Consultant for a National Market Study about Fresh F&V

Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II – (FGPII) intends to launch a call for consultancies for a National Market Analysis for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in the framework of the project ENI/2020/419-04 - “Promoting the local economy in North East Bekaa” funded by the European Union, represented by the European Commission.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the JPII Project Manager the Consultant has to developed a Market Analysis on the domestic market for the fresh fruits and vegetables. The consultant will be responsible for describing the structure of the domestic market for fruits and vegetables and providing an in-depth analysis of the market opportunities for the agricultural cooperatives involved. The study report will guide the future national marketing strategy.

The study will focus on:

• Describing the structure of the F&V domestic market by focusing on the relations between producers and buyers
• Identifying the regional market potential for selected fruits and vegetables
• Elaborating an entry strategy for the national market after specifying the best entry points
• Analyzing main distribution chains, buyers and regional agro-food markets to understand product demand, seasonal demand trends and pricing system.
• SWOT or similar analysis of identified products and market opportunities
• Analyze the main local suppliers/competitors for prepacked product
• Determine the local market requirements in terms of packaging, distribution/logistics and quality control
• Define the impact/need of branded F&V product in the market
• Any relevant success stories and case studies to highlight approaches from other products/region/countries

The activities to be conducted are:

• Assess the F&V domestic market by interviewing around 250 buyers (Supermarkets, F&V retailers, retailers, distributers, middlemen, wholesalers and exporters) using a unified market survey
• Mapping and describing potential F&V national markets (supermarkets, F&V retailers, exporters, wholesalers etc) and potential points of opportunity or barriers to entry and growth
• Determine current market trends in terms of market demand, market supply, product gaps, pricing mechanisms and market determinants.
• Analyze the local market requirements and suggest required steps in terms of production and postharvest practices (Mainly packaging)
• Assess the potential marketable by-products for each value chain
• Suggest improvements to ensure direct linkages for the farmers with the major buyers (supermarkets, F&V retailers, distributers, middlemen, wholesalers and exporters) and increased incomes from their produces
• Propose innovative and possibly market accepted packing, packaging and marketing models that the producer organizations can adopt
• Provide recommendations to target beneficiaries on how to improve their sales and marketing activity
• Weekly coordination meetings with JPII to report on the market study
• Any other considerations as considered appropriate by the consultant and JPII team

The expected outputs include:

1. F&V national market analysis report complying with all the study objectives

2. 250 questionnaires elaborated by interviewing main F&V buyers

3. List of potential buyers ready to deal with farmers’ organizations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degrees/qualifications in economy, trading and marketing
• Minimum of five years’ experience in value chain study and market analysis
• Adequate knowledge of data collection methods (polls, focus groups, surveys etc)
• Experience in elaboration and achieving similar assessments
• Language of work: Arabic and English
• Excellent Arabic and English communication (oral and writing) skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking
• Dedicated and organized
• Availability of personal vehicle

Desirable

• Previous experience in fruits and vegetable market study
• Good knowledge of the social and economic Lebanese context
• Experience in dealing with F&V buyers
• knowledge of statistical packages (SPSS, SAS or similar), databases and MS Office

SELECTION CRITERIA

CVs will be pre-selected according to their coherence with the required below criteria:

1. Administrative compliance

• Documentation complete (CV, cover letter, methodology and work plan, etc.)
• Language of application as required
• Respect of deadlines

2. Technical criteria

• Degrees, and qualifications
• Years of experience related to the study
• knowledge of the national F&V market
• Statistical SW knowledge
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic

Selected candidates will be called for interviews. Interviews will take place in FGPII Foundation HQ, Rue Gouraud, 191 Gemmayzeh, Beirut office or on-line, if not possible due to COVID19 pandemic.

We thank all those who will send their application, but we inform that only candidates pre-selected for an interview will be contacted.

Note: for more information about the organization, please consult our webpage: www.fondazionegiovannipaolo.org