BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNHCR Sub Office Melkadida (SOMEL) is collaborating with the Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA), the Somali Regional Government, the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woreda Authorities, and NGO implementing partners to enhance the self-reliance of refugees and host communities by supporting livelihoods and economic inclusion interventions. The self-reliance programme is supported by the IKEA Foundation and focusses on three key sectors: Agriculture, Livestock, and Financial Services (Microfinance). Refugee and host communities in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woredas of the Somali Regional State predominantly rely on agriculture and livestock production for their livelihood. These two Woredas are regularly subjected to the risk of droughts and floods, impacting the food security and livelihoods of these populations. Refugees live in five camps namely; Buramino, Hilaweyn, Kobe, Melkadida, and Bokolmanyo.
Since 2012, UNHCR has invested substantial resources to develop large scale irrigation infrastructure (pump houses and canals) on nearly 1,000 ha of land; to establish and to strengthen the capacities of eight farmer cooperatives; and to ensure that the allocated irrigable land is under crop production. For the period 2019-2021, UNHCR’s strategy is to focus on ensuring sustainability of its existing investments by; conducting value chain analysis of priority crops in the region, improving productivity per unit area of different crops through Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), optimising the use of existing irrigation infrastructure (as well as maintenance), exploring low cost irrigation technologies and how these can be adapted, post-harvest handling of crops (to reduce losses) and linking production to viable markets.
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct two interlinked value chain analyses on behalf of UNHCR. The first value chain analysis will focus on most profitable priority crops for agriculture production in the developed irrigation schemes. The second value chain analysis will focus on the agro-processing sub sector where crops with the highest potential for agro-processing can be analysed and promoted. As there is already anecdotal evidence that sesame oil processing has market in the area, the agro-processing value chain assessment will focus on this product as a priority.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will work under the supervision of SOMELs Livelihoods Officer and will be responsible for the following deliverables;
The output of this assignment is a 30 - 40 page document which would include pictures, findings, analyses, and recommendations. The selection of the consultant will be determined on the basis of the strength of technical methodologies and proposals of how he/she will undertake the above activities and on the below minimum requirements.
Duration of Contract: 3 Months
Required Qualifications:
Education:
Minimum Experience and Skills:
Desired Attributes:
Language requirements: