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Consultant to conduct research on Performance and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Piloted Sustainable Food and Beverage Packaging Business Models

April 24, 2026

To conduct a comprehensive performance and cost-benefit analysis of sustainable food and beverage packaging business models piloted under Output 1 of the PlasticSmart Cambodia project.

Project Title: PlasticSmart Cambodia: Business cases and practices to combat plastic waste and pollution for a greener Cambodia

Context and Background

CARE International is a globally recognized development organization dedicated to alleviating poverty and fostering sustainable development through strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions. Since 1973, CARE Cambodia has implemented diverse initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized and vulnerable communities, with a particular emphasis on gender equity and environmental sustainability.

Cambodia faces significant environmental challenges related to plastic waste and packaging, particularly in industrial zones where food vendors around garment factories generate substantial amounts of non-sustainable plastic packaging waste. The widespread use of single-use plastics in food packaging contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and public health risks.

The PlasticSmart Cambodia project, implemented by CARE Cambodia in partnership with CARE Austria, Youth Council of Cambodia (YCC) and Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), and funded by the European Union and Austrian Development Agency, aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting sustainable packaging and waste management practices.

Under Output 1 of the project, sustainable food and beverage packaging business models have been developed and piloted with at least 200 food vending Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating around four selected garment factories in Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, and Kampong Cham provinces. These vendors, the majority of whom are women (61%), have been transitioning away from non-sustainable plastic packaging toward environmentally and economically viable alternatives.

This performance and cost-benefit analysis will provide critical evidence on the viability of the piloted business models, inform project fine-tuning, and generate insights for scaling successful approaches under Outputs 3 and 4.

Purpose and Objectives

Primary Objective:

To conduct a comprehensive performance and cost-benefit analysis of sustainable food and beverage packaging business models piloted under Output 1 of the PlasticSmart Cambodia project.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Assess financial and non-financial benefits of adopting new sustainable food packaging business models for food vending MSMEs
  2. Evaluate customer and stakeholder perceptions of the packaging transition
  3. Analyse the accessibility, reliability, and sustainability of the supply chain for alternative packaging materials
  4. Identify barriers and enablers for the adoption and expansion of sustainable packaging business models
  5. Analyse cost-effectiveness and return on investment for vendors who adopted the new models
  6. Document best practices and lessons learned from the piloting phase
  7. Provide evidence-based recommendations for business model refinement and scaling
  8. Generate evidence for advocacy, resource mobilisation, and green finance positioning
  9. Contribute to the development of at least one business case for replication and scaling under Outputs 3 and 4
  10. Prepare a compelling impact story documenting the experience of vendors who transitioned to sustainable packaging

Scope of Work

Geographic Focus: Areas around selected garment factories in Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, and Kampong Cham provinces where sustainable food and beverage packaging business models have been piloted.

Target Stakeholders:

  • Food vending MSMEs (shopkeepers and street vendors) who adopted the new business model(s)
  • Food Vendor Committees in each target area
  • Factory workers and management (as customers of the vendors)
  • Suppliers of alternative packaging materials
  • Local government authorities at commune, district, and provincial level
  • Community members in the factory surroundings
  • Line Ministries such as Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, and Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Business Models in Scope: All sustainable food and beverage packaging business models developed under A.1.1 and piloted under A.1.3, including the adoption of alternative packaging materials, supply chain linkages with packaging suppliers, operation within eco-friendly market structures, and changes to vendor-customer communication practices.

Key Research Questions

Component 1: Pilot Performance Evaluation

  1. What are the financial benefits (revenue trends, cost savings, profitability changes) for vendors who transitioned to sustainable food packaging?
  2. What non-financial benefits (efficiency, customer satisfaction, environmental awareness, social standing) have been achieved by adopting vendors?
  3. How do customers (factory workers, community members) perceive the transition to sustainable packaging in terms of quality, convenience, safety, and value?
  4. How accessible, reliable, and affordable is the supply of alternative packaging materials, and what challenges have emerged in the supply chain?
  5. What are the main barriers preventing wider adoption of the new packaging business models among non-participating vendors?
  6. What enablers and success factors have supported effective model implementation by early adopters?
  7. How cost-effective are the new packaging models compared to previous plastic packaging practices?
  8. What specific adjustments or improvements are needed to increase the effectiveness and attractiveness of the business model?
  9. Have the new packaging business models reduced gender-based barriers for women vendors in accessing business opportunities, income, and decision-making?

Component 2: Feasibility and Sustainability of Scaling the Refined Business Models

  1. Which elements of the piloted packaging business models are most suitable for scaling and indicate sustainability?11. How could the current food packaging models scale up across additional geographical areas or vendor types?
  2. What market opportunities, revenue potential, and financial implications exist for actors across the packaging supply chain?
  3. What is the level of willingness to pay for sustainable packaging among factory workers and community customers?
  4. How can the refined business models be positioned to attract green finance and private investment, including alignment with international climate finance mechanisms such as EFSD+ and GCF?
  5. What policy or regulatory changes would most support scaling of sustainable packaging adoption?

Methodology

The consultant will employ a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative financial and operational analysis with qualitative stakeholder insights through participatory mini-workshops, individual interviews, customer focus groups, and surveys. The methodology shall be gender-responsive and participatory throughout, ensuring that the voices of women vendors are centrally captured.

Consultant Requirements

Essential Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in business administration, economics, environmental management, sustainable consumption and production, or a related field
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in business model analysis and performance evaluation, ideally with MSMEs
  • Proven expertise in cost-benefit analysis and financial performance assessment for small businesses
  • Experience with participatory research methods and stakeholder engagement
  • Strong facilitation and workshop management skills
  • Understanding of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment
  • Fluency in English (mandatory); proficiency in Khmer (preferred)

Preferred Experience:

  • Previous work in Cambodia or comparable Southeast Asian contexts
  • Experience with sustainable packaging, circular economy, or sustainable consumption and production initiatives
  • Knowledge of food vending, informal markets and MSME development
  • Familiarity with social enterprise and sustainable business model evaluation
  • Experience working with development projects and donor requirements

Technical Qualifications:

  • Proficiency in financial analysis software and statistical tools
  • Experience with qualitative data analysis methods
  • Strong presentation and communication skills
  • Ability to work with diverse stakeholders including informal sector actors and women entrepreneurs

Submission Requirements
Technical Proposal:

  • Detailed methodology for business performance analysis, adapted to the food packaging context
  • Approach to stakeholder engagement and gender-responsive data collection
  • Workshop facilitation strategy
  • Data analysis framework
  • Team composition with detailed CVs
  • Examples of similar MSME business model assessments

Financial Proposal:

  • Daily rates for team members
  • Workshop, travel and logistic costs
  • All-inclusive pricing with detailed breakdown

Evaluation Criteria

  • Technical approach and methodology (40%)
  • Relevant experience and expertise (30%)
  • Cost-effectiveness (20%)
  • Team qualifications and capabilities (10%)

 

Submission Deadline: 10 May 2026
Email: KHM.Procurement@care.org and CC to: Sokchandaly.Meun@care.org