International Agro-business specialist

Consultant

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

The project seeks to: (i) improve the protection of viable populations of indigenous wild relatives of crops and local landraces in their natural habitats; (ii) augment the conservation of indigenous wild relatives of crops and local landraces in plant gene banks to ensure an adequate source of genetic resources for plant breeding; and (iii) increase the production, and extent of use, of local landraces in agricultural small holdings and commercial farms.

The project will be implemented in three regions - Sheki, Goranboy and Goychay. Within these three rayons, the project will further focus on selected crop wild relatives, cultivated native species and cultivated landraces of wheat, vegetable and forage crops.

The project has been structured into three complementary components.

The first component will seek to expand the state of knowledge of agro-biodiversity, enhance the conservation of this agro-biodiversity and increase the intensity and extent of use native crops in the agricultural sector in the three project regions.

The second component will seek to build the capacities of, and improve the collaboration and cooperation between, agricultural institutions and small farmers in order to improve agricultural productivity and reduce land degradation using native crops (i.e. the targeted crop species) in the three project regions.

The third component will seek to strengthen incentives that encourage the planting of, and improve access to commercial markets for agricultural products derived from, the targeted native crop species across the three regions.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Agri-business specialist will be an experienced international expert to provide overall technical analyses of the project. He/She will report to National Project Manager (NPM). The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies. During the contract period the working days: 80 days.

The Expert should undertake 3 (three) missions to Azerbaijan within the period of assignment. The payment will be a lump-sum payment inclusive of consultancy fee, DSAs for in-country full consultancy days, round-trip tickets and concomitant terminal expenses. Interested candidates, along with their technical proposal, will have to submit their financial proposal by taking into account those expected travels to Azerbaijan, and showing in their financial proposals breakdown of financial expenses for consultancy fee.

Monitoring and progress control will be conducted by the Project Manager in consultation with the UNDP Programme Officer and the Project Director appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Main objective of this task is to strengthen incentives that encourage the planting of, and improve access to commercial markets for agricultural products derived from, the targeted native crop species across the three regions.

Work under this assignment is expected to assist local farmers across the project rayons in understanding and building relationships with buyers of native crops, finding markets for their crops, meeting quality standards in the branding of products derived from native crops, and achieving the best prices for their crops.

Scope of Work:

• Conduct a value chain analysis for the targeted native fruit, vegetable, wheat and barley crops in the project rayons in order to assess the efficiency of value-added operations/services along the supply chain in increasing production, trade and income-generating potential of farmers and other actors (i.e. traders, processors, wholesalers, retail chains and end consumer) including upgrading strategies, improving access to agricultural inputs, agricultural extension, marketing, Technical and policy issues, strategies and programmes to support the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness and improved impacts of agribusiness, food systems and value chain development in the Project regions;
• Identify the major constraints and opportunities faced by farmers and businesses in accessing the domestic and international markets for products derived from native crops;
• Assist local farmers to enter into supply agreements with processors and retailers of niche high-value products derived from native crops;
• Assist local farmers to meet the quality standards required by these processors and retailers of niche high-value products derived from native crops;
• Participate in developing and reviewing information materials, technical papers and guidelines related to agricultural economics, agribusiness, value chain and agri-food system development, organisation of producers, diversification of agricultural activities; agro-environmental initiatives, identifying relevant risks, including those related to climate change, low skills levels of rural labour force, poor access to finance, and analyse the quality of the existing institutional support;
• Contribute to capacity building programmes, with appraisal of the capacity building needs related to agribusiness and value chain development, agro-environmental measures, and contribute to developing training materials, to training courses and activities, and provide capacity building support and mentoring to the project beneficiaries including field-based staff and farmers, organisation of seminars for dissemination of existing experience of developed countries;
• Contribute to the collection and dissemination of relevant data and information and to the design and implementation of programmes and projects related to agricultural and development economics, agribusiness, agri-food value chains’ development and systems, including for example, trends and developments, approaches, impacts, lessons and good practices; support global learning, exchange of information through internet and other channels and mechanisms and as requested, provide technical support and/or backstopping to field projects;
• Contribute to the organization of and/or participate in meetings, conferences, workshops, consultations, and field visits as needed; contribute to building collaborations and partnerships.
• Based on lessons learnt in the implementation of the full project, prepare a marketing strategy for high-value niche products derived from selected native crops.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

N

Deliverable

Timeline

1

Comprehensive value chain analysis report for the targeted native fruit, vegetable, wheat and barley crops in the project rayons including ttechnical and policy issues, strategies and programs to support the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness and improved impacts of agribusiness, food systems and value chain development in the Project regions.

May, 2021

2

Assessment report of domestic and international markets for target native crops

May, 2021

3

Support development of the info materials.

April, 2021

4

Assist min 10 local farmers to enter into supply agreements with processors and retailers of niche high-value products.

June, 2021

5

Identification of standards required by processors and retailers of niche high-value products derived from native crops and road map for product quality development.

June, 2021

6

Development and implementation of capacity building programmes to target value chain actors and stakeholders.

July, 2021

7

Develop lesson learnt, best practices and exchange of information through internet and other channels and mechanisms for further strengthening o target crops value chains.

September, 2021

8

Policy and state incentive measures for farmers for the improvement of target value chains.

October, 2021

9

Draft strategy for development of viable value chains of the targeted native crop species across the three regions.

December, 2021

Competencies

Competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competencies:

• Showing the will to learn and develop professional skills;
• Consistently work with energy and positive, constructive attitude;
• Focus on result for the client and respond positively to feedback;

To be self-sufficient and conduct himself in the highest professional manner in working relations.

Required Skills and Experience

• University master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or other related field is required
• At least ten (10) years of professional work experience in agribusiness and value chain development
• At least three (3) years working in a for-profit agribusiness or business service company
• Demonstrated direct experience in southern Caucasus agriculture and value chain analysis and promotion
• Demonstrated experience with gender mainstreaming in agriculture projects
• Experience with UN Agencies
• Experience in agricultural administration, economic and financial analysis, marketing, market analysis and risk assessment
• Understanding of the needs and challenges of agribusinesses, smallholder and medium farmers and other agribusiness value-chain actors.
• Demonstrated experience in working with farmers’ groups and co-operatives.
• Strong drafting, presentation, and reporting skills.

Technical skills

• Fluent in written and oral communication in English;
• Excellent computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package;

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

• Cumulative evaluation that takes into account both financial offer and the technical expertise of the potential candidates

  A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical component being completed prior to any price component being reviewed and compared. The Price Component will be reviewed only for those individuals whose Technical Component meets the requirements for the assignment. The total number of points which individual may obtain for both components is 100.

  A total possible value of the technical component is 70 points.

If the substantive presentation of a technical proposal achieves the minimum of 49 points, the competitiveness of the offered consultancy expenses will be taken into account in the following manner:

The total amount of points for the fees component is 30. The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest fees proposed that is compared among those invited individuals which obtain the threshold points in the evaluation of the technical proposal. All other proposals shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest fees; e.g.;

[30 Points] x [US$ lowest]/ [US$ other] = points for other proposer’s fees

• University master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or other related field is required – 10 points;
• At least ten (10) years of professional work experience in value chain development – 10 points;
• Demonstrated direct experience in relevant field in Southern Caucasus – 5 points;
• Demonstrated experience with gender mainstreaming in agriculture projects – 5 points;
• Experience with UN Agencies – 5 points;
• Experience in agribusiness, agricultural administration, economic and financial analysis, marketing, market analysis and risk assessment – 10 points;
• Cover letter: Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work and providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work
• Interview – 15 points;
• At least three years working in a for-profit agribusiness or business service company;
• Understanding of the needs and challenges of agribusinesses, smallholder and medium farmers and other agribusiness value-chain actors;
• Demonstrated experience in working with farmers’ groups and co-operatives;
• Strong drafting, presentation, and reporting skills;
• Fluent in written and oral communication in English;
• Excellent computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package.

The minimum threshold for technical part of the offers is 49 point.

The contract will be a lump-sum result-based contract. The rates indicated by the consultants in their responses, along with their technical expertise will serve as a basis for the selection. The UNDP also reserves the right to negotiate the total rates with the selected candidates. The total amount will take into account the negotiated rate for the whole consultancy period.

Payment will be done in four instalments and based on completion of deliverables.

1st instalment – the first mission travel expenses

2nd instalment – 25% - deliverable 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (June, 2021)

3rd instalment – second mission travel expenses

4th instalment – 30% - deliverable 6, 7 (September, 2021)

5th instalment – third mission travel expenses

6th instalment – 30% - deliverable 8, 9 (December, 2021)

Please note that financial proposal should be done in consideration of supposed travels (including accommodation, ticket and DSA). The breakdown is necessary.

Daily allowance for Baku is USD 129, however for the outside of Baku it is USD 96. Supposed travels: 3 times a year (on quarterly bases, but the exact time will be agreed between project manager and consultant after signing a contract). Total number of working days is 80. 25 days out of 80 will be in Baku (15 days) and project regions (10 days). Transportation from Baku to regions of Azerbaijan will be organized by the Project.

Please note that only economy class is applied to international consultant travel.

In case if travel not happen due to COVID-19 Pandemic the amounts payable for mission can be reconsidered.

Document to be submitted

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: The system accepts only one attachment thus please combine all below mentioned files and upload as 1 attachment.

1. Cover letter

• Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work
• Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.

2. Offeror’s letter to UNDP conforming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment with Breakdown of Costs (in USD) Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price; Link to download form: https://www.az.undp.org/content/azerbaijan/en/home/procurement.html

3. A filled out P11/ CV form with names

*Submission of all above mentioned documents before deadline are mandatory, otherwise incomplete application will not be considered.

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org