TechnoServe (TNS) is a non-profit international development organization founded in 1968. Our mission is to help entrepreneurial men and women break the cycle of poverty by building businesses that create jobs, income, and economic opportunities for their families, their communities, and their countries. TNS is designing a new program that supports enterprises (unions, cooperatives, and private agri-businesses) in Ethiopia to use agricultural technology and innovations to improve the lives of poor rural farmers. The program will promote sustainable business models by administering loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and by providing them with technical support services that increase their chances for success. It will address all barriers to the introduction of new technologies – and facilitates access to finance, technology, knowledge, and market channels.
TechnoServe Ethiopia is inviting Consultants to develop and submit a proposal (including previous qualifications) for conducting market research of select horticulture value chains in up to 6 target woredas (to be determined; maximum number of 3 woredas next to each other in two different areas). The Consultant may be based at their home location, with some travel to program sites in the selected woredas.
The consultancy will be for a period of 30 working days (around 6 weeks):
· Between May 29th, 2017 and June 23rd, 2017 (up to 20 days LOE): Consultant will conduct research on targeted horticulture value chains in identified geographies, analyse the feasibility of program design and develop strategic, evidence-based recommendations for adjusting or enhancing program design.
o The Consultant will present preliminary findings and recommendations to TNS by Friday, June 23rd.
· Between June 24th, 2017 and EOD June 26th, 2017: TechnoServe will review and provide feedback to Consultant, as well as requests to investigate any outstanding research questions.
· Between June 26th, 2017 and July 7th, 2017 (up to 10 days LOE): Consultant will collect additional information as required, edit and make adjustments based on feedback received from TNS and resubmits to TNS for approval.
o The Consultant will present final findings and recommendations to TNS by July 7th.
This Consultancy requires the key outputs outlined below:
· Holistic market systems-level research of select horticulture value chain(s) in target woredas (to be determined) This research should include but is not limited to:
o Value chain analysis, noting key constraints and opportunities for smallholder horticulture farmers, notably women and youth; and estimating product demand as well as prices/margins according to current project design;
o Investigation and analysis of key supporting functions, rules/regulations, and other relevant market system actors and their capacity and incentives within the horticulture market systems
o Evaluating opportunities for specific technology (e.g. improved seeds, irrigation technologies, water pumps, harvest/post-harvest handling and storage) to improve horticulture production and marketing at the smallholder level.
§ Analyze farmers’ risk appetite to invest in relevant technologies in target woredas
§ Identify and describe potential, farmer-level financing schemes (e.g. MFIs, Savings and Credits Cooperatives) in target woredas which would enable access to these technologies
§ Estimate break-even point and ROI for farmers’ investment in prioritized technologies
§ Identify and analyze risks
o *Note that all aspects of research should consider gender roles and highlight constraints and opportunities for increased women’s participation throughout horticulture market system, as well as opportunities for increased youth participation.
The Consultant is required to conduct field-level travel as needed throughout the consultancy. TechnoServe will organize and cover travel expenses for only the contracted consultant, based on standard TechnoServe practices and rates. Though TechnoServe staff will assist, where reasonable and/or appropriate, to facilitate introductions to relevant research stakeholders, the Consultant is expected identify relevant market informants and to take the initiative to schedule their own meetings for research purposes.
The consultant is required to cite all external sources used and consultant is expected and responsible for abiding by relevant copyright laws, citing all sources clearly and accurately. In addition, the consultant is required to keep a detailed record of time devoted to carrying out this assignment to be submitted to TNS along with the Consultant invoice for payment, accordingly to TNS requirements
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