UNDP Jobs - 50802- Individual Consultant to Strengthened Coffee Brand

Individual Consultant to Strengthened Coffee Brand Management for Ethiopian Coffee - Trade Sector Development

Location :

Home-based with travel to Addis Ababa for case studies, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

28-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Three months

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

Ethiopia is home of world’s finest coffee brands. To date, the country has three internationally registered brands named Harrar®, SIDAMA® and Yirgachaffee®. These coffees have a unique flavor and aroma that distinguish them from coffee of other countries and even from other coffees in Ethiopia. This has made the country earn strong reputation for its heritage coffees which command a very high retail price in the international market. However, it is only 5 to 10% of the retail price that actually goes to Ethiopia while most of the profit is shared by distributors and middlemen in the marketing sector. Consequent to the scanty return to coffee producers, there have been instances where farmers abandoned coffee production due to low returns and engaged in growing other profitable cash crops.

Seeking to narrow down the gap between the retail price and the return to the producers, the Ethiopian government is trying to use a range of intellectual property rights (IPRs) as a tool for differentiating their coffee in the market place so that they can achieve higher returns. In 2004, the Government launched the Ethiopian Fine coffees Trade marking and Licensing Initiative to provide a practical solution to overcome the longstanding divide between what coffee farmers receive for a sack of their beans and what retailers charge for that coffee when they sell it in retail outlet in different countries.

The Initiative has been organized and run by the Ethiopian Fine Coffee Stakeholders Committee (the Stakeholder Committee) – a consortium comprising Ethiopian Intellectual property Office (EIPO), Ministry of Trade (MoT), cooperatives, private exporters and as well as other concerned government bodies.

The EIPO took the leadership of the Initiative and began working on identifying a mechanism which would lead to a greater share for the country’s coffee growers. The Initiative also intended to generate high retail prices for Harrar, Sidama and Yirgachaffee – the three most famous coffee brands of Ethiopia.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex I- Terms of Reference (ToR).

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of the study is to identify ways of effectively managing the three Ethiopian coffee brands that are already recognized by the international market and ensure its direct economic benefit to the country in general, and producers and other coffee sector stakeholders in particular.

The findings and recommendations of the study will advise the national institutions of Ethiopia, particularly the Ministry of Trade, and the Office of Property rights. It will also serve as input for the stakeholders on the technical working groups of the National Coffee Platform, particularly the technical working group on market promotion.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex I- Terms of Reference (ToR).

Competencies

Core/Professional Competencies:

Professionalism

Ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assignments given;
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the subject matter;
Responds positively to feedback and different points of view;
Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Planning and Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with the terms defined above;
Identifies priority activities and assignments, and adjusts them as required;
Allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work by foreseeing risks and developing contingency plans accordingly;
Monitors and adjusts plans as necessary, and uses time effectively.

Communications

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
Keeps confidential information undisclosed.

Accountability

Takes ownership of responsibilities and honour commitments;
Delivers assigned tasks within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
Takes responsibility for his/her shortcomings;
deliver in a timely manner without compromising quality standards.

Compliance of the UN Core Values: Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism; and
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Important Note:

The Consultant is required to have the above mentioned professional and technical qualifications stipulated in the TOR . Only the applicants who hold these qualifications are advised to submit their respective bid proposals.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s Degree or PHD in Business Administration, Law, Development Economics, International Trade, Marketing, or related educational background.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of professional experience undertaking a similar assignment;
Knowledge of Ethiopian coffee sector will be an added advantage;
Experience or knowledge in the running and administration of brand management on commodities (especially coffee) at international level will be a plus;
Experience in result based management and ability to design programmes from studies using log-frame and M&E framework
Experience working with UN or other international organizations beneficial;
Knowledge of Ethiopian coffee sector, its coffee value chain and background on intellectual rights initiatives will be an added advantage.

Language:

Excellent language and report writing skills in English.

Application Instruction:

Follow the following link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=18812.

Download both TOR and Procurement Notice from the above link;
Submit your application according to instruction given on the TOR and Procurement Notice.

Documents Required:

Technical Proposals in pdf;
Financial Proposals in pdf;
CV and full address of at least three references;
Completed and signed P-11.

Those applicants who have submitted their CV, without submitting technical and financial proposals will be automatically disqualified from further considerations.