Livelihood Consultant

Assignment Objectives

The overall objective of this assignment is to carry out a Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment of multiple business in niche market related to Agriculture and urban area of Anbar district Ana & Faluja (mix five VC) – Taking into consideration other potential business not listed here that might be relevant) – grown in the Anbar governorate to inform future planning for further value chain development. In particular, the Value Chain Analysis and Market Assessment should shed light on the status and viability of existing and potential markets for the business in question and determine which hold promise of product expansion, market viability, value addition opportunities, quality improvement, and input availability to SMEs.

The specific objectives are:

• Plan and conduct a Market Assessment and Value Chain Analysis focusing on:
• Identification of major local, regional and, if applicable and international, if applicable, and local and international market actors (consumers, sellers, traders, middlemen, etc.)
• Assessment of size of markets, volumes of sale, market integration/segmentation
• Identification of weakest linkages and bottlenecks in the supply chains and of opportunities to make it more productive (e.g. through improved flow of knowledge)
• Identification of the enabling environment and improved ecosystems incl. mapping of relevant local stakeholders (governments institutions, service providers) and their roles in activating and enhancing investments for the SMEs in question
• Local market structure and key risks/barriers in the enabling environment (e.g. Gender concerns, security issues or policies affecting market access)
• Procurement mechanisms, market requirements (quality and other standards, conditions for delivery) and prices
• Identification of existing service delivery actors active in identified value chains, and other potential crops if relevant
• Identification of specific opportunities for women and youth to be involved in these value chains
• Identification of local businesses (processors, manufacturers) relevant for producers to connect with and what they can offer to the SMEs.
• Identification of possible new links that can be created and existing links that can be improved
• Analysis of the supporting functions that are required to make the value chain work, including both existing and missing support functions (e.g. infrastructure, information, related services)
• Write a Market Assessment and Value Chain Analysis report, which includes an executive summary and practical recommendations that can be used to inform the development of viable, sustainable, and locally appropriate strategies aimed at creating viable Agricultural or Urban trade value chains as viable in local market. The set of recommendations should include actions, partnerships, and investments that are necessary to ensure the sustainable SMEs.
• The proposal should include an appropriate methodology for primary data collection and data collection tools (e.g. market survey, interviews with market actors, key informant interviews) that will be used to conduct the Market Assessment and Value Chain Analysis.

Deliverables

1. Plan of action containing the framework of proposed assignment, methods of analysis, and data acquisition (including additional studies and surveys), a work plan and a timeline.
2. Draft report to incorporate and reflect feedback from Program Livelihoods officer on Final report.

• The Value Chain Analysis report should include at least:
• Executive summary • Background • Methodology and documentation of the process
• Limitations and challenges • Findings of market assessment (SWOT analysis, potential for growth and profitability for each of the VC)
• Chapter for each selected value chain with findings (market players, and regulations, supporting functions in addition to sourcing, production and marketing mechanisms)
• Conclusion of market assessment and recommendations including opportunities and challenges for each value chain.

Deliverables of assignment Plan of action includes the final detailed plan for collecting data and information, and analysing data/information based on consultation and alignment with Deadline May 15^th 2024 Draft report Draft report to incorporate and reflect feedback from Program officer Livelihoods December May 25^th, 2024 Final report The final report (EN & Arabic), both in word and power point presentation format May 30th, 2024  

• Bachler Degree in Business and Management or related field is required. Master degree is preferred.
• Relevant experience in delivering similar assignments are required
• Demonstrate a good understanding of livelihood project concerning value chain studies
• knowledge of the SME sector/projects in Iraq specially in Anbar Governorate
• Strong analytical and report writing skills
• Advanced Microsoft office

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic are required
• Former and current HA project staffs shall consider based on experience in similar kind of activity and location  

Intrested applicants must send their most recent CV to:

[email protected] with (Livelihood Consultant) in the subject of your email

Reviewing the application CVs will be on a rolling basis, therefore HA reserves the right to do the interviews for the position before the closing date of the job advertisement, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

*Applications should be submit the CVs in English.

* Only (Word+PDF) format of CVs will be considered JPGs and links will not be considered