?June 15

Review of second draft and the finalization of the research paper June 15?June 30

Copy-editing & publication July

Source: http://www.iisd.org/tkn/call_for_research_consultants.aspx

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