Terms of reference

Consultancy for preparation of efficient, gender inclusive, climate responsive Value chains Development and Value chain financing guide

Background

We Effect’s vision is a sustainable and just world, free from poverty and hunger. We Effect has its head office in Stockholm Sweden and work on the right to food and adequate housing, increased resilience and sustainable livelihoods. This is done with a strong focus on advancing gender equality, climate justice and tackling corruption. We work in partnership with local partner organisations in 20 counties in five regions; the Western Balkan, Southern and Eastern Africa, Latin America and Asia. We Effect supports approximately 160 partner organisations, that’s a mix of cooperatives, member-based farmers’ organisations and women’s rights organisations.

We Effect has been promoting various value chains globally (within the regions) to strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers (women, men, young women, and men) to; 1). Produce sufficient quantities and quality varieties of nutritious food for their families towards household food security, 2). Commercialise agriculture and support farming as a business for the benefit of economic advancement, job creation, increased incomes and 3). Strengthen resilience for sustainable livelihoods. Examples of some value chains promoted are Dairy, Cereals, legumes, Coffee, Potato, Bananas, Grapes, nuts, cotton, avocado among many others. 

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to come up with material which acts as a guidance to support value chain implementation, specifically how to develop efficient, gender inclusive and climate responsive value chains. This should include a theoretical framework complemented by examples of best practice/case stories in value chains development & value chain financing. In addition, the material should act as a reference for programme development by We Effect and staff from partner organisations. 

Target for the material

The output of this assignment will be a guide which will act as a resource to support We Effect staff and staff from partner organisations working with various value chains.

Objective of the consultancy 

The main objective of the assignment is to systemise how efficient and inclusive value chains are developed. This is through documenting theory and practice in value chain development while providing a roadmap on how to develop efficient, gender inclusive and climate responsive value chains and value chain financing. Further, providing guidance to We Effect staff and local partner organisations on how to choose viable value chains (factors to consider), how to develop efficient value chains financing mechanism for the various parts of the value chains etc.   

In addition, the consultant should seek to lift current global innovations and best practices in effective and inclusive value chain approach. The documentation process and final product should be reflective of human rights-based approach, gender equality and women’s rights, climate justice and leave no one behind principle.

The document should therefore address the following, kindly note that this is not exhaustive:

·       Provide context for value chain development highlighting current global trends in the demand for food and answering the question why value chains.

·       Propose the full range of value chain development interventions that are required to bring a product or service from conception to a final product.

·       Factors to consider in sector selection (which value chain).

·       Considerations for market systems analysis to include value chain mapping, value chain research, value chains analysis and intervention design.

·       Analysis of value chain actors, supporters and enablers.

·       Value chain financing; factors to consider from user perspective and supplier.

·       Highlight strategies that increase environmental resilience and promote gender equality at different stages of value chains.   

·       Monitoring and results measurement to gauge efficiency of value chains and other related aspects.

·    Share some tools or reference for analysis, value chain prioritisation, monitoring etc. Steps in value chain development while embracing HRBA, gender equality, climate justice, leave no one behind and conflict sensitivity[1].

Methodology

We Effect applies a human rights-based approach (HRBA), gender equality, climate justice, conflict sensitivity and leave no one behind approaches in her work. This therefore means the consultant is required to have the product reflect these perspectives. In addition, in the process of developing the document, the consultant will be keen to ensure inclusivity, participation of colleagues, partners, and other stakeholders in defining and shaping the content to the guidelines. S/he to be guided by the needs of the end users of the document. 

The methodology to include:

• Desk review.
• Consultation with colleagues and local partner organisations (online and in person where possible).
• Host a workshop for colleagues and partners to provide their input to the draft document.

Deliverables/Output of the assignment

The final output will be presented as:

• Inception report.
•  A concise fully referenced guide with illustrations, figures and pictures to support clarifying concepts and ideas, as outlined above in the section of objectives. The document to be between 20 – 30 pages.
• Webinar (online) to present the final document to We Effect global organisation.
•  Share or provide reference to relevant tools.
•  A 2-page summary which is communicative and could be used to publicise We Effect’s work in value chains and value chain financing as well as for resource mobilisation.

Timeline

All deliverables to be finalised by 31^st May 2024.

The consultant together with the Global Advisor on Sustainable Livelihoods will work together to develop a realistic process plan. This will be done as part of planning for the assignment.

The consultant will coordinate their work with the Global Advisor on Sustainable livelihoods.

Qualification

•         Relevant academic and work experience and knowledge in Agricultural economics, Agri-business, value chain development, value chain financing,  entrepreneurship.

•         Extensive methodological capacity and experience in developing guidelines specifically for agricultural value chain development, value chain financing.

·        Has experience in international development work especially in the areas of economic development, agribusiness among others.

•         Experience in documentation and training material development.

•         Experience in working with a human rights-based approach and strong gender equality perspective. 

Budget

The budget for this assignment will be based on a maximum of 30 days spread within the timeline up to 31st May 2024. The assignment does not envisage any travel and subsequently will not cover any cost related to travel unless otherwise deemed necessary.  

Application

If interested in this assignment and want to carry it out, please submit your application through e-mail to dorothy.kipsang@weeffect.org and anna.edgren@weeffect.org no later than 12^th January 2024.

Your application should include CV /company profile, reference of previous assignments related to this assignment, technical proposal, delivery timeline, and budget where all costs include VAT.

NB: This call is open to anyone from any region who is interested and has the experience, capacity and ready to carry out the task.

For more information

Please contact dorothy.kipsang@weeffect.org - Global Advisor, Sustainable livelihoods.