Consultant - Value Chain Analysis at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Location: Damaturu, Yobe
Terms of Reference: Value Chain Analysis
Project Name: Enhancing Food Security In Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria
Sector: Food Security and Livelihoods

Project Description & Rationale

• Action Against Hunger has been operational in Nigeria since 2010 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sector strategy in which Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience.
• A protracted conflict in North East (NE) Nigeria has increased population vulnerability to displacement, destruction, loss of livelihoods, malnutrition, food insecurity, inadequate health services and poor sanitation since 2009.
• The conflict has directly affected 14.8 million people, of which 7.7 million need urgent humanitarian assistance. Yobe is among the most affected states of this violent conflict which has caused unprecedented population displacements and severe food insecurity with a significant number of people having very limited access to food. At the peak of the insurgency, markets in Yobe were greatly disrupted but are now on a recovery path
• Action Against Hunger proposes to carry out a pro-poor value chain analysis from which three key commodity value chains that most affect the poor and key stakeholders in these value chains shall be identified.
• The analysis shall produce information about the critical areas of intervention in the value chains i.e. gaps/type of support needed. It is on the basis of this analysis and results that targeting of stakeholders for strengthening shall be done.
• The project envisages to target 500 market actors for market related and financial literacy related sensitization, training, and information support to make use of the opportunities created during the previous market strengthening activities.
• However, out of these, 50 market actors shall be targeted for strengthening using both training and cash grants.
• The 50 actors shall be identified based on their positioning in the pro-poor value chain and their potential to have a wider impact on the value chain, if supported.

Objectives of the Value Chain Analysis

• Study the existing value chains and prioritize the three most pro-poor commodities (i.e. commodity value chains in which extremely vulnerable persons quickly identify with as they enter a money/market economy).
• Identify the challenges, opportunities, and potential of various actors (farmers, traders, transporters, processors, etc.) in the value chain of the three most pro-poor commodities.
• Analyze current market trends in terms of market demand and supply, price-scheduling mechanisms, market determinant factors, supply chains and government market regulatory and control mechanisms in relation to the three prioritized commodities value chains.
• Analyze potential risks the project beneficiaries may face with markets and suggest possible mitigation measures in relation to three prioritized pro-poor commodity value chains.
• Explore micro financing institutions in the area and illustrate how small-scale market actors related to the three priority commodities can be linked with them.
• Understand the capacity of small-scale market actors and any existing producer associations/organizations regarding production, scale up, input access, access to services, credit, information and resources in relation to the three prioritized pro-poor commodities.
• Document the capacity gaps in the prioritized pro-poor value chains and suggest improvements that are geared towards empowering all actors to independently exist in the market economy.
• Identify key actors for capacity building and the exact support they need to improve the prioritized pro-poor value chains in a fragile conflict affected area taking into consideration the bigger picture that involves other goods and services that were not prioritized in the study.
• To investigate the potential impact of the improving the pro-poor value chain on improvement of food & nutrition security in the area especially for the poor populations.

Scope Covered by Analysis

• The geographical scope of the analysis will cover Yobe in general and Gujba in particular, with more focus on the wards of Mutai, Goniri, Gotala/Gotumba and Ngurbuwa.
• The consultant/s will work closely with Action Against Hunger staff and stakeholders in executing the task.

Methodology & Timeline
The consultancy is expected to be completed within 35 days and will cover:

• Desk review
• Value chain analysis tools pre-test
• Field work
• Data cleaning / analysis

Key Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to deliver:

• proposed value chain analysis methodology to Action Against Hunger for review, feedback and approval within one week
• Inception report
• Presentation during validation workshop
• Draft and final reports

Profile of Consultant

• Masters qualification in discipline related to international studies, Nutrition, Health, Economics, Mathematics, Agriculture or other relevant discipline or commensurate work experience in lieu of graduate qualification.
• International experience (at least 5 years) in Value chain related programming.
• Experience in carrying out at least two Value chain analyses with at least one as the lead consultant.
• Strong commitment to capacity building of national staff and partners with willingness to adopt a participatory and consultative approach.
• Extensive experience in data management and analysis, including data collection tools design, database design and management and data quality checks.
• Sound and mature understanding of rights-based approaches to development and participatory concepts and practical experience in similar context.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to communicate efficiently in English language (oral and written).
• The ability to work closely in a team, to be patient, adaptable, flexible and able to improvise and work in an environment that is often stressful and potentially volatile.
• Willingness to travel in difficult circumstances.
• Excellent command of the English language.
• Understanding of the social and economic context of the North Eastern Nigeria is an added advantage.

Action Against Hunger USA invites potential candidates to send their submission package, which should include:

• CV, detailing qualifications
• Demonstrated experience in similar assignments undertaken
• Workplan based on ToR and deliverables
• Financial Proposal

Interested and qualified candidates should submit both technical and financial proposals to the following email address: tender@actionagainsthunger.org as per the following instructions: Subject of the email should read - "Consultancy for Value Chain Analysis, Nigeria".