Call for Global Gap implementation Consultant- Food System Challenge

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and company hosting, hence taking part in the economic revival of the country, participating in wealth and job creation, and retaining graduates and high-level skills in Lebanon.

The Food System Challenge supports businesses to solve core challenges of the food system in Lebanon, and more specifically in the sectors of dairy and meat production (cow, goat, sheep), cereals and pulses (and its by-products), protected horticulture (Classical green houses, hydroponics, and aquaponics), and domesticated edible herbs and plants.

The Food System Challenge is implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Berytech through support from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Throughout FSC’s previous and current cycles, the program supported over 40 SMEs to fortify the Lebanese food system to create a more sustainable ecosystem.

PLANT IT is a growing agricultural enterprise committed to producing high-quality vegetables using sustainable and innovative farming practices. As part of its scaling-up project, the company aims to achieve GLOBAL G.A.P. certification to enhance product quality, marketability, and compliance with international standards. PLANT IT seeks the services of a qualified consultant to guide the implementation of GLOBAL G.A.P. certification processes.

The objective of this consultancy is to support PLANT IT in achieving GLOBAL G.A.P. certification by:

1. Developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that comply with GLOBAL G.A.P. standards.
2. Training staff to adhere to best practices in sustainable and safe farming.
3. Preparing PLANT IT for the pre-certification and final audit.

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Assessment:
• Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of PLANT IT’s current operations against GLOBALG.A.P. requirements.
• Provide a detailed report outlining areas requiring improvement.

• SOP development:

1. Develop customized SOPs covering key GLOBALG.A.P. compliance areas such as traceability, food safety, worker health and safety, environmental protection, and waste management.
2. Ensure SOPs are practical, tailored to PLANT IT’s operations, and easily implementable.

• Training and capacity building:

1. Design and deliver training sessions for management and operational staff on GLOBALG.A.P. requirements and SOP implementation.
2. Provide hands-on coaching to ensure staff are confident in executing the new procedures.

• Implementation Support:

1. Assist in integrating GLOBAL G.A.P. requirements into day-to-day operations, including documentation, record-keeping, and compliance monitoring.
2. Guide the installation of any infrastructure or systems required for compliance.

• Audit preparation:

1. Conduct mock audits to assess readiness and identify areas for further refinement.
2. Support PLANT IT during the final certification audit by GLOBAL G.A.P. approved auditors.

The consultancy is expected to span 2 months, with specific on-site days to be agreed upon based on project milestones and progress.

1. A comprehensive gap analysis report with actionable recommendations.
2. A set of finalized, tailored SOPs aligned with GLOBALG.A.P. standards.
3. Training materials and records of all conducted training sessions.
4. A pre-certification readiness report, including results from mock audits.
5. Full support and documentation during the certification audit.

The selected consultant should have:

1. Proven expertise in implementing GLOBAL G.A.P. certification for agricultural enterprises.
2. Strong knowledge of sustainable farming practices, food safety standards, and environmental compliance.
3. Experience in developing SOPs and conducting staff training.
4. Familiarity with Lebanon’s agricultural sector is a plus.
5. Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.