Market Consultant

Job Description

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) was engaged by the Partnership initiative for Sustainable (PISLM) through a letter of Agreement towards the implementation of a project titled "Sustainable Land Management in the Commonwealth of Dominica: Strengthening Resilience of Agricultural Lands and Forests in Dominica". The objective of the project is to increase the number of farmers utilizing Sustainable Land Management (SLM) mechanisms in agriculture, improved production quality leading to farm certification and improved market accessibility. This project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme and executed by PISLM. The project activities will be concentrated in five parishes – St. David, St. Patrick, St. Paul, St. Joseph and St. George. Within the five parishes, at least 30 farms (covering at least 2,000 ha) located in 12 communities will be selected. The project will support on the ground pilot SLM measures and capacity building related to agricultural production. In addition, other farms within the five parishes will benefit from capacity building in the form of site visits to demonstration farms to learn about potential SLM measures.

The call for the Expression of Interest is specific towards the achievement of Output 5, which is to establish the Technical and Market-based mechanisms to support sustainable agriculture. The key actions include identifying and prioritizing the most critical value chains in targeted areas and conducting of a market analysis for the selected chains that will contribute significantly to increasing opportunities for viability of farms within the project sites.

Deliverables to be achieved by the Consultant

• Report identifying the priority value chains to be selected and the methodology involved in selecting the value chains; the outcome of discussions with stakeholders, analysis and investigation
• Report on the market analysis for the selected value chains; inclusive of methodology, findings, meetings, stakeholders engaged, linkages

Project Coordination

The Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture (IICA) through a Letter of Agreement (LoA) has been assigned responsibility for implementation of the actions outlined in Annex 1 which will be coordinated by the IICA Delegation in Dominica. The LoA for this project component makes provisions for the hiring of Short-term Consultants within the active period (September 2020 to June 2021).

Responsibility

A qualified and experienced consultant is being sought to undertake the market analysis assignment as outlined below:

Output: Technical and Market-based mechanisms are in place to support sustainable agriculture:

• Phase 1
  • In collaboration with critical stakeholders (Ministry of Blue & Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security; DEXIA; DHTA etc.), the service provider through evidence-based approaches will identify and prioritize the most critical value chains to focus on. The criteria to determine this may consider, but not be limited to:
    • Economic importance (e.g. contribution to GDP or to sector’s output)
    • Number and types (sex and age-disaggregated, people with disability (PWD), indigenous groups, migrants) of persons engaged (employed/business owner, formal/informal) in the sector at each stage
    • Significant research and investment already planned/initiated
    • Most exposed to hazard or climate change impact
    • Livelihoods that can be rapidly restored post-disaster
    • Emerging value e.g. nutraceuticals
    • Existing/growing demand and existing/potential for product and income diversification and job creation
    • Contribution to traditional/cultural practices, social cohesion
• Phase 2
  • Conduct a market analysis for the selected chain that will contribute significantly to increasing opportunities for viability of farms within the project site. The analysis will reveal detailed insights and recommendations around the following but not limited to:
    • Demand for specific commodities and its various forms and will therefore backward link to production and the types of production activities and methodologies and approaches to be used in the production process
    • Data and information on opportunities with respect to market channels – local (fresh, processed markets) as well as export. This will also assess changes with respect to markets pre and post Hurricane Maria
    • Current price points wholesale, retail, value-added, niche (organically produced), export
    • Assessment of the current marketing arrangements and a determination of new or different forms of market channels such as; farmers’ markets or improvements to existing marketing mechanisms and infrastructure; and e-commerce and other nontraditional markets opportunities
    • Assessment of current regulations, legislations or restrictions with respect to packaging, labeling, sale and marketing of agricultural produce and requirements to enter new regional or extra-regional markets
    • Consumer insight with respect to:
      • Consumer perception of commodities currently produced
      • Current consumer needs as well as opportunities and gaps
      • Consumer socio demographics
      • consumer trends nationally, regionally and internationally

Experience and Qualifications

• The Consultant should be an individual with the appropriate qualifications and experience in the field of marketing and possess a master’s degree preferably in Business Administration, Marketing, Agribusiness Development or any related area.
• An understanding of gender equality and gender equity.
• Having qualifications or experience in rural development or a similar field would be an asset.
• 5 years of relevant experience in Marketing, preferably in both advisory and in field management positions.
• Previously undertaken market study work related to agriculture commodities.
• Working knowledge of the Caribbean agribusiness environment.
• Evidence of knowledge and familiarity of international and regional trade agreement in agricultural commodities.
• Good inter-personal and analytical skills.
• Excellent report writing.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge and experiences using virtual platforms.

Benefits and Others

CVs for experts other than the key experts should be submitted in the tender. The Consultant shall state clearly the undertaking expected of the other experts.

Cost for backstopping and support staff, as needed, are included in the financial offer of the tenderer. 

Method of Application

Specific Requirement/Information

• Proposals must be written in Standard English
• The Proposal should provide the following information:
  • A description of the individual's experience on comparable assignments
  • At least two client references, with information regarding similar services must be provided along with contact information (name, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses)
  • Recent CV of the individual
  • A detailed description of the proposed methodology
  • Costs associated with the assignment; these costs should be broken down by activity
• The following contact information must be provided:
  • Legal Name of Individual(s)
  • Full Address
  • Telephone and Fax numbers
  • Email Address
• IICA will be the Contracting Party
  IICA's policy requires that vendors provide professional, objective, impartial advice and always, hold IICA's interest paramount without any consideration for future work, and strictly avoid conflicts with other assignments or their own corporate interests. Vendors shall not be hired for any assignment that would conflict with their prior or current position of not being able to carry out the assignment in the best interest of IICA.
• The application should be submitted by e-mail to the address under the subject caption:
  Application: PISLM Project