UNDP Jobs - 29423- Preparation of cost benefit analysis for the Sierr

Preparation of cost benefit analysis for the Sierra Leone Agri-business(SABI) Center, Newton

Location :

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Apr-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 working days

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Sierra Leone Agricultural Business Initiative (SABI) was initiated under the UN regional program framework in response to a request from several African countries to implement agri-entrepreneurship development programs which now builds on links established with the Songhai center in Benin.

The Program operations initially focus on the hub at Newton with three interrelated components aimed at:

Component 1: Establishing the Sierra Leone Agri-business Initiative Center at Newton and satellites in the districts.
Component 2: Supporting capacity development of service providers, entrepreneurs and other beneficiaries.
Component 3: Facilitating decent employment opportunities along selected agri-value chains and through agro-industrial processing and services while promoting environmentally sustainable management of organic waste/by-products for use as renewable energy resources.

SABI has trained 15 youths who are currently engaged in managing the program at a trial but low scale production level. The philosophy behind the establishment of SABI is to promote agribusiness entrepreneurship development programmes designed to promote youth employability and wealth creation mechanism throughout the country.

To ensure profitability of the SABI program and impact of the productive activities, stakeholders of SABI have agreed to engage the services of an agribusiness consultant to develop an investment plan to determine quick win commodities/activities that are commercially viable at the SABI Centre and assess their production, processing/value addition marketing potentials and establish the financial profitability possibilities including employment potential of the process if fully operational.

Duties and Responsibilities

Identify financially viable enterprises to be invested in at the centre.
Analyze the market potential for quick win products and determine the demand, supply and pricing strategies for the products. (e.g., how much will be charged for different customer segments, quality, quantity)
Determine profitability of products, promotional activities and distribution partner of the products & identify partners/markets for distribution channels.
Identify the value chain addition development and recommend sustainability methods and improvement.
Determine production capacity for specific operational periods.
Analyse raw material required to sustain value addition of products.
Draw up specifications for type of processing equipments required.
Identify people and skills required to operate the business and recommend gaps.
Recommend structures and policies for the smooth and profitable operationalisation of center.
Calculate annual revenues/incomes, cash flows, variable costs and fixed costs.
Prepare cost benefit analysis of possible enterprises to be established at the center.
Determine the employment potential of the centre.
Determine the socio-economic benefits of investment.

Competencies

Competencies and Critical Success Factors:

Hands on experience in conducting economic analysis of agricultural production in Sierra Leone, experience in developing an investment decision model employing the use of the Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR).
Experience in data analysis and assessment report writing
Experience in conducting farmer and market interviews.
Good presentation skills
Good English proficiency

Deliverables/Final Products Expected:

This consultancy is to be completed within 40 days. The deliverables of the consultant’s work will result in:

Recommended profitable enterprises to be invested in at the center based on the results of the cost benefit analysis.

Comprehensive outline of next steps on getting the center to operate as a private business.

Expected Output of consultancy:

List of quick win commodities for investment at SABI
Market potential, trend and segmentation analysis
Investment capital required for operations per component
Employment and income generation potential
Value chain initiative and development processes
Knowledge and skills requirement for stable operation
Cost benefit analysis per component/commodity
Costed assets of the centre including the land on which the centre is established.
Recommend a management arrangement that is suitable for the effective management of the center.
Draft expression of interest for the management of the centre as a private business.
Advice on the socio-economic benefits of investment.

Impact of Results:

Recommendation of financially viable enterprises through the successful assessment of possible enterprises to be established at the center.

Duration of the consultancy:

The task is expected to take 40 days effective from the signing of the contract and payments will be in percentages of consultancy achievements.

Payment Modalities:

Payment to the consultant will be made upon satisfactory certification by the Program Manager.

20% will be paid upon signing of contract
40% upon submission of draft report and
40% upon approval of final report.

Evaluation of Criteria and Weighting:

The consultant will be evaluated against the following criteria with the maximum score being 100%:
Minimum required educational qualification (20%)
Experience in conducting economic analysis of agricultural products in Sierra Leone (30%)
Experience in data analysis and assessment report writing (20 %)
Methodological approach and planning to deliver on task in time (20%)
Fluency in english language with particular emphasis on written skills (10%)

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should contain the following information:

Completed CV/P11 form
Technical proposal/methodological approach to the task
Financial proposal
A sample of economic assessment reports that you have conducted.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

The candidate is expected to have an advanced Degree (Masters or higher) in Development, Economics, Business Administration, Agric-Economics with specialization in Agribusiness processes with a strong background in management.

Experience:

Hands on experience in conducting economic analysis of agricultural production in Sierra Leone, experience in developing an investment decision model employing the use of the Net present Value (NPV) and benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR).

Language:

Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English.