Consultant - Animal Fattening & Business Research at Nuru Nigeria

Location: Michika/Yola, Adamawa (based on needs)
Category: Production and supply, Insurance systems for livestock, Farmer organization profitability, Logistics for marketing and off-takers etc
Employment Type: Short-term contract
Duration: 3 Months
Start Date: ASAP
Reports To: Impact Manager & Impact Program Specialist

Position Description

• Nuru Nigeria will engage the services of a conduct and in-depth research and analysis on animal fattening and marketing
• The consultant shall focus on market system, supply chain (specific), develop leads and cross-cutting thematic areas as well
• The research and information will be used to inform and finalize remaining 2019 and future intervention activities for “Animal Fattening as a Business” at Nuru Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

• The research work will focus on fattening and marketing of small ruminants (sheep and goats)
• The research work shall begin with Adamawa State and then explore more broadly the domestic goat and sheep meat markets across Nigeria with specific attention to higher per capita income areas like Southern Nigeria
• He or she shall conduct consistent key information interviews (KIIs), market surveys, get reputable sources of domestic business information, and secondary academic research.

Production and Supply: Required Information:

• Growth and market opportunities - Adamawa state, domestic and international (export):
  • Pro-poor potential - local business opportunities for Ram/Buck abattoirs, meat processing plants, in Michika, Mubi, etc
  • Household nutritional value of breeds or fattening practices
• Insurance systems for livestock (Nigeria only): required information:
  • Livestock insurance programs available for smallholders (Nuru Farmers) in Nigeria
  • Common practices for verifying cause of death in livestock production: cost to verify and payment systems
• Gross margin analysis for farmers and managers of sheep & goats
• Farmer organization profitability:
  • Business Model Canvas
  • Profitability Analysis for sheep & goat aggregation and marketing in Adamawa
• Logistics inputs and sourcing: required information:
  • List of potential suppliers (Name, location, phone number, email, other comments) Sheep and goat breeds available, ages & prices per head (or in bulk)
• Willingness to provide transportation (yes, no, or cost)
• Other input costs: vaccinations, medications, supplementary feeds, etc.:
  • Sample Contract for NN
  • Common challenges they face in working with rural communities
• Logistics: marketing and off-takers: required information:
  • List of potential buyers/off-takers (Name, location/market, phone number, email, other comments)
• General quality and quantity requirements
• Tiered purchase pricing for animals by weight, size, age, etc.
  • Common challenges they face in working with rural communities

Requirements

• Degree in Agriculture or its equivalent in related field
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience
• Extensive training and mentoring skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to travel to field sites frequently
• Excellent report writing and reporting
• Excellent English communication and writing skills.
• Experience leading community assessments
• Knowledge & Experience working in NGO's sector most especially in rural/conflict settings.