Agro Processing and Quality Enhancement Consultant at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards the cost of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), and intends to use part of the proceed towards carrying out various consultancy and non consultancy service activities.

The VCDP hereby invites eligible/qualified individual consultants to express interest in offering the services below:

Job Title: Agro Processing and Quality Enhancement Consultant

Locations: Abuja, Enugu, Nasarrawa or Kogi

Programme Summary

• The VCDP is an investment programme presently being implemented in the six states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun, Niger and Taraba. Three additional states of Kogi, Nasarrawa and Enugu are to further participate in the programme.

The programme includes the following components:

• Agricultural Market Development which includes Support to value addition and market linkages, Support to market infrastructure):
• Small Holders Production Enhancement which includes (Support to farmers organization and Support to small holders production) and
• Programme Management and Coordination.

The VCDP intends to expand/ update her data base of individual consultants. Eligible individual consultants are invited to indicate interest in working for the programme at any off:

• National Programme Management Unit, Abuja
• Enugu State Programme Management Unit, Enugu
• Nasarrawa State Programme Management Unit, Keffi.
• Kogi State Programme Management Unit, Lokoja

Programme Objective and Target
The Programme’s objective is that the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the Programme Area are enhanced on a sustainable basis.

The primary target groups are:

• Poor rural households engaged in the cassava and rice value chains (VCs) who cultivate not more than 5 hectares of land under rice/cassava); and
• Small-scale processors (processing capacity of an average of 2 MT/day for cassava and 4 MT/day for rice) and traders, with emphasis on women and youth.

The secondary target groups include:

• Downstream stakeholders, particularly processors Linked to a large number of the primary target groups;
• Local government councils (LGAs) and communities strengthened to sustainably manage the marketing infrastructures supported by the Programme; and
• Private sector operators strengthened to provide quality services demanded by smallholder farmers and processors.

Specific Tasks Include

• Supporting development of branding and packaging for value chain products (rice and Cassava).
• Prepare manuals/guidelines to document agro processing and quality enhancement initiatives. Render capacity building services.
• Identify technologies and equipment and train VC operators in the use of the improved technologies and equipment.
• Set up cluster based demonstration centers as well as provide technical assistance to groups and clusters.
• Promote establishment of quality norms and standards including appropriate enforceable grading systems in each of the participating state oftheVCDP.
• Carry out demonstration of the use of standard weight and measures for agricultural and processed products.
• Provide standard equipment for weight and volume measurement including calibration
• Provide Training to Value Chain Operators in food processing systems.
• Broker Inter-Agency Collaboration among relevant agencies involved in quality control, grading and standards.
• Put in place framework for the establishment of quality control grading and standards.

Qualification and Experience
The requisite qualifications of the Individual Consultant shall include the following:

• A minimum of Bachelors Degree or Higher National Diploma in Agricultural/Food Engineering or Food Science and Technology. Advanced degrees will be added advantage. Strong background in engineering and technological aspects of agro-processing and agricultural product handling (storage, preservation and packaging).
• A first degree in Economics or Business Administration or Marketing (or equivalent) and be computer literate. Holder of an advanced degree in relevant field will be an added advantage
• Ten (10) years minimum experience in the field with the private or public sector
• Good communication and training skills;
• Proven track record in Processing, Machine installation and training in addition to product and market development issues with capacity to handle transactions from fann-gate to contract deliveries, and ability to motivate, inspire and achieve results will bean added advantage;

Criteria for Evaluation
The Following criteria will be used in evaluating the individual consultants:

• General-Education, Qualification, Membership of Professional bodies
• Specific Experience related to assignment
• Participation in similar assignments in IFAD and other donor projects
• Adequate knowledge of the terrain/environment.
• Eligible Individual Consultants should submit their detailed curriculum vitae with covering letter indicating area of interest.

Application Closing Date
12pm; 18th September, 2019.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit two hard copies (by hand or post) of their Expression of Interest (EOI) in sealed envelopes with the interested area of specialization clearly marked on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. This submission should be addressed to the undersigned at the stipulated addresses below:
The National Programme Coordinator,
FGNIIFAD Value Chain Development Programme,
4, Batna Close, Off Agadez Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu.
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Nassarrawa State Ministry of Agriculture, Nassarrawa
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture, Lokoja.