Background

UNDP implements EU and Government of Ajara supported project ENPARD Ajara – Support to Agriculture Development of Ajara AR which is a part of ENPARD Georgia Program. The project has two main objectives (1) to increase returns to farming in Ajara and (2) to strengthen the capability of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara and its agencies in policy analysis and related tasks.

In the course of achieving these objectives, and in responding to the priorities set out in the Ajara Regional Development Strategy, support will be provided under the three components:

• Increasing and improving services to small farmers;
• Development of business oriented small farmers’ groups, associations and other forms of profit-based collaborative actions between farmers; and
• Institutional development of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara.

Agriculture was announced as priority sector for development of Georgia. With general perspectives ahead, locally produced fruits and vegetables (with the exception of citrus) faces various limitations and opportunities related to its effective and efficient trade, within and outside of the region.

With this respect and in frames of ENPARD Ajara project, the UNDP and the EC, invited an international consultant, back in December 2013. Respective The consultant did feasibility studies and business plans for his proposed models of post-harvest consolidation concept and services. On top of it, national consultant carried out technical and economic statement review of above mentioned models and business plans. Now the stage came, when particular business projects on the bases of above studies and further field work are to be drafted.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the consultancy is development of comprehensive model of consolidation services in Ajara region.

The selected Consultant will be accountable to the Project Manager of the project ‘ENPARD Ajara - Support to Agriculture Development in the Ajara Autonomous Republic’ and UNDP Georgia Economic Development Team Leader and will work closely with Agribusiness Advisor and the designated staff of Agriservice Centre.

The selected Consultant is expected to:

• Familiarize with two documents, developed under ENPARD Ajara’s local and international consultants: “Development of Feasibility Studies and Business Plans for Models of Post-Harvest Consolidation Services” and “Consolidation Center Models and Business Plans and Their Technical and Economic Statement”;
• Interview and pay visits to farmers, open market and processing facilities to update the primary data (supply volumes per product, list, type and capacities of locally existing processing operations and etc.);
• Develop a model of post-harvest consolidation operation on the bases of locally available raw material (fruits, vegetables, berried etc.) and taking in consideration locally available processing operations;
• Recommend on the location and profile, scheme and relevant financial calculations for the consolidation center;
• Describe products and services center can provide to its suppliers (open market and processors);
• Develop operational, management and institutional affiliation model;
• Draft, legal, taxation and partnership models, including the relations with clients (byers of products) and farmers;
• Prepare business plan for Consolidation Centre with identified profile;
• Do market analysis and overview of fresh produce open market and processing plants;
• Marketing plan; financial calculations (income, costs, profitability analysis); operational Plan and others.

The Consultant is expected to base his/her suggestions on good relevant practice of extension and consolidation system development operation. The Consultant should hold consultations with the MoA of Ajara AR and management of ASC, as well as with farmers/producers, input providers, and other type of service providers within the local agricultural sector.

Major Deliverables:

The selected Consultant is expected to deliver below deliverables in accordance to the Duties and Responsibilities section as follows:

• Comprehensive Model of Consolidation Services in Ajara“ that will include locations, profile, scheme and plan of operational processes of the Consolidation Center and can serve as Consolidation Centre Operational and Financial Guide;
• Recommendation list on location and profile, scheme and relevant financial calculations for the consolidation center.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis method:

Offerors will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30.Offerors obtaining minimum of 40 points as a result of the desk review, will be invited for an interview. The maximum score for interview will be 15 points. Those Offerors who pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores of the technical criteria (i.e. desk review and interview, 70 x 70% = 49 points) will be considered as short-listed offerors.

The short-listed offerors will be asked to provide financial proposals (lump sum) for the scope of work defined in the Terms of Reference in detail. 

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables should be accompanied by the proposed number of installments. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.

Payment Modality:

The payments will be made in two installments via bank transfer upon certification of successful submission of deliverables from ENPARD Ajara Project Manager. The first installment will be provided to the Consultant upon arrival to Georgia and include the DSA, daily fee and ticket price, while the rest of the amount will be paid upon timely submitting of high quality deliverables (please, refer to the section 'Major Deliverables').

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

• He/she should have strong communication and analytical skills related to agriculture support service development;
• Proven strong analytical abilities and knowledge in agriculture support services, consolidation models and value chains;
• Ability of interpretation, development and analyses of related documentation;
• Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
• A pro-active approach to problem-solving;
• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
• IT literacy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Economics and or agribusiness related disciplines (agriculture economics, agriculture value chains development and etc.) (minimum qualification reqruirement: Master's degree - 10 points; PhD - 15 points).

Experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in agriculture service providing organizations, and/or regional agriculture development projects (minimum qualification reqruirement: 7 to 9  years - 15 points; more than 9 years  - 20 points);
• At least 5 years of professional experience in development and implementation of consolidation models (minimum qualification reqruirement: 5 to 7 years - 15 points; more than 7 years - 20 points);
• Experience in supporting the development of farmers’ and their groups’;
• Experience in assessment, planning and evaluation of consolidation services;
• Experience in development, implementation and evaluation of agriculture value chains;
• Experience in working with public sector, private sector and donor organizations on institutional development or similar projects will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Georgian is a must;
• Knowledge of English or Russian languages will be an asset.