Consultant/Consultancy – Responsible Purchasing Practices in Banana Supply Chains
Posted 1 week ago by Ethical Trading Initiative
Negotiable
Undetermined
Remote
United Kingdom
Summary: The role of Consultant/Consultancy focuses on responsible purchasing practices within banana supply chains, aiming to gather insights from worker representatives and labor rights organizations in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. The consultancy will analyze the relationship between retailer purchasing behaviors and human rights risks, ultimately providing actionable recommendations to improve worker outcomes. This position is part of a broader initiative coordinated by SASI to support retailers in embedding ethical practices in their supply chains. The consultancy period extends until November 20, 2025, with potential adjustments based on project timelines.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop a semi-structured interview questionnaire for worker representatives.
- Conduct a minimum of 4 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with worker representatives: 2 in Colombia, 1 in Ecuador, and 1 in Costa Rica.
- Lead and host 1 focus group discussion (FGD) in Colombia and 1 in Costa Rica.
- Explore themes such as worker representation, freedom of association and collective bargaining, stability of employment, use of overtime, and the impacts of employer practices.
- Prepare a summary report with findings from KIIs and FGDs, analysis of key themes and trends, insights into the links between purchasing practices and workers’ rights risks, and practical recommendations for retailers and supply chain actors.
Key Skills:
- Experience in conducting qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups.
- Knowledge of labor rights and human rights issues in supply chains.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret data and provide actionable recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: undetermined
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
Position: Consultant/Consultancy – Responsible Purchasing Practices in Banana Supply Chains
Location: Remote
Consultancy Period: September – 20 November 2025 (subject to potential adjustment to align with IDH timelines)
Application Deadline: 5 September 2025
This activity is part of the Towards Living Wages in the Banana Sector project of the German Retailers Working Group on Living Income and Living Wages, an initiative coordinated by SASI. The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Banana Link (BL), and the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains Initiative (SASI) at GIZ are partnering to support retailers in embedding responsible purchasing practices across the global banana supply chain. Everyday purchasing decisions, from price negotiations to lead times and order volumes, directly shape conditions for workers on farms and in packing facilities. This initiative helps retailers understand how their commercial behaviours relate to human rights risks in the banana supply chain and supports them in taking meaningful action.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultancy will gather insights from worker representatives, labour rights organisations and workers in Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador to better understand:
- The relationship between retailer purchasing practices and human rights risks in banana supply chains.
- How worker representation and rights are enabled or constrained in practice.
- The impacts of current employment and labour practices on workers’ rights, income, and working conditions.
Findings will inform actionable recommendations for retailers and support responsible purchasing practices that contribute to improved worker outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
The consultant(s) will:
- Develop a semi-structured interview questionnaire for worker representatives.
- Conduct a minimum of 4 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with worker representatives: 2 in Colombia, 1 in Ecuador, and 1 in Costa Rica.
- Lead and host 1 focus group discussion (FGD) in Colombia and 1 in Costa Rica.
- Explore themes such as worker representation, freedom of association and collective bargaining, stability of employment, use of overtime, and the impacts of employer practices.
- Prepare a summary report with:
- Findings from KIIs and FGDs.
- Analysis of key themes and trends.
- Insights into the links between purchasing practices and workers’ rights risks.
- Practical recommendations for retailers and supply chain actors.
Contract Details
Type: Consultancy contract
Duration: Until 20 November 2025 (subject to potential timeline adjustments, to be confirmed by 22 September 2025).
Budget: £10,000–£13,000 (inclusive of all fees, travel, translation and expenses).
Payment schedule: 50% upon approval of tools/methodology and initiation of KIIs/FGDs; 50% upon submission of final report.
Application Process
We welcome applications from both individual consultants and organisations. Please submit the following by 5 September 2025 to HR@eti.org.uk with the subject line: “Responsible Purchasing Practices in Banana Supply Chains” :
- CV(s).
- A short proposal (2–3 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements, proposed methodology, action plan, timeline, and budget.