WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to applyWFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.
VACANCY DETAILSJob Title: SSA Consultant- Value Chain Analysis and Market AssessmentGrade: Level 9Type of Contract: Special Services Agreement (SSA)Duration: 5 Months Reporting To: Head of Climate Change & Resilience Unit Duty Station: Nagaon, AssamDate of Publication: 14 June 2024Deadline of Application: 28 June 2024
TERMS AND CONDITIONSThis vacancy is open to Indian National only.This vacancy is open to internal and external candidates.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A Written test will be used for Screening Candidates.
Only recommended candidates will be retained on roaster for a period of two years and may be considered for similar positions from roaster.The salary for this position is INR 2,10,903/- per month and medical benefits as per WFPs plan. All tax liability for payments from this contract are to be borne by the subscriber.
OBJECTIVEThe overall objective of the expert will be to conduct a comprehensive market assessment and climate and gender-sensitive value chain analysis for Nagaon district in Assam. The analysis would assess the status and economic viability of value chains of existing and potential livelihoods options to determine which value chain provides climate-resilient livelihood opportunities, product expansion, market viability, value addition potential, quality improvement and input availability to the producers. The analysis should assess the present market conditions in terms of size, demand and supply gaps, price, imports and exports, and distribution networks in addition to making observations on the distinct roles of men and women in the value chains. This would help the project in prioritizing interventions related to business development and extension, as important links along the value chain, for promoting production and marketing of niche products throughout the project duration. The analysis must use a gender lens and focus on sustainable and climate adaptive practices for the value chain to mitigate the climate uncertainties and ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities for producers particularly women farmers/SHGs/Collectives/PGs/FPOs.Based on the findings, the consultant/agency will also support the development of the identified climate-resilient livelihoods options through value addition and by exploring market linkage opportunities for farming communities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Value Chain Analysis (VCA) via the Rapid Market Assessment Approach (RMA):

• Develop the concept, methodological framework, and tools necessary to conduct a comprehensive market assessment and gender-sensitive value chain analysis, and support India CO team in conducting such assessment and analysis for Nagaon, Assam, India.
• Mapping and characterisation: Identify and analyse the existing and potential commodities for value chain development and conduct in-depth study 4 key value chains covering economically viable chains like crops/livestock/diary/horticulture/sericulture/apiculture/food processing/handloom having high potential for growth, strong female participation, profitability, and livelihood opportunities for the local stakeholders in the project. This would cover:
  • How the targeted value chains are structured (i.e., activities, actors, marketing channels and enabling environment), how they are working (i.e., identify constraints: symptoms & root causes); and how they can be improved (i.e., identify opportunities & leverage points for potential interventions and partnerships to best address key bottlenecks)
  • Assess how climate change (risks), regulatory frameworks (policies, rules, and regulations and key driving factors in the enabling environment (e.g. Sociological-cultural context, economic and political factors) affect the targeted value chains (e.g., agricultural input supply, market access, value chain services, etc.)
  • Contribute to the identification of aggregation systems in place and potential interventions with them as key partners to address some of the inefficiencies identified along the value chains of interest, which can include acting as link between Procurement and Programme and strengthening farmers groups (i.e., structure and capacity gaps);
  • Identify post harvest management, storage, transportation and quality management
  • Assess the logistic infrastructure (e.g. roads, storage, markets), services (e.g. transportation, energy, training, irrigation) and information (e.g. on farming, market, climate).
• Develop and finalize the value chain development strategy and market assessment report and recommend value chains that provide climate-resilient livelihood opportunities, product expansion, market viability, value addition opportunities, quality improvement, input availability to the producers and women empowerment.
• Create a robust system to generate effective market linkages between farmer groups and local market actors (i.e., support smallholder access to markets)
• The assessment will also cover both constraints to competitiveness, as well as strengths and opportunities of selected value chains, and other enabling factors that could be strengthened in order to develop strong linkages between farmers and market actors.
• Support identification of partners including private enterprises, community-based organizations and NGOs working on value chain and market development interventions.
• Propose a robust strategy for tapping the potential of existing value chains and developing new competitive value chains of economically viable products for enhancing benefits to the local communities and maximizing overall economic, environmental and social returns, along with specific interventions.

Develop operational guidelines to strengthen market linkages (local, national and international) through concerted value chain and market analysis/review of producer and marketing organizations.
Project Timelines and DurationThe assignment initiation is expected to be in July 2024 and the project duration will be 6 months. The proposed activities and timeline are shared below

Proposed Activities

Month


1

2

3

4

5


Assignment initiation and inception meeting


Inception report (with details of methodology, tools, team structure, work plan, etc.)


Secondary research


Multi-stakeholder meeting for prioritization of value chains


Field data collection


Validation meeting with state stakeholders


Draft report and presentation of findings to WFP


Final value chain and market assessment report incorporating feedback from WFP and local project stakeholders

DeliverablesThe selected agency/consultant is expected to closely engage with WFP team and keep them updated via fortnightly emails and meetings (as required). Key deliverables for the assignment include:

• Inception report with study design, detailed methodology and tools

• Secondary research key findings (powerpoint presentation)

• Report on state consultations and field work (powerpoint presentation)

• Draft and final Value chain reports (4 VCA) - one report per commodity. The outline for the report will be as mentioned below.

• Executive summary
• Background - project background, need for the study etc.
• Study design - methodology, tools, etc.
• Value chain analysis findings (actors, activities, enabling factors, price transmissions, market assessments, challenges including climatic and non-climatic stressors and opportunities)
• Value chain development strategies (from inputs to markets)
• Recommendations - Intervention areas and strategies including a detailed cost benefit analysis with recommendations that clearly show at which stage(s) the project should intervene and the potential incremental profits/incomes that our intervention can generate
• Annexures - The selected agency/consultant is expected to include in each report a user-friendly simple guide for Community Resource Persons that clearly shows for each studied value chain where and how they should intervene

• Power point presentation for detailing all the value chain analyses and their development strategies.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION

• Advanced University degree in Agriculture Economics, Agribusiness development, Agronomy, Rural Development and Livelihoods, Economics, Agriculture Finance, or other related fields.

EXPERIENCE At least 8-10 years of demonstrated progressively responsible work experience on undertaking value-chain analysis and value chain development for agriculture/horticulture/livestock/ or other allied sectors in India. Proven experience in planning and conducting Market Assessment and Value Chain Analysis including capability to facilitate collection of primary data efficiently from the ground in the desired area and report writing. Significant body of research and demonstrated experience of conducting trainings for range of stakeholders and development of guidelines keeping the climate resilience and market options available for vulnerable communities at the centre. Good understanding/experience of working in North-East Indian landscape is an added advantage.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of agriculture and other related value chains and how they are impacted by the climate variabilities and in turn its impact on peoples food security and interventions to address these challenges;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities, with ability to synthesise and produce a range of well-communicated information products as requested in the ToR;
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills, ability to work in a team and to communicate clearly and diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds;
• Proactive, independent, with ability to plan and organize their work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Proficiency in Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other related software.

LANGUAGE

• Fluent in English; Knowledge of Assamese is a bonus.

WFP COMMON STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR: This is a Leading Through Others - Level 2 role and following behaviours are expected:

• Leads by Example with Integrity
• Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments
• Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork
• Applies Strategic Thinking
• Builds & Maintain Sustainable Partnerships

HOW TO APPLYTo be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
ABOUT WFPThe United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXTThe World Food Programme (WFP) in India, through its Country Strategic Plan (CSP 2023-2027), is supporting the Government of Indias efforts in achieving SDG2, the sustainable food and nutrition security for all. The Strategic Outcome 4 (SO4) of the WFP India CSP is working towards strengthening the national adaptive capacity for climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems through demonstration of impact by supporting implementation of projects on ground and advocacy at the national and state/provincial level. The Strategic Outcome 3 (SO3) provides technical assistance to Government to enhance the social and financial mobility of women in self-help groups (SHGs), empowering them with skills to be able to benefit from diversified livelihoods. SO3 works with other SOs to strengthen implementation of gender-transformative approaches towards sustainable food security.WFP has initiated a project in Assam in 2024 to enhance the adaptive capacities of smallholder farmers, especially women farmers, against the impact of climate change and associated losses through promotion of adaptive farming practices and diversification and expansion of livelihoods. More specifically, the project aims to:

• Enhance institutional capacities to leverage climate services and promote evidence-based innovative solutions and technologies to support sustainable farming practices and diversified rural livelihoods.

• Support the State government to build adaptive capacities of vulnerable smallholder farmers, with a special focus on women farmers.

As a part of the project, WFP is seeking to hire a consultant for conducting Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment in the project area Nagaon, Assam. The consultant/agency will specifically consider the differentiated needs and priorities of women and men and will prioritise support to those climate-resilient and gender-sensitive value chains that will be of particular benefit to women farmers groups. WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFPs standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.