Location: Madagascar

Department: Global Programmes

Report to: Project Manager, South-East Asia Regional Office, INBAR

Duration: 60 days (Home-based and field visits)

Fee: USD 12,000

About INBAR

The International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) is an inter-governmental development organization committed to reducing poverty and protecting the environment through the use of bamboo and rattan. With headquarters in Beijing, China and offices in India, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Ghana and Ecuador, INBAR works with 52 member countries worldwide.

Bamboo, the fast-growing grass plant, and rattan, the spiky climbing palm, can be important nature-based solutions to a number of pressing global challenges, for poverty alleviation, green trade, climate change mitigation, resilient construction and environmental protection. INBAR’s mission is to improve the well-being of producers and users of bamboo and rattan within the context of a sustainable bamboo and rattan resource base, by consolidating, coordinating and supporting strategic and adaptive research and development.

Overview of the assignment

Madagascar is a member country of INBAR since 2004. INBAR intend to support the government of Madagascar to carry out a study on suitable bamboo species for local planting conditions and product development in Madagascar.

Currently, INBAR is implementing a project to support the promotion of bamboo industry development to achieve green growth and poverty reduction in Madagascar under the Global Development and South-South Fund through the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the People’s Republic of China.

The project’s main objective is to address the current challenges faced by Madagascar’s bamboo industry through strategic development efforts, supporting enterprises in upgrading their technologies and enhancing job creation. The project is expected to achieve the following outcomes:

• Improve the scientific, efficient and sustainable management of bamboo resources to restore degraded land, protect the environment and strengthen the sustainable supply of industrial raw materials;
• Enhance the production and processing skills of local community to increase employment and income;
• Demonstrate and introduce advanced bamboo processing technologies to improve processing levels and production efficiency;
• Enhance the capabilities of standards-setting departments, bamboo processing enterprises and policymakers in formulating and implementing strategic development and standardization in the bamboo industry; and
• Train bamboo enterprises in market analysis, business investment and financing to enhance their market and business value.

Objective of the assignment

The objective of the assignment is to conduct a study to validate the growth and performance of indigenous and introduced bamboo species, both in theory and in practice, and to provide recommendations for the expansion of selected shortlisted species across different agro-climatic clusters and end uses in Madagascar.

Description of the task

To carry out a study on suitable bamboo species for local planting conditions and product development in Madagascar

• Undertake desk review and consultations with bamboo sector stakeholders to identify the planting locations of introduced and indigenous bamboo species (planted outside its native range);
• Conduct literature review on the growth and performance of indigenous and introduced bamboo species in its native range as well as in introduced landscapes;
• Undertake site visits to ex-situ conservation sites / research plots / smallholder and large scale plantation sites to collect data;
• Collect data on species identification parameters (primarily culm characteristics (size, spacing, inter-node); branching pattern, culm sheath; shoots, nodes, canopy structure);
• Document the growth parameters of different species in different agro-climatic landscapes. In addition, also document the parameters at different position of culm; straightness and biomass accumulation;
• Analyse the growth and performance of a species in different agro-ecological landscapes to examine the relationships between the species and agro-climatic conditions;
• Match the suitable bamboo species for plantation established in different agro-climatic landscape (focused on identified clusters): Prepare a list of potential bamboo species for plantation with different agro-ecological parameters;
• Conduct a review, analyse and identify bamboo products that are being produced; and /or shortlisted for production in medium and long term; and match the species-site-end use; and
• Further shortlist and narrow down the suitable bamboo species for plantation establishment in collaboration of resource and technology experts.

The consultant/firm/organization will be provided ground support in Madagascar by INBAR Project team and partners during the field mission.

Deliverables

• An inception report encompassing methodology, detailed work plan and schedule; data collection tools and templates; and outline of final report;
• A satisfactory interim technical report (including proof of deliverables) and financial statement within 3 months from the effective date of contract; and
• A final report in publishable format covering the following aspects: Analysis of growth and performance of indigenous and introduced bamboo species in different agro-climatic zones; Bamboo species identification guide / guidelines; results on species shortlisted for expansion for different agro-climate and end used and recommendations.

Methodology

The consultant will propose and discuss with INBAR project implementation team and INBAR focal person in Madagascar, on specific work plan regarding the duration of the consultancy, based on the key deliverables presented below and overall goal of the consultancy. The work should include consultations with INBAR staff and designated Agencies by the government of Madagascar, and with external stakeholders. Regular check-in calls will be organized by INBAR to track progress and align on the tasks.

Required experience and qualifications

The work will be conducted by an international/national agency/ consultant with the following qualification and experience:

• Master’s degree (or PhD) in forestry or botany, natural resources, or environmental sciences;
• At least 10–15 years of working experience in scientific research in the forestry sector, including bamboo, knowledge and skills on bamboo species identification and assessing bamboo biomass;
• Working experience and knowledge in Madagascar or East African Countries will be required;
• Working experience in the bamboo sector will be an advantage;
• Prior experience of successful completion of similar consultancy work in the bamboo sector;
• Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, and French or Malagasy will be an asset; and
• Good communication and presentation skills.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted until 17 May 2026. All applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please send a cover letter demonstrating relevant experience as described in the above job description and a recent CV by email to: . Please use “CIDCA-Bamboo Site Species Matching Study- Madagascar: NAME” as the subject of the e-mail.

To learn more about INBAR, please visit our website at: www.inbar.int