1.     INTRODUCTION

World Wide Fund for Nature Zambia (WWF Zambia) is part of WWF International, the world’s leading independent conservation organization with a global network in over 100 countries. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of both people and nature. The organization has been working in Zambia since 1962; focusing on wildlife, forests, freshwater as well as People and livelihoods.

2.     BACKGROUND

WWF Zambia is seeking the services of a consultant who will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive market analysis in the target landscapes in eastern and western provinces to identify the potential markets for the value chains to be identified in the landscapes. The assessments will be conducted in six districts. In Eastern province, the assessment will be done in Nyimba, Lusangazi and Petauke. In Western province, the assessment will be conducted in Sesheke, Sioma and Mwandi districts.  This assessment will be done in close collaboration with the district implementing teams which will include WWF staff and District level government actors

3.     OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

The Climate Change Adaptation in Forest and Agricultural Mosaic Landscape project is being implemented by WWF Zambia in collaboration with FAO and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment through the Forestry Department. The main objective of this project is to increase the resilience of productive landscapes and rural communities through organizational innovations and technology transfer for climate change adaptation. The project has four main components that provide pathways to change, thus; Component 1. Strengthening the management capacity at national level and within productive landscapes for climate resilience including water management; Component 2: Promoting innovations and technologies in agriculture and forestry value chains. Component 3: Enhancing diversified farm-based livelihood strategies for climate resilience and Component 4: Project monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of results. The project is being implemented in Nyimba, Lusangazi and Petauke in Eastern Province and Sioma, Mwandi and Sesheke in Western Province.

4.     Specific terms of reference that the consultant will address are as follows:

Conduct a market analysis for the various forestry and agricultural products found in the target landscapes
Research the forestry and agriculture industry in Zambia and beyond to provide information on current trends
Assess the competitive landscape of the forestry and agriculture industry by identifying the key players and their key selling points.
To critically Identify the market gaps in forestry and agriculture for Micro, Small and Medium entrepreneurs.
Define the specific potential target markets for forestry and farm Products, non-timber forestry products for organizations such as Cooperatives and other community based enterprises.
Provide a detailed assessment of any existing barriers to entry in the forestry products and agriculture value chain industry
Create a sales forecast for the identified value chains.
Recommend possible strategies that will augment/support delivery of technical training in value chain production (e.g. Forestry and agricultural products aggregation)
Propose strategies for engaging public and private sector actors to proactively commit to support vulnerable communities enhanced inclusion in markets.
Identify mechanism for Improved access to formal and informal credit mechanisms with the view of increasing access to finance among targeted beneficiaries
5. DELIVERABLES

a)         An Inception Report

This should be drafted within 7 days of signing the contract outlining the envisaged methodology, tools, timelines and modalities of how the assignment shall be undertaken within the duration specified, clearly stating how the anticipated deliverables will be achieved.

b)         Training Needs Assessment Report

A report clearly identifying the training needs of the target communities and or groups in relation to the Forest value Chains of the timber and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) found in target local communities that should be developed.

c)         Training Materials

d)         Training Report

e)         Full report on NTFP value chains for community/ farmers found in the Project sites for development as NTFPs value chains.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The duration of the assignment is Fifty (50) working Days

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE
1)    Degree in Business management, Economics, Agribusiness, and/or political science, international relations, or other relevant field to the Terms-of-Reference;

2)    A postgraduate degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Technology Innovation, International trade or related field.

3)    Five years of progressively responsible professional experience, including development, management and / or Private sector development;

4)    Demonstrated Experience in administrative and financial management of field projects and its monitoring processes;

5)    Demonstrated Experience in multi-stakeholder consultation and decision making processes;

6)    Demonstrated Experience in producer organizations and/or private sector is a plus;

7)    Experience in providing technical advice and support on social forest and producer organizations issues;

8)    Demonstrated Experience in working with international      organizations and GOVT;

9)    Demonstrated Experience in conducting gender analyses, advocating and mainstreaming gender equality

10) Good writing, presentation and communication skills; Fluent in English; Working knowledge of other languages commonly used in countries of the region is a plus.

REPORTING
The consultant will report to the Project Manager of the GEF7/FAO Project. The consultant will also be required to work closely with the Community Forestry Expert and the Business Incubation Officer on the Project.

DUTY LOCATION
Lusaka, Zambia.

Interested applicants may send through proposals complete with:

• Cover letter addressed to the Procurement Officer, WWF Zambia Country Office.
• Company Profile if submission is being made as a company. In addition, kindly provide a VALID Tax Clearance certificate as well as PACRA certificate of incorporation. CVs of the lead consultant should also be provided.
• Both Technical and Financial Proposals inclusive of detailed work plan
• Trade references relevant to the assignment at hand.

The above should be submitted in Soft copy as a single PDF document .

All submissions should be emailed to zcoprocurement@wwfzam.org no later than Friday 28th June, 2024 at 17:00 hrs, with the email subject being  BUSINESS INCUBATION EXPERT FOR MWANDI, SESHEKE, SIOMA IN WESTERN PROVINCE AND NYIMBA, PETAUKE, LUSANGAZI IN EASTERN PROVINCE CONSULTANCY