Value Chain Research and Training Consultant, Livelihoods

Application deadline: Sunday, May 28, 2013

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC Burundi seeks support to further develop its economic focused programming, specifically focusing on identifying agriculture value chain opportunities and other relevant market linkages for program beneficiaries. IRC Burundi has been implementing a range of economic programming including a SIDA funded Youth & Livelihoods (Y&L) apprenticeship training; BMFA funded village savings and loans associations (VSLA) and business training for vulnerable women and; USAID funded project facilitating access to VSLAs, income-generating activity training and continued mentoring and business development.

Over the last 5 years of implementation, the team has recognized the need develop its economic programming, ensuring that beneficiaries are supported in learning market-based skills with systematic linkages with market opportunities. This would entail moving away from traditional trades training (bicycle repair, masonry, etc.), perhaps include agriculture-based activities and/or innovative activities (such recycling natural waste for fuel or glass recycling), and identify opportunities for appropriate support to beneficiaries to ensure they can provide quality inputs into market linkages.

The selected consultant would support identified key staff from both Child and Youth Protection and Development programs as well as Women’s Protection and Empowerment programs to better identify value chain opportunities and create market linkages for beneficiaries of current and future programs.

Scope of Work Specifically the Value Chain Research and Training Consultant will provide the IRC with the following information regarding current value-chain opportunities in Makamba, Bujumbura Rural, Muyinga and three small localities in Cibitoke (Mabayi), Kayanza (Rwegura) and Muramvya (Teza): • Research on primary existing and/or potential value chains and value chain (private sector) actors • Research on appropriate means to increase labor productivity and access to value chains for beneficiaries • Research financial actors and services able/willing to support IRC beneficiaries for value chain improvements and access (partnership development)

After the first stage of work, the consultant may be requested, with an amended work plan, re-defined deliverables and contract, to provide tools, guidance and recommendations for the following: • Train and accompany program staff in conducting basic household economic assessment to identify current beneficiaries’ economic activities and available capital; • Train and accompany program staff in conducting market assessment to identify high potential value chains relevant to IRC target groups and to identify with selected representatives of target groups 2-3 value chains that they could participate in; • Train and accompany program staff in identifying existing and new opportunities for value addition functions (in terms of profits and employment opportunities) along the value chain; • Support program staff to identify financial institutions and partners capable of supporting financing mechanisms for startup/inputs.

Deliverables The following are the consultancy deliverables:

Private Sector (value chain) Mapping • Mapping of, initial contact with and recommendations on viable partnerships with primary existing and/or potential value chains and value chain (private sector) actors relevant to the identified geographical areas • Identification and recommendation of appropriate means to increase labor productivity and access to value chains for beneficiaries

Partnership Development • Mapping and recommendation of financial actors and services able/willing to support IRC beneficiaries for value chain improvements and access

Final report including findings and recommendations o Specific value chain identification o List of potential partners/market actors within identified value chains with contact information o Specific program intervention suggestions for IRC Burundi team

Timeframe The IRC Burundi staff will begin with initial research outlined by consultant in late April/early May. The IRC Burundi will identify one locality mentioned above as a pilot—expecting the consultant to complete all deliverables detailed above for the specified location. If satisfied, the IRC will engage the consultant in completing the same deliverables in the remaining localities.

How to apply:

For application to this consultancy, please submit a technical, including a suggested calendar and workplan, and financial proposal by April 28, 2013.

Please apply online: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&r... .