International Experts (Mongolia)
- Fiber expert (international, 10 person-months). The consultant will have a degree in textile technology, training in international quality certification standards of animal fiber textile products, and at least 7 years’ experience in a senior position in fiber manufacturing or a similar nature of development work.
The candidate will have international experience;experience working with mills and manufacturers to create the best in textile;technical expertise in designing and delivering innovative quality; competence based skills development and market awareness to support enterprises. The candidate will be highly inquisitive and able to understand apparel, garment and fiber manufacturing quality particulars, specifically cateringto the needs and wants of high value garment products, and a broad networkof existing textile premium buyers.
The consultant will have a vast knowledge and insight of textiles including: composition, construction and weaving, dyeing and finishing processes (from fiber to finishing. They will also havea sound understanding of consumers’ preferences for animal fiber garments, exceptional team building skills, excellent report writing skills, an excellent command of English and good computer skills.
Under the overall supervision of the project director and the direct supervision of the TA team coordinator, the consultant will work closely with the national counterpart specialist and the marketing and branding expert. Together they will benchmark all processes from carding to the end product for MNF certification mark. Benchmarking will be carried out in order to strengthen existing MNF standards in line with an internationally recognized certification mark system which includes not only the technical specification, but practices and processes to serve as basis for the ‘perception standard’ needed for MNF certification. This traceable down standard certification process will be recognised by international high end buyers, bolstering their confidence in Mongolian animal fiber products as sustainable, environmentally and socially compliant. The consultant will specifically:
(i)Examine and analyse existing practices in processing stages at selected processing and manufacturing PPEs. The objective will be to developMNF certification mark system to cover further processing than carding and products. This is in order to use the full potential of the WIPO registration of this certification mark, enjoy benefits and align MNF with internationally recognised certification systems with a strong customer focus.
(ii)Develop a comprehensive work program to achieve the objective of the assignment and implement it with assistance and support from the relevant project consultants and players in the sector.
(iii)Develop quality criteria and standards of further processing and final products for development of MNF certification mark in accordance with international premium quality standards and examine them in practicein order to include them in MNF certification standard.
(iv)Strengthen links of further processing of carded cashmere possessing values and properties specified in the MNF initial standard. This will ensure pollution-free and minimal loss of the determining characteristic of fiber throughout processing, manufacturing and documenting them. Identify areas where improvements are required in all further processing; spinning, dyeing, finishing, manufacturing of final products. Develop recommendations or a manual for product development and technical and technological troubleshooting of all textile processes, if needed.
(v)Submit the documentation of processes for MNF certification to an international consultant who will write MNF certification standard.
(vi)Provide assistance to MWCA (Mongolian Wool and Cashmere Association) to implement MNF step by step and develop capacity to administer MNF certification as the third party, if needed.
(vii)Assume responsibility for all activities related to brandability of Mongolian fiber products and support Mongolian companies to achieve brandability and provide necessary input for brand development by marketing and branding expert.
(viii)Provide recommendations on development of training and workshops on topics related to product quality, practices and processes to improve marketability of textile products made of fibers meeting MNF certification mark standards in international markets.
(ix)Share experience with the marketing and branding expert in building a collaborative brand for premium Mongolian cashmere and (sheep, yak, and/or camel) wool products (raw material, semi-finished, and finished), developing export marketing concepts for selected products in consultation with relevant enterprises and business associations.
- Textile certification expert (international, 5 person-months).Textile professional with post graduate degree and additional training in international quality certification systems of textile products and goods. At least 5 years’ experience of writing certification mark standards, a sound knowledge of environmentally sustainable and socially compliant garment and textile manufacturing. Extensive network of contacts in international consumer oriented quality assurance institutions.
Under the overall supervision of the project director and the direct supervision of the TA team coordinator, the consultant will work closely with the international expert and national specialist for the fiber sector. Together they will write MNF certification standards covering all processes and practices as traceable down standard certification process in accordance with credible international standard format. The consultant will specifically:
(i)Conduct a comprehensive international survey and analysis needed for MNF certification mark standard, writing to align it with internationally recognised textile certification systems. Develop a framework with a comprehensive list of topics that are potentially covered in a certification policy or certification practice statement. Train involved experts and specialists to seek required support and inputs to deliver the strengthened MNF standard.
(ii)Develop a market intelligence system enabling the IAs to systematically monitor global and national sectors to identify cases of certification mark abuse or fake certificates.
(iii)Develop MNF standard to cover all potential products specified in WIPO registration note. Communicate achievements of Mongolian Fiber processing and textile manufacturing.Founding concept of MNF developed by the TA team of the original project closely working with the Fiber expert.
(iv)Write up MNF standard in credible and clear manner.
(v)Review and improve the Implementation Guideline developed by the MWCA with regard to MNF certification of carded product.
(vi)Write up a guideline for certification implementation to promote permanent implementation of environmentally friendly production processes, optimum health and safety, and socially acceptable working conditions. Establish credible performance and auditable standards relevant to evidencing responsible performance in the supply chain and responsible business practice.
(vii)Assume responsibility for all activities related to MNF certification standard and support Mongolian companies to achieve certification
- Uniform clothing and work-wear expert (international, 10 person-months). The consultant will have a Postgraduate Textile degree and a sound understanding of all phases of work apparel/uniform manufacturing. At least 10 years’ international experience in fabric and appareland fully acquainted with garment and apparel sector market development, particularly for developing countries. The consultant will have extensive experience of working in design, cost estimation, manufacturing, and distribution of uniform clothing and work-wearproducts. Good insights to determine style marketability of Mongolia-made work apparel to Japan in relationship to price and demographic of the target market. The consultant will have exceptional team building skills, excellent report writing skills, excellent command of English and good computer skills.
Under the overall supervision of the project director and the direct supervision of the TA team coordinator, the consultant will work closely with the national counterpart specialist. Together they willprovide an international expert with all required assistance and support to understand and provide accurate assessment of the sector. They will also develop a feasible plan and suitable business models for uniform clothing and work-wear value chain development, and strategies for the sector development with strong focus on work wear and uniform manufacturing. Also, they will advise least 3 enterprises in the sector to apply the models. The consultant will specifically:
(i)Review existing business models, operations, costing and labour of uniform clothing/work-wear manufacturing sector in Mongolia. Advise on re-engineering to reflect higher or lower cost structure, market development opportunities, quality for consumer satisfaction of target markets (school uniform and work-wear made of the locally manufactured fabrics), and achieve overall efficiency of businesses in the sector.
(ii)Determine the most effective production methods, establish work standards using existing types of fabric layout equipment. Re-engineer the apparel sector, with special focus on school uniform and work-wear made of locally produced fabrics, skill development requirementsbased on the review of existing garment/apparel/leather sector surveys, data and visits to representative companies.
(iii)Define main inputs of the project capitalisingvalue chain opportunities into viable businesses. Identify suitable activities that can be supported by the project and PPEs. Develop recommendations on specialist inputs, procurement plan, and capacity building with marketing and branding expert.
(iv)Establish production methods and work standards using all types fabrics, with strong focus on locally produced; equipment used in the sector;
(v)Conduct cost analysis of representative companies and provide accurate and reliable cost information and advice on the proper design path in order to reach the highest level of quality that as costing structure will permit.
(vi)Develop Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) to enhance productivity, quality and overall efficiency of the selected businesses and coach them to use tools to measure the performance of both management and labor that will reflect their contributions to the success of their company.
(vii)Advise on fabric selection for work wear (safety apparel and uniform) to determine the correct fabric for the product in weight, acceptance for consumer satisfaction and health and safety requirements. Consult with companies on the best possible design to achieve maximum wear and address fabric, fabric finish, sizing, trim, thread, stitch and seams.
(viii)Develop education and management training for groups or as individual one-on-one sessions and hands-on training for uniform and work-wear trainers.
(ix)Develop training programs on uniform and work-wear fundamentals: engineering of fabrics, industrial stitching, product specifications and standard allowed minutes,pricing, trend and market research; selection of styles to fit the purpose, customisation, and easy to clean etc.
(x)Organise corporate seminars or round tables to fine-tune the management team in all aspects of garment manufacturing and product development.
(xi)Determine style marketability in regard to price and demographic of the target market, if export market development is foreseen.
(xii)Cooperate with the marketing and branding expert in designing and conducting domestic market studies on uniform clothing and work-wear.
(xiii)Establish and build long-term relationships with reliable contractors for export, if relevant.
- Functional food expert (international, 10 person-months). Food and meat science professional with at least 15 years of post-graduate school industrial food research and development experience. This will encompass functional food including product, process and technology development and commercialisation, food safety, research management, and technical/scientific personnel management. The consultant will have special training in meat and berry science and sound understanding of processing and microbiology. Food safety microbiology and food ingredient technology development is desirable. Understanding of functional food markets in Asia is preferable.
Under the overall supervision of the project director and direct supervision of the TA team coordinator the Expert is to help processing companies and scientists of Mongolia to define and develop strategies and plans to promote Mongolia as a supplier of natural and healthy meat/meat and sea-buckthorn products to target markets such as Japan and China (as set by the MOFA). The consultant will specifically:
(i)Examine existing scientific researches documenting health benefits and bioactive biological properties found as natural components offree grazing animal meat and sea-buckthorn products, as well as phenomenon specific to Mongolia in order to make conclusions on scientific substantiation.
(ii)Identify existing barriers for recognition and acceptance of health and nutritional benefits offered by the specified products as functional food. Intensely investigate the ways to establish and promote promising bioactive compounds.
(iii)Define a key functional food product range to be developed/ produced in order to create a core food brand of Mongolia or ingredient brand with leading international brands.
(iv)Document processes for standardisation of parameters both for products and environment conditions to be maintained through whole chain (rearing, pasture, harvesting/slaughtering, storage, transportation etc) based on sufficient data.
(v)Develop a program and strategies for additional research and trials needed for existing gaps, efficacy validation, and to remove existing barriers for acceptance of the specified products in Japan if there is such access.
(vi)Develop an action plan for different stakeholders including government agencies responsible for scientific research and trade development to promote values of the specified products,targeting countries with specific targets to monitor.
(vii)Develop a Food Quality Model for the specified products to be used as a frame of reference for analysing the way in which consumers perceive the specified products, drawing mainly on studies involving animal meat and natural berry drinks in target countries.
(viii)Define selection criteria for research institutes which will work together on product development and related trials and experiments in terms of equipment, technical capacity, human resources and participate in selection.
(ix)Define main inputs of the project for demonstration projects and translate value chain opportunities for differentiated products within specified product types as functional product. Identify suitable activities that can be supported by the project and PPEs and develop recommendation on specialist inputs, procurement plan and capacity building training.
(x)Develop recommendation on preserving functional components during processing stages including curing fermentation, where possible to proper packaging to contribute to improving the competitiveness of these products. Identify marketing opportunities in target markets, plan on validation of health and nutritional benefits offered by specified products as functional food. Develop relevant strategies to use scientifically substantiated results in marketing and promotion.
(xi)Build a platform for key stakeholders for collaboration and cooperation to capitalise on the opportunities for these products in the Japanese market.
(xii)Lead and monitor the implementation of the program and strategies developed, and advise on improvements and further development.
5. Marketing and Branding Expert(international, 12 person-months). The consultant will have a degree in Marketing, as well as training in branding, alongside at least 7 years' of experience in the capacity of a senior marketing/branding position withihn the textile retail market. The consultant needs international experience and technical expertise in textile and natural fiber products aimed at highend markets, sound understanding of apparel, garment, leather and fiber manufacturing quality particulars. The project seeks specifically to cater to the needs and wants of high value garment products. Knowledge of an extensive network of existing textile premium buyers is a positive, as are insights into capitalizing on potentials of natural assets of existing/available products.
The consultant will require a exceptional team building skills,solidunderstandingof thecompetitive international textile market, excellent report writing skills,superbcommand of English and computer skills. Under the overall supervision of the project director and the direct supervision of the TA team coordinator,the expert willpdate and implementa brand framework developed by the original project, develop a brand framework for new sectors and advise and guide the implementation by relevant national consultants responsible for the sector, as well as managing the matchmaking between at least 5 enterprises. The Consultant will specifically:
(i)Implement,in consultation with PMU and key stakeholders, the brand framework developed during the original project for (a) collaborative branding with international premium brands and (b) original branding of Mongolian products in cooperation with other international experts and national specialists.
(ii)Develop marketing concepts and/or plans and lead the introduction and positioning of (ingredient) brands as certification marks for premium quality Mongolian agricultural products in the targeted international markets.
(iii)Cooperate with designers and marketing agencies on the further development of brand collaterals.
(iv)Support selected model enterprises in their marketing and branding activities through practical advice, training and/or coaching, and market intelligence.
(v)Design and conduct a brand training program for Mongolian enterprises with interest in developing and/or utilising the original brand in cooperation with sector experts.
(vi)Provide support to the IAs and relevant institutions to build the reputation and enhance the value of Mongolian brand(s) for premium quality agricultural products in the target international markets.
(vii)Define main inputs in marketing and branding of the project capitalizing value chain opportunities into viable businesses and identify suitable activities that can be supported by the Project and PPEs and develop recommendation on specialist inputs, procurement plan, and capacity building in consultation with other experts.
(viii)Ensure effective capacity building through marketing and brand training programs among the PPEs and relevant business associations for sustainable brand management and marketing.
(ix)Review/update branding guidelines and develop sector-specific chapters, if necessary.
(x)Update “how-to” manual on branding presentation materials with full requirements for interested enterprises.
(xi)Develop marketing guidelines and manuals for systematic knowledge transfer and knowledge database.
(xii)Help at least 3 PPEs in the fiber sector to make long term supply or partnership agreement with internationally recognised buyers and enterpises with other sectors, and possibly with international buyers.