Terms of Reference for National Consultant: Agribusiness

 THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – FRUGA /001/2011

Support to Agribusiness Mini-estates to Promote the Commercialisation Strategy of the Agricultural Sector in Uganda (TCP/UGA/3301)

Terms of Reference for National Consultant: Agribusiness

Background
The Government of Uganda has designed a National Development Plan (NDP: 2010/11 – 2014/15), which aims to promote growth, employment and prosperity through enhancement in productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector, among others. FAO, within its country support strategic framework - the National Medium Term Priority Framework (NMTFP) has identifi ed 5 key priority areas and strategies of focus to support the realization of the aspirations of the NDP. Included is the NMTPF Pillar No. 3: Value addition, Agroprocessing and Marketing, which focuses on agricultural commercialization.

The agricultural sector offers a lot of potential for contribution to food security, income generation and job creation, as well as export development and overall improvement of livelihoods for the majority of the population. In support of the government’s strategy to develop a competitive, market-oriented agricultural sector and encompassing agro-industrial development , FAO has made a fi nancial contribution of a total USD 495,000, through the project; Support to Agribusiness Mini-estates to promote the Commercialisation Strategy of the Agricultural Sector in Uganda, with piloting in Kibale district (TCP/UGA/3301)

The Project aims to support Uganda’s efforts in agricultural transformation to commercial, market oriented production, with special emphasis on integrating private-public partnerships. The project has an overall focus to enhance capacities to leverage investments in the private sector and support the development of successful implementation strategies under DSIP by pioneering and demonstrating the agribusiness mini-estate development concept aiming at enhanced market oriented production and value addition.

Furthermore, the project aims at contributing to institutional capacity building by supporting the development of a critical mass for scaling up, zone –based agricultural commercialisation and agribusiness development.

Purpose of the assignment:
A national consultant specialist in agribusiness development will be recruited to provide overall coordination of the establishment and operationalization of the agribusiness mini-estate. This is a short term assistance covering a total working period of 6 months spread over period March 2011 to 31 July 2012

Specific tasks:
Under the general supervision of FAO Representation in Uganda and the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Unit (LTU), and in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator (NPC), the TCDC and other institutional stakeholders involved in the project. The agribusiness specialist will be responsible for providing overall operationalization of project coordination for the pilot miniprocessing plant, and will carry out the following tasks:

i. In close collaboration with a team of national consultants and the TCDC, contribute to the preparation of the business plan and value addition strategy for the agro-processing pilot plant;

ii. Develop detailed work plans for the implementation of the agroprocessing pilot plant ;

iii. Facilitate the fi nalization of the implementation arrangements and the contractual arrangements by relevant key stakeholders in the selected value chain;

iv. Coordinate, with URDT, in the preparation of the different training materials and the technical training implementation related to the pilot project ;

v. Collaborate in the establishment of the management structure of the pilot processing plant including provision of technical support in the identifi cation of the private entity and establishing the operational frameworks for the pilot plant as required

vi. Oversee the implementation of the supply arrangements for the raw materials with the farmers/ farmer organizations;

vii. Lead in organizing the launching of the pilot plant operations ;

viii. Maintain updates and communication on the overall implementation progress with the FAOR,NPC, MAAIF, LTU and the FAO technical units; ix. Assist in the organization of the implementation review workshop in collaboration with FAOR, FAO AGS and SFE.

Scope of Work:
• Conduct consultations with key stakeholders in the project area, based on commodity value chain approach to capture additional information from FAO and other relevant stakeholders
for addressing the current development gaps and potential areas of intervention

• Conduct fi eld interviews and consultation with key informants (FAO staff; MAAIF; district LG; NGOs; farmer, trader, processor groups/associations; etc), to solicit their feedback on the priority areas of project intervention

• Identify and formulate project implementation structures, including the priority areas of intervention, priority enterprises and anticipated outputs including identifi cation of possible service providers.

• Review the draft detailed project implementation plan, including formulation of a logframe in line with FAO format.

• Review project document, including Log frame after discussions with key stakeholders before and during inception workshop.

• Finalize project document (revised version). After incorporating relevant comments of stakeholders during inception workshop.

Key Deliverables:
April - May 2011; Complete project document review, including log frame, project implementation plan, submitted in soft and hard copies

June 2011 July 2012; Guidance of the NPC on project implementation issues, QPIR and midterm implementation reports.

Duration and Location:
Short term assistance covering a total working period of 6 months spread over period March 2011 to 31 July 2012, on when actually employed contract basis. Location of consultant is Kampala/ Entebbe, with fi eld visits to Kibaale district/ project area.

Management Arrangements and Logistics:
The Assistant FAOR in charge of Programmes and the National Project Coordinator will provide strategic guidance to the Consultant in consultation with the Project Lead Technical Offi cer (LTO) and other participating FAO staff and implementing partners. The consultant’s main point of contact will be the National Project coordinator. The FAOR will make arrangements for the logistics needed in execution of the assignment and also assist the consultant in coordination, liaison with different FAO staff, local stakeholders, and overall organization and oversight of logistical arrangements for the assignment, in liaison with NPC/MAAIF.

Competence, Experience and Qualifi cation of consultant:
i) Consultant should have post graduate training in, Agribusiness, Agricultural economics, rural economy or related fi eld. At least three years experience participating in similar agricultural development projects with public and private sector organization. A track record in project design and management will be an added advantage.

ii) Experience in providing business development services, with good knowledge of value chain development within the small and medium scale enterprises with a bias in agribusiness and understanding of market dynamics in Uganda.

iii) Ability to act professionally and fl exibility to engage with government offi cials, private sector and farming communities, as well as traders and processors.

iv) Understanding of UN programmes and implementation arrangements will be an added advantage.

v) Good knowledge of computer soft wares: Ms Word, Excel, Access and Power point. Profi cient in English – both written and spoken.

Remuneration: The consultancy offers a competitive honorarium at standard UN rates*

Submission of Applications:
Interested candidates should submit their applications and CVs by email to: FAO-UG@fao.org or by post on P.O. Box 521 Kampala or hand delivered to FAO Offi ces on Plot 88 Buganda Road, Wandegeya. Applications should be addressed to the FAO Representative and the vacancy no. FRUGA /001/2011 should be quoted on the application and the envelope.

Deadline for submission: 24 January 2011
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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