Request for Proposal (RFP): Expert and strategic advisor for Decent Work in the Textile & Apparel Sector in India

IDH is an international organisation that brings together public and private stakeholders to make the supply chain more sustainable and inclusive. Together with our partners, we develop solutions to critical challenges in global value chains, such as climate change, unfair working conditions and wages, unequal value distribution, and gender inequality. Through our unique approach of convening, co-creating, and co-financing we design integrated solutions that transform markets, creating better jobs, better incomes and a better environment.  We actively work with the private sector on improving their business practices, catalysing investments and landscape governance.  

The IDH's Textile and Manufacturing Business Unit plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable practices across the global textile value chain. The unit focuses on strengthening social sustainability in global textile and apparel supply chains by improving working conditions, enabling responsible purchasing practices, and advancing gender equity. Through collaboration  with manufacturers, brands, and supply chain actors, IDH works to foster sustainable business practices that contribute to climate action, fair practices, and gender equity.  

As part of our commitment to the Better Jobs Impact Area, IDH seeks to engage an experienced individual consultant, civil society organization (CSO), or service provider with senior-level expertise to provide strategic advisory and technical support for the development of its Decent Work strategy in India’s textile and apparel sector.

The consultant will support and advise IDH on strategy development, partnership building, and stakeholder engagement, while also contributing to the long-term resourcing of the strategy by identifying and pursuing relevant funding and co-investment opportunities in collaboration with donors and brand partners. 

 For this assignment, IDH will specifically prioritize and focus the strategy on the following areas: 

Wages, including transparent wage-setting mechanisms, the achievement of living wages and integration of wages into costing and pricing models, 

• Responsible purchasing practices—including responsible contracting between buyers and suppliers to ensure fair commercial terms.
• Fair employment practices that ensure clear, fair, and secure terms between employers and workers.
• Freedom of association and collective bargaining.
• Non-discrimination and gender equity, with a focus on addressing gender-based violence, harassment, and wage disparities. 

The consultant is expected to deliver the following key services: 

• Guide IDH in formulating a 5-year Decent Work strategy (2026–2030) for India’s textile and apparel sector, with a focus on Decent Work and Wages, and Gender Equity.  
• Support the mobilisation of €200,000 annually over a 5-year period (totalling €1 million) to implement the Decent Work strategy, by identifying viable funding opportunities, engaging relevant donor and brand partners, and co-developing compelling investment cases. Progress will be tracked via the following milestones:
• By end of Month 2: Mapping of potential donors and brand-aligned funding channels completed
• By Month 4: At least 3 concept notes or pitch decks co-developed with IDH
• By Month 6: Initial outreach to no fewer than 5 donor/brand prospects
• By Month 9: At least 1–2 expressions of interest secured
• By Month 12: A minimum of €100,000 confirmed or in active negotiation phase
• Provide insights on strengthening buyer-supplier collaboration, enabling wage improvements, and aligning procurement practices with decent work outcomes across the value chain.
• Support in engaging with national and international stakeholders such as brands, manufacturers, government bodies, unions, and multi-stakeholder initiatives to co-create and drive inclusive workplace solutions.
• Provide advisory to the IDH team on strategy formulation, ensuring alignment with international human rights due diligence (HRDD) frameworks, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), ILO core conventions, and national labour and wage regulations—while going beyond compliance to drive lasting improvements in working conditions and worker well-being.
• Advise on developing business models, partnership frameworks, and financial mechanisms to accelerate the uptake of Decent Work & Wages and Gender Equity practices.
• Represent IDH in selected national and international forums, industry discussions, and strategic dialogues to position IDH as a thought leader and advocate for systemic change on decent work. 

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables: 

• A Decent Work Strategy Roadmap (2026–2030) outlining priority interventions across the above-mentioned areas. The roadmap should be aligned with international labour standards, national labour and wage regulations, and global human rights due diligence (HRDD) frameworks, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ILO core conventions. 
• A Funding and Partner Engagement Plan that identifies viable donor, brand, and platform funding opportunities, defines engagement strategies, and includes a live prospect pipeline and compelling investment case package. While full funding does not need to be secured by December 2025, the consultant is expected to demonstrate tangible progress by that time, including:
• Submission of 2–3 tailored pitch decks or concept notes.
• Engagements with at least five qualified donor, brand, or platform prospects.
• Evidence of active discussions or expressions of interest for a portion of Year 1 funding (minimum €100,000).
• Structured Stakeholder Engagement Plan detailing clear roles, engagement timelines, and milestones for effective co-creation and implementation of the strategy with key stakeholders, including brands, suppliers, government bodies, and financial institutions. 

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is expected to commence between June 2025 and December 2025. The initial engagement will focus on developing the Decent Work strategy and establishing the foundation for implementation. Based on strong performance and demonstrated value, there is a clear opportunity for the consultant to continue working with IDH beyond 2025—supporting the rollout and implementation of strategic interventions under a multi-year program. 

The consultant will be engaged on an hourly or part-time basis, with an estimated commitment of 6–8 working days per month, calculated at eight (8) hours per day, depending on availability and fundraising workload. Flexibility will be allowed to scale the consultant’s time based on key deliverables and engagement opportunities (e.g., donor pitches, brand consultations, external events). 

The ideal consultant should have: 

• Extensive experience in responsible sourcing, labour rights, or social sustainability programs within the textile and apparel global supply chains. 
• Demonstrated expertise in Decent Work and Wages and Gender Equity with practical experience designing and implementing strategies in India.
• Proven track record of engaging with private sector actors, government agencies, worker organizations, and multi-stakeholder platforms to co-develop sector strategies or policy reforms.
• Experience in fundraising and donor engagement, with a history of mobilizing brand or donor commitments for multi-year social sustainability programs.
• Excellent skills in stakeholder facilitation, strategic planning, and communication, with the ability to translate technical content into actionable, audience-appropriate outputs.
• Strong project management capabilities, including experience in managing complex programs across multiple stakeholder groups and geographies. 

Interested consultants are invited to submit the following: 

• Technical proposal outlining the proposed approach, methodology, and timeline for delivering the assignment, including the fundraising target and stakeholder engagement objectives.
• Financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of fees based on a daily or hourly rate, and an estimated number of days for each major deliverable.
• Detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
• Two client references with contact details, preferably from similar assignments or sector engagements.
• Proposal length should not exceed 5 pages, excluding annexes such as CVs and references. 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Relevant experience and qualifications, including knowledge of textile supply chains and global regulations - 30%
• Strength of existing brand, donor, and ecosystem networks relevant to fundraising and convening - 10%
• Technical proposal and approach - 30%
• Financial proposal - 30% 

Submission Deadline: Proposals must be submitted to Ceren Coroglu at coroglu@idhtrade.org by 13 June 2025.