Terms of Reference for Hiring a Consultant to Identify and Map Potential Buyers and Facilitate B2B Sessions for the Climate Just Communities (CJC) Program in Ngororero District

Background

The Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network (RCCDN), through a consortium comprising Trōcaire, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) UK, received funds to implementing the Climate Just Communities (CJC) Program in Ngororero District. The CJC Program aims to foster sustainable development and climate justice by empowering vulnerable communities and enhancing their access to resources and services that promote environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change.

As part of its commitment to improving the livelihoods of the communities, the CJC Program seeks to link local farmers with potential buyers of their produce, including maize, beans, Irish potatoes, and onions. To this end, RCCDN is seeking to hire a qualified consultant to identify and map potential buyers and facilitate Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions.

Objective

The primary objective of this assignment is to identify and map potential buyers for key agricultural value chains, specifically maize, beans, Irish potatoes, and onions within Ngororero District. The consultant will also facilitate business-to-business (B2B) sessions to establish market linkages and contracts between producers and buyers.

Scope of Work

The hired consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Identification and Mapping:
• Conduct a comprehensive identification and mapping of potential buyers within and outside Ngororero District for the specified value chains.
• Focus on inclusivity by ensuring the mapping includes women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
• Collect and analyze data on buyer preferences, requirements, and market trends.
• Facilitation of B2B Sessions:
• Organize and facilitate B2B sessions to link producers with potential buyers.
• Ensure that the sessions lead to successful contract signings and long-term market relationships.
• Supply Chain Analysis:
• Identify challenges within the supply chain for the value chains in focus.
• Propose practical and sustainable solutions to overcome these challenges, improving the overall efficiency and resilience of the supply chain.
• Data Collection and Reporting:
• Gather qualitative and quantitative data through focus group discussions and individual interviews with stakeholders.
• Collect data from at least two buyers per value chain and include perspectives from at least 100 individual farmers representing various groups within the CJC program, especially elderly people, people with disabilities, youth-headed households, and other vulnerable groups.
• Conduct the study specifically in Kageyo, Kavumu, and Muhanda sectors of Ngororero District.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception Report:
• An inception report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline for completing the assignment.
• Draft Report:
• A draft report with a comprehensive analysis of the market mapping, B2B sessions, supply chain challenges, and detailed recommendations.
• Final Report:
• A final report that incorporates feedback from stakeholders and presents the final conclusions and actionable recommendations.

Qualifications

The consultant or consulting firm must demonstrate the following qualifications:

Education:

• An advanced degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Proven experience in market mapping, value chain analysis, and facilitating B2B sessions within the agricultural sector.
• A strong background in working with rural communities, particularly with vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Technical Expertise:

• Expertise in agricultural value chains, especially maize, beans, Irish potatoes, onions.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze supply chains and propose practical, sustainable solutions.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, buyers, and local authorities.

Timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within a period of 30 calendar days from the date of contract signing.

Application Process

Interested consultants or consulting firms that meet the required qualifications are invited to submit their technical and financial proposals. The proposals should include:

• A detailed work plan and methodology for carrying out the assignment.
• A CV of the lead consultant and any supporting team members.
• A financial proposal, including all costs associated with the assignment.
• Proof of relevant experience, including references from similar assignments.

Proposals should be submitted in sealed envelopes in hard copies, addressed to the Coordinator of RCCDN at the Head office located in Muyange cell, Kagarama sector in Kicukiro district not later than Friday, 6^th September 2024 not later than 15:00 local time. For any inquiries, please contact telephone number 0788303172.

Safeguarding Programme Participants: PWD, Children & Adults

RCCDN respects the intrinsic dignity of every person, celebrates differences and aims to create relationships of mutual respect wherein the rights and dignity of every person are respected. The Network is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment and the code of conduct, which outlines the expected behaviors and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organizational representatives.