Reports to: Climate and Environment Lead
Location: Cambodia, with travel as required
Assignment Period: October 2026 - May 2027
Estimated Level of Effort: To be proposed by the applicant in their technical proposal, with additional days subject to agreement for any flexible assignments.
Contract Type: Short-term individual consultant
Payment Basis: Fixed input and deliverable-based
1. Background
1.1. About CAPRED
The CAPRED Facility is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience until 2027, with a possible three-year extension. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by Cowater International, CAPRED supports Cambodia in implementing a range of important economic reforms to support the country's economic transition. These interventions and reforms aim to encourage more productive and inclusive public and private investment, promoting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy (RISE).
CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components: Agriculture; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and three Cross-Cutting components: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilience, and Policy support.
1.2. About the Project
Within its agriculture portfolio, CAPRED supports private sector investment to develop and market solutions that reduce agricultural waste, while creating new sources of income from agricultural by-products. One area of interest is finding productive uses for materials that are discarded or underutilised, such as rice husk generated during rice processing.
As part of this work, CAPRED is supporting a leading rice processor that is investing in a new sustainable rice mill. The mill is being designed to meet internationally recognised sustainability standards, including EDGE certification, and reduce its environmental footprint. Rice processing produces large volumes of rice husk. In many conventional rice mills, rice husk is burned as a fuel source for drying rice, while some of the resulting ash may be used for other purposes. However, the partner's new sustainable rice mill aims to identify sustainable ways to manage rice husk.
The partner would like to understand whether rice husk can be converted into products that can be sold or used productively, rather than treated as waste. Potential options include biochar, rice husk pellets, biofertiliser ingredients, and other products that could generate additional income while reducing waste.
To support this decision, CAPRED requires a consultant to conduct a feasibility assessment identifying the practical options, estimate likely costs and returns, and highlight major risks or information gaps before the partner makes further investment decisions.
2. Objective of the Assignment
The consultant will assess whether rice husk generated from the partner’s planned rice mill can be converted into profitable products, such as biochar or husk pellets. The assessment will identify which option offers the strongest business opportunity, what investment and operational requirements are needed, and what risks need to be addressed. This feasibility assessment will help identify the promising opportunities and inform decisions on whether further investment and detailed analysis should proceed.
3. Scope of Work
The Consultant will carry out activities across the following areas:
A. Understanding the Opportunity
B. Exploring Rice Husk Business Opportunities
C. Findings and Recommendations
This assignment is intended to provide an initial assessment of selected rice husk utilisation opportunities. The consultant is not expected to prepare detailed engineering designs, detailed financial models, permit assessments or investment-ready business plans.
4. Methodology
The consultant shall propose a practical, evidence-based methodology appropriate to the assigned assessments. The methodology may include desk review, stakeholder consultations, site visits, market research and technology assessments. The final methodology shall be agreed with CAPRED through the feasibility study plan.
5. Deliverables
For each assignment, the consultant will submit three main deliverables:
| Deliverables | Description | Timeline |
| A feasibility study plan | A brief plan including methodology, workplan, assessment framework, information requirements and proposed report outline. | Within 2 weeks of commencement |
| Submission and Presentation of Preliminary Findings | Submit a brief preliminary report and present key findings and discussion with CAPRED and selected partners for feedback. | Following completion of data collection and analysis (within 6 weeks of agreed plan) |
| Final Feasibility Report |
Final report(s) incorporating feedback and presenting findings and recommendations. Final report would answer:
|
Within 2 weeks of receiving consolidated comments on the preliminary report |
6. Travelling
The consultant may be required to travel within Cambodia for site visits, partner consultations and validation of assessment findings.
Travel costs and allowances will be covered in line with CAPRED policies, subject to prior approval and the agreed work plan.
7. Payment Schedule
The consultancy will be deliverable-based. CAPRED will make payments upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of agreed deliverables.
| Milestone | Payment |
| A feasibility study plan submitted | 20% |
| Submission and Presentation of Preliminary Findings | 40% |
| Submission of final feasibility report(s), fully incorporating comments | 40% |
8. Qualifications and Experience
Essential criteria:
Desirables:
Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application process will close once the position is filled.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a brief technical proposal using Consultant Submission Form attached, including the name and contact details of three professional referees and your expected daily rate, to recruitment@capred.org, mentioning the position in the subject line: “Rice Husk Utilisation Consultant”.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce at all levels, and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.
Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for interview.
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