Poultry Value Chain Consultancy

	Vacancy Announcement No: FAO/012/2014
Issued on:  09th April 2014
Deadline For Application: 25th April 2014
Position Title:		Poultry Value Chain Consultancy	Grade Level:
CONTRACT TYPE:		Service Contract	Duty Station:	Nairobi – with travel to Kitui & Makueni
Organizational Unit:		FAO-Kenya	Duration:	3 Months (35 Working Days)
Eligible Candidates:		KENYA NATIONALS	Anticipated start date:	12th May 2014

The “Improved Global Governance for Hunger Reduction” Programme is an initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It seeks to concretely improve the way in which the global community works together to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. CoOPequity is as a component of the FAO/EU Program that supports governments in their efforts to implement policies and measures to encourage the development of performing and economically viable producers’ organizations by integrating principles of gender equity and good governance. To that end, CoOPequity operates through an integrated approach based on three level action strategies namely:

1.        Improving the enabling policy and legal framework for the development of innovative, efficient and equitable Producer Organizations (POs) and cooperatives alongside the improved indigenous chicken value chain in Kenya;

2.        Strengthening organizational capacities of POs alongside the improved indigenous chicken value chain in Kenya, including by facilitating participatory analysis of the performance, governance and equity within this value chain, and supporting organizational change;

3.        Strengthening women and men PO members to increase their benefits from improved indigenous chicken production and to enable them to participate and influence the decisions taken within their organization and more broadly in rural institutions.

In order to address the issues related to the above, the CoOPequity project in Kenya is recruiting consultants to undertake a stock-taking exercise. The recruited consultants will be under the overall supervision and guidance of the FAO Representative in Kenya, and direct supervision of the Head of Unit Gender and Human Rights.  Below are the tasks to be performed by the incumbent:  

Task 1: Stocktaking of the enabling environment related to the improved indigenous chicken value chain

       i.               A desk review of the existing policy, legal and regulatory frameworks as well as the business environment for value chains for improved indigenous chicken production at the national level as well as at local government level in the target counties of Kitui and Makueni. This review will also include a description of existing Government incentives and support like training, infrastructure development and other relevant elements related to making a conducive institutional environment for this value chain.

The review will also include a brief description of potentially competing commercial production systems and value chains.

     ii.               An inventory of key policy-makers, line ministry officials, local government officials and other relevant actors in the improved indigenous chicken chain in Kitui and Makueni counties. Interviews with these persons to document their views and suggestions regarding opportunities and approaches for developing the improved indigenous chicken value chain development in Kenya and specifically in the two target counties to point out gaps and opportunities as well as good practices at both national and county levels.

Task 2: Mapping the improved indigenous chicken value chain and its actors

       i.              An assessment and description of the characteristics of the indigenous chicken production system in the two target counties including flock characteristics, supply of inputs, feed resources, replacement birds and type of products marketed (birds for slaughter, eggs). This assessment should also identify constraints that may need to be addressed either through individual or cooperative action.

     ii.              An inventory and general mapping of all stakeholders in the improved indigenous chicken value chain in Kitui and Makueni counties. The mapping will describe the characteristics and activities of the different actors, their structure relationships and the coordination mechanisms that exist among the value chain actors.

    iii.              Identify and map out existing participation platforms of actors in the improved indigenous chicken value chain both at county and national levels. Review the strengths and weaknesses of these platforms, point out how they function and how and if they are used to influence policy in the country to ensure an inclusive, effective improved indigenous chicken value chain in Kenya.

Task 3: Gender sensitive analysis of the improved indigenous chicken value chain

i.           A gender-sensitive analysis of the improved indigenous chicken value chain with the purpose to identify drivers and constraints for participation of women and youth in the value chain development.

ii.          Identification and description of existing relevant initiatives aimed at strengthening the participation of women and youth in the improved indigenous chicken value chain in Kitui and Makueni counties and of opportunities for increased employment of women and youth along the improved indigenous chicken value chain,.

Task 4: Mapping improved indigenous chicken value chain production, market and potentials

       i.              A brief market assessment for poultry meat and eggs to identify local, national and regional trends, market size, supply and demand gaps, distribution network infrastructure etc. and growth prospects for the improved indigenous chicken value chains in Kitui and Makueni counties.

     ii.              Quantification of the production from the improved indigenous chicken value chains in Kitui and Makueni counties and of the number of actors involved. This will include an assessment of key elements like: size, scale and characteristics of the main actors, their production volume, and number of existing jobs for women and youth..

    iii.              Identification of key quantitative and qualitative indicators of production in the improved indigenous chicken value chain in Kitui and Makueni counties (types of products, seasonality of production, cost and margins for different products and production systems, value addition and productivity at each stage if applicable for different products).

    iv.              Assessment of the production efficiency in the improved indigenous chicken value chain, the technical and operational knowledge of the different actors and needs for improvement.

     v.              Assessment of the competitiveness of the improved indigenous chicken value chain and influencing factors including its impact on economic and social development and potential for innovation and scalability. This assessment should also highlight the influence of the different actors and stages of the value chain on the level of competitiveness.

Task 6: Workshops

       i.              Supporting the organization of a workshop with key actors and stakeholders within the improved indigenous chicken value chain, policymakers and presenting the findings of the mapping exercise for discussion, feedback and agreement.

     ii.              Holding a validation workshop with key actors to be used for the development of a participatory action plan for the strengthening of the improved indigenous chicken value chain.

    iii.               

Time period

The assignment is for a period of 35 working days spread within 3 months

Key Deliverables

       i.              Writing and oral presentation of an inception report in English that will include:

·            A summary from the desk review of Task 1and a field visit plan.

·            Description and justification of methodologies for the proposed field assessments.

·            Proposed list of the key informant interviews.

·            Key implementation challenges and risks

·            Implementation work plan and time table.

     ii.              A presentation for the stakeholders’ workshops with the main findings of the study.

    iii.              A final report in English that will give detailed information about the topics specified in the Tasks 1 to Tasks 4.

Key qualifications of the service provider

The selected service provider will be a team of consultants comprised of the Lead consultant and Associate consultant.  The Lead consultant must have a track record of at least 3 years experience in Value Chain Diagnostics (Value Chain Specialists) either in Kenya, or in the East African Region or in countries and 7 years experience in research work in either Gender Analysis, Agriculture and/or food security. Other required areas of expertise include:

·         At least a Master’s level degree in Agriculture related disciplines (priority for poultry) or social sciences with bias towards livestock. 

·         Business advisory services particularly in the area of market analysis; capacity building and social entrepreneurship.

·         Working experience in rural and informal markets in the East Africa region is essential.

·         Skills in Gender analysis and mainstreaming and work around youth are essential - Hands on experience in using socio-economic gender analysis is preferred.

·         Experience in using participatory tools in data collection is also required

TO APPLY:

               

Candidates are requested to submit a covering letter quoting the Position Title and Vacancy Announcement No. FAO/012/2014 along with their current/detailed Curriculum Vitae to the following email; Vacancy-Kenya@fao.org

The subject line of the e-mail message should read CONFIDENTIAL – FAO/012/2014.

If making a hard copy submission, the envelope should be clearly marked CONFIDENTIAL – FAO/012/2014 and sent to the following address:

FAO-Kenya

United Nations Office at Nairobi

UN Complex, Gigiri

P.O. Box 30470-00100

Nairobi, Kenya.

Applications must be received by the deadline.  Late applications will not be considered.

Only short listed candidates meeting all essential qualifications will be contacted.