Market Assessment for the Production of Agricultural Tools, Consultant for UMCOR Sudan

LOCATION: Yei, South Sudan

1. Overview

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently implementing an EC-supported Project for the Introduction and Dissemination of Innovative Food Security Practices in Central Equatoria State of Southern Sudan. The program includes activities for improving food security in Kenyi Payam of Lainya County and Mugwo Payam of Yei County.

Within the scope of the EC Program, UMCOR will seek to increase household food security in 8 communities in Yei and Lainya counties by (1) increasing household income among vulnerable populations, (2) increasing residents’ knowledge and use of innovative techniques for increased household food, and (3) increasing the capacity of relevant government bodies and local NGOs to develop policies that will support the wider adoption of successful practices. Project duration will be 36 months.

As part of the project, UMCOR plans to increase the local production of needed farming implements. The introduction of improved farming tools in rural communities has the potential to dramatically increase levels of household crop production. Initial focus group discussions indicate that most tools (rakes, hoes, ploughs, and axes) are imported from neighboring countries, are expensive, and are of poor quality. More tools are not produced locally because blacksmiths in the area lack the skills to manufacture them. Households in the target areas typically use handheld tools and hoes to prepare the land for production, plant crops, and care for the crops.

In order to determine those types of farming implements / tools that are in high demand by local farmers, have the potential to substantially increase food production, and can be manufactured locally by trained blacksmiths, UMCOR will hire a consultant to conduct a market survey in the targeted payams. The results of this survey will be shared with the target communities and UMCOR will select at least 40 trained blacksmiths and / or men that can be trained in the production of the identified implements.

UMCOR will provide each selected individual with training and a start-up kit for the production and sale of farming implements. Training will not only cover production techniques, but also the pricing and marketing of tools so that local products can compete against imports. UMCOR will sign an agreement with the trainees that will commit them to maintaining an initial low price for their tools in exchange for start-up capital / kits. By producing tools locally, UMCOR will reduce imports and CO2 emissions resulting from overland transport.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the assessment is to determine / identify:
• The types of farming implements / tools that are in high demand by local farmers, have the potential to substantially increase food production, and can be manufactured locally by trained blacksmiths,
• The current prices of these farming implements in the markets of the targeted communities,
• The current sources of these implements (locally produced or imported) and estimate their availability (number of points of sale),
• The cost of local production (the types, quantities and price of the inputs needed to begin production) and recommend an appropriate price for the sale of the agricultural implements,
• Local blacksmiths with the ability to train youth or men in the production of agricultural tools,
• The means for transporting the product to the potential consumers and associated transportation costs,
• The level of interest among youth or blacksmiths in launching the specified business

3. Geographic Locations

The consultancy will take place in eight communities (yet to be identified) in Kenyi Payam of Lainya County and Mugwo Payam of Yei County. The consultant will be accommodated at UMCOR’s Yei Field Office in Central Equatoria State, but will be expected to make frequent visits to the project sites.

4. Assessment Methodology

The assessment methodology proposed by the consultant(s) should include a mix of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.

5. Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Overall coordination of the consultancy will be done by the Program Manager in Yei. The Program Manager shall be responsible for the approval of all deliverables.

6. Consultancy Duration

The project started on February 1, 2011 and is scheduled to end on January 31, 2014. The consultant shall plan for a minimum of 20 calendar days of work. If the identified consultant can present a compelling case for significantly extending the number of days foreseen for the consultancy, an extension may be approved after further discussion with UMCOR and the European Commission.

7. Consultancy Deliverables

The main deliverable of the study will be a written report that will be prepared by the consultant and submitted to UMCOR by 25 May 2011. This report should be in English and should contain, at a minimum, the following elements:

• Title page, table of contents, and list of terms
• Executive summary and recommendations (not more than 2 pages)
• Methodology used
• Description of findings (qualitative and quantitative)
• Annexes (sample data collection tools & any / all completed questionnaires)

The draft report will be reviewed by UMCOR, which can request and subsequent feedback, corrections or changes to the final report. The report must be submitted in one hard copy and one electronic version.

8. Proposed Timeframe

Deadline for submission of bids 11 March 2011 at 16:00 EST
Selection of consultant(s) 18 March 2011
Finalization and translation of instruments 28 March 2011
Field Work 28 March – 21 April 2011
Submission of draft report 27 April 2011
Submission of final report based on any comments or
requested changes from UMCOR 2 May 2011

9. Instructions for Submission of Bid
Consultants interested in bidding on this opportunity must create a profile, upload their resume(s) detailing similar experience in fishery development and provide a letter of interest through our portal at http://jobs-umcor.icims.com/umcor_jobs/jobs/candidate/job.jsp?jobid=1309&mode=view
and then submit the following information to umcor_jobs@umcor.org

• List of persons to be involved in the consultancy with a detailed CV for each;
• Description of the methodology to be used while conducting the survey, including sampling; strategy, sample size, qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, and data analysis plan;
• Proposed budget and timeline; and
• Draft data collection instruments.

10. Selection Criteria for Consultant(s)
• Sound academic background such as a university degree or higher in a relevant field
• Residence of South Sudan and / or knowledge of South Sudan peoples and livelihoods
• Ability to travel freely within South Sudan
• Excellent written English skills
• Experience designing data collection instruments for both quantitative and qualitative data collection
• Experience supervising similar market assessments
• Experience conducting data entry and data analysis using SPSS software

11. Other Terms and Conditions
As per UMCOR procurement and financial policies, a payment of 20% of the total contract will be made at the time of the signing of contract and 20% upon receipt of the first draft. The remaining 60% will be paid upon submission and approval of the final evaluation report.

To Apply:
Submit your cover letter and a CV highlighting similar experiences or background in (MS Word format) through our website at
http://jobs-umcor.icims.com/umcor_jobs/jobs/candidate/job.jsp?jobid=1309&mode=view. Application deadline is March 14, 2011. Candidates will be reviewed upon receipt of full application. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES PLEASE. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.