Consultancy ToR: Responsible Disengagement Guidance

Position: Consultant/Consultancy – Responsible Disengagement Guidance
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Consultancy Period: 1 September – 21 November 2025
Application Deadline: 8am GMT, Monday 4 August 2025

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a ground-breaking alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations working together to improve the lives of workers in international supply chains. ETI’s vision is of a world of work that protects human rights, ensures dignity for all, provides opportunity and is free of exploitation and abuse.

More information can be found on our website at: http://www.ethicaltrade.org/

We are seeking an experienced consultant (or consultancy) to develop a practical technical guidance document for brands on responsible disengagement and engagement. This will support responsible business conduct in sourcing decisions and contribute to better human rights outcomes in supply chains.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will develop a guidance document that helps companies navigate responsible disengagement (including order reduction and exit strategies) and engagement within global sourcing strategies. The document will be practical and accessible to both commercial/buying teams and ethical trade/human rights professionals. It will align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ETI’s frameworks on responsible purchasing, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and just transitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a benchmarking exercise on existing frameworks and identify remaining gaps.
• Develop a 20–30 page technical guidance for brands, with case studies and examples of good practice.
• Incorporate considerations such as climate-related sourcing shifts, geopolitical change (e.g. tariffs), and responsible purchasing practice requirements.
• Lead two consultation workshops with ETI stakeholders and brand members.
• Finalise and present the guidance following feedback and stakeholder input.

Essential Skills and Experience

• In-depth understanding of responsible sourcing, with experience in the garment and footwear sectors.
• Proven ability to develop clear, practical tools or guidance documents for business use.
• Strong analytical, research, and writing skills—able to translate complex concepts into plain language.
• Experience facilitating consultation workshops and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage short-term consultancy assignments with high-quality outputs.

Contract Details

• Type: Consultancy contract
• Duration: 1 September – 21 November 2025
• Budget: Up to £19,500 (inclusive of VAT if applicable)

Application Process

Please email your application to hr@eti.org.uk with the subject line “STITCH Responsible Disengagement Consultancy” by 8am GMT on Monday 4 August 2025.

Applications should include:

1. A cover letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your suitability for the role, your proposed fee, number of days required, and availability.
2. Your CV(s).
3. Examples of previous work/assignments that demonstrate required skillset (e.g. links to publicly available documents).

Please note: Interviews will be held on 13 August 2025. Kindly keep this date available.