JOB TITLE:  Technical Consultant for Conducting Value Chain Study

REPORTING TO: FSL Team Leader.

PROJECT TITLE: FuTuRe Project (Food to Resilience).

LOCATION: Hadhramout Governorate

TARGETED AREAS: Hajer, Ghayl Bawazir, Amd, Sah, Mukalla City, Rakhyah, Dawan and Mukalla districts

CONTRACT DURATION: Three (3) weeks.

ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSING DATE: 01/01/2025

ABOUT FMF:

The Field Medical Foundation (FMF) has been operating in Yemen for since 2012 during even the most dangerous peak of the conflict in the region. Our staff of dedicated professionals and passionate volunteers are the helping hand that delivers aid from local and/or international partners to those who require it the most, in a country that was already suffering before the war. Today we have helped humanitarian aid reach the hands of more than 9 million vulnerable people in Yemen to help them not only to survive but also to rebuild their lives. We aim to provide a comprehensive approach to providing aid through interventions, which is why we work in almost all sectors of international emergency relief.

*FMF provides work environment which is free of sexual exploitation and abuse, discrimination, and all forms of harassment and abuse of the foundation.

*We undertake rigorous procedures to ensure that only people suitable to work with children and adults’ beneficiaries are allowed to join our organization so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults’ beneficiaries from abuse.

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE:

Increasing poverty rates, lack of employment opportunities, inequalities, lack of justice, political participation, and competition over scarce natural resources, especially water, have been among the key triggers for the social and political unrest that erupted in Yemen in 2011. Today, after nine years of war, Yemen is not only experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, but also threatened by acute and persistent natural resource-related conflicts crisis, food insecurity and dependency on international aid as well as the ever-increasing impact of climate change. The overall development challenge to be addressed is the reduced livelihood resilience of Yemenis due to increased risk of water scarcity, disasters, food insecurity, and water-induced conflict.

Reduced agricultural productivity is considered one of the most devastating impacts of climate change, leading to increased food insecurity and reduced opportunities to generate income. Agriculture remains the country’s most important productive sector, contributing 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and employing over 45 percent of the country’s work force. However, because of low productivity and emerging water shortages, rural incomes stagnate, and poverty increases.

Hadhramaut governorate in Yemen has faced severe disruptions to its agricultural sector due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Smallholder farmers have experienced significant challenges in accessing inputs, markets, and support services, leading to declines in productivity and household food security. To address these issues, FMF is implementing a project aimed at restoring agricultural livelihoods and improving food security in the targeted communities.
As part of this project, FMF requires a comprehensive value chain analysis to better understand the constraints and opportunities within agricultural value chains for Onion, tomato, pepper, okra, watermelon, melon, green legumes, sorghum, and palm seedlings. This study will form the design of effective interventions to strengthen these value chains and support sustainable income generation for smallholder farmers.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Yemen is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to a prolonged conflict, economic collapse, food insecurity, and climate change. With 17.4 million people food insecure and millions depending on aid, the situation remains dire, worsened by rising food and fuel prices. Despite this, Hadramout governorate remains relatively stable, offering a unique opportunity for recovery.

Field Medical Foundation (FMF) has been working in Hadramout since 2014, focusing on livelihood interventions and climate adaptation. Through the World Food Program’s (food to Resilience) FMF aims to improve food security and build community resilience. The project combines Food for Assets (FFA) and Food for Training (FFT) programs, providing food assistance while empowering households through skills training and asset-building activities like agriculture, fisheries, and environmental conservation.

FMF targeted 2500 households in eight districts, rehabilitating community assets, providing vocational training, and offering fishery kits to enhance livelihoods. The project focuses on transitioning communities from emergency relief to sustainable development by expanding infrastructure, improving agricultural output, and ensuring long-term food security. This initiative aims to create a self-sufficient, resilient community capable of overcoming Yemen’s ongoing challenges.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

The final output of this exercise is a report focus on the following:

Value chain mapping and analysis:

1. Carry out value chain analyses of selected products in targeted locations, with a focus on the financial income benefits and livelihood opportunities offered by these products.
2. Mapping the value chain, Identifying the main actors and other stakeholders and how are they linked and interact in the value chain, and assessing the flow of products, information, and financial resources along the value chains for the four crops.
    Analysis of input/output markets. Examining the input/ output markets and their structure, including procurement processes, and analyzing the competitiveness of crops/agricultural products targeted for export.
3. Assess socio-economic aspects and the role of different groups of society, including women and marginalized people, at different stages of the selected product value chain from crop production and harvesting to distribution and export networks.
4. Develop recommendations on how the value chain can empower women and marginalized people and avoid groundwater extraction.

Scope of Work:

• Data Collection:

It is expected that the analysis will employ a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The Consultant shall propose own methodology, which will include:

• Secondary data collection:  review of all relevant studies and materials already produced by the Government, donors, NGOs and/or research institutes in the recent past, and in-detail scan of the outcomes of these studies, as a starting point to map the value chain and to reveal the main constraints.
• Primary data collection: collecting data from identified stakeholders – and producer associations and cooperatives, distributors, local authorities, development partners, UN agencies etc.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
• Engage a diverse range of value chain actors through interviews, focus groups, and potential surveys.
• Ensure adequate representation of smallholder farmers, especially women and other vulnerable or marginalized groups.
• Data Analysis:
• Use SPSS or Excel to analyze quantitative data, identifying key trends in price fluctuations, wage rates, and employment patterns.
• Analyze qualitative data using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes.
• Recommendations:
• Identifying which elements of the chain should be improved and what is the recommended actions. Provide clear, actionable recommendations for project interventions to strengthen the target agricultural value chains.
• Address the key constraints identified and outline strategies for upgrading, improved coordination, and sustainable development of the value chains.
• Ensure the recommendations are practical, context-specific, and aligned with the project’s objectives and scope.

DELIVERABLES:

• Inception Report: Detailing the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline.
• Draft Value Chain Study Report: Presenting the findings from the desk review, mapping, analysis, and stakeholder consultations.
• Final Value Chain Study Report: Incorporating feedback and finalizing the recommendations.
• Capacity Building Materials: Training presentations, tools, and other resources developed.

TIMELINE:

The value chain study should be completed over a period of 3 weeks.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

The consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in economics, agriculture, business management, development, or other relevant area.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting agricultural value chain studies, preferably in conflict-affected or fragile contexts.

• Practical experience in conducting value chain analyses, preferably in post conflict environments.
• Experience in designing or implementing poverty reduction initiatives through livelihood development for rural communities.
• Familiarity with the agricultural sector and market dynamics in Yemen.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).

NOTE: Applicants are requested to apply as soon as possible; the interviews will be done in a rolling basis.

HOW TO APPLY: 

• The deadline for receiving applications is Wednesday, January 01, 2025 
• Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by (CLICKING HERE) 
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.