Job Description
Food Sector Consultant – Zambia: Terms of Reference
Background
MSP and TechnoServe are developing a guide or “toolkit” for the development of Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) Initiatives in emerging markets. This work is being conducted for the Center for Nutrition, which is part of USAID.
The toolkit is a set of steps, questions and analytical frameworks to conduct a food sector market assessment of a country and to identify primary opportunities to drive large scale food fortification with the private sector.
The toolkit builds on the broader experience of the food and development sectors with this type of work, as well as on TechnoServe’s own experience with similar projects, in particular the SAPFF project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A critical stage in the development of this toolkit is to pilot the tool in a select number of countries. The purpose of this piloting will be to a) validate the efficacy of the tool and use the lessons to strengthen it, and b) incorporate the output from this test as an element of the tool as a type of “case study” for replication by others. MSP together with USAID have decided that one of the pilot markets will be Zambia.
TechnoServe is looking for an experienced food industry professional to use the tools that have been developed to conduct a comprehensive market assessment of the Zambian food industry.
Project Activities
The consultant would conduct the following activities:
● Thoroughly review and understand the development “tool” materials, develop a list of questions where issues are unclear, and use the tool to inform a detailed workplan
● Develop a skeleton structure of the planned final output – a Powerpoint presentation analysis of Zambia’s food processing sector
● Work with TechnoServe, USAID and others to refine and focus the scope of the market assessment work – identify priority food vehicles and sub-sectors around which to focus.
● Leverage the tools to collate prior secondary research on the food sector market in Zambia, particular reports that focus on the relevant food vehicles and / or focus on nutritional and fortification dynamics in the market
● Leverage the tools to build a detailed research plan: identify list of processors, government official, pre-mix suppliers, and other food sector players in Zambia to interview, and develop interview guides and methodology for these interviews
● Conduct initial primary research with key stakeholders and comprehensively document insights and findings
● Develop an initial draft of the presentation with analysis, insights and opportunities identified. Use the first draft to identify data gaps and areas
requiring further investigation and use this input to inform development of a follow-up research plan
● Conduct follow-up interviews and additional primary research to address gaps
● Develop final presentation
● Iterate presentation based on feedback from MSP, TechnoServe and other members of project steering group
The deliverable from this project will be used to advance the food fortification agenda globally and has great importance to the sector. As such, while the consultant will be responsible for design and delivery of the research, they will be closely supported by
TechnoServe team members who will provide guidance and lessons from similar, prior research projects.
Project Parameters
The project will be 12 weeks in duration and will take place in Zambia.
We anticipate that the core of the project will occur over the first 7-8 weeks and the consultant will need to be 100% dedicated to the work during this time.
During the final 4-5 weeks, we anticipate there will be a need for multiple review cycles and the LOE can be reduced to 50%.
Professional Requirements
● Proven experience to synthesize complex analysis in MS Word and Powerpoint
● Proven analytical abilities and the ability to triangulate numbers from different sources to estimate key data points
● Experience conducting food sector market analyses for the private, public or development sectors
● Professional development or private sector experience in Southern or Eastern Africa. Relevant professional experience in Zambia desirable
● Ability to be based in Zambia for at least six weeks during the delivery of the study
● Prior experience with engaging the private sector on food fortification preferred
● Evidence of interest in economic and nutrition development themes and priorities
● Evidence of ability to work in teams and incorporate feedback into workplan and approach
About the Organization
Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.
To apply for this job please visit <a href="https://www.TechnoServe.org/resources/request-for-proposal-zambia-based-consultant-for-market-assessment-of-food-industry/” rel=”nofollow”>www.TechnoServe.org.
