Gum and Incense Value Chain Consultant
ICBACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNHCR Sub Office Melkadida (SOMEL) is collaborating with the Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA), the Somali Regional Government, the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woreda Authorities, and NGO implementing partners to enhance the self-reliance of refugees and host communities by supporting livelihoods and economic inclusion interventions. The self-reliance programme is supported by the IKEA Foundation and focusses on three key sectors: Agriculture, Livestock, and Financial Services (Microfinance). Refugee and host communities in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woredas of the Somali Regional State predominantly rely on agriculture and livestock production for their livelihood. These two Woredas are regularly subjected to the risk of droughts and floods, impacting the food security and livelihoods of these populations. Refugees live in five camps namely; Buramino, Hilaweyn, Kobe, Melkadida, and Bokolmanyo.
The Somali Regional State harbours significant number of gum Arabic and incense trees that have historically contributed to people’s livelihood. In 2018, UNHCR organized five gum & incense cooperatives made up of refugee and host community members in the five camps of Buramino, Hilaweyn, Kobe, Melkadida, and Bokolmanyo. The intention was to put in place the basic business structures to boost gum & incense production and trade in the area. In 2019 and beyond, the strategy is to invest in the conservation of existing forests that harbour gum & incense trees and boost live fencing in the camps through seedling plantation. From a livelihood development standpoint, the priority is to boost the capacity of the gum & incense cooperatives so that supply, production, and marketing of gum & incense is done efficiently. A critical activity in the implementation of this strategy is to obtain credible market insights into the gum & incense sector. The incumbent is expected to carry out a ‘value chain assessment’ to provide up-to-date information on the market dynamics, actors, challenges and opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will work under the supervision of UNHCR’s livelihoods officer. The selected candidate will be expected to execute the following key functions:
- Undertake desk research to map out the broad historic dynamics of the Gum Arabic and incense trade in Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo host and refugee markets.
- Design questionnaires and undertake field trips to carry out interviews and focus group discussions with the businesses and individuals supplying, trading, and consuming Gum Arabic in Ayienle, Dollo Ado town, as well as the 5 refugee/adjacent refugee camps in Buramino, Hilaweyn, Kobe, Malkadida, and Bokolmanyo.
- Analyse the supply chains of Gum Arabic and incense products (i.e., the type of products, prices, transportation links, market points, delivery times, names of suppliers, etc).
- Map out market size, actors, supply and trade routes of Gum Arabic and incense.
- Identify the market gaps and constraints in the Gum Arabic and incense value chains by focusing on the supply chains, production, and marketing aspects.
- Map out the rules, regulations, and supporting functions for Gum Arabic and incense in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo refugee and host community markets.
- Provide recommendations for value addition and investment in the gum Arabic and incense sector;
- Draft and present the final report which would include pictures, findings, analyses, as well as recommendations on the potential of Gum Arabic and incense for creating employment and incomes for refugee and host communities.
The output of this assignment is a 30 - 40 page document which would include pictures, findings, analyses, and recommendations. The selection of the consultant will be determined on the basis of the strength of technical methodologies and proposals of how he/she will undertake the above activities and on the below minimum requirements.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Rural Development or related areas.
- Specialized knowledge of value chain assessment and market systems development.
Minimum Experience:
- Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in providing expert consultancy research services for agro-forestry development projects in Ethiopia
- Demonstrated experience in value chain analysis of agriculture and agro-forestry products, particularly gum Arabic and incense
- Negotiation and presentation skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office IT tools
Desired Attributes:
- Previous experience in the capacity building of gum & incense cooperatives in rural Ethiopia
- Experience working in refugee hosting environments is a plus
- Knowledge of the Somali Regional State and agro-pastoralist context
Language requirements:
- Fluency (written / oral) in English.
- Working knowledge of the Somali language is an advantage.
Submission of Applications
This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
IMPORTANT
Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter the P11 Form and/or the most recent fact sheet through the online application system.
Candidates may be required to sit for a test.
Due to the volume of applications only short listed candidates will be invited for interview.