Consultant-NTFPs job at Palladium
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Technical assistance to undertake a market study of selected export-focused NTFPs (cashew, cocoa, & coffee), medicinal and aromatic plants

Overview of the CSJ Programme
Uganda Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) is a 4-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. CSJ consists of three sub-components: component 1A, which is a market systems development intervention; Component 1B, which is running a challenge fund called the Uganda Climate Innovation Fund; and Component 1C, focusing on supporting innovations that target ecosystem services and sustainable land management, such as services relating to biodiversity, water supply, tree planting, and soil management.

Component 1A of the CSJ programme will be implemented and delivered through a market development approach that involves partnerships with the private sector. The key objective of CSJ component 1A is to support large-scale job creation in the agri-business sector, with a view to improving productivity and/or incomes in agriculture.

Component 1C builds on that market system development approach but focuses on ecosystem services/sustainable land management. Component 1C has designed innovations and interventions that are commercially viable and scalable, and which maximise the benefits of ecosystem services to smallholder farmers, women, refugees, and host communities. Component 1C will work with private sector and agri-SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) to test innovations that are pre-proof of concept or post-proof of concept. These innovations will provide solutions to SHFs to cope with the impact of climate change through sustainable land management practices. 1C will explore existing or new market opportunities for sustainable land management where the private sector, individual, and community groups may lack sufficient incentive to participate. Component 1C has four innovations or thematic areas: agroforestry, climate financing, soil restoration, and non-timber forest products.

Background to the assignment
CSJ will focus on increasing the pull from the market for NTFPs in order to increase planting of NTFPs by SHFs. To do this, CSJ will work with private sector actors to develop sustainable business models that encourage SHFs to see the benefits of NTFPs. This will include sustainable ways of regeneration, conservation, value addition and marketing of NTFPs.

To this end, CSJ needs to better understand the current production levels as well as demand for these products, understand the key market actors in these markets, and where it makes sense to invest.

Objective of the assignment
The consultant will perform a market study to assess the demand and supply of agroforestry, specifically looking at coffee, cashew, and cocoa, as well as medicinal and aromatic plants to determine key opportunities for CSJ to engage in this sector. This will include analysing market trends, identifying key stakeholders, evaluating economic feasibility, and understanding the environmental impact of undertaking agroforestry.

The analysis will highlight the of commercially viability of the identified NFTP, medicinal and aromatic products. This will inform, inspire as well as guide investment decisions for CSJ to invest in NTFPs that will benefit the ecosystem as well as smallholder farmers (SHFs).

Scope of work
The primary objective of the study is to gather relevant information and insights that can guide decision-making for CSJ. The study will be conducted in the different regions of northern Uganda i.e. Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Kiryandongo districts.

Deliverables
Inception report with detailed work plan
Draft report for each Phase (each no longer than 20 pages, appendices can be an additional count)
PowerPoint presentation of the draft report for each Phase
Final Consolidated Report of no more than 30 pages, incorporating feedback with a final PowerPoint.

Expertise and experience:
Demonstrate understanding of agroforestry, NTFPs (Coffee, Cashew and Coffee), medicinal and aromatic plants and its products, principles, practices, and systems. Familiarity with different species of aromatic and medicinal plants.
Proficiency in market research methodologies and tools. Ability to design and conduct surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions
Strong analytical skills to interpret quantitative and qualitative data. Experience in using statistical tools and software for data analysis.
Knowledge of economic principles and the ability to conduct cost-benefit analysis. Understanding of financial metrics relevant to agroforestry projects, NTFPs (Coffee, Cashew and Coffee), medicinal and aromatic plants and its product.
Abreast of current market trends and future opportunities in agroforestry, NTFPs (Coffee, Cashew and Coffee), medicinal and aromatic plants and its products. Awareness of global and regional factors influencing the market.
Familiarity with local, national, and international regulations related to NTFPs (Coffee, Cashew and Coffee), medicinal and aromatic plants and its products. Understanding of environmental and social compliance standards.
Strong interpersonal skills for engaging with various stakeholders such as farmers, community members, government officials, and industry experts. Ability to conduct interviews and workshops to gather insights.
Awareness of cultural nuances and the ability to work effectively in diverse settings. Respect for local customs and community values.
The consultant should be able to document their findings, methodologies, and recommendations in a detailed and professional report format guided by the client.
A minimum of a master's degree in a relevant field such as Agroforestry, Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics, or Business with a focus on agroforestry and research methodologies

Level of Effort
We expect the level of effort for this TOR to be approximately 30 days for a Senior Expert. However, this LOE could be distributed amongst a team with different levels of experience, but with the Senior Expert conducting at least 50% of the input days and overseeing the coherence and quality of the work processes and outputs.

Submission instructions
Submit a set of observations and suggestions on the ToR of up to one page plus an overview of the consultant/organization's experience related to the TOR, and the makeup of the team. Also, submit a 1-page budget as well as 2 examples of previous work and 2 references. Proposals should be submitted electronically to info@csj.co.ug.

The deadline for the submission of the technical and financial proposal is 13 March 2024.

CSJ MD reserves the right to negotiate and award this contract with the contractor who demonstrates the best approach, rather than on awarding this contract solely based on the lowest cost. This solicitation does not require CSJ MD to award a contract.

Note that only shortlisted consulting firms/individuals will be contacted. If you have not received communication from CSJ MD within four weeks from the submission deadline, consider your bid unsuccessful.
Job Info
Job Category: Consultant/ Contractual jobs in Uganda
Job Type: Full-time
Deadline of this Job: 13 March 2024
Duty Station: Uganda
Posted: 06-03-2024
No of Jobs: 1
Start Publishing: 06-03-2024
Stop Publishing (Put date of 2030): 06-03-2068
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