Optimization of Digital Platform for Livestock Trade and Value Chain Management at Mercy Corps

Objectives:

• The broad objective of the consulting assignment is to appraise the current market performance of the Livestock247 digital platform and provide evidence based advisory on the route to commercial optimization and utilization of the platform for animal identification, tracking, traceability and e-commerce by smallholder livestock farmers and other livestock value chain actors. The consulting assignment would target 2 specific objectives:

Specific Objective 1:

• Identify barriers, opportunities, peculiarities, market trends and drivers of technology adoption for livestock products and services in Northeast Nigeria. This should cover insights on how technology supports haulage logistics, livestock transportation optimization, and efficient movement of livestock products.

Specific Objective 2:

• Following detailed appraisal of the Livestock247 digital platform in meeting livestock market needs and building on the current performance of the platform, provide implementable recommendations and ideas for the optimal use of the platform for commercially driven livestock identification, tracking and e-commerce. This includes recommendations for deployment of market friendly system and interface for the use of the technology platform.

Specific Objective 1 Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Conduct market analysis around use of technology to support demand and supply of livestock product and services in the livestock industry in Northeast Nigeria
• Identify constraints to technology use and actions to address the constraints that are realistic and actionable focusing on the peculiarities of the Nigerian livestock market.
• Highlight component of the livestock value chain that is fit for deployment of digital technology in a commercially driven manner.

Specific Objective 2 Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Analyse the strength and gaps in the livestock247 digital platform in addressing the technology needs identified in the livestock market around livestock production systems, identification, tracking and trade.
• Develop a financial and investment model for the most promising option to deploy the Livestock247 digital platform in a way that is user friendly in the livestock industry.
• Make recommendations on needed improvements in the content of the platform and deployment strategy/approach.
• Together with Livestock247, pilot pitch the Livestock247 digital platform to livestock value chain actors following necessary upgrades and modifications.

Consultant Deliverables:

S/No  Task  Level of Effort   ( Percentage Payment)  Expected outputs

• 1  Kick-off planning meeting with RRA team members and Livestock247 team; preparation for the field visit; review of proposal, work plan, and milestone deliverables.    2 days    (10%)   
• Work plan with clear execution pathway and details of support required.
• 2 Conduct a comprehensive market analysis to identify the barriers, opportunities, peculiarities, market trends and drivers of technology adoption for livestock products and services across the value chain using Northeast Nigeria as a case study. This would cover but not limited to how digital technology supports haulage logistics, livestock transportation optimization, and efficient movement of livestock products and services. 6 days  (30%) Tools for assessment and market assessment report.
• 3 Appraise the Livestock247 digital platform for the strength and gaps in addressing identified livestock market needs. 4 days, (20%)
• Appraisal tool, Report of the assessment and appraisal detailing opportunities to be explored and gaps that can be addressed.
• 4 Leveraging the market assessment and Livestock247 digital platform appraisal, develop a financial and investment model for the most promising option to deploy the Livestock247 digital platform in a way that is user friendly in the livestock industry. This would also involve recommendations on needed private and public sector partnerships on a commercially viable way, needed improvements in the content of the platform and deployment strategy/approach. 6 days.  (30%)
• Service package, business plan, platform business and financial model including a market engagement plan
• 5 Pitching the technology to business leaders and livestock market actors to foster strategic alliances and trigger investment decisions. 2 days  (100%)
• Stakeholders and market engagement reports.

TOTAL 

20 days (100%) 

Timeframe / Schedule:

• 20 days in 2 months (1st April 2024 – 31st May 2024  

The Consultant will report to:

·        The Consultant will report to the Deputy Chief of Party and Chief of Party.

The Consultant will work closely with:

·        The Consultant will work closely with the Senior Intervention Officer Transaction Advice, Intervention Officer Livestock and Deputy Chief of Party who will be providing oversight support functions throughout the duration of this assignment.

 Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• University graduate in Social Sciences, Information Technology, Agricultural, Economics, Law or any related field
• 10+ years of relevant or related work experience in Nigeria
• Work experience in donor-funded projects is strongly preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with institutional and private‐sector partners and stakeholders in Nigeria, preferably on government policy matters.
• Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural value chains and an understanding of the agribusiness enabling environment
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English is a top priority.
• Ability to work well in diverse teams but also able to work productively as an individual with minimum supervision.
• Strong analytical skills, well organized, creative thinker, innovative, demonstrated personal initiative, with unquestionable integrity and ethics.
• Ability to communicate in other Nigerian languages is a plus particularly Hausa.
• A relevant network of policy related influencers and decision makers in Nigeria.

Evaluation Criteria 

Evaluation Criteria  Score

• Professional experience in the field of investment revitalization in the agricultural sectors especially in the livestock value chains.  30%
• In-depth knowledge and relevant experience in developing business and financial models for businesses and establishments to meet market needs.  30%
• Experience using technology and digital platforms to bring efficiency into commercial processes. 30%

Relevant academic qualifications 10%

Total  100%