Terms of Reference: Sustainable Upgrading of the Natural Rubber Sector in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

1. About the Global Gateway Investment Climate Reform Facility

The Global Gateway Investment Climate Reform (GG ICR) Facility contributes to the development of a conducive, inclusive and sustainable investment climate for the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy in INTPA partner countries. Through targeted advisory services, it enables partner countries to attract investments, while enabling local and European businesses to grow and invest with confidence. The Facility places strong emphasis on women’s economic empowerment, promoting equal rights, access to opportunities, and green, sustainable growth for all. 

The GG ICR Facility is co-funded by the European Union (EU), together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires Étrangères (MEAE). It is implemented by GIZ, Expertise France and SNV.

Global Gateway aims at mobilising investments of up to €300 billion between 2021 and 2027. It does so by taking a Team Europe approach - bringing together resources of the EU, Member States, European financial institutions and national development finance institutions.

The Global Gateway strategy of the European Union covers five areas: Digital, Climate and Energy, Transport, Health and Education and Research. It allows EU partners to develop their societies and economies and create opportunities for the EU Member States’ private sector to invest and remain competitive. The GG ICR Facility is part of the ‘soft’ measures to materialise the Global Gateway strategy. Through this programme and across all its results, the EU aims at supporting green investments and a transition towards low-carbon circular economies, in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal and with the Paris agreement objectives. It is integrated into the European Consensus on Development ‘our world, our dignity, our future’, specifically with its priorities of promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs. Lastly, it reinforces the EU’s leadership in promoting gender equality and social inclusion, in full alignment with the transformative approach of the Gender Action Plan III, while contributing to the 2030 Agenda’s SDG 5 (gender equality). 

The GG ICR Facility provides technical assistance to public and private organisations in INTPA partner countries to develop actions to improve the business environment and investment climate.

In the context of its mandate, the GG ICR Facility provides technical assistance to the Natural Rubber National Business Association (Cámara Nacional de la Industria Hulera -CNIH) to complete an assessment of the natural rubber sector’s competitiveness, sustainability and investment-readiness constraints in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico, and include recommendations to achieve the sustainable upgrading and better economic integration of the sector to the Mexican and regional economy.

2. Context and objectives of the intervention

The Isthmus of Tehuantepec has become one of the main strategic development corridors in Mexico and an important priority under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The region connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans through a multimodal logistics corridor centred around the modernization of ports, rail connectivity and industrial development zones. At the same time, the Isthmus remains one of the historically least developed and economically lagging regions of the country, making it a priority territory for both economic integration and inclusive regional development efforts.

The Isthmus of Tehuantepec natural rubber sector remains largely disconnected from higher-value industrial value chains despite the region’s strong agro-climatic potential and strategic location within this emerging logistics and industrial corridor linked to Global Gateway priorities.

Production systems remain fragmented, quality standards are inconsistent, and sustainability, social and traceability practices remain limited. As a result, local production is currently unable to integrate into the more demanding sourcing requirements of the European tire industry, particularly regarding quality consistency, traceability, deforestation-free sourcing linked to the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), and broader environmental and social standards increasingly required by international markets and European companies operating in Mexico.

The objective of the technical assistance is to complete an assessment of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec natural rubber sector’s competitiveness, sustainability and investment-readiness constraints, and include recommendations to achieve the sustainable upgrading and better economic integration of the sector to the Mexican and regional economy.

The assessment will identify the main competitiveness and sustainability bottlenecks limiting access to higher-value markets and sustainable sourcing opportunities.

The project will support the coordination between public and private stakeholders around future sector upgrading and investment efforts.

The recommendations will include how the sector could better position itself within the broader industrial, logistics and territorial development dynamics of the Isthmus and identify practical pathways to strengthen future sustainable sourcing, regional competitiveness and investment opportunities linked to sustainable value chains, European companies, Global Gateway priorities and the broader transformation of Southern Mexico.

The project is aligned with Global Gateway priorities and broader EU engagement in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which has been identified as a strategic Global Gateway corridor and flagship initiative in Mexico. The project supports broader territorial development objectives linked to industrial development, connectivity, sustainable value chains and regional competitiveness in Southern Mexico. It also complements ongoing and planned EU-supported initiatives in the region, including upcoming collaboration with UNIDO related to investment promotion, sustainable industrial ecosystems and territorial economic development.

The project also presents a direct connection with European industrial interests in Mexico. European tire manufacturers operating in the country increasingly require more sustainable, traceable and resilient supply chains, creating potential opportunities for future local sourcing and productive investment if the sector becomes more competitive and investment-ready.

The proposed TA would help strengthen the enabling conditions for these future opportunities by improving understanding of the sector, facilitating coordination among stakeholders and identifying pathways for future upgrading and investment efforts linked to the broader transformation of the Isthmus region.

3. Description of the activities

The GG ICR Facility is seeking experts to assess the Isthmus of Tehuantepec natural rubber sector’s competitiveness, sustainability and investment-readiness constraints, propose a strategic action plan with recommendations for the sustainable upgrading and better economic integration of the sector and conduct public-private dialogue throughout the exercise.

This assistance will be designed to be gender-inclusive and throughout the exercise the consultant should analyse the participation of both women and men in the economy as well as businesses and organizations owned/run by both women and men equally (and eventually, based on data availability, of youth under 35 years old).

The work should be implemented in a participatory and collaborative way through consultations, interviews, workshops, field visits, ecosystem mapping and a public-private dialogue process all along the project, involving producers, industry representatives, public institutions, financial actors and development partners.

The contractor shall provide the following services:

1. Prepare kick-off meeting and refine stakeholder engagement strategy

• Organise a technical kick-off meeting with the CNIH and relevant stakeholders (such as the EUD) to review project implementation logistics and scope (milestones, responsibilities and timeline; indicating clearly the role to be played by involved parties and when these should be carried out). Liaise with ICR facility and the CNIH on the organisation of the meeting.
• Review existing studies, diagnostics and initiatives related to:
  • natural rubber production,
  • regional industrial development,
  • logistics and connectivity investments,
  • sustainable sourcing,
  • traceability and EUDR-related requirements, and existing EUDR studies,
  • and territorial development initiatives in the Isthmus.
• Map existing and planned interventions led by:
  • federal and state authorities,
  • the EU Delegation,
  • UNIDO,
  • development finance actors,
  • and private sector stakeholders.
• Conduct inception consultations with key public and private stakeholders (including the identification and clear definition of the problem to be addressed).
• Refine the scope, analytical focus and stakeholder engagement strategy of the technical assistance. Draft the refined project approach

2. Assessment of the natural rubber ecosystem and competitiveness constraints

• Carry out an assessment and consultation process through in person/online meetings or workshops, with relevant stakeholders, including producers, processors, producer associations, industry representatives, local authorities, financial actors, technical and/or academic institutions, and development partners.
• Assess the main structural, organizational, economic and sustainability-related constraints affecting the competitiveness and investment readiness of the natural rubber ecosystem in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec:
  • production and commercialization dynamics;
  • current quality management practices;
  • organizational capacities;
  • logistics and aggregation challenges;
  • workforce and social conditions;
  • environmental and traceability practices;
  • and market access limitations.
• Identify the principal bottlenecks preventing the sector from supplying higher-value industrial markets and participating in sustainable sourcing schemes.
• Assess the broader ecosystem conditions required to support future upgrading and investment.
• Conduct a Gender gap analysis: assess the role of women in the operation and maintenance activities and areas and identify gaps in women’s participation.
• Draft an assessment summary report with the methodology implemented and summary of consultations held.

3. Draft report with assessment of market integration, sustainability and investment-readiness gaps

• Benchmark current production and commercialization conditions against:
  • international quality standards;
  • traceability requirements;
  • sustainability expectations of the tire industry;
  • and relevant European due diligence and deforestation-related requirements.
• Identify key gaps related to:
  • quality consistency,
  • traceability,
  • sustainability practices,
  • producer organization,
  • monitoring systems,
  • and institutional support frameworks.
• Assess the implications of these gaps for:
  • market access,
  • investment attractiveness,
  • sourcing opportunities,
  • and long-term sector competitiveness.
• Identify areas where coordinated public-private action could help reduce investment uncertainty and facilitate future upgrading.
• Draft market integration and investment-readiness gap assessment.

4. Public-private dialogue and ecosystem coordination

• Facilitate structured dialogue between public institutions (including national and state level), producers, industry, financial actors and development partners to strengthen coordination, validate findings and build momentum around the sustainable development of the sector. All the activities and deliverables of this project are part of this “Public-private dialogue and ecosystem coordination” deliverable. 
• Organize, in coordination with the CNIH, and facilitate technical and strategic dialogue sessions involving:
  • federal government institutions,
  • state authorities,
  • producer representatives,
  • industry actors,
  • financial institutions,
  • development partners,
  • and relevant private sector stakeholders.
• Discuss, based on the findings of the project
  • competitiveness constraints,
  • sustainability and traceability requirements,
  • producer support needs,
  • financing challenges,
  • logistics and aggregation issues,
  • and investment opportunities linked to the sector.

• Test and improve viability of the recommendations with the input from the parties
• Identify actionable next steps, responsible partners and areas for future institutional collaboration and coordination.

• Deliver Public Private Dial (PPD) meetings with key stakeholders following GG ICR guidelines for outcomes oriented Public Private Dialogue.

5. Develop a strategic roadmap for sector upgrading and ecosystem strengthening

• Develop a practical and investment-oriented roadmap with reform recommendations, identifying priority actions to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and economic integration of the natural rubber ecosystem in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
• Develop recommendations covering:
  • governance and coordination mechanisms,
  • producer organization,
  • traceability and sustainability systems,
  • quality upgrading pathways,
  • technical assistance and capacity-building needs,
  • financing and de-risking opportunities,
  • and investment facilitation measures.
• Identify actions requiring:
  • public sector leadership,
  • private sector participation,
  • financial sector engagement,
  • and development partner support.
• Identify opportunities to better connect the sector with:
  • regional logistics corridors,
  • industrial development initiatives,
  • sustainable sourcing strategies,
  • and future investment promotion efforts.
• Assess existing local or international public and/or private programs that could benefit this sector.
• Propose possible sequencing and institutional coordination arrangements for future implementation.
• Develop strategic roadmap for sector upgrading and ecosystem strengthening.

6. Strategic roadmap validation and dissemination

• Validation meeting: organize a validation meeting with relevant stakeholders in coordination with CNIH.
• Validate findings and recommendations with key stakeholders and support dissemination of the main outputs of the technical assistance.
• Final strategic roadmap report: incorporate validation comments and finalize the strategic roadmap report.
• Identify immediate opportunities for follow-on collaboration and support.
• Executive policy note: Draft 1 executive policy note of no more than 5 pages, targeted at policy makers, multilateral institutions and investors (government officials or relevant decision-level stakeholders, most likely non-technical, and with little time availability) highlighting the main assessment and recommendation.

7. Closing meeting and follow up on results (outcomes)

• Closing meeting: Prepare and present at the closing meeting CNIH, the European Union Delegation, the GG ICR Facility and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the Completion report containing Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) indicators: provide the Participants lists with the number of participants by gender, main activities carried out, expected results (outcomes), potential follow-up actions and lessons learned (template to be provided by the ICR facility).
• Prepare two (2) blog articles, one during the project and one at the end of the project (for publication possibly in the ICR LinkedIn/website) as project communication (including text, quote and photograph/image). The topic is to be decided (possible topics include: Global Gateway and related European investments, role of women in the sector, climate and the value chain, etc..).
• Disseminate findings among relevant institutions and partners.
• Provide support to CNIH and the ecosystem: provide follow-up support as required, in agreement with the GG ICR Facility, to facilitate the practical implementation of results.

As part of the in-person consultation process, collect communication materials for the GG ICR Facility, such as photos or videos of events and participants (with participant’s relevant authorization), as agreed beforehand with the GG ICR Facility project manager for communications posts of the activities on Linkedin.

When organizing workshops, prepare and obtain the signed participants’ lists with the number of participants by gender (model to be provided by the GG ICR Facility). Field visits and in situ meetings may take place in Mexico DF, Guanajuato state, and other spots at the Tehuantepec istmus. When visiting the Istmus all activities and agenda should be coordinated with the Corredor Interoceánico del Istmo de Tehuantepec (CIIT).

General note on reports:  Each report produced shall include an executive summary. The final report should include:

• Executive summary.
• Acknowledgements section.
• Description of the methodology used for the study.
• Clear, actionable recommendations, classified by short, medium and long term, with feasibility, impact, responsible entity and budget associated.
• Implementation roadmap.

Reports and Powerpoint presentations should follow the format provided by the GG ICR Facility.

The deliverables will be written in Spanish. If some documents are prepared in English, it shall be previously agreed with CNIH and GG ICR.

Meetings will take place in Spanish.

4. Qualifications for the contractor

The position is open to individual consultants or firms with the following credentials:

• Minimum of master's degree in international development, trade, economics, finance or other related studies.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the field of economic development and research, international trade, and cluster development, in emerging economies.
• Knowledge and experience on institutional development and women economic empowerment.
• Experience on policy/regulatory environment, business environment reforms, and Public-Private Dialogue in developing economies.
• Experience providing technical assistance to the public and private sector in emerging economies. Practical experience in the logistic sector is considered as an added value.
• Fluency in Spanish for some members of team

5. Timeline, deliverables and time allocation

• Kick-off meeting and stakeholder engagement strategy
  Delivery: 7–15 working days after contract signature
  Level of effort: up to 3 expert days
• Assessment of the natural rubber ecosystem and competitiveness constraints
  Delivery: 55 working days after contract signature (approx. end of September)
  Level of effort: up to 19 expert days
• Draft report on market integration, sustainability and investment-readiness gaps, including recommendations
  Delivery: 80 working days after contract signature (approx. November)
  Level of effort: up to 19 expert days
• Strategic roadmap for sector upgrading and ecosystem strengthening
  Delivery: 110 working days after contract signature (approx. January 2027)
  Level of effort: up to 20 expert days
• Validation and dissemination of the strategic roadmap
  Delivery: 135 working days after contract signature (approx. February 2027)
  Level of effort: up to 5 expert days
• Public-private dialogue and ecosystem coordination process
  Delivery: 175 working days after contract signature (approx. April 2027)
  Level of effort: up to 15 expert days
• Closing meeting and follow-up on results and next steps
  Delivery: 175 working days after contract signature (approx. mid-April 2027)
  Level of effort: up to 9 expert days

Level of effort: total number of expert days is 90 (ninety).

The number of days/travel/workshops and the budgets will be contractually agreed as maximum amounts. Assessment will be based on qualification and rate.

Period of assignment
The project shall last from August 3, 2026 to April 30, 2027.

Travel
The country of assignment will be Mexico.

Workshops, Training
The contractor implements virtual meetings and workshops as defined above and supports the organisation of physical meetings CNIH. The consultant will draft the agenda, advise the selection of attendees, prepare content and facilitate the workshops.

• For virtual meetings, the consultant ensures s/he has appropriate software to invite for virtual meetings / video conferences / webinars. No budget is provided for this.
• For physical workshops, the consultant will work closely with the local partner to organise these meetings. The ICR Facility will cater for the costs (venue, catering) of holding a physical meeting. The meeting logistics will be organised in coordination with SNV HQ. 

Data collection

The consultant will be acting as an independent data controller of personal data being processed in connection with the contract and shall ensure that all data collected during the project are processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

6. How to apply
Please apply before July 17th (23:59 CET). Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit a short proposal including:

• A brief methodological proposal (maximum 5 pages or slides) outlining the proposed approach,  methodology, and indicative workplan.
• A team composition note (maximum 1 page or slide) indicating the proposed experts, their roles within the assignment.
• A brief financial proposal indicating the daily rates (in EUR) of each proposed expert.
• The CVs of the proposed experts highlighting relevant experience.

Applications will be assessed based on the quality and relevance of the proposed methodology, the experience and qualifications of the team, and the proposed financial offer.

7. Role and responsibilities of the requesting organisation

The GG ICR Facility pays directly for the time and travel of the expert team (one or more international and/or national experts -remote or in country) and for events (venue, refreshments). It does not provide allowances for participants.

The requesting organisation ensures timely availability of staff, inputs, and relevant information to enable effective delivery. It will work in close collaboration with the experts, to provide them with key information for the diagnosis and facilitate the organisation of meetings with key stakeholders, including members and external partners from the public and private sector.

The requesting organisation is expected to:

Follow up on project implementation.

Assign and operational focal point and managerial focal point, to work closely with the expert team.  CNIH will appoint a point of contact for project follow up, organizing meetings and general coordination.

In-kind contribution: The expert team leads technical content; the partner organisation leads logistics and the organization of local events. It identifies participants, sends and follows up on invitations, finds venues and budgets, and leverages networks to ensure stakeholder involvement. The partner’s organization covers its own staff time, travel, equipment.

Open communication: to participate in regular follow up meetings, share timely responses, update about changes (such as staff or leadership changes) and internal coordination.

Ensure gender considerations are meaningfully included in the design, implementation, and results of the technical assistance.

Commitment to results: The partner organization will make all efforts to implement the relevant recommendations coming out of the technical assistance and inform any update during the post-implementation evaluation phase of the project.

Commitment to deliverables: If engagement drops to a level that jeopardizes project implementation within the agreed timeframe, the GG ICR Facility may cancel the project.

For the full ToR and all information, please click on below link that will lead you to the document: https://c.smartrecruiters.com/sr-company-attachments-prod-aws-dc5/58919688e4b0672cc03331a9/9837189f-b150-4004-8a86-bf03b5755a08?r=s3-eu-central-1