Consultant to undertake an Agricultural Value Chain Analysis and Market study in Akkar or Bekaa

About the job 

DRC is an independent, non-profit organization devoted, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights to securing the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons, and to promoting long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement. Operating since 2004 in Lebanon, DRC is currently delivering programming in protection, shelter, direct assistance, livelihoods, and community development interventions. Concerning livelihoods, DRC has implemented myriad programmes focusing on employability, support to business creation and Cash for Work. DRC’s livelihoods strategy 18-20 includes developing innovative programmes in support to specific agricultural value chains through a local Economic Development approach, which is considered an important re-orientation of the country strategy to ensure relevance and future donor support, in an increasingly development-oriented context resulting from the protracted crisis. This would require to first identified key agricultural value chains that have potential to support local economic development in targeted localities and enhancing access to livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable population.  

The agricultural value chain analysis and market study would allow DRC to develop and establish a more accurate and relevant Livelihoods programme, focusing on local and sustainable economic development for displacement affected communities.  The study will target Akkar and/or Bekaa which has the highest market potential for small-scale farmers and highest potential to create jobs while ensuring a protective and sustainable environment, and will be published and disseminated widely to promote investment in innovative economic model that is sustainable, climate sensitive, inclusive and safe. 

Therefore, DRC is looking for an experienced consultant to conduct an agricultural value chain analysis and market study in Akkar or Bekaa for a total of 60 consultancy days. ​

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:​

Phase 1 – Rapid Market and socio-economic assessment: 

• What is the general market situation in the targeted area? 

• What are the main sources of income for the population per type of income (employment, daily workers, IGA, remittance, etc.), per socio-economic profile, per sectors type (B2B/B2C and formal/informal), per sector? 

• What is the unemployment situation in the targeted area? What are the different demographic profiles? (youth, women, elderly); 

• What sector, value chain and economic activities are best adapted for an intervention that would contribute to the objectives of the organisation? (i.e. access to income opportunities for vulnerable population, local and sustainable economic growth potential, other ethical consideration, etc.)

Phase 2 -  Value chains cluster Analysis 

• In identified value chain cluster, What are the different stakeholders in the pre-identified value chains (Stakeholder mapping) and assess their capacity in contributing to the development of the cluster? 

• What are the main gaps and barriers in each value chains? detail the constraints at each value chain step, and indicate appropriate actions to address each constraint/gap 

• What is the SWOT analysis and risk mapping of the Value Chain cluster? 

• What actions, policies and investments is needed to support the Value Chain cluster development?

The study will have 2 main source of data:  

• Secondary - Desk review (remote): the consultant will review existing resources to identify trends and macro-data to feed into the analysis; 

• Primary - Data collection (field): the consultant will use a mix of key informant interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys and market observations in order to answer the evaluation questions outlined above.

The consultant will also be responsible to support in the development of a proposal for a programme based on the findings of the phase 1 and 2 in support to identified value chains.​

Deliverables 

• A brief inception report (maximum 5 pages), which details the consultant’s understanding of the work and includes a concrete action plan for delivering the outputs. 

• A short findings brief report of the Phase 1 –market assessment that will validated to go to Phase II (maximum 5 pages). 

• A short findings brief report of Phase II – identification of businesses that will validate to go to Phase III (including a value chain mapping and SWOT analysis) (maximum 5 pages). 

• A first draft final report which clearly and concisely presents the findings and actionable recommendations of all three phases (maximum 20 pages). 

• A final report taking into account the feedback provided by DRC with the different tools and processes used for this study (maximum 20 pages). 

• A proposal document for a value chain support programme (maximum 20 pages) that includes a logical frame work, a budget and a workplan.​

About you 

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a post graduate degree in development, economics, business, marketing and/or related discipline. Moreover, we also expect the following:​

Required  

• An experienced consultant with demonstrable extensive experience in business development and market assessments; 

• Willingness to travel to field, conduct interviews and Focus Group Discussions and ability to work under challenging circumstances; 

• Ability to produce high quality analytical material in English. 

• Fluency in English is compulsory. Proficiency in Arabic is also essential, otherwise the consultant must hire a translator.  

Desirable 

• Knowledge of agricultural value chains highly advantageous; 

• Experience in developing proposal, developing logical frame work and budget highly advantageous​

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:   

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.   
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.   
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values. ​

We offer 

• Contract length: 60 Days 
• Level: Depending on the qualifications and years of experience (internal SOP)  
• Duty Station: Beirut/Bekaa/Akkar (Flexible)  
• Start date: October 2018​

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact dolene.khairallah@drclebanon.dk.​

Application process 

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button or go to www.drc.ngo under current vacancies. 

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email to Dolene Khairallah will not be considered.​

Closing date for applications: 22nd of October 2018 

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport. 

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.