Organization Background:
Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African-based international development and humanitarian organization. We assist communities to help them realize their full potential, working alongside them to create facilitative environments in which they can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing developmental assistance, and influencing policy.
For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso implements programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan. Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
Project Summary
Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands-Improving Resilience (REGAL-IR) is a 5-year program sponsored by USAID/Kenya and Feed the Future (FTF) to reduce hunger and poverty, increase social stability and build strong foundations for economic growth amongst pastoralists and transitioning pastoralists in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). The program is designed to empower communities to take charge of their development and to strengthen their capacity to select, design, implement and monitor activities toward increasing their social, economic, and environmental resilience to natural and human-induced shocks.
REGAL-IR is implemented by a consortium of partners led by Adeso, other partners include Global alliance for improved nutrition (GAIN), Fin church aid (FCA), Sidai Africa, VSF-Suisse, COFI and local NGOs. The project has six thematic areas that include: Strengthening and diversifying livelihood opportunities; Advancing value chain inclusiveness; Improving management and productivity of natural resources; improving conflict management; Improving drought management and Improving consumption of nutritious foods. An intensive community engagement process - Participatory Learning, Planning and Action (PLPA) guides’ program implementation in the six thematic areas above. REGAL-IR situates its efforts within those of a larger family of resilience actors including REGAL-AG, the Millennium Water Alliance, World Food Program and other actors.
Consultancy description:
Under the theme “strengthening and diversifying livelihood opportunities”, REGAL-IRpromotes non-livestock based business enterprises that provide increased incomes at household level, create more employment opportunities, and have important spin-off effects on the local economy. Investment and growth of locally based non-livestock enterprises offers feasible livelihood diversification opportunities that withstand incessant shocks. In Wajir County the project is supporting long term investment into gums and resin trade alongside other business enterprises. In locations where gums and resin production exists, almost 60% of households engage in collection of gums and resin as an alternative livelihoods (Mahadi et al), therefore if well exploited target households will realise increased income and resultant linkages will spur growth of local economies.
Several studies indicate that commercial production potential of gums and resin exists in Kenya, particularly in counties of Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir and Garissa. In Kenya, It’s estimated that an export potential of about 4,000 MT exist but only 400 MT is produced locally for export, showing that only 10% of the product is exploited for export(Muga et all, 2010). Additionally, the opportunities that exist in the sector outweigh its challenges, but private sector investment has been minimal. Mentioned, challenges include poor market organisation that has resulted to exploitation of primary producers and interrupted supply chains, poor knowledge of proper storage techniques, climate variation and lack of knowledge on products improvements. Opportunities in the sector include, unmet demand in the national and international market due to its use by different industries (Painting, canning, pharmaceuticals, soft drinks, dairy, Adhesives and chemicals, confectionary etc.), existence and natural adaptation to arid climate of the source tree (Acacia arabica), potential producer organisation as is the case in REGAL-IR SHGs and willingness by county and national government to invest in the sector.
REGAL-IR is banking on improving pastoralist’s resilience through supporting pastoralists and ex-pastoralist’s investment into traditional non-livestock enterprises such as gums and resin among others. The project has adopted group approaches to promote investment into local viable businesses by target households, these groups are known as Self Help Groups (SHGs). SHGs have been mentored to self-govern, mobilize own funds and identify profitable enterprises that offer promising growth opportunities and suits their skills, knowledge and ability. Upon self-identification of enterprises by SHG members, REGAL-IR supports enterprises development by providing grants, niche trainings, and mentorship besides supporting linkage to market, service providers and financial institutions.
A value chain study on gums and resin trade in Wajir County is being sought so that appropriate linkages to markets, service providers and financial services can be modelled. This study therefore targets SHGs that have identified gums and resins as priority livelihood diversification opportunity. Since primary study beneficiaries have already been identified during project implementation, the consultant(s) is advised to use case study approaches among other data collection approaches during his/her study.
The primary audience of this study are the SHGs engaged in gums and resin trade, local communities of the project area at large, Wajir county government, other actors in gums and resin value chains and potential investors in the sector, the study would support stakeholders in understanding the local market dynamics. Moreover, the study result will be of significant use by decision makers, public policy makers and non-governmental organisations. The study findings will be used to raise the awareness level of the policy makers at the strategic, planning and operational levels and propose alternative mechanisms for pastoralists to better their livelihood options.
Objectives of the Value Chain Study
The overall objective isto undertake Gums and Resin value chain study in Wajir County.
The specific objectives will be:
· To collect relevant data on gums and resin that include product types, quality, volumes, prices and actors involved.
· Collect relevant data on local, national and international gums and resin product markets that include taste and preference and price trend.
· To identify key constraints that need to be addressed to enhance the value chain and develop robust enterprises.
· To make recommendations on how the proposed value chain will be designed to benefit supply chain actors.
These objectives will be achieved by:
a) Reviewing studies carried out on gums and resin production and trade by other actors which include, SALTLICK, AWF, KEFRI, Wajr county CIDP etc.
b) Primary data collection of gums and resin products value chain.
I. Products.
The consultant(s) will characterize trade of products within the value chains by identifying:
· Type and volumes of product currently available in the market
· Value addition, packaging and pricing along the supply chain
· Estimate the market potential and actors at the end market
· Map and categorize the different supply chain actors
· Analyse the relationship among supply chain actors
II. Market Potential:
· Establish the national market size (local and external) and determine the market share of local producers.
· Conduct a value chain analysis to identify the different actors in the chain, systemic constraints, and value shares accrued a t different stages on the chain.
· Identify missing or inadequate inter sectorial or crosscutting markets.
· Estimate market potential of the prioritized products within the value chains.
III.Collective Marketing and chain efficiency
· Assess the utility and potential for improving market efficiency through collective marketing, propose ways of achieving this and minimum quality standards required.
· Determine the level of market orientation and market integration by producers.
· Recommend process for institutional formation to facilitate collective marketing perspective for the products prioritized.
· Suggest improvements in the value chain system to ensure direct linkages of the producers with the major markets and increased incomes from their products.
Key Deliverables
- In-depth analysis of the gums and resin value chain including literature review and proposed program designs for engagement.
- Supply chain map, identifying the market actors, establishing value shares at each stage in the supply chain.
- Establishing market size and level of market share by producers.
- Assessing the sustainability of the market for selected products and requirements for producers to sustain production in the medium to long term.
- Briefing workshop for stakeholders on basketry products findings and recommendations at the field level (Wajir)
- Final report presentation to potential product buyers/investors in a location to be agreed upon with Adeso.
Qualification Profile
The ideal team of consultant(s) for this assignment should have the competencies and experiences as indicated below;
- A minimum of master’s in Range land management and related fields with Business studies.
- Have proven track record in undertaking similar value chain development, market systems development and business development services (BDS).
- Demonstrate ability to work and link with the private sector and relevant government departments.
- A trainee/trainer of the regional value chain and market capacity development program is an added advantage
- Have experience working in the gums and resin industry.
Consultancy Proposal
The proposal, to be submitted in English, shall include:
a)A technical proposal incorporating;
- A short description of deliverables, clear work plan (dates and activities) with a proposed methodology and which shall include full justification for procedures to be adopted;
- CVs / Profile or details of the firm or individuals to be engaged including experience relevant to this assignment;
- At least three referees for similar or related work done.
b)A financial proposal indicating fees for the consultancy, including all costs to conduct this assignment (this should indicate man-days and fees including VAT, excluding operational costs (local transport and accommodation costs).
c)A report of similar assignment undertaken.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should be submitted by 19th June 2015, the selection committee will review all applications as they arrive. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.
All applications should be sent to Adeso at consultancy@adesoafrica.org with the subject line**: Application for Gums and resin products value chain study, Wajir County– REGAL-IR Project Kenya**
