SUMMARY OF 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.
 
 
SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT
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
 
 
SCOPE OF WORK
The Consultant will carry out activities across the following areas: 
  
1. Understanding the Opportunity

• Review available information on the rice mill, its operations, expected rice husk volumes, and any relevant studies or plans.
• Meet with the partner and other relevant stakeholders to understand the business, its objectives, and how rice husk is currently managed.
• Visit the rice mill to understand how rice husk is generated, handled and stored. 

2. Exploring Rice Husk Business Opportunities

• Identify practical options for using rice husk, including biochar, rice husk pellets, biofertiliser ingredients or other suitable products.
• Assess what equipment, facilities and operational arrangements would be required for each option.
• Assess potential demand, customers and market opportunities for the products.
• Assess the potential for generating carbon credits or other environmental attributes from selected rice husk utilisation options, including indicative eligibility, revenue potential, certification requirements, and key implementation considerations.
• Compare the different options and identify those with the greatest potential for the partner. 

3. Findings and Recommendations

• Prepare indicative estimates of costs, potential revenues and key risks for the options assessed.
• Identify any major assumptions, constraints and information gaps.
• Recommend the most promising option(s) for further consideration.
• Provide advice on whether further assessment or investment should be undertaken. 

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.

 
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.
 
 
DELIVERABLES
1. A feasibility study plan

• Description: A brief plan including methodology, workplan, assessment framework, information requirements and proposed report outline.
• Timeline: Within 2 weeks of commencement.

2. Submission and Presentation of Preliminary Findings

• Description: Submit a brief preliminary report and present key findings and discussion with CAPRED and selected partners for feedback.
• Timeline: Following completion of data collection and analysis (within 6 weeks of agreed plan). 

3. Final Feasibility Report

• Description: Final report(s) incorporating feedback and presenting findings and recommendations. 
• Final report would answer:
  • Which rice husk use option is most suitable for the partner?
  • Why that option is preferred?
  • What investment and operating requirements are likely to be needed?
  • What is the estimated capital required.
  • The main risks and constraints?
  • Any additional information required before investment decisions are made?
  • Whether the partner should proceed to a detailed feasibility study or investment planning?
  • Timeline: Within 2 weeks of receiving consolidated comments on the preliminary report.

TRAVELING
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.
 
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The consultancy will be deliverable-based. CAPRED will make payments upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of agreed deliverables.
Milestone: A feasibility study plan submitted Payment: 20%
Milestone: Submission and Presentation of Preliminary Findings Payment: 40%
Milestone: Submission of final feasibility report(s), fully incorporating comments Payment: 40%
 
 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Essential criteria:

• Advanced degree in environmental science, engineering, agriculture, climate change, economics, finance, or another field relevant to biomass feedstock conversion and feasibility assessment.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting feasibility studies for biomass, renewable energy, agricultural, industrial, climate or circular economy investments.
• Strong technical understanding of biochar production, biomass conversion technologies, or relevant agricultural residue value chains.
• Ability to assess technical options, commercial viability, environmental impacts, operational risks and implementation requirements in a practical investment context.
• Strong analytical, consultation, report-writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirables:

• Experience working on agricultural residue value chains in Cambodia or the Mekong region.
• Knowledge of feedstock-related carbon credit project development.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
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".
 
For Response Form please visit Cowater website linked above. 
 
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application process will close once the position is filled.

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for interview.

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.