About TechnoServe
TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. Founded in 1968, we are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. In East Africa, we operate in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Across the region, we implement a range of large-scale value chain interventions, agribusiness programs and entrepreneurship/economic empowerment projects. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
IMPACT Program Description
TechnoServe collaborates with Sasakawa Global - 2000 (SG2000) and Farm Radio International (FRI), both non-profit organizations, to improve market-led teff, maize and wheat production in selected Woredas of Amhara and Tigray Regions. With the funding from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Improving Market Led Production of Selected Agricultural Commodities in Targeted Woredas of Amhara and Tigray regions (IMPACT-Program) with the aim of improving income and food security of smallholder farmers in the regions. As part of the bigger consortium of the three organizations, TechnoServe is responsible to lead the smallholder farmers’ linkages to structured output market namely linkages.
Assignment
The Consultant will play expertise advice and coaching and coordination role to facilitate the integration of smallholder farmer beneficiaries to structured output markets such as the processing industry. Specifically, s/he will be working closely with selected farmers’ organizations (FOs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the targeted Woredas to meaningfully engage in the selected Agricultural Value Chains. Below are some key areas of focus on the position.
I. Identification of industry demand and enhance farmers’ and project teams’ awareness and knowledge of the industry demand
II. Build capacities of Farmers’ Organizations and SMEs to competitively market wheat, maize and Teff to structured market channels
III. Support implementation of strategies and interventions that can help in establishing stronger and sustainable linkages between farmers and the formal market
IV. Strengthen business partnerships among the selected commodity value chain actors and service providers
V. Lead beneficiary data collection, organization, filing and documentation in collaboration with focal persons in the target woredas
VI. Support the Market Linkage Specialists in settling focal persons’ expense
Working Conditions
1. At all times the consultant is required to work from project offices and will be tasked with any of the deliverables listed below by the market linkage specialist.
2. The consultant cannot delegate the task to second person by any chance
3. The consultant is not considered as permanent employee of TechnoServe and is not entitled to any benefit packages except monthly payments based on performance
4. The consultant is required to submit regular reports to receive payments
5. This consultancy work will only be contracted conditionally based on the approval of the donor
6. The consultant should submit his/her TIN number and licenses as well, otherwise, TechnoServe will apply withholding tax bracket of 30% to all payments made for this work
Expected Deliverables
1. Capacity building
· Assist the Market Specialist in identifying market as well as business knowledge gaps in farmer organizations and small and medium enterprises
· Coach and give on-the-job support to FOs and SMEs to build their capacity around commercialization, negotiation and contracting, business plan and marketing, good governance, warehouse management, and financial management
· Advise on market-oriented production of wheat, maize and teff including postharvest management
· Lead formal training of Development Agents (DAs), FOs, SMEs and farmers on market-oriented production, management and marketing of wheat, maize and teff
· Promote and support enhanced women and youth mainstreaming
2. Facilitate relationships between market system actors and key players
· Identify industry demand by conducting demand assessment annually and enhance farmers’, FOs’, SMEs’ and project teams’ awareness and knowledge of the industry demand
· Facilitate market linkage between FOs/SMEs and off-takers such as food processing industries
· Support FOs and SMEs in understanding contracts, negotiation, aggregation and marketing
· Strengthen win-win business relationship among wheat, maize and teff value chain actors and service providers
· Facilitate linkages with financial institutions
3. Monitoring and evaluation
· Collect TAP farmers and FOs/SMEs profile, production and marketing data in close collaboration with focal persons assigned for the target woredas
· Check for quality of the data and organize it in templates prepared for this purpose
· Capture success stories, challenges and lesson learned by getting close assistance from the Market Linkage Specialists
· Properly file, document and share data and information collected with project team by taking appropriate actions to protect personal privacy in the process
4. Prepare and check Focal Persons (FPs) expenses
· Collect official voucher receipts for transport and accommodation
· Submit these documents to the Market Linkage Specialist in a timely manner
5. Stakeholder management
· Create a good working relationship with stakeholders
· Holding meetings and consultation with Agricultural and Rural Development and Administration Offices as needed
6. Work planning, reporting and learning
· Develop and maintain work plan, in consultation with Market Linkage Specialist
· Identify and share knowledge with with TechnoServe team
· Facilitate partners and external guests visits to respective target areas
· Other duties as assigned by Market Linkage Specialist
Required Qualifications and Capabilities
TNS is looking for individual consultants who fulfil the requirements below
· BSc Degree in Business Administration, Agricultural/Economics, Cooperative, Rural Development, Agricultural Extension, or other related business fields with minimum 5 years of experience
· Experience on cooperative and SMEs
· Ability to work according to a work plan and meet deadlines
· Fluency in Amharic for Amhara region and Tigrigna for Tigray region (must)
· Strong communication skills
· Proven data collection, organization and survey supervision skill
· Report writing skill and fluency in English language
· Willingness to travel within project location and have experience working in target area
· Fluency in use of computers and basic computer based communication means
Evaluation Criteria and Process
The applications will be evaluated by TNS based on technical assessment and review of financial proposal mainly qualification, competence and experience and shortlisted candidates will be requested to participate in interview.
TechnoServe is an equal opportunity employer. Competent women candidates are highly encouraged to apply. TechnoServe reserves a right to partially or fully cancel this advertisement.