TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A CONSULTANT/FIRM TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN FOR COFFEE

I. INTRODUCTION

UCOCARU Union exists since 2007 and was full registered at the National level under

N^o/RCA/0276/2016 and carry out its activities in Rulindo District. It is composed of 2,186 farmers (1,536 Men and 650 Women). Its objective is to promote and increase coffee production in quality and quantity.

II. About Vi Agroforestry

Vi Agroforestry is a Swedish development cooperation organization that works with support to farmers in the Lake Victoria Basin in the East Africa. Vi Agroforestry reaches over one million people through training and advice. The growing trees and several kinds of crops together, so-called agroforestry, increases families' outputs and, with it, their income. The trees prevent erosion and bind carbon dioxide. Using a variety of techniques, farmers can convert to sustainable agriculture.  Vi Agroforestry also works in partnership with local member-based organizations. Its support consists of project funding to the organizations as well as provision of technical assistance.

The main objective is to enhance the capacity of partner organizations to more efficiently deliver relevant services to their members.  It is in this, UCOCARU Union obtained the funds to implement the project entitled “Improving Farmers’ Livelihood through Sustainable Coffee Production in Rulindo District”.

In that regard, UCOCARU would like to recruit a consultant/firm to develop a business plan for coffee.

III. PURPOSE

The purpose is to develop a business plan to increase coffee production in quantity and quality as the main crop for UCOCARU cooperative members to maximize their benefits. 

IV. DESCRIPTION

The business plan should include:

• To analyze the structure of coffee farming within UCOCARU,
• To analyze the available capacity and resources (Land, coffee trees, labor, chain actors, inputs, farm plans, and network),
• To evaluate the coffee value chain,
• Collecting information on the coffee market,
• Collecting farmers’ views on coffee production,
• Assessment of the business gaps (challenges, weakness, barriers, capacity, market, inputs, and resources),
• Action plan including recommendations and mitigation measures should be provided and taken into consideration if applicable,
• Before conducting validation workshops, a draft copy of the business plan will be sent to UCOCARU email for improvement and comments by the board and staff,
• Before the final approval, the business plan will be presented to UCOCARU board, supervisory committee, farmer representatives, and staff. The validation workshops will be supported by the consultant/firm namely meeting hall, lunch, refreshments and transport,
• 3 hard copies of the completed business plan will be delivered in Kinyarwanda and 1 copy in English with soft copies in portable document format (PDF) to UCOCARU email.

V. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT 

The assignment will be done in 20 days from the day the agreement will be signed.

VI. CONSULTANT/FIRM PROFILE AND REQUIREMENTS

 For this assignment are eligible individual or consultancy firms specialized in Agribusiness, Business Administration, agricultural and development studies complying with national related business regulations.

The minimum qualifications, skills, and experience required are:

• Proven Experience in consultations related to business plan development,
• Master’s degree with at least 3 years’ experience or Bachelors' degrees with at least 5 years professional experience of the key actor(s) in this particular assignment (Agribusiness, Business administration, agricultural and development studies).
• Strong and proven knowledge in the coffee sector,
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English is required;
• Photocopy of registration by RDB as individual consultant/firm;
• Not presenting any restriction of timework forecast by UCOCARU union, and is ready to handover on time the final deliverables documents.

VII. APPLICATION SUBMISSION

• A motivation letter addressed to the Chairperson of Board to the following address: Bushoki sector, Mukoto cell, Buvumo village.
• Current detailed CV of the key consultant(s) involved in the assignment with copies of their degrees/certificates;
• Detailed proforma invoice of estimated budget showing the cost to carry out this assignment;
• Valid tax clearance certificate from Rwanda Revenue Authority,
• Proof of similar assignments previously performed is an added advantage;
• Any other documents stated in the requirements above.

All interested and qualified consultants/firms are invited to submit their bid documents accompanied by all above specified documents to ucocaru@gmail.com.

The deadline for application is 06^th October 2021

Done at Rulindo on 22/09/2021

MURENZI Strato

The Chair of the Board of UCOCARU