Result of Service

Output 1 (by 30 June 2024) • Assessment completed and reported concerning 9 companies for the identification of success stories in RECP implementation, support needs analysis, and identification of new measures. Output 2 (by 31 August 2024) • Advisory support and coaching (including in-person and online coaching sessions, and group trainings) delivered and reported to 9 Ugandan companies in the coffee sector to adopt resource-efficient and circular measures. A detailed report submitted documenting the work completed.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

15.05.2024 – 31.08.2024

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) is funded by the European Union (EU) and runs from 2023-2027. With a view to contribute to economic development in the East African Community (EAC) through increased sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade, MARKUP II has been designed to improve livelihoods, employment, export competitiveness for MSMEs and economic growth in Africa through supporting the development and strengthening of key export-oriented priority value chains with high potential. MARKUP II aims at strengthening MSMEs’ market access and export competitiveness by enhancing value addition and diversification and by promoting business to the regional and international markets. The programme will cover activities in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda through the provisions of partnerships with national, regional, and international institutions. MARKUP II will address trade barriers, value addition, compliance, trade facilitation, investment, technology transfer, and institutional support. MARKUP II builds on the achievements of its predecessor, MARKUP I, streamlining procedures, supporting enterprises, and facilitating international trade. The focus sectors of the programme are avocado, cocoa, coffee, essential oils, French beans, gum Arabic, horticulture, leather, packaging, spices, and tea. The following sectors, have been selected, prioritizing the regional dimension and allowing for some countries specificities if a sector is a priority focus in one country or to build on the achievements of MARKUP I: • Uganda: coffee, cocoa, avocado, packaging • Burundi: coffee, tea, essential oils, avocado, packaging • Kenya: coffee, packaging, leather • Tanzania: coffee, avocado, spices, packaging, leather • South Sudan: coffee, gum Arabic, packaging, leather • Rwanda: coffee, avocado, French beans, packaging, leather MARKUP II will deliver a coaching component on resource efficiency and circular production (RECP) targeting MSMEs in selected countries and value chains to support them strengthen their competitiveness through the adoption of resource efficient and circular practices. This approach aims at improving the productivity and environmental performance of beneficiary MSMEs, while supporting them to lower their environmental footprint and realize cost savings. In 2024 the RECP component will focus on the coffee value chain in Uganda, Kenya and third country (e.g. Rwanda). The project is looking for a consultant to support its activities in Uganda (coffee sector). The consultant will assess results of the implementation of RECP measures from phase I of MARKUP with selected companies with the aim to identify success stories and support needs in terms of advisory services for the adoption of RECP measures. Building upon the phase 1, she/he will provide advisory support and coaching to 7 Ugandan companies in coffee sector to adopt resource efficient measures and identify circular opportunities in coffee processing. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the MARKUP II Programme Manager and Associate Programme Officers of the Trade and Environment team of the Green and Inclusive Value Chains section (GIVC). The Consultant will have the following duties and responsibilities: • Conduct an on-site assessment of RECP measures implemented by companies coached during phase I of the MARKUP project in Uganda with the aim to a) identify success stories of the implementation of the RECP component of phase I, b) identify support needs for the implementation of RECP measures previously identified in phase I and new measures identified by the coach. • Based on the ITC RECP methodology, through in-person and online meetings, provide advisory support and coaching to 9 Ugandan companies in coffee sector to adopt resource efficient measures and identify circular opportunities in coffee processing. At least 1 in person meeting, and 4 online meetings to take place. • Deliver one group training for company staff on selected topic linked to resource efficiency/circularity (to be identified together with ITC following first in-person visits of the coach). • Document information of the assessment and individual coaching with MSMEs in report template provided by ITC. One report should be produced for each company. • Attend bi-weekly coordination calls with the ITC team. • Prepare a final presentation (ppt format) summarizing key results of the coaching with MSMEs (e.g. resource savings, financial savings, etc), and recommendations. Copyright Clause: The Consultant has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons – of all genders – equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Qualifications/special skills

Undergraduate degree (BA/BSC or other) in Engineering (environmental, production, electrical etc), corporate sustainability, or related field. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree. At least five years of experience in undertaking environmental assessments of MSMEs, preferably resource efficiency and circular production assessments (water, waste, chemicals and/or energy-related). Experience of working in the coffee sector. Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). Data analysis. Attention to detail. Ability to work independently and to solve problems. Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. Excellent communications skills, both oral and written.

Languages

Fluency in English.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.