STTA Consultant: Value Chain
Specialist - Citrus

A. ASSIGNMENT

To build the capacity of the harvest and postharvest actors in kinnow to improved management and post-harvest practices through on-farm and off farm demonstrations and hands-on training with follow up of performed activities.

B. SPECIFIC TASKS OF THE CONSULTANT

Under the scope of work, the consultant shall use his experience and knowledge of best practices to accomplish the following:

1. Assessing the current situation of citrus sector and identification of major’s gapes, under the direction and supervision of the Citrus Value Chain Lead (VCL) and overall directions of Director of Programs.
2. Design, implementation and monitoring the citrus value chain strategy and activities, with the collaboration and cooperation of citrus VCL and strategic directions from the Director of Programs.
3. Selection/identification of beneficiaries.
4. Establish work plans and timelines for implementation with consistent follow up
5. Coordination with M&E team to  set quantitative result/ targets that reflect adequate economic returns (i.e. income and employment) to project and stakeholder investment
6. Regularly /periodically collect and report data related to his/her sector for documenting the outputs/outcomes/impact of the program intervention.
7. Coordination with the Implementing Partner, private and public sector necessary for successfully realizing objectives
8. Identify, establish and maintain linkages at both farmers and packers and marketing levels
9. Coordinate in the information gathering requirements as indicated by the M&E Department
10. Prepare training calendar and coordinate and support the process of development of training materials.
11. Maintain high ethical standards at all times, avoiding any actual or perceived conflicts of interests
12. Prepare, Implement and regularly follow up on the monthly plans.
13. Any other tasks/ duties assigned by the Director of Program and/or immediate supervisor related to citrus value chain.

C. DELIVERABLES

• Conduct field training on the sites of kinnow farms, pack houses on  best harvesting and post-harvest practices;
• Extending Best Harvest and Postharvest Practices and technologies to the kinnow farmers, contractors labor and pack house work force on grading, packaging and storages at Bhalwal;
• Strengthen the  harvest and postharvest management with aim to reduce postharvest losses;
• Identification of harvest tools, and technologies equipment to introduce among the postharvest actors to reduce losses;
• Present economic difference  with adoption of best practices;
• Develop Guidelines on improved harvest and postharvest management practices for kinnow.
• Monthly planning and progress reports;
• Submission of monthly timesheets which should be approved by his direct supervisor.

D. DURATION, TIMIMG & SCHEDULE

The consultant will use his services for a period of 03 months, starting from the beginning of November 2014- Jan 2015 (extendable on the need basis of Project activity), working five days a week.  The consultant will spend the later part of his assignment in promoting management practices and will also develop market linkages.

E. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• M.Sc  (H) , Horticulture with three years of practical experience of developing efficient system for harvesting, post-harvest handling, packaging and improved cold storage facilities  for kinnow
• Experience of successfully Implementation of modern techniques/technology  at kinnow harvest, pack house level handling, postharvest treatment ,grading, sorting, packaging and export of kinnow
• In-depth technical knowledge and experience of supervising citrus Value Chain from production to Harvest, post-harvest handling and pre-shipment inspection.
• Experience and knowledge  of export protocols and quarantine standards of high value international markets,
• Experience interfacing with private sector at various levels in the value chain.
• Demonstrated capacity as a creative, flexible and dynamic achiever.
• Experience developing farmer-level and produce marketing organizations.
• Management and supervising experience of a multi-staff- three year minimum.
• Experience in implementation of USAID projects, including work plan design and implementation, budgeting, management for results and familiarity with M& E requirements and reporting- three year minimum
• Good knowledge of oral and written English, Knowledge of local language will be a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills at multiple levels (e.g. Farmers to exporters)
• Special preference will be given to candidates with Post-graduate level studies in the relevant field from a reputable North American or European University