Consultant for Value Chain and Market Analysis of Potential Locally-produced Food Crops to Empower Women and Youth for Home Grown School Feeding in Si 137 views1 applications

Job Code Title: Engaging the service of a consultant to undertake rice, tubers (cassava, orange flesh sweet potato), beans, fish, palm oil and vegetables value chain assessments to inform linkage of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, to Home Grown School Feeding programme

Project Location(s): Nationwide, targeting food production zones

Contract Modality: Work as employed contract Duration: 75 days

Objective of the assignment

To map and analyze crop value chains of school feeding food basket commodities in Sierra Leone in view to link smallholder farmer (SHF) production to the National School Feeding Programme through Home Grown School Feeding pilot initiative.

Scope of work and expected outputs

The service of an individual consultant is required to offer technical services to the project through:

Conduct value chain and market assessment to inform linkage of SHF production to HGSF:

This activity requires a mixed method approach to:

· Recommend which locally produced food crops are most appropriate to be included within the school feeding food basket

· Map which crops are being produced by which farmers and where, identifying high potential groups, prioritizing women and youth, which could prospectively supply HGSF

· Thoroughly analyze value chains of prospective food crops, engaging with smallholder farmers, farmer organisations/associations, aggregators, processors, local authorities to identify opportunities, challenges and bottlenecks

· Conduct a market assessment to understand the dynamics of availability and accessibility to prospective locally produced school feeding commodities, in addition to imported commodities, making comparisons and identifying implications for HGSF

The individual consultant will be contracted for a period of 75 days to undertake the assessment and formulate the final report. Once drafted, the report will be shared with WFP for review and feedback. The consultant will have 15 days to incorporate feedback and finalize the report.

5. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The overall timeframe of the assignment Is 75 working days; the Start date for the assignment is 15 February to 30 April 2020.

In case of default on the part of the individual consultant carrying out the assessment, the WFP Project Manager shall be entitled to employ and pay other consultants / firms to carry out the same and all expenses consequent thereon or incidental thereto shall be borne by the consultant and shall be recoverable by WFP and may be deducted by WFP from any money due or which may become due.

6. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The individual consultant(s) will coordinate closely with the WFP Programme Policy Officers for Livelihood and School Feeding and will report to the Deputy Country Director.

a) Roles and Responsibilities of the engaged individual consultant

· Allocate the proper and needed skilled personnel to undertake the baseline assessment

· Ensuring that baseline information is collected and reported in a sensitive manner strictly adhering to appropriate research ethics and do no harm principles

· Submit high quality baseline report in a timely manner

b) Role of WFP

· Support, as required, administration of contract including: travel, visa, etc.

The individual consultant will be contracted for a period of 75 days to undertake the assessment and formulate the final report. Once drafted, the report will be shared with WFP for review and feedback. The consultant will have 15 days to incorporate feedback and finalize the report.

5. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The overall timeframe of the assignment Is 75 working days; the Start date for the assignment is 15 February to 30 April 2020.

In case of default on the part of the individual consultant carrying out the assessment, the WFP Project Manager shall be entitled to employ and pay other consultants / firms to carry out the same and all expenses consequent thereon or incidental thereto shall be borne by the consultant and shall be recoverable by WFP and may be deducted by WFP from any money due or which may become due.

6. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The individual consultant(s) will coordinate closely with the WFP Programme Policy Officers for Livelihood and School Feeding and will report to the Deputy Country Director.

a) Roles and Responsibilities of the engaged individual consultant

· Allocate the proper and needed skilled personnel to undertake the baseline assessment

· Ensuring that baseline information is collected and reported in a sensitive manner strictly adhering to appropriate research ethics and do no harm principles

· Submit high quality baseline report in a timely manner

b) Role of WFP

· Support, as required, administration of contract including: travel, visa, etc.

· Support arrangement of meeting with project implementation team and national stakeholders

· Provide field coordination support

· Follow up, monitor and evaluate the progress of implementation of the various activities, ensuring their smooth implementation and manage potential risks

· Review and provide feedback on the draft baseline report in a timely manner.

I. Payment Modalities

Flights and visa arrangements will be made by WFP. Initial payment (30 per cent) will be made at the signing of the contract. Final payment (70 per cent) will be made upon approval of the final baseline report.

II. Qualifications

Interested individual consultants / consultancy firm must should meet the following requirement:

a) Experience:

The study shall be conducted by an experienced consultant specializing in agriculture, market analysis and monitoring and evaluation with proven experience implementing value chain analyses and formulating high quality reports. The ideal candidate will have:

· Minimum master’s degree in agriculture, rural development and development studies or any other related field

· Ten years of experience conducting research and monitoring and evaluation

· Proven experience implementing value chain assessments and research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies

· Significant experience conducting research and monitoring and evaluation in West Africa, and preferably in Sierra Leone

· Excellent written English skills

· Fluency in spoken and written English required.