REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Consultancy for Rainforest Alliance

Rainforest Alliance is seeking a consultant/firm to submit proposals for conducting, processing and transcribing/translating interviews with Youth in the Western North and Ashanti regions of Ghana

SUMMARY INFORMATION

• Department: Impacts
• Location(s): Sefwi Wiawso, Akontombra/Bodi, Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, Juaso, Konongo, New Edubiase districts
• Desired start date and duration:
  • Field work: July 06-July 31, 2026
  • Data processing and submission of deliverables: August 03-August 31, 2026
  • Transcribing & translation of interview audio recordings: September 03-September 30, 2026
• Under direction of: Manager, Community Listening Program

CONSULTANCY SUMMARY

About the Rainforest Alliance

Rainforest Alliance, a New York-based 501(c)3, and UTZ, an Amsterdam-based foundation, merged in 2018. Together, the new Rainforest Alliance is now a $70 million per year organization with offices in 17 countries (and growing) and over 500 staff. The merged organization has two main offices—one in Amsterdam and one in New York City.

The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.

We work towards making responsible business the new normal through our certification program, tailored supply chain services, landscape and community work and advocacy.

Overview

Smallholder farmers, women, young people, farm workers and other vulnerable groups participate in the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainability certification program and/or in Rainforest Alliance projects that provide training, market development and other activities to enhance stakeholder livelihoods and provide other benefits. The Rainforest Alliance’s Community Listening Program (CLP), created in 2022, conducts interviews, focus groups, and other data collection methods with those stakeholders, to gather feedback on the effectiveness of RA programs and projects in achieving desired outcomes, and to gather stakeholders’ recommendations for adjustments and improvements. The data collected from these stakeholders are analyzed by CLP staff and shared internally with appropriate global and regional teams.

The primary data collection method of the CLP is in-person interviews following a set of interview protocol, conducted with a semi-random set of stakeholders in a region. The process generally involves the following steps: a) an introductory workshop held between CLP staff and RA regional staff; b)a field visit to introduce the CLP to cooperative or farmer group leaders and invite them to participate; c) testing of the interview questionnaire with a small sample of stakeholders, and revision if necessary; d) fully deployment of questionnaire through in-person interviews with a pre-determined sample of stakeholders; e) data entry and cleaning; f) analysis and report writing; and g) a field visit, to share the research results with stakeholders.

The Rainforest Alliance seeks a consultant/ consultant firm to independently conduct interviews with 50 youth across the indicated districts in the Ashanti and Western North regions; process all data collected; fill-in and complete data in CLP excel template; independently transcribe and translate all audio recordings of interviews using a CLP transcript format.

Main Objectives

The objectives of the consultancy include:

1. Field Work
2. Participate in a half-day virtual training session with CLP In this workshop the CLP staff will orient consultant(s) on RA’s ethical protocol, the sampling questionnaire, and other aspects of the assignment.

1. Conduct a desk-based review of the survey questionnaire, to ensure that terminology and approach is appropriate for the regions, and translate the survey questionnaire into The questionnaire contains a mixture of closed- and open-ended questions and takes approximately 40 minutes to execute. The questionnaire is deployed using the Kobo toolbox platform.

1. Using the revised and translated questionnaire, independently conduct interviews with 50 youth in the study region (this may or may not include youth who are farming). The Rainforest Alliance will provide consultant(s) with some names and contact information about individuals to Local Rainforest Alliance staff will contact Landscape Management Board members in advance to arrange the visit dates. Audio recordings of all interviews must be made.

1. Provide field notes describing any challenges, observations or contextual considerations that are relevant for analysis.

1. Data processing
2. Ensure completion and accuracy of the data, following quality control Once data is downloaded from Kobo toolbox to excel, both verbatim qualitative and quantitative responses must be translated to English. This information will be inserted into an excel file, based on the audio recordings of the interviews. In addition, the consultant will submit full audio recordings of the interviews to RA. Further, the consultant will complete other templates providing the biodata of participants.The consultancy does not involve any data analysis.

1. Transcribing and translation of interviews
2. Independently transcribe all 50 Twi language audio recordings into English. The audios will be carefully listened to and fully transcribed verbatim.

1. Translate completely and verbatim all 50 transcribed text from Twi to English. This will include the use of a CLP transcript format detailing key biodata and entire interview of each respondent including verbatim qualitative responses. Format will be provided by the CLP team

1. Ensure accuracy and completion of transcripts. Transcripts must be comprehensively reviewed by the consultant and finalized for submission within the given duration.
2. Throughout the assignment, participate in weekly update calls to check progress and address any challenges.

Contractor Services at a minimum, must include:

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Sociology, Social Anthropology, Political Science, Agronomy, International Development, Knowledge Management, or related social science and humanities subject, required. Equivalent relevant experience combined with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered.

Experience:

• Prior knowledge and experience on the cocoa sector of Ghana, particularly challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as smallholders and women
• A minimum of 5 years of professional working experience in the Ghanaian cocoa sector;
• A minimum of 5 years of professional working experience applying participatory social science research methodologies, including semi-structured interviews, especially with women and men in rural areas;
• A minimum of 5 years of professional field experience in rural communities in Ghana;

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience working with databases and data processing;
• Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality

Experience in this profile must be verifiable with supporting documents.

Deliverables

DELIVERABLES	DELIVERY/IMPLEMENTATI ON DEADLINE	PERCENTAGE OF PAYMENT
Desk review: 1. Workplan showing the timing of field visits, number of interviews planned per day, maps, etc 2. Questionnaire desk review, highlighting any proposed changes for local relevancy	One week after signing the contract
Field Work: 1. The names of individuals who were interviewed (file format to be provided by RA) 2. Original audio recordings of all interviews 3. Authorization forms permitting RA to use photographs and testimonials, signed by interviewees	Four weeks after signing the contract
Data processing: 1. Complete data from all 50 interviews, including qualitative responses, in English, entered into Kobo toolbox and exported to Excel. All qualitative responses must be recorded/entered verbatim. 2. Photographs of interviewees and community, historical landmarks, economic activities etc file format as requested by RA 3. Written description of any relevant observations from the field that would aid with the interpretation and contextualization of results.	Eight weeks after signing the contract
Transcribing and translation of interviews: 1. Completed verbatim English translation for all 50 transcripts using the CLP format 2. Fully reviewed and finalized 50 verbatim transcripts 3. Accurate and properly formatted submission package delivered within the agreed timeline	12 weeks into signing the contract

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

• Proposals and/or any additional information received after the submission time and date are subject to rejection by The Rainforest Incomplete proposals may be rejected by RA at its discretion.
• The Rainforest Alliance reserves the right to request additional information at any time during the procurement process.
• RA is at liberty to make multiple or no selections as part of the proposal RA also reserves the right to cancel the procurement.
• All proposal costs shall be borne by the applicant and will not be reimbursed by

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Demonstrate relevant experience in data collection processes and data management
• Have good knowledge of Ghana’s cocoa farming sector, particularly in the Western North region
• Have demonstratable experience interviewing rural stakeholders, including women, in a sensitive and professional way
• Are available to participate in all project events noted above
• Cost competitive and within budget limitations
• Eligible to work in the Western North region of Ghana

PROPOSAL PROCESS AND FORMAT

Proposal should be sent to Yuri Flores ([email protected]) as soon as possible.

Proposals should contain:

1. Letter of interest with a clear understanding of the terms of reference

1. Consultant/ consultant firm profile that includes:

• Proof of the required competencies
• Current CV(s)
• List of previous engagements (at least 3) that addresses the above experience desired
• Contact details of recent references (2-3), including email and phone number

1. Financial proposal that includes:

• budget needed to complete deliverables, including a basis for costing, such as previous rates
• budget should be submitted in Ghana Cedis (GHS).

1. An example of previous work that illustrates experience conducting interviews on the topic of farmer experience and applying participatory social science research methodologies

Thank you for your interest in working with The Rainforest Alliance