Background

Mizoram is endowed with a rich diversity of land and water ecosystems that form critical habitats for a large number of globally significant species.  While 60% of the population depends upon agriculture and other allied sectors, it is the tertiary or service sector driving the economy with about 66.14% of the total GDP.  Currently, shifting or jhum cultivation is the predominant form of agriculture practiced in the state. This agriculture is labor intensive with low productivity. The agriculture sector faces problems on account of lower yield, limited availability of human resources, limited access to large market and poor infrastructure. There are high levels of literacy amongst both women and men, however, most of the educated youth aspire for government jobs and are often reluctant to engage in agriculture. The state’s remote geographical location and inaccessible hilly terrain, extreme weather events, heavy rainfall, that often lead to severe landslides, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and distance from market add to the challenge of addressing Mizoram’s ecological and economic concerns.  The vast majority of local entrepreneurs, small and medium industries operate in isolated conditions with no proper access to markets and services.  With growing population and limited income generation opportunities, young people are opting to leave their home in search of work opportunities elsewhere in the country.

The Joint UN Initiative in Mizoram will build on expertise, presence and past experience in the North East Region of four participating UN Organisations - FAO, ILO, UNDP and UNIDO.  The initiative will aim to address some of the common concerns of ecosystem management through sustainable livelihood promotion and gender mainstreaming.

Market oriented livelihood promotion

One of the key components of the project is to strengthen market linkages through increased and better quality of agri-allied products leading to improved economic growth. The objective of UNDP intervention in the state is to strengthen and streamline the marketing system by creating enabling support systems through an ecosystems based approach that combines watershed management and productivity enhancement of some of the key products and select value chains.

The project plans to promote market oriented development in the state through the following specific measures:

• Creating market orientation and awareness in relevant government departments. This would include preparation of a feasibility analysis of current and new crops that farmers could take up;
• Enhanced marketing capacity and marketing orientation in the state at various levels including government departments, NGOs and private entrepreneurs;
• Identify existing business with potential and provide business support to a specific few. Specific tasks would include developing a business and marketing plan, identifying new markets outside the states and approaching organized retail chains, support in setting up a finance and accounts systems, developing pricing and costing structure, facilitation support in hiring, training and mentoring staff;
• Improving governance, organic certification, packaging, branding and quality control and procurement planning;
• Explore the feasibility of setting up Farmers’ Producer companies on a large scale. Coordinate with agriculture and horticulture departments at the state and national scales such as with Small Farmers Agriculture Consortium (SFAC) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to access funds and human resources to implement this programme;
• Create feasibility for establishing a MIZO brand name. This should be done as a state initiative;
• Market assessment for potential value chains with export potential and developing business plans for key potential value chains.

For promoting market oriented development in the state, there is a plan for establishing a Task Force comprising of qualified staff with appropriate qualification and aptitude for marketing, and livelihood development. It is proposed that half of the staff be deputed from government departments and the other half be appointed through direct recruitment. The task force would eventually take up the responsibility of accomplishing the above-mentioned specific measures detailed under the livelihood development component of the project.

UNDP is looking to hire a consultant for providing expert guidance for developing the marketing and livelihood component of the project for the state of Mizoram and specifically to initiate the detailed marketing/ livelihood development components of the project (mentioned above) and also assist in setting up the Task Force to carry on the work.

Duties and Responsibilities

`Duties and Responsibilities:

Preparation of detailed project documents on:

• a) promotion of agro-marketing in Mizoram with building state capacity to undertake marketing;
• b) value-chain analysis of key agro-horti products that have potential to be promoted;
• Facilitating the ratification of the state government on the above mentioned project documents;
• Creating market orientation and awareness in relevant government departments;
• Support the Mizoram Government to establish the Marketing Task Force and train the latter in strengthening their marketing potential;
• Support the state government in identifying the key members of the Task Force;
• Facilitate capacity building of the Task Force, including exposure visits to other NE states and providing hands on business development training to task force members;
• Support task force in carrying out market assessment for potential value chains with export potential (outside state)  and developing business plans for key potential value chains;
• Support existing local business ventures (NGOs and private entrepreneurs) and facilitate task force in developing  business plans for the same (up to 5);
• Assisting MULCO (Mizoram milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited) in developing a long term business plan for growth
• Explore feasibility of setting up (5 to 10) FPOs in the state and mentor task force to mobilize funds for FPOs
• Work closely with and guide the UNV-Livelihood Associate;
• Prepare a manual on setting up farmers producers’ organization (FPOs) along with the UNV-Livelihood Associate
• Work closely with other UN agencies engaged in the UN Joint Programme in NE;
• Work closely with the Mizoram state government, UNDP and other UN agencies of the Joint UN initiative in supporting the various activities of the project, as required.

Key deliverables and timeframe:

• Prepare detailed Work Action Plan and Methodology for undertaking the task – within 7 days;
• Meetings with relevant government officials and specific stakeholders in Aizawl and project sites – throughout the 9 months but for a total field visit duration of 35 days;
• Conduct field visit to project sites and state capital in Mizoram – throughout the 9 months but for a total field visit duration of 35 days;
• Submission of draft project documents– within 60 days;
• Setting up of Marketing Task Force – within 100  days;
• Training and hand-holding of task force - throughout the 9 months;
• Submission of reports on market assessment, scoping studies, feasibility studies etc – within 200 days;
• Prepare manual/guidebook of setting up FPOs – within 200 days;
• Provide support to FPOs, and other business ventures in the state - throughout the 9 months but for a total field visit duration of 35 days;
• Submit final project documents  after incorporating suggestions from the state government of Mizoram – within 200 days;
• The timeframe for the deliverables is to be mutually agreed between the consultant and UNDP.

The consultant should support implementation of the report and provide handholding implementation support, if needed, for a period of one year from the submission of final report. (This component need not be calculated in the financial quotes).

Methodology:

• Field visits would be undertaken to Mizoram including state capital and project sites for a total duration of 35 days over the nine months of the assignment. An anchor / team from Mizoram state government should be identified to work with the advisor. The approach to be adopted in conducting the study would be provided in detail, however methodology may change after discussions from first visit.

Institutional Arrangement:

• The consultant will work under the overall direction and guidance of the Assistant Country Director and Head, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP-India. The consultant will work in close coordination with the Project Management Team in Mizoram and the concerned Programme Analyst in UNDP Delhi.

Payment schedule

The assignment is required to be completed in a period indicated above and/or mutually agreed by the consultant and UNDP. The latter will make lump sum payments, subject to the satisfactory approval of the outputs and deliverables.

Delivery of outputs and payment schedule will be as under:

• 1st installment (10%) on submission of workplan and methodology;
• 2nd installment (15%) after submission draft project documents;
• 3rd installment (15%) after setting up of Marketing Task Force;
• 4th installment (15%) after 2 training workshops of task force members;
• 5th installment (15%)Submission of manual on FPOs;
• 6th installment (30%) after submission of final project documents incorporating all comments and feedback of the state government of Mizoram.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical skills;
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations, succinctly distil critical issues, and draw forward-looking conclusions and recommendations.

Core Competencies:

• Positive, constructive attitude to work.

Integrity:

• Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNDP in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.

Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in the field of rural management, social sciences, or agricultural marketing.

Experience:

• Minimum 20 years of experience of working on livelihood promotion of local communities, especially targeting women’s groups
• Previous experience of working in at least 2 states of the North East Region including Mizoram, on market assessment and livelihood promotion;
• Experience of working with state governments of the North East Region on promotion of agri-marketing;
• In-depth understanding of the market dynamics for agriculture and horticulture produce in the North East region;
• Experience of working in the Himalayan region on promotion, marketing and certification of organic horticulture and agriculture produce;
• Experience of a leadership role in rural development programmes in India;
• Credible experience of working with communities and community institutions on conducting market and livelihood assessments;
• Experience in providing business development services to social business including business and strategic planning and value chain assessments and developments;
• Experience and aptitude to work/negotiate with senior government officials;
• Ability and experience to deliver quality reports within the given time;
• Computing skills, including MS Word, Excel, Power Point and other related programmes.

Language:

• Fluent in English with excellent writing.

Documents to be submitted:

• Technical proposal (proposed methodology and work plan for undertaking the task);
• Updated CV with contact details of three references;
• Financial proposal. Prior approved economy class travel expenses will be reimbursed as per actuals in line with UNDP rules.

Cumulative analysis:

• The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
• Responsive;
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight - 70%.

Financial Criteria weight - 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

• Qualification of the Consultant-20%;
• Relevant work Experience-30%;
• Proposed methodology and work plan for undertaking the task-20%.

Notes:

• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed;
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual;
• Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered;
• CV , Financial proposal and work methodology can be clubbed in one file for uploading;
• Consultants must bring his/her own computing equipment;
• The consultants must bring his/her own computing equipment.

For any clarification please write to manikandan.srinivasan@undp.org