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Request for Proposals (RFP): Accredited Organic Certification Services for Honey Production & Processing

Organization: International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) Ethiopia

Program Partnership: Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) Program (2024–2028)

Required Number: 1 (One) Accredited Certification Company / Firm

Location Type: Hybrid

Career Level: Mid Level (3–5 years institutional experience / Minimum 4 years required)

Employment Type: Consultancy (Short-Term Contract)

Submission Deadline: June 30th, 2026 (Before Close of Business)

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Project Background & Context

The International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), headquartered in Kenya, is the premier independent international institute dedicated to research on pests and beneficial arthropods. Working across four primary health themes—human, animal, plant, and environmental health—icipe focuses heavily on improving the livelihoods, crop production, and ecological stability of smallholder farming communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, ORDA Ethiopia, IIRR, and specialized Implementing Partners, icipe launched the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) Program (2024–2028). This strategic initiative targets the creation of over one million sustainable job opportunities for young women and men by dismantling systemic bottlenecks in the apiculture value chain.

To anchor these businesses sustainably, icipe is executing an organic certification strategy aligned with international standards (such as EU Organic regulations). Achieving organic status unlocks premium pricing corridors and fulfills statutory hurdles required to enter high-end international markets across the EU, Canada, and Japan. To achieve this, icipe is engaging an accredited organic certifier company to inspect and certify five distinct honey production and processing target cooperatives:

1. Badatu Kumbi Participatory Forest Management Cooperative (PFMC): Harena Buluq Woreda, Bale Zone (Bale Cluster)

2. Yisma Nigus Honey Cooperative: Ambasel Woreda, South Wollo (Akesta Cluster)

3. Wof Washa Den and Akababi Bee Cooperative: Tarma Ber Woreda, North Shewa (Debre Berhan Cluster)

4. Menz Guasa and Development Bee Products and Marketing: Menz Gera Woreda, North Shewa (Debre Berhan Cluster)

5. Banja Beekeeping Cooperative: Banja Woreda, Awi Zone (Bahir Dar Cluster)

Note: Replacement cooperatives or woredas may be identified in advance by icipe should unforeseen external circumstances disrupt operations at the primary sites.

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Objectives & Scope of Work

General Objective

Ensure formal compliance with international organic standards, execute comprehensive structural audits, and issue official organic certifications and markings for the five designated honey production and processing entities to facilitate entry into premium markets.

Specific Duties

• Document Review & Inspections: Conduct exhaustive desk reviews, physical on-site inspections, and field-level compliance audits across all five production footprints.

• Protocol Verification: Validate ground operations against EU Organic Standards and compile authoritative verification reports.

• Residue Testing: Collect direct honey samples from each of the five target sites and run laboratory tests to check for pesticide, chemical, and related environmental residues.

• Gap Analysis & Mitigation: Identify operational non-compliance gaps, issue precise corrective action plans, and monitor their functional execution.

• Certification Delivery: Issue formal, legally valid organic certifications and standardized product markings for complying facilities, while offering structural guidance on preserving organic integrity.

• Consultant Synergy: Collaborate closely with a client-designated enabler consultant to sync activity schedules and maintain target deadlines.

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Requirements & Qualifications

• Accreditation: The firm must be formally accredited or recognized by a relevant international accreditation body, specifically the EU Commission.

• Corporate Track Record: Minimum of 4 years of direct organizational experience providing organic certification services (verifiable documentary evidence required).

• Personnel Credentials: The firm must assign certified inspectors and auditors tailored for this scope of work. CVs and copies of official inspector certifications must be provided in the bid.

• Core Skills: Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills to handle complex compliance modeling and residue evaluation data.

• References: Provision of active reference contacts from past clients detailing similar localized agricultural or organic certification projects.

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Deliverables & Time Frame

• Time Frame: Full delivery and issuance of the final organic certifications and product markings must be achieved within three (3) months following the signing of the formal contract agreement.

• Core Deliverables:

  1. Complete pesticide and chemical residue lab test reports for all five locations.

  2. Individual on-site inspection and compliance audit logs.

  3. Tailored corrective action plans for any discovered non-compliance points.

  4. Final authorized inspection reports confirming corrective action closure.

  5. Official organic certificates and standard compliance markings.

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Institutional Disclaimers

Rights Reserved by icipe

icipe reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to accept or reject any proposal, request additional information or clarifications from bidders, negotiate with the selected consultant, and modify, suspend, or cancel the procurement process at any stage without incurring any liability to participating firms. icipe also reserves the right to award the assignment in whole or in part, as deemed appropriate.

Safeguarding Statement

icipe upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment, violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving vulnerable persons, including children, youth, and vulnerable adults. All staff, collaborators, and partners working with or through icipe are required to comply fully with the organization’s safeguarding policy and code of conduct. Background and reference checks are integrated into the partnership selection process.

Equal Opportunity

icipe is an equal-opportunity employer. The center fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity regardless of race, color, age, gender, religion, disability status, nationality, or social status.

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How To Apply

Interested and qualified vendors must submit a comprehensive proposal package compiled entirely into PDF format via email before the close of business on June 30th, 2026. Late submissions will be automatically excluded from evaluation.

Required Submission Documents

• Detailed Company Profile including valid business registrations, operating licenses, and evidence of EU Commission accreditation.

• Technical Proposal detailing your explicit operational approach, laboratory testing methodologies, quality assurance steps, and field execution timeline.

• Financial Proposal outlining a fully transparent budget breakdown covering all logistics, testing, and certification fees.

• Comprehensive CVs and certification papers of the designated inspectors and audit team members.

• Verifiable reference letters from similar institutional projects.

Submission Address

• Email Destination: icipe-ethiopia@icipe.org

• Format: Single or compiled PDF attachments

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