International Consultancy: Market Assessment of alternative ingredients for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods Consultant, Remote, 3 months

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up...

For every child, Care... Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) are one of the critical life changing innovations to address severe wasting in children. Over the last four years, UNICEF as the major RUTF buyer, procured around 50,000 metric tons (MT) of RUTF 1 to feed 3.5 million children with SAM; this represents less than 25% of the global estimated number of children with severe wasting. The conventional RUTF is based on peanuts, sugar, milk powder (providing 50% of protein), oil and a vitamin/mineral premix. The major cost driver of RUTF manufacture are the raw materials (70-75% of total product cost), and of these raw materials, milk and peanuts are the significant contributors. By introducing alternative recipes, more options will become available for both suppliers and national governments to select from, with the aim to achieve both cost savings and formulae that can use ingredients aligned with local preferences. Public tendering activities have been held to stimulate the current supplier base to incorporate alternatives to peanuts in the RUTF formula with an aim to reduce the product cost. The activities have included tender meetings and supply forums to share information and encourage innovative solutions to optimizing RUTF. Other actors have developed tools and conducted scientific studies assessing new formulations without peanuts. 2 Other initiatives have looked at formulations without milk protein3,3 and locally based recipes.

In an effort to obtain price efficiencies, UNICEF continues to work with manufacturers, through its tender processes, to develop alternative recipes of RUTF in three categories: Renovation: Replace peanuts with legumes, seeds, cereals e.g., soy, chickpeas, or oats. The renovation product complies with the WHO and codex requirements2,4 and most have a similar texture and flavor to the conventional peanut based RUTF. Innovation: Replace milk powder with other animal proteins e.g., fish powder.5, 5 The Innovation products do not comply with WHO requirements for 50% of proteins coming from dairy and thus require a well-designed efficacy trial before being used in programs. Novel: Replaces milk and peanut with cereals, legumes and fortifies missing amino acids e.g Soy, Maize, Sorghum formula fortified with amino acids 6, 6 The Novel products do not comply with the WHO requirements and thus requires a well-designed efficacy trial before being used in programs.

Purpose The purpose of this consultancy is to review the global market dynamics of the major ingredients (current and selected ‘alternative ingredients’) and how they influence the overall price of RUTF. The output of this work will inform the larger “Alternative Ingredients for Malnutrition” (AIM) project that will be testing different alternative recipes of RUTF for acceptability and efficacy. Working together with our commodity data provider and their experts, the consultant will work on the following project aims:

To develop cost modelling tools that enable cost comparison of new renovation and novel RUTF recipes to the standard peanut based RUTF and with each other (see recipes below). To apply the developed cost modelling tools to the current (standard), renovation, and novel categories of RUTF offered by manufacturers in recent tenders. To identify and map the market influences for the new RUTF recipes that are near-ready to scale. Compare recipes for the Renovation and Novel categories holistically and provide recommendations based on costs, price volatility, quality, trade interventions such as subsidies, access risks and cultural acceptance. The initial step will be the activities of the assignment requiring an analysis of the ingredients in the standard, renovation, and novel categories of RUTFs offered by manufacturers in recent tenders.

Description of the Assignment Objectives and Outputs Objective 1: Provide background information for each ingredient and the main producing regions and countries. Output: Geographical map of market availability of ingredients including a summary of the high producing, high yield countries/regions, Geographical map of market availability of ingredients in specific regional or country markets (eg Indian commodity market) for the Renovation and Novel categories. Conduct ‘should-cost’ analysis of alternative (Renovation and Novel) and standard RUTF recipes, based on historical price volatility of the raw materials specific for each formula, using annual ‘should cost estimates’, and any other important data points. Sources: reliable commodity market data sources such as Mintec and FAO Food Price Index. (some tools will be provided to facilitate price estimates) A graphical display of RUTF price difference based on the “should cost” analysis using selected renovation ingredients against peanuts (eg peanuts vs soy and peanuts vs chickpeas) for the Renovation category based on previous market prices over the last 10 years. A graphical display of RUTF price difference based on the “should cost” analysis using the Novel ingredients (soy, sorghum, maize) vs a combination of peanut and milk data using the previous 10 years of market prices. A graphical display of RUTF price difference based on the should cost analysis using other novel ingredients (2 additional formulae).

Objective 2: An overview of demand and supply of global, regional or other relevant market constraints. Compare recipes for the Renovation and Novel categories holistically and provide recommendations based on costs, price volatility, important quality/ standard drivers (eg aflatoxin, infant grades), access risks and cultural acceptance. Output: The commodity analysis should include a written analysis in report form and the references of data sources for the following: Identification of key cost drivers for each commodity, indicating when they have and are predicted to have market impact for each commodity. Analysis of ingredient/ commodity influencers including demand and supply of global, regional, or relevant local markets and constraints such as important cultural celebrations, culturally related trade issues, new waves of food consumption, seasonality and weather influences (eg climate change influenced), regulatory or trade barriers/embargos, specific policies such as regional taxation policy or subsidies that may impact each specific commodity. Insights on the medium and long-term agricultural market forecast for selected ideal ingredient candidates (soy, chickpea, oats and others) that may be suggested based on the market analysis in as ideal replacements for peanuts for RUTF. This section should also highlights sustainability elements such as environmental or climate related issues (eg crop water use, deforestation impacts, drought vulnerability of crops, need for importation of key raw materials) if the literature review uncovers major impacts of these factors on the mid to long term market.

Drawing on material summarized in objectives 1-2 above, provide conclusions and recommendations regarding:

• Ingredient candidate selection ranking to replace peanuts / peanuts and milk for RUTF,
• Identified market and commodity attributes that will need monitoring with the use of these ingredient replacements.

Key Deliverables – Market Assessment of RUTF Ingredients 1. Methodology and report structure developed. Inception report prepared. Includes development of a recipe cost calculator. 2. Selection of key papers and data sources for review. 3. ‘Geographical map of ingredient markets (objective 1). 4. Should cost’ modelling of each Novel and Renovation formulae (objective 1). 5. Graphical displays of cost difference using each candidate ingredient against peanuts for the renovation category and for milk and peanuts against soy, sorghum and maize for the novel category (objective 1). 6. Commodity market analysis and identification and assessment of impacts of influences on market attributes (objective 2). 7. Documentation of insights and aspects to monitor on the medium and long-term agricultural market forecast for selected ideal ingredient candidates 8. Selection criteria and recommended prioritization of candidate ingredients (short listing based on findings of objective 1 and 2). 9. Conclusions and recommendations, draft 1 finalized. 10. UNICEF feedback on draft 1. 11. Editing of report based on UNICEF feedback 12. Finalization of report to UNICEF’s requirements

How can you make a difference? The final report will be around 30-40 pages (A4, 10 Arial font) and will encompass the overall topics of the objectives/deliverables listed above and the points below:

• ‘Should cost’ modelling using alternative ingredients compared with (1) peanuts and (2) peanuts and milk with UNICEF’s procurement volume.
• Assessment of market conditions, risks and opportunities of ingredients for the existing supplier base.
• Recommendation of candidate ingredients for replacing peanuts in RUTF within the current supplier base.
• Slide decks for presentation of key outputs from the report.
• Modelling tool(s) for use in the future.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Education: Advanced university degree in economics, international business/business, finance, agricultural finance / economics, or sustainability. A combination of a bachelor’s degree in one of the above areas with 7 years’ work experience is acceptable in lieu of a master’s qualification.

Work Experience: Professional work experience in Food Economics or Commodity Food Markets and previous experience in creating a product or product portfolio strategy and or recommendations using commodity market intelligence.

Technical Competencies and Expertise:

• Demonstrated ability to read and understand commodity market data and how this applies to finish good markets.
• Demonstrated ability to determine risks and opportunities associated with food commodity markets.
• Expertise and familiarity in using, understanding, and analyzing standard commodity software applications.
• Understanding and knowledge of farming impacts on the environment and ability to apply sustainability principles.
• Demonstrated ability in report writing, specifically commodity market reports or analyses.

Language: Fluency in spoken and a high standard of written English is required. Must be experienced in writing academic papers.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application addressing how you meet the requirements of the assignment.
2. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars excluding all taxes.
3. CV.
4. At least one example of previous, relevant work.
5. Brief proposal on how to accomplish the consultancy. (1/2page is sufficient)
6. 3 References
7. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html).)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.