Terms of Reference 84 views0 applications

Research on the challenges and opportunities of selected agricultural value chains in South West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

CEFA Onlus

CEFA The seed of Solidarity is a non-governmental organization that has been working for 45 years in order to overcome hunger and poverty. It helps the poorest communities in the world in reaching food self-sufficiency and respect for fundamental rights (education, work, health, gender equality, freedom of expression). The purpose of CEFA is sustainable development, which is the ability to implement initiatives for land development, encouraging local population to be the protagonist of their change.

CEFA is present in Ethiopia since April 2018, promoting actions in line with its Mission, Vision and Areas of Expertise.

Background

In Ethiopia, agriculture supports 85% of the population, 90% of which are small farmers. The rural population, which is largely illiterate (54% rural illiteracy vs. 24% urban), continues to be exposed to flooding, ethnic conflict, lack of access to basic sanitation and food, as well as persistent nutrition insecurity. Malnutrition particularly affects women and children, and is responsible for 53% of under-five mortality.

In the second half of 2018, 3.2 million people in the Oromia region were in need of emergency food assistance. Oromia (36% of the Ethiopian population, 87% rural) is characterized by persistently high malnutrition and under-five mortality rates (37% stunting, 10.6% wasting; 79 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is above the national level)^[1].

This is associated with low crop productivity (27.96 qi/ha per year of mixed production) due to various factors, including demographic pressure, soil degradation, scarcity of arable land and lack of high quality agricultural techniques, technologies and inputs. This is in turn exacerbated by lack of ongoing programs to support agricultural production and families in vulnerable situations.

Agriculture plays a significant role both in income and social spheres for improving income and nutrition status. Further, it provides employment opportunities in labour abundant and capital scarce countries.

Major constraints of marketing include difficulties of markets to absorb production, large number of middlemen in the marketing system, lack of safeguarding marketing institutions, product handling and packaging, imperfect pricing system, and lack of transparency in market information systems.

In Oromia Region, women are employed in the agricultural sector and in domestic activities, but only 10% can manage what they earn[2]. Annuities are the prerogatives of men, and only 18% of annual earnings are spent on the needs of women and children. Moreover, there is no food processing plant in the intervention Districts.

 Location

South West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Objectives of Research

To conduct a Value-Chain Business analysis in South West Shewa, ensuring the final outcome of the study to include:

• Mapping and Ranking of Existing Value Chains in Agricultural sector;
• Mapping and Ranking of non-existing – but potential – Value Chains in Agricultural sector;
• Identification of territory’s available resources;
• Identification of productive potential of the territory;
• Definition of market links and structures – current status and opportunities –  for most potential value chains at local, regional and national market;
• Identification of strategies to stimulate and involve both small and large investors;
• Identification of new agro-food products, products transformations, and therefore new viable agro-business opportunities;
• Development of strategies for developing intervention forecasting in short, medium and long-term, the most viable market and value-chain opportunities;
• Development of research summary with main findings, observations and conclusions to share with local Zone Authorities.

Methodology

The methodology should include a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection.

Primary data and data analysis process will be disaggregated by detailed sub-categories, in order to provide an Inclusive, unbiased and complete topic overview.

For Qualitative Data Collection, key informant interviews with partners and local stakeholders – including local communities and Zone and Woreda officials.

The Consultant will be expected to develop detailed, systematic methodology for data collection and analysis, specifying sampling strategy, data collection tools and approaches for data analysis and report writing.

Expected Outputs

• Inception Report, clearly stating proposed methodology, work-plan and data collection tools.
• Research draft to be submitted following field-work activities, which shall include a background, approach and methodology used, detailed findings, recommendations and conclusion, and annexes;

A review phase will be conducted jointly by CEFA and by consultant, following the submission of the research draft – the outcome of the review phase will be the incorporation of CEFA comments and observation in the final research. The review phase to research draft will have no time-bounds.

• Final Research, incorporating comments from CEFA.

Duration and phasing

The participatory research is currently scheduled to be implemented in the first half of the year 2020.

Workplan/Timelines and Implementation plan TBA by consultant, accordingly.

Interested individuals, teams and firms should submit their competitive technical and financial proposal in line with these Terms of Reference. The budget should be provided in the format presented below. The detailed schedule of activities should indicate how the research will be implemented from the date of commencement of the assignment. The applicant firm shall submit a clear and high quality technical and financial proposal for the whole assignment.

Outline on Expenditure Items

Activity	Unit Cost in ETB	Units (working days)	Total cost in ETB
Review of literature
Inception report: Development of research tools
Field work, Data Collection, Interviews and FDGs ( primary data collection)
Data processing and Analysis
Report Writing
Validation of results and recommendations with project team
Other ( Specific)
Total days and Cost in ETB

Costs and payments

All costs should be considered in the bid by the consultant.

Payment will be phased upon successful completion of milestones detailed below:

• Submission of inception report (30%)
• Research Draft delivery (30%)
• Submission and final approval of final elaboration (40%)

Job Requirements

Requirements

• Demonstrated Experience in Value Chain analysis and Agriculture-related researches and evaluations;
• Demonstrated Experience in Business analysis and Business plan development:
• Demonstrated Experience working in a rural environment;
• Good understanding of the political and social situation of Ethiopia;
• Demonstrated Experience in participatory approaches to evaluations.

How to Apply

Deadline:

28/Feb/2020 – 12:00 PM (GMT +2)

Interested individuals, teams and firms should submit an Expression of Interest including a Technical and Financial proposal to:

[email protected]

Specifying Email Object: EOI_CEFA_YESIRA _2020

• The financial proposal must include all costs including professional fees, taxes to conduct the assignment and necessary documents including a renewed business license and tax registration to the following address
• The technical proposal must include the profile of the company/consultant; the proposed methodology, work plan; Curriculum vitae for the person (s) proposed for the assignment and a list of similar assignments done with details of the contact person.