Consultancy – Participatory market and value chain analysis : Nutrition Action Zimbabwe

Job Summary

1. Introduction and Background

Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) is implementing a project titled, “Strengthening the Indigenous poultry value chain for diversified livelihoods and improved household income in Chiredzi and Mwenezi district” in partnership with Action Against Hunger. The project seeks to build on already established poultry activities which were initiated through the former BHA-funded project with the aim of strengthening the Indigenous chicken value chain.

The project aims to achieve the following goals:

Global Objective 1: Strengthening the managerial and organizational capacities of the farmers in Chiredzi and Mwenezi to improve access and availability to production and veterinary services, as well as better accessing and securing markets

Global Objective 2: Stabilizing production of other, less entrepreneurial, farmers by strengthening the availability of feeds, proper housing and care, and access to veterinary services.

Global Objective 3: Training individuals as para-vet to be able to offer veterinary services to poultry farmers.

Global Objective 4: Connect with private sector players to facilitate engagement and linkages between them and poultry clusters and individual poultry lead farmers.

The project is leveraging 50 Lead farmers to cascade extension messages on poultry production and business management to farmer group clusters. Emphasis is being made on reliable feed input supply and production of drought-tolerant small grains to facilitate the production of local feed, employing climate-smart principles. In addition, access to veterinary services, drugs, and good care practices is being improved through the Para vet model whereby 18 para-vets have been trained and equipped with veterinary kits which will be replenished using the poultry cooperatives revolving funds. The project has also facilitated 1 Innovation platform to assist the poultry cooperatives in identifying and assessing potential markets and establishing effective linkages with inputs suppliers, microfinance institutions, and off-takers. The project is also supporting chick production through the provision of solar-powered incubators to farmer group clusters.

In 2022 the project conducted an assessment on production poultry production capacities and gaps. The findings of the assessment highlighted a high dependence of the targeted rural households on local markets for inputs, services, selling their produce, and food purchases. Given the prominent role of markets in this context, a key premise of this project is that improvements in longer-term food access and resilience through activities that seek to strengthen household productive assets, enhance livelihood opportunities, and provide training on key skills be informed by a robust understanding of market dynamics to ultimately ensure the poultry livelihood activities promoted can appropriately respond to existing market demand.

Duties And Responsibilities

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to carry out a participatory market and value chain analysis on agricultural and non-agricultural commodities and services which support the Indigenous poultry value chain Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts to provide evidence-based information for program design. The participatory market and value chain analysis will shed light on the status and viability of existing and potential markets and determine which holds the promise of product expansion, market viability, value addition opportunities, quality improvement, and input availability to poultry producers.

The specific objectives are:

(1) Review existing value chain analyses and market assessments of agricultural and non-agricultural products, markets, and services which support the Indigenous poultry value chain
(2) Draft an appropriate methodology for primary data collection and develop data collection tools (e.g., market survey, interviews with market actors, key informant interviews) that will be used to conduct the participatory market and value chain analysis. The methodology should specifically consult, and identify opportunities for, women, youth, and teenagers (male and female).
(3) Plan and conduct a Participatory market and value chain analysis focusing on:
– identification of major local, regional, and, if applicable, distant markets
– assessment of the size of markets, the volume of sales, market integration/segmentation
– local market structure and enabling environment (e.g., security issues or policies affecting market access)
– market actors (consumers, sellers, traders, middlemen, employers) behavior
– procurement mechanisms, market requirements (standards, conditions for delivery) and prices, wage rates, and employment conditions
– Other areas as identified by the methodology and data collection
(4) Draft a Participatory market and value chain analysis report, which includes an executive summary and practical recommendations that can be used to inform future food security and livelihood interventions and ensure viability, appropriateness, and ultimately sustainability.

3. Process & Deliverables

Phase 1: Plan of Action

Based on this TOR the consultant will draw up a Plan of Action (3-5 pages). The Plan of Action will be sent to the FSL Manager/HOD by the end of the first week of the assignment. The Plan of Action will include the proposed approach of the candidate, methodology, a broad time frame, and budget. It will also explain how the involvement of district and ward-level stakeholders and project clients will be ensured.

Phase 2: Desk Review
Based on the desk review a revised Plan of Action will be presented. This plan of action includes an inception report presenting the initial results, information gaps, and the proposed approach to fill these information gaps.

Phase 3: Fieldwork and Draft report

The consultant with support from NAZ and IPs will carry out data collection in project areas of implementation-Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts. The consultant will be expected to utilize participatory methods of data collection such as (but not limited to the following) focus group discussions and key informant interviews targeting poultry cooperative groups, market actors, and stakeholders in the project areas of implementation.

A draft report covering the key findings and results should be submitted to NAZ staff and IPs, and other relevant stakeholders. Preliminary findings will be disseminated and validated through validation workshops/engagements. Feedback on the draft report will be incorporated into the final version of the report. The report should at least address the following:
• Identification of sustainable development potentials in the indigenous poultry value chain
• Areas of improvement for better productivity to increase the competitiveness of the small producers engaged in the Indigenous poultry value chain
• Prepare a complete value chain map showing who is the chain actors, stakeholders, supporters, and influencers, how many they are, values and volumes handled, and all units disaggregated by gender including a detailed stakeholders analysis
• Identification of value chain actors’ expectations and requirements to improve the chances of sustainable market linkages being established between the poultry producers and market actors
• Identification of possible improvements that can lead to significant increases in employment and income for the poultry producers
• Provision of analysis of potential risks that may hamper reaching goals for the Indigenous poultry value chain.
• Recommendations on how the project shall pursue its interventions in the face of findings on the ground.

Phase 4: Dissemination of final report

The final market and value chain analysis report will be circulated to key stakeholders as identified by NAZ and Implementing partners.

4. Reporting

The final report submitted to NAZ will include separate recommendations and an implementation plan, in a separate 2 to 3 pages document, which outlines where NAZ can contribute based on the project activities to alleviate the bottlenecks identified in the value chain analysis within the time span of the project by 28 February 2023. The consultant will work closely and in coordination with NAZ FSL sector and MEAL team, specifically the FSL Managers and MEAL technical team.

5. Breakdown of Activities, Days, and Dates
   To be shared with the successful consultant
6. Ownership and Beneficiaries of the study

The ownership of the draft and final documentation belongs to the consortium (NAZ and Partners) and the funding donor exclusively. The document, or publication related to it, will not be shared with anybody except NAZ before the delivery by NAZ of the final document to the donor. The publication may be used for any purpose whatsoever without the need to consult with the author.

The key beneficiaries of the study are the local communities within the project area, as the study will support them in understanding the local market dynamics and support those interested in the value chain of their agriculture and non-agriculture products. In addition, the assessment report will be aimed at a range of stakeholders such as donors, public policymakers, and other stakeholders including other NGOs operating in the Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts. The findings of this study will also be used to raise the awareness level of the policymakers at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels and propose alternative mechanisms for small producers for better livelihood options.

7. Safeguarding
   Safeguarding is a priority in all NAZ programming and operations (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, and Protection from modern slavery and trafficking in persons). NAZ and its implementing partners are committed to ensuring every person who works for or comes into contact with NAZ is treated with dignity and respect and feels that they are in a safe and supportive environment. NAZ ensures the integration of Safeguarding standards in NAZ relations with communities, partners, and suppliers. The consultant shall therefore adhere to the set of measures that NAZ is committed to putting in place to protect the people we come into contact with during the course of NAZ activities and presence in the communities where we work.

Qualifications And Experience

8. Experience and qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as agriculture economics, business administration, public administration, and agriculture policy.
  • At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in value chain development and market access related, and/or analysis/research of agribusiness and/or socio-economic development projects. Specifically, Poultry Value chains.
  • Practical experience supporting the development of farmers’ and farmers’ enterprises.
  • Demonstrated capacity to work with private sector players (financial institutions, exporters, buyers, traders, transporters, input suppliers, or processors)
  • An understanding of climate-smart agriculture principles is preferred.
  • Proven experience in agro-economic research analysis, value chain analysis, management, and implementation of agricultural and rural development projects
  • on research initiatives related to water, sanitation, hygiene, Food security, and livelihoods.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to use different research tools for participatory value chain analysis.
  • Contributions to written academic output, preferably peer-reviewed.
  • Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team to meet research deadlines.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
  • Experience working in remote areas with research partnerships.
  • Fluency in Shona and English. Knowledge of Tshangani languages is desirable

8.2 Desirable

• Ability to manage and perform with limited timelines and resources and meet tight deadlines
  • Prior experience in Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts or knowledge of the context preferred
  • At least three references for previous similar assignments undertaken.