Product Development Expert – Cocoa

Contract

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Result of Service

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND TIMELINES

Output 1 (by 30 March 2024) • Introductory calls completed for 10 SMEs, and meeting minutes per company shared with the company and ITC. • Assessment and recommendations for product development activities for 10 Ghanaian MSMEs, including review of samples and onsite factory visits in Ghana. • Comprehensive report from the visit to Ghana highlighting key potentials for product innovation and or quality improvement per company. • Draft concept note for the trade exchange mission prepared.

Output 2 (by 30 June 2024) • Report on opportunities and trends in the chocolate industry and recommendations for new product lines and flavors appealing to the target market(s). • At least 2 group training delivered (presentation materials developed and shared with the companies and ITC).

Output 3 (by 30 November 2024) • Toolkit for at least 5 selected SMEs on product development considerations and quality improvement, including prototype developed. • All activities successfully completed and a final report summarizing all activities implemented and detailing the main outcomes per company, including success stories and changes/and or improvement in their business processes for improved competitiveness. A draft report to be shared with ITC for review.

Work Location

Home-Based (EU)

Expected duration

1 February 2024 – 30 November 2024 (10 months)

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for trade-related technical cooperation in developing countries.

The Green and Inclusive Value Chains (GIVC) section is responsible for developing and disseminating sector-level expertise for sustainable market-driven solutions in ITC, including the Alliances for Action (A4A) methodology. A4A is a participatory partnership model that engages smallholder farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in order to manage risk and facilitate networks that provide the required technical expertise and capacity building.

OBJECTIVE: The Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) programme’s ambition is to contribute to rebuilding back better in the targeted countries with a focus on MSMEs in the digital technologies and agribusiness sectors, linking up both for synergies and business opportunities. The programme covers both sectors in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal, as well as a multi-country approach aimed at the digital technologies sector in Ivory Coast, Benin, Mali and Uganda.

In NTF V Agribusiness, activities will focus on identifying resilient and sustainable business and production models, strengthening public-private alliances and support ecosystems, and building capacity for value chain operations in areas such as market development, climate-smart operations, value addition, quality, access to finance, digitalization and developing investment strategies to ensure leveraging of investment.

As part of this programme, ITC A4A is implementing value chain development projects in Ghana with the objective of improving the competitiveness of farmers and agribusiness MSMEs in the cocoa sector and associated crops with a focus on digitalization.

The projects will deliver under the below 4 outputs:

• Output 1: Resilient and sustainable business and production models are identified and understood. • Output 2: Public-Private alliances and support ecosystems are strengthened. • Output 3: VC operator capabilities for more competitive and resilient commercialization and production are built. • Output 4: SMEs, SEs and Producers Associations are exposed to and matched with potential partners, business and investment opportunities.

In line with output 3, the project will build the capacity of the value chain operators for more competitive and resilient commercialization and production. To ensure that output 3 is achieved, the project is currently seeking the services of an expert to build the capacity of SMEs in product development.

The objective of this assignment is to support agro-processors in at least 10 Ghanaian SMES that focus on value-added cocoa products to improve value addition, diversification and innovation through training, coaching technical advice and on product development and processing and create new prototypes with each SME.

The International Trade Centre is looking for a/an: - TITLE: Product Development Expert – Cocoa - CONTRACT TYPE: Delivery - Division /Section: Division of Sustainable and Inclusive ​Trade, Green and Inclusive Value-Chains Section (DSIT/GIVC) - Duration of assignment: 01.02.2024 - 30.11.2024 - Duty Station: Home-Based (EU)

- Travel to Ghana (Accra and hinterlands) required

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall guidance of the NTF V Ghana Project Manager and the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer, and in close collaboration with the A4A market development focal point and national project coordinator together with Ghana project team; the expert will undertake the following:

1. Technical Advisory to the SMEs (at least 10 companies)

• Conduct individual introductory calls with at least 10 selected companies (a combination of artisanal chocolate markers, cocoa and chocolate processors) to understand their product range, production process, targeted market segment, and objectives for product development and innovation. The objective of this call is to align the scope of work, including identifying key focuses for the assessment. To include additional follow-up over email if required.

• Visit production facilities of at least 10 SMEs in Ghana, including: a) Conducting a sensory evaluation of the current product range to identify areas for improvement. b) Hold one online session after the visit, analyzing results and providing advice and specific instructions for product improvement.

• Conduct a market analysis to identify opportunities and trends in the food industry for the use of cocoa, beyond chocolate bars.

• Provide recommendations for new product lines and flavours that will appeal to target market(s).

• Provide training to selected SMEs to diversify their production with cocoa products, increase their product quality, production knowledge and best use of their facility.

• Assist selected SMEs on product development and quality improvement with individual sessions of technical collaboration. This should include: a) Providing training (remote and onsite) to the company’s team on chocolate flavour profiles, tasting techniques, and product development best practices. b) Develop at least one prototype per company by co-creating with the companies on a new product to be launched (minimum 5 new products).

• Within the duration of the contract deliver at least 2 group trainings on key aspects of chocolate production, product innovation, quality improvement etc relevant to the cocoa sector. This could be implemented as a masterclass targeting at least 35 chocolate/cocoa processors from Ghana in partnership with the Ghana Export Promotion Agency (GEPA).

2. Organize and facilitate a trade exchange mission to the Netherlands, including a visit to chocolate/cocoa processing plant/institutions and or participation at a relevant event at the same time if applicable:

• Based on knowledge about the companies and suitability, define a suitable trade exchange mission plan (concept note) to introduce and expose the participating companies to the Netherlands market and facilitate meetings with relevant actors and institutions. This is a learning visit exposing the Ghanaian companies and BSOs to relevant institutions such as (training schools, packaging hubs, processing facilities etc) to gain a deeper understanding of the market trends and innovation relevant to the cocoa sector.

• Once ITC and participants approve the mission plan; Coordinate pre-mission logistics and facilitate online meetings with the companies to effectively prepare for the trip (setting mission plans, providing feedback on promotional materials, samples etc.) in close collaboration with the participating companies, local partners and A4A market development focal person.

• Develop a strategy to use in setting up meetings with stakeholders.

• Guide and support the companies with follow-u meetings/leads.

• Deliver a one-day market tour in Amsterdam , visiting retailer shops, processing facilities, packaging providers etc.

• Gather feedback through online sessions from the companies and institutions post the mission.

• Prepare and share with ITC the final report on the mission, highlighting the activities held, meetings facilitated and results and recommendations for follow-ups.

The Consultant is obliged to provide full access to ITC external and internal auditors to documents and information. In addition, the contractor shall comply with any audit undertaken in line with the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations.

Copyright Clause: The Consultant has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required.

ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s or University degree in business administration, economics, marketing, food sciences or a related field. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in agro-food sales, quality compliance, product innovation, and prototypes in the food sector or related areas. Experience working directly with food innovators, food retailers and buyers in the EU markets is desirable. Experience working with SMEs in the agribusiness/value addition particularly working with cocoa processing SMEs is desirable. Experience working with multi-stakeholders (clients, business support organizations, government and development partners) is an added advantage. Advanced skills in delivering in-person training and virtual sessions with the ability to maximize participant involvement. Strong facilitation and communication skills to effectively engage participants. Experience organizing and facilitating trade exchange missions is desirable. Experience working with and or partnership/connection to relevant training institutions with experience in product development and innovation is highly desirable.

Languages

Excellent proficiency in English is required.

Additional Information

This activity will entail the participation of key local partners and institutions such as the Ghana Export Promotion Agency (GEPA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana (CoVAAAGH) and representatives from the Embassy of Netherlands in Ghana, ITC representatives and selected companies. The tentative date for this activity is proposed for Q3 2024 to be agreed upon with the companies and local partners. The duration is to be confirmed between 3-5 days depending on the budget required and co-investment from the participants.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.