The expected orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) value chain project linked to the MIONJO program in Southern Madagascar, which is financed by the World Bank, is a 26 month effort expected to begin in May 2023.

The Consultant in Training Assistant in Agricultural Extension will be involved in identifying and supporting business skill development for SME or community organizations at the commune level in the intervention area in Southern Madagascar. The consultancy will operate at these 10 districts with extensive travel to the communes.

Objectives:

• Develop selected orange-fleshed sweetpotato processed products and one for sweetpotato silage for cattle. Cost benefit analysis will be included in these studies.
• Participate to gendered market analysis assessment for sweetpotato and cassava roots in the target regions, including leaves of both crops.
• Assess the potential CBO to be selected for successfully engaging in a OFSP-based value chain with an enterprise perspective and identifying 2 target markets in each district.
• Assess the potential 2 Primary School and/or 2 Health Center to be selected for successfully engaging in OFSP vine multiplication and utilization in each district.
• Collaborate with the baseline survey enumerators to ensure that the value chain activities are captured, taking gender and socio-economic conditions into account.
• Select youth and/or women as value chain specialists. Implement the gender-responsive training program for marketing and business development skills of sweetpotato-focused value chain specialists.
• Contribute to brief report that summarizes the legal options for organizing value chain specialists (VSCs) into a cooperative or other type of legal entity for service provision.
• Collaborate with team members in introducing the program to district and local officials.

Deliverables:

• Initial workplan, approved by project coordinator.
• Monthly progress report and next month approved plan.

o   A. Two feasibility studies on sweetpotato processed products;

o   B. One feasibility study on sweetpotato silage;

o   C. One gendered market analysis;

o   D. Report assessing the potential of 15 community-based organizations (CBOs) for successfully engaging in a sweetpotato value chain with an enterprise perspective.

o   E. Report examining the potential candidates for larger-scale production of sweetpotato puree

o   F. Draft training program for sweetpotato-focused value chain specialists

o   G. Report on the legal options for organizing value chain specialists into a legal entity for service provision

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agro-business, or marketing
• Expertise in:
  o   Understanding of agricultural value chains, including the processing sector
  o   Knowledge in marketing and agribusiness
  o   Experience in designing training tools and conducting youth trainings.
  o   Conducting survey and collecting data
  o   Experience in gender-responsive interventions preferred
• At least 3 years of professional experience
• Knowledge in community rural behaviour and mobilization
• Business oriented mindset (cost benefit analysis, price analysis)
• Excellent French and Malagasy speaking and writing skills; working knowledge of English
• Knowledge of legal regulations concerning cooperative, or association formation and governance preferred
• Ability to use Word, Excel, and Power Point (MS Office package)
• Willingness to travel and spend overnight in difficult conditions

Benefits

Expected duration and conditions:

• This consultancy contract is for an initial of 6 months.
• The payment is a fixed and consolidated fee.