ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference (TOR)

1. General Information

Supervisor:  Eknarin Ariyavongvivat

Period: 1 October 2026 – 1 March 2027

Location of work: Required field visits to Surat Thani City Municipality, Surat Thani Province.

2. Purpose and Background:

The Plastic Smart Cities Coca Cola (TCCF) project aims to deliver scalable solutions to Thailand's plastic waste challenges by reducing plastic leakage and strengthening inclusive waste systems in Surat Thani. Key strategies of the project include formalizing partnerships with junk shops and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), creating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) driven markets for low-value plastics, and advocating for the nationwide replication of the Surat Thani model. At the heart of this initiative is a core strategy to professionalize the informal sector and support informal waste pickers (Saleng), specifically targeting the existing network of 128 members while expanding coverage to include at least 40 new members.

While the project has successfully united informal waste pickers and established operational frameworks, addressing the complex social dynamics of these workers requires highly specialized expertise. Previously, an initial participatory human rights assessment identified key environmental and social risks, including occupational safety hazards, income insecurity, and barriers to accessing social protection among vulnerable groups (particularly women, older workers, and members with chronic illnesses). However, establishing minimum human rights safeguards (such as occupational health and safety, non-discrimination, fair treatment, and grievance mechanisms) and facilitating linkages for informal workers to access existing state social protection systems to address these risks is a specialized component that the project previously lacked.

To bridge this gap, the project is seeking a specialized consultant for the development of a Human Rights Framework to be integrated into the Surat Thani Saleng Association guidelines/manual. The consultant will strategically adapt this framework to establish operational safeguards while facilitating access to the municipality's and state's existing welfare and support mechanisms. The consultant will evaluate current practices, provide additional expert recommendations, and correct or complete the necessary Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) protocols. This hands-on integration ensures that the safeguards and social protection linkage mechanisms for the Saleng Association are accurate, fully comprehensive, and sustainably embedded into the local government's ongoing operations.

3. Project Objectives:

The primary objective of this assignment is to developt of a Human Rights Framework for Surat Thani's Saleng Association, informed by a comprehensive assessment of informal waste workers, and to provide practical recommendations for integrating minimum human rights safeguards and responsible practices into the Saleng Association guidelines, with appropriate linkages to municipal and state support and social protection mechanisms. The specific objectives are:

• System Integration & ESSF Completion: Evaluate the current welfare practices and provide actionable recommendations to integrate a Human Rights Framework into the Saleng Association guidelines. This includes establishing minimum safeguards (e.g., OHS, non-discrimination, fair treatment/pricing, and grievance mechanisms) and facilitating linkages to the Surat Thani Municipality's and state's existing social protection mechanisms, ensuring the project's Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) protocols are accurately completed and standardized.
• Framework Application & Scoring: Apply a structured three-component vulnerability framework (Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity) to assess and compare vulnerability across Saleng subgroup. Composite vulnerability scores will be calculated using the formula Vulnerability = (Exposure x Sensitivity) / Adaptive Capacity and used to identify priority risks and groups requiring differentiated safeguards, support measures, and social protection linkages under the Human Rights Framework.
• GEDSI-Disaggregated Analysis: Conduct a Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) disaggregated analysis with particular attention to vulnerable groups, including women, older workers, workers with chronic illnesses, and uninsured Saleng members.
• Hazard, Protection & Welfare Gap Assessment: Assess current occupational health and safety conditions, access to existing social protection and welfare schemes, financial vulnerability and resilience, and the availability and accessibility of grievance mechanisms. Assess Saleng workers’ exposure to physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial hazards, including risks associated with inadequate PPE, and identify gaps and priority measures to inform the Human Rights Framework, Saleng Association guidelines, and appropriate referral or support mechanisms.

4. Scope of Work / Product or Service Specifications: 

The consultancy is structured into three phases:

• Phase 1: Design & Framework Alignment: The consultant will prepare an Inception Report detailing the methodology, a stakeholder mapping for Surat Thani, a sampling strategy, data collection instruments (surveys, Focus Group Discussion guides, and Key Informant Interview protocols), an indicator scoring rubric, and a strict ethical research protocol. During this phase, the consultant must also evaluate the municipality's and state's existing welfare and support mechanisms to design a strategy for facilitating Saleng access, while developing human rights safeguards under the ESSF.
• Phase 2: Field Implementation & System Evaluation: The consultant will execute fieldwork in Surat Thani, administering structured individual surveys and conducting GEDSI disaggregated Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. In addition to gathering data, the consultant will assess the practical application of social safeguards on the ground and identify operational gaps. All data must be collected adhering to do no harm principles and maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Phase 3: Final Reporting & ESSF Handover: The consultant will compile a comprehensive final report featuring a GEDSI disaggregated findings chapter, vulnerability classifications by subgroup, an updated mitigation action table, and a monitoring framework to track continuous progress. Crucially, this phase includes delivering the corrected and completed ESSF protocols, along with actionable recommendations for embedding the safeguards into the Saleng Association guidelines and municipal support mechanisms, while strengthening referral and linkage pathways to existing state and municipal social protection systems.

5. Roles and Responsibilities:

The consultant will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Assessment and Framework Design: Prepare an Inception Report detailing the methodology, a stakeholder mapping for Surat Thani, a sampling strategy, data collection instruments, an indicator scoring rubric, and a strict ethical research protocol. Evaluate the municipality's and state's existing welfare and support mechanisms to design a strategy for facilitating Saleng access.
• Fieldwork and Data Collection: Execute fieldwork in Surat Thani by administering structured individual surveys and conducting GEDSI disaggregated Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. Ensure all data is collected adhering to "do no harm" principles and maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Vulnerability Analysis: Apply a structured three-component vulnerability framework (Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity) to assess and compare vulnerability across Saleng subgroups. Assess current occupational health and safety conditions, access to existing social protection, financial vulnerability, and the availability of grievance mechanisms.
• System Integration & Recommendations: Provide actionable recommendations to integrate a Human Rights Framework into the Saleng Association guidelines. Establish minimum safeguards (e.g., OHS, non-discrimination, fair treatment/pricing, and grievance mechanisms) and facilitate linkages to the Surat Thani Municipality's and state's existing social protection mechanisms.
• ESSF Handover and Reporting: Deliver the corrected and completed Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) protocols. Compile a comprehensive final report featuring a GEDSI disaggregated findings chapter, vulnerability classifications, an updated mitigation action table, and a structured handover manual for the local government.

6. Deliverables / Expected Outputs:

The timeline for this assignment is expanded around 5 months to ensure thorough data collection, stakeholder engagement, and system integration.

1. Deliverable 1: Inception Report & Integration Strategy (October 2026)

Details: An approved Inception Report outlining the full methodology, ethical protocols, and implementation timeline before fieldwork commences. This must also include an initial design strategy for integrating the Human Rights Framework into the Saleng Association guidelines and facilitating access to the municipality's existing welfare systems.

2. Deliverable 2: Fieldwork Completion & Raw Dataset (December 2026)

Details: Completion of fieldwork, submission of the indicator scoring matrix, and delivery of a fully anonymized raw dataset.

3. Deliverable 3: Final Report & ESSF Handover (February 2027)

Details: Submission of the Draft Report for validation, followed by the Final Report incorporating all client feedback and actionable mitigation recommendations. Crucially, this includes the finalized Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) protocols and a structured handover manual for the local government.

7. Timeline:

Duration of Assignment: 1 October 2026 – 1 March 2027

• Delivery schedule:
  • Deliverable 1: Upon Contract Signing (in October 2026)
  • Deliverable 2: Expected in December 2026
  • Deliverable 3: February 2027

8. Payment Terms:

The amount must be covers all professional fees, travel, accommodation, tax, and any other expenses incurred during the fieldwork and consultancy period. Payment will be disbursed in two payments milestones:

1. 50% upon contract signing,
2. 50% upon approval of the final Report and supporting documents.

9. Qualifications and Experience:

Proven experience working collaboratively with government agencies or local municipalities to adapt and integrate social safeguard frameworks, public welfare policies, or community development mechanisms.

1. Demonstrated knowledge of social vulnerability assessment methodologies, specifically the three-component framework (Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity).
2. Proven experience in integrating GEDSI perspectives into research design, data collection, and analysis, particularly working with marginalized groups, informal workers (Saleng), older workers, and undocumented individuals.
3. Comprehensive understanding and hands-on experience in developing, correcting, or standardizing Environmental and Social Safeguards Frameworks (ESSF), including requirements related to vulnerable group protection, grievance mechanisms, and do no harm principles.
4. Familiarity with ethical research protocols, including informed consent, data anonymization, and confidentiality.
5. Strong capacity to conduct mixed methods research, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews.
6. Fluency in Thai and English, with the ability to synthesize complex findings into actionable, management ready recommendations.

10. Submission Requirements : 

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailing relevant education and professional experience.
• Financial Proposal / Quotation: Outlining the costs for the assignment.
• Copy of ID Card: (Certified true copy)
• Relevant experience and references: Examples of past work or portfolio related to the scope of work.
• Other relevant documents: (If applicable)

11. WWF Support :

• Duration: The consultancy shall commence upon contract signing and must be completed by 1 March 2027.
• Submission Deadline: 30 September 2026
• Contact Information: Please submit all application documents (Proposals should be submitted in Thai or English language) by email to: eknarina@wwf.or.th
• Inquiries: Questions regarding the assignment can be addressed to Mr. Eknarin Ariyavongvivat, WWF Thailand, under the same email.