Consultant - Situational Study/Value Chain Analysis

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WFP - World Food Programme

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Wednesday 28 Apr 2021 at 22:59 UTC

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with various County Governments, are collaborating with the International Potato Centre (CIP) - through the Development and Delivery of Biofortified Crops Program (DDBIO) project - and the Bioversity International/International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Alliance, to promote the Production and Commercialization of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) and High Iron Beans in Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) Regions in Kenya.

The partners include Principal investigator(s) scientists from the International Potato Center (CIP) and the DDBIO Project Coordinator - CIP. Contributing scientists from the International Potato Center (CIP), and the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager – CIP. The Research partners: World Food Programme (WFP, Kenya), County Governments of Baringo, Isiolo, Marsabit and Tana River and National Government - Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF).

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Sustainable and resilient food systems should be able to offer consumers with affordable and nutritious food choices to address all forms of food and malnutrition problems. These challenges manifest more to women of reproductive age and children under five in the developing world (Ochieng et al, 2017). The key reasons for persistent food insecurity and malnutrition is low productivity due to low use of improved or modern inputs and climate change, limited access, and poor policy environment to attract investment into the production and commercialization of nutritious foods. Consequently, several approaches such as increasing diet diversity by including fruits and vegetables, fortification of industrial processed foods, supplementation and biofortification of various crops have been promoted.

Biofortification of crops including sweet potato (OFSP) and common bean has been recognized as a response to micronutrient deficiencies, which in turn helps to build the resilience of households to respond to shocks, adapt to shocks, and build their transformative capacity in the end. This is particularly important to the households living in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) where food and malnutrition challenges are common. Specifically, the contribution of biofortified sweet potato has been evaluated and found to significantly reduce vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children and women of reproductive age (van Jaarsveld et al, 2005). Lack of vitamin A weakens the immune system, putting children at greater risk of disease and early death; and it is the leading cause of preventable child blindness. In Kenya, up to 9.2 per cent of children are vitamin A deficient (MOH, 2016) with a larger proportion in ASAL areas which puts them at risk of illness and death. Similar results from consumption of beans rich in high iron in Rwanda (urray-Kolb, 2017), with evidence showing that consuming high iron beans increased iron levels in girls over a period of 128 days. Furthermore, the effects of consumption were also noted in the increased cognitive power of schoolchildren. The main merit of biofortification include its potential long-term cost-effectiveness and its ability to reach underserved, vulnerable and rural populations living in remote areas such as ASALs in Kenya, where micronutrient deficiencies are highest. These regions continue to have low coverage for routine micronutrient supplementation programs and fortified processed foods are widely inaccessible.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY Cont..

ASALs regions of Northern and North Eastern Kenya are home to poorest and low-income people who find it difficult to diversify their diets with other nutrient-dense foods due to market prices, high costs of producing nutrient rich foods, lack of awareness and inaccessibility; all these challenges are exacerbated by the effects of covid-19 on production cost and supply. In Kenya, 38.5% of households are not consuming iron rich foods and 69.2% not consuming vitamin A rich foods. The situation is worse in ASAL Counties in North Eastern (24.5%), Eastern region (64%), Rift valley (67%) and Nairobi has the highest proportion of people consuming Vitamin A rich foods (96%) (MOH, 2016). Recent releases of 3 high iron beans is promoting consumption of iron rich beans in Kenya, though not yet fully disseminated.

These areas are characterized by limited water availability and recurrent droughts and currently effects of the covid-19 pandemic. With high levels of population growth in the ASALs, poverty and malnutrition are likely to grow unless major investments are made particularly in agriculture. One viable option for these environments is biofortified crops, which have been released in Kenya by KALRO such as Orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), and High Iron Beans, which have a short maturity period, are drought resistant and, can effectively complement other multi-sectorial efforts to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in ASALs. OFSP has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin A. Vitamin A is among the essential micronutrients that are of greatest concern for public health, in addition to iron, iodine and zinc (Underwood, 2000). Therefore, it is essential that different approaches to increase production, marketing, and consumption of nutrient rich OFSP and biofortified beans are tested and brought to scale. Among these, it is highly important to include smallholder farmers and emphasize on synergistic nutritional outcomes from food production, processing, marketing, and consumption (Gillespie et al., 2015).

In response to challenges, the current study will help to understand the current production, consumption and commercialization patterns of sweet potato and common beans in ASALs regions of Kenya. The study will be useful in programming the Scaling up Biofortification (SUB) interventions in these areas to contribute towards addressing the food and malnutrition challenges facing the households living in these areas. One such program is Development and Delivery of Biofortified Crops Program (DDBIO) led by International potato Center (CIP) and Harvest Plus, implemented in five countries: Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Nigeria. This situational study will inform the increasing investments in agricultural research and decentralizing the production of new sweet potato and common bean varieties, inform farmers on optimal good agricultural practices for OFSPs and biofortified beans, and provide incentives for farmers to adopt them in the study area.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to understand the potential of OFSP and common bean production, commercialization, and utilization by households in ASALs regions in Kenya.

Specific objectives:

  1. To understand how farmers, grow and utilize sweet potato, OFSP and common bean.
  2. To determine the current sweet potato and bean varieties and associated good agricultural practices for production.
  3. To identify opportunities and challenges (including those caused by effects of the Covid-19 pandemic) associated with Sweet potato, OFSP, and biofortified bean production, commercialization, and utilization to support local farming systems.
  4. To characterize sweet potato, OFSP and common bean markets, potential markets, and market linkages in the study area.
  5. To characterize household’s nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of Vitamin A intake or biofortified food and micronutrient rich foods in ASAL areas.
  6. To estimate the potential impact of increased access and utilization of OFSP germplasm improved biofortified bean on households’ livelihoods (e.g. yield, income, dietary diversity etc).
  7. To map demand centres for these commodities locally, and do market size for the same, including matching current production, imports, and overall national consumption

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will support the technical working group (TWG) that will carry out the situational study/ value chain analysis study. This Terms of Reference (TOR) therefore intends to set the minimum requirements and the scope of work for the WFP consultant.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultant will report to the WFP Head of Programme Technical Support Unit, as well present his/her recommendations to the study technical working group.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

  • Study supervisors and enumerators adequately trained
  • Study field data collection: including related logistics and administrative procedures and processes adequately supported
  • Study field data cleaned supported, to achieve the highest technical standards
  • Drafting of the study report adequately supported, to achieve the highest technical standard

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Market Development, or related disciplines.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in in undertaking agricultural and/or nutrition-sensitive value chains analysis. Previous work in pastoral economies will be an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Knowledge & Skills:

Excellent knowledge of value chain analysis in the ASALS in Kenya. Strong analytical, research and presentation skills. Demonstrated expertise in the fields of agricultural and nutrition-sensitive value chain analysis, smallholder agricultural production and marketing. Sound publications record in peer-reviewed journals. Advanced analytical and report writing skills. Proven study team leadership qualities. Experience in peer-reviewing publications and use of participatory methods of research. Capacity to dialogue with stakeholders in different sectors. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Determination and focus on goals and results. Sound management and effective facilitation skills.

Languages:

English and Kiswahili

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

  • Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives : Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
  • Be a force for positive change : Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
  • Make the mission inspiring to our team : Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
  • Make our mission visible in everyday actions : Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

  • Look for ways to strengthen people's skills : Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
  • Create an inclusive culture : Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
  • Be a coach & provide constructive feedback : Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
  • Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit : Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios)

Performance

  • Encourage innovation & creative solutions : Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
  • Focus on getting results : Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
  • Make commitments and make good on commitments : Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
  • Be Decisive : Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

  • Connect and share across WFP units : Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning
  • Build strong external partnerships : Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships
  • Be politically agile & adaptable : Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations
  • Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships : Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name

Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level

Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance

Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools.

Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher)

Demonstrates the ability to design, implement, monitor and provide oversight over effective and efficient programmes deploying different transfer modalities.

Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.)

Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring.

Emergency Programming

Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches

Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government

Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes..

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
  • The World Food Programme DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
  • WFP embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in all ways.
  • All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications and merit.

    DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: 2 months (estimate of 20 days of work in May and June 2021)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

DEADLINE TO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS: 28 April 2021.

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: wfp.org