Terms of Reference
Baseline Assessment of the Food Security Standard at Vikarabad In Telangana
Commissioned by Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
On behalf of Welthungerhilfe and Food Security Standard Project
1. Background
Sustainability standards are a common mean of verifying compliance with sustainability requirements and passing information about the social and environmental attributes of a product along the supply chain. However, none of the established certification systems follow a holistic approach regarding a direct positive impact on the human right to food and other human rights connected to the right to food. Against this background, the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn, WWF Germany and Welthungerhilfe have jointly developed the Food Security Standard (FSS), which is now being brought to concrete application by Welthungerhilfe and Meo Carbon Solutions. From now on, companies, sustainability standards and consumers can check whether the human right to food of workers or farmers is guaranteed.
The impact of sustainability certifications is generally controversial and often strongly depends on context-dependent conditions. In order to prove the positive impact of the Food Security Standard (FSS) on local food security, the current FSS project will conduct impact assessments in Vikarabad -Telagana. The aim is to increase the credibility of the FSS through reliable and scientifically proven data regarding the impact on the right to food (in cooperation with University of Münster).
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in Germany operating in the humanitarian assistance and development fields. Welthungerhilfe has been implementing the project- “Colors of Nature” since January. The project is co-funded by European Union. The project is implemented by a consortium of local partner CSOs – AVANI and Chitrika in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Uttarakhand in India. All the organisations have strong grassroots experience and expertise in natural dye management.
The project’s overall objective is to contribute to strengthened capacities of local CSOs working on sustainable and ecologically responsible textiles.
As part of the Colors of Nature Project (Chitrika- one of the implementing partner ) as a non-certified producer wants to check their current status of compliance with the FSS criteria to evaluate, which gaps they have to close to get certified. Therefore, the FSS developed the FOSSEM (FOod Security SEnsitive Management) that provides a stepwise approach leading to full compliance with FSS criteria.
Chitrika as part of AL group has been working with artisans since last 15 years. Currently it has expanded its vision to work with farmers and other marginal communities in developing sustainable value-chains vis a vis enterprise. The number of actual farmers who are interested to sell raw materials to produce Natural dyes amounts at 300 smallholder farmers, mainly using family workforce for the crop production. The agriculture is generally Rainfed and farmers grow Lentils, vegetables . The farms are located in Vikarabad district.
Objectives
- Attending an on-line training on the Food Security Standard provided by the FSS Team, as well as an introduction on the specialties of FOSSEM (stepwise approach to reach FSS compliance)
- Preparing and undertaking and on-site assessment with the FSS toolbox according to the training that was given, including baseline data collection for the developed impact assessment tools. The assessment will be accompanied by the FSS partner for the impact assessment (University of Münster) and one FSS team member.
- Participation in feedback sessions during and after the assessment with recommendations to improve the process
- Participation in debriefing session with the FSS and Chitrika
- Preparing a FOSSEM assessment report in line with FSS requirements with the identified gaps and submit all relevant documents (including interview results and relevant documentation)
2. Basic requirements
3.1 Timeline
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Pos. 1: Participation in on-line Training
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Approx. one or two days
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Pos. 2: Submitting and presenting an audit schedule that integrates the FSS
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Until June 2026
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Pos. 3: On site FOSSEM assessment including QAT Interviews (smallholder/worker, Stakeholder) and impact assessment tools
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Approx. 1 – 16. June
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4: Participation in debriefing session
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End of Audit
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5: Audit report
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15th of July , End of July 2026
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The assessor conducting the FSS assessment shall fulfil the following requirements:
- Mandatory participation in FSS training before the first FSS assessment is conducted.
- Technical knowledge and a good understanding of the activities of the entity undergoing the FSS assessment and the social context in the area.
- Good proficiency in English, Telugu (depending on the FSS version being used) and working language
- Personal and professional behavior within the meaning of ISO 19011 (e.g. ethical, open-minded, diplomatic, observant, culturally sensitive, etc.). Auditors shall follow the six “principles of auditing” according to ISO 19011: integrity, fair presentation, due professional care, confidentiality, independence and evidence based approach.
- Proven experience and competence in conducting interviews with different stakeholder groups.
- At least two years of working experience in the relevant occupational area; in all, at least three years of working experience.
- Knowledge in the handling, evaluation and plausibility assessment of data sources.
- Knowledge in social accountability verification as well as experience with relevant databases and chain of custody options
Contact and submission of offer: end date of submission- 10th April 2026
The interested agencies/consultants can apply on or before 10th of April 2026 (5:00 PM IST) by sending your offers by email to following contact persons:-
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Mr. Vijay Rai
Program Manager
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Ms. Renita Rajora
Project Finance officer
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For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.