Call for consultancies: Development of a comprehensive business model for establishing a quinoa value chain in Rehamna region, Morocco

Job Summary

This consultancy will be conducted within the IDRC funded project titled: “Scaling up quinoa value chain to improve food and nutritional security in poor rural communities of Morocco”. The proposed project will be implemented in Rehamna Province, where a significant number of farmers live under the poverty threshold and where a quinoa value chain already exists but is constrained by various factors. The project will analyze the existing quinoa value chain, develop a pro-poor business model and scale it up. It will introduce and disseminate quinoa cultivars with high tolerance to abiotic stresses and high productivity and yield stability, as well as promote appropriate crop production/management practices among smallholder quinoa growers.

Under the general supervision of the project's local coordinator in Morocco and the project leader the national Agro-economic consultant will help the project team to undertake research activities within IDRC funded project entitled: “Scaling up quinoa value chain to improve food and nutritional security in poor rural communities of Morocco”.  

Job Responsibilities

Working in support and under the guidance of the project leader and national coordinator, selected consultants will be required to:

  • Collaborate with other consultants on all tasks and project implementation issues.
  • Contribute to the preparation of the work plan for the implementation of the various activities of the project.
  • Contribute to the preparation of a methodology for research and identification of pilotes areas in order to undertake studies and surveys as well as help in activity planning.
  • Provide a social assessment of the food uses and habits in the targeted areas.
  • Study and evaluate the family food basket of local communities where the introduction of quinoa will be evaluated in comparison with the regional / national food basket.
  • Help in assessing the potential rate for quinoa adoption by conducting interviews with representative with the local small holder’s farmers.
  • Explore partnership opportunities between quinoa producers and food processing industry (couscous, pasta, ..).
  • Contribute to the preparation and delivery of training and workshops and assist in the production of training materials in Arabic language on harvesting, processing, valorization and different uses of quinoa.
  • Assist in the formulation of a project document for the promotion of quinoa crop in Morocco on a large scale for quinoa introduction, identification, management, use and processing in collaboration with the project team
  • Develop factual mission reports and a final report at the end of the mission.

Outputs and activities

Output 1: Gaps and weaknesses in the existing value chain identified and taken into account in the formulation of business model implementation plans  

Activity 1.1: Assess the existing value chain in Rehamna, in which the local quinoa association Chabab M’Khalif Bouchane participates, to identify gaps and weaknesses at all stages, including in production, extension services, provision of inputs, post-harvest processing and value addition, and marketing.

Activity.1.2: Develop a plan to address the identified gaps/weaknesses and enhance the existing value chain business model in Rehamna.

Output 2: Value chain actors identified and engaged

Activity 2.1: Establish linkages between local extension services and farmers participating in the pilot project. 

Activity.2.2: Establish new or engage existing women’s cooperatives that will be responsible for the processing of quinoa and/or production of quinoa-based food products.

Activity 2.3: Identify input suppliers who would be willing and capable of providing the necessary inputs (seeds, equipment, fertilizer, etc.).

Activity 2.4: Identify traders who would be willing to purchase the produce of smallholder farmers and womens’ cooperatives involved in the pilot phase.

Output 4: Demand for quinoa assessed and marketing and pricing strategy developed   

Activity 4.1: Analyze consumer demand for quinoa and quinoa-based products available in local markets (including consumer willingness to pay for different food attributes)

Activity 4.2: Analyze the competitiveness of quinoa and quinoa-based products vis-à-vis alternative foods in local markets,

Activity 4.3: Develop a marketing and pricing strategy for the quinoa-based food products on the basis of the aforementioned analyses.

Output 5: Develop a scaling up strategy for the business model

Output 6: Develop a training package on the value chain of Quinoa indicating gap and weaknesses and marketing of the Quinoa at national and international level

Activity 6.1: Develop appropriate training packages to build the necessary capacity along the quinoa value chain, including that of farmers (in production), extension workers (in provision of extension services to farmers), input suppliers (in provision of seeds and equipment), women’s cooperatives (in post-harvest processing and value addition) and traders (in marketing).

Output 7: contribute in the training sessions of the project

Qualifications and Experience

A prospective candidate should meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent), preferably in social and economic sciences with professional experience with at least seven years of practical work in social and qualitative studies and socio-economic assessments. Experience in the agricultural sector is needed.
  • Ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary group.
  • A working knowledge of French and English is essential
  • Previous experience with research institutions, United Nations agencies, NGOs or funding agencies in project development, appraisal and/or implementation would be an advantage;
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and the ability to produce professional Word and Excel documents;
  • Pass ICBA’s selection/screening.

Competencies

  • In-depth knowledge of the international agricultural research and development arena, with a focus on food/nutrition security, agriculture, livelihoods and/or resilience to climate change;
  • Ability to research, analyze and synthesize information related to complex development issues;
  • Familiarity with rural communities
  • Team player with the skills to coordinate field surveys;
  • Self-motivated and detail-oriented with the ability to work under pressure.

Application

Qualified candidates are requested to submit the following to HR Section: (hr@biosaline.org.ae):

  • Updated curriculum vitae
  • Samples of original writing
  • Proposed daily rate and minimum notice period before commencement of an assignment
  • Three references

The expressions of interest should be submitted with the subject line “Agro-economic consultant”.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo an assessment.

Post Date
20 فبراير 2018
Status
Closed
Vacancy Type
Consultancy
Closing Date
18 مارس 2018
Location
The consultancy services will be conducted in Morocco
Report To
Project leader (ICBA) and project national coordinator
Job Number
ICBADRI-INVDC-2018-001