Development of Value Chain Analysis and Mapping Tool for the Red Meat and Live Animals in SADC Region

Introduction

The African Union – Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR's mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as a resource for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU). The mission of AU-IBAR is to provide leadership in the development of animal resources in Africa through supporting and empowering AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

AU-IBAR recognizes the adoption of a 10-year Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) by the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit. It further recognizes the continent’s transformation agenda which re-affirms the impact envisioned through the Livestock development strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) and Agenda 2063. Therefore as part of providing leadership and coordination in the sustainable development of the continent, AU-IBAR is implementing a 5-year project on “Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa - Live2Africa”. The project pioneers a coherent continental programme approach to build systemic capacity in seven livestock components, that include: Investment in Value Chains, Animal Health; Animal Production, Productivity and Ecosystem Management; Resilience Building; Technology adoption in the Value Chains to inputs, Services and markets; and Strengthening institutional capacities.

The overall objective of the project is "To support transformation of the African livestock sector for enhanced contribution to environmentally sustainable, climate resilient, socio-economic development and equitable growth" while the specific objective is to strengthen the systemic capacity of continental, regional and national Livestock Sector stakeholders for the economically, environmentally and socially sustainable transformation of the livestock sector.

Under the Live2Africa project, support to promotion of regional livestock value chain is critical and hence the drive through regional economic communities to increase investment in Livestock Value Chains. The SADC region in particular, under its strategic action 3, seeks to develop mechanisms to enhance market access at local, regional and international levels. This can be done through enhancing the capacity of member states to conduct value chain analyses through mapping and identification of trading barriers within the region.

In light of this AU-IBAR, through the Live2Africa Project would like to commission a consultancy to develop a value chain analysis and mapping tool the red meat and live animals in SADC region.

Background

The Southern Africa Region selected the development of the Red meat and live animal (Beef and small ruminants) Value Chain as its priority regional livestock value chain and identified three key Strategic Actions necessary for the development of this chosen Livestock Value Chain:

Strategic Action 1: Improved quality, safety, production and productivity of red meat animals (cattle sheep and goats)

1. Generate and promote appropriate technologies, research and development and innovation (breeding, assisted reproductive technologies, and others) throughout the value chain.
2. Capacity building of stakeholders (Both public and private sector) along the value chain
3. Develop /Promote platforms/ hubs for knowledge, communication and information sharing at local, national and regional levels including the use of ICTs

Strategic Action 2: To promote the participation of the private sector throughout the red meat value chain

1. Develop a framework for Public Private Producer Partnerships (PPPP) in the red meat value chain
2. Promote participation of designated groups along the red meat value chain (youth, women and people living with disabilities)
3. Develop innovative financing mechanisms/ models to support red meat value chain actors.

Strategic Action 3: Develop mechanisms to promote sustainability of red meat value chains

1. Develop and improve infrastructure along the value chain
2. Develop mechanisms to enhance market access at local, regional and international levels
3. Develop approaches for conservation and utilization of natural resources and the environment

Rationale

Agriculture is the mainstay of most of southern African region economies, and processing agricultural products is a primary regional industrial activity. The livestock sector plays a pivotal role in contributing towards, food and nutritional security as well as being the economic backbone especially for countries in Southern Africa region.

Livestock value chains are complex, comprising compound networks, relationships, and transactions, as at each stage or transaction, the animal or its product gains “value” either as its quality improves or as its delivery to the final consumer is made more efficient. Therefore to ensure efficiency, quality and system competitiveness, value chain analysis and mapping is critical as it provides important insights into four main issues of any sector, these include macroeconomic issues; Governance issues, social capital issues and dynamics of interlinkages In addition, value chain analysis provides a knowledge platform especially for new producers including the small holders who are trying to penetrate global markets. It further provides an analytical tool to better understand the policy environment; identify the economic, environmental and social drivers; business linkages and global market environment and promotes systemic competitiveness1.

Currently, the need to drive the adoption of a market-oriented value chain approach has heightened. It has been emphasized that through this action, interventions that are demand driven and meet market requirements should be promoted. This approach will encourage greater productivity, improve supply linkages, strengthen relationships among suppliers and attract investment across the whole the value chain, ultimately leading to increased incomes for all actors.

In response to the growing global and continental needs to enhance value chain efficiency, SADC member states identified the need to establish a value chain analysis and mapping tool that will enable the following features to be identified;

1. Characterization of the Red Meat livestock value chain including establishment of the contribution the respective value chain makes to economic growth, nutrition security, poverty reduction, its relevance,
2. Value chain analysis including economic, environmental and social drivers of the chain

3. Value chain mapping including;

   1. End market analysis – mapping niche markets, potential of the RLVC to be a market –led etc
   2. Stakeholder/Actors mapping
   3. Establishment of red meat and live animal VC environment
   4. Establishment of vertical and horizontal linkages in the red meat and live animal VC and the critical interactions

4. Value chain governance - MOUs between member states, rules and regulations available, regional tariffs, international tariffs, coordination mechanisms, food safety regulations etc- specific to the red meat and live animal value chain

5. Risk analysis – feed challenges, animal diseases, etc

6. Sustainability of the red meat and live animal VC (policy issues, trade issues, regional issues, economic issues, environmental issues (Climate smart, contribution to ecosystem services),social inclusion (empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities – vulnerable groups, etc.)

Objectives of the Consultancy

Under the Live2Africa global result area 1 (Investment in Livestock Value Chains (LVCs) increased) the overarching goal is to develop mechanisms to enhance market access at local, regional and international levels. This can be done through enhancing the capacity of member states to conduct value chain analyses through mapping and identification of bottlenecks and removing trading barriers in the region.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are:

1. To interrogate the research conducted in the selected value chain by all key stakeholders including universities, public and private researchers, NGOs and development partners at national and regional level.
2. To synthesize available value chain analyses reports for red meat and live animals in SADC Member States with a focus on informing the development of the value analysis and mapping tool.
3. To compile a compendium of import and export regulations of SADC markets
4. To develop an instrument for value chain analysis and mapping the Red Meat and live animal in the SADC region
5. To draft appropriate training manuals for the developed value chain analysis and mapping tool
6. To facilitate validation of value chain analysis and mapping tool via an e-workshop

Expected Outputs/Deliverables of the Consultancy

It is expected that the following will be achieved under this assignment:

• An Inception Report with clear proposed methodology, detailed activity work plan, time scale, and validation plan for the delivery of the consultative workshop, as well as an outline for the consultancy report submitted
• In-depth desk review of the red meat and live animal value chain in SADC member states conducted
• Compendium of import and export regulations for the Red Meat and live animal value chain availed
• A validated value chain mapping tool based on the priority needs of the red meat and live animal value chain available
• Appropriate training manuals for value chain analyses and mapping tool produced
• Validated Red Meat and live animal value chain mapping and analysis tool available

Methodology

The process of the executing the project will be guided by the respective RECs consultative process of developing policy and legal instruments. In brief, this will involve national and regional bench reviews and consultations, interviews and validation workshop. The strategy will have a vision and a mission to guide the regional and national strategic aspirations for the Livestock Genetic Resources.

In summary, the consultant is expected to use a variety of approaches including but not limited to;

1. Desktop studies for review, collation and analysis of red meat and live animals red meat and live animals livestock value chain at national level.
2. In depth interviews with stakeholders from public and private sectors in 4 selected representative REC Member States
3. Collection, collation and analysis of national policies, strategies, laws and regulation amongst other policy instruments in the region
4. Development of a red meat and live animals value chain analysis and mapping tool
5. Facilitate validation meeting(s) for the value chain analysis and mapping tool.

Inception Report (IcTR)

An Inception Report (IcTR) should be submitted within 2 weeks of commencing the assignment. The IcTR of not more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timeline/calendar and programme of activities and an outline of the contents of the Final Technical Report.

Progress Reports

An update on progress should be reported bi-weekly to AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA technical staff.

Interim Technical Report (InTR)

The interim Technical Report is perceived to be the First Draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR). The InTR should be submitted to AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA after 30 working days of the assignment.

Final Technical Report (FTR)

The Final Technical Report (FTR) should take into account contributions and comments from the relevant stakeholders, including AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA. The FTR must be submitted at the end of the period of implementation of the tasks.

Time Frame

The assignment will be conducted for a period of 50 (fifty) working days spread over 90 days including collection of secondary data and information, consultations, field visits (if feasible), presentation of the findings and submission of the final report. The final report should be submitted within 14 calendar days of the receipt of final comments on the draft.

The assignment will start immediately after signature of the contract by both parties.

Technical and Financial Proposals

Applicants should submit a Technical Proposal that should include:

• Outline of the methodology, for conducting the consultancy as per the tasks and indicate the number of days to accomplish each task.
• Profile and CVs of the consultant undertaking the work indicating relevant academic qualifications and professional experience
• Information showing past experience in related fields, demonstrating an inventory of past and current assignments of similar nature.
• Contact addresses (Postal, email and telephone) of at least three referees or any other information that may show the consultant’s ability to carry out the assignment to satisfaction.

Financial Proposal

This consultancy has a maximum budget allocation of USD 15,000.00. Therefore, the Financial Proposal should not exceed this amount.

The Financial Proposal should cover consultancy fees for the conduct of the assignment from the beginning (day of signature by both parties) to the end of the consultancy (when Final Technical Report is submitted), bearing in mind that the assignment is for a total period of 50 working days. There will be no other consultancy fees paid outside this period.

Management Arrangements

Location of Assignment

The assignment will be carried out in the SADC region from the consultant’s base. There will be a possibility of travel to selected countries in the SADC region subject to the lifting of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any necessary and feasible field visits will be carried out in after agreement with AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA. AU-IBAR will cover the costs of field visits (DSA, air-ticket, travel, etc.) according to AUC Rules and Regulations.

Qualifications

The assignment is open to experienced experts with over 15 years’ experience in Agriculture and over 5 years working experience in livestock value chains in the SADC region. A Masters’ degree qualification in agriculture, natural sciences, arts, social sciences or related subjects is the minimum required for this assignment. A PhD is an added advantage.

A good command of both spoken and written English is essential. Knowledge of other AU languages (French, Portuguese and Arabic) will be an added advantage.

Competencies

Professionalism – good understanding and knowledge of animal resources development, agricultural economics, communication, advocacy or other relevant disciplines.

Planning and Organizing – Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.

Writing and Communication – excellent writing skills; ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate messages effectively

Evaluation Criteria

Technical Scoring

The evaluation of the Technical Proposal will weigh 70% of the total rating and will be evaluated against the following criteria

1. At least five years’ working experience in livestock development specific to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states
2. Proficiency in the red meat and live animals livestock value chains
3. Familiarity with the specific value chain actors and how partnerships should work
4. Knowledge of national and/or regional policies, strategies, laws and regulation amongst other policy instruments
5. Record of successful accomplishments of similar tasks conducted
6. Evidence of excellent writing and communication skills
7. Proficiency in spoken and written English language
8. Evidence of experience in stakeholder consultations and engagement
9. Adequacy of the proposal, work plan and approach

Financial Evaluation

The evaluation of the financial proposal will weigh 30% of the total rating. The financial proposal will be evaluated on the basis of total cost, cost realism and used in combination with the assessment of the technical quality to determine the best value for money.

Status and Responsibilities of the Consultant

By this contract, as a consultant, you are not engaged as an employee of AU-IBAR and therefore you are entirely responsible for your own medical and life insurances. There shall be no other entitlements.

You shall exercise a high degree of skill and care in the provision of the CONSULTANCY services and will devote as much of your time to the services as may be necessary to enable them to be carried out efficiently.

Your relationship with AU-IBAR shall be that of an independent consultant. You will have no authority to incur any liability or make any commitment on behalf of AU-IBAR, nor will you hold yourself out as being an employee of AU-IBAR.

As an independent consultant, you will be solely responsible for any tax, national insurance contributions and any other similar payments and will keep AU-IBAR indemnified against any claims or costs in relation to those matters.

Ownership of Information and Confidentiality

Any information arising out of this work is the property of AU-IBAR and should be available on request. You, as a consultant should obtain a written agreement from AU-IBAR before divulging information relating to the study to any third party.

Supervision and Coordination

The consultant will work closely with the Live2Africa Technology, Innovations and Skill development expert and the SADC and CCARDESA focal persons.

How to apply:

Please submit your CV including three references and a proposal latest 28^th September 2020 to the Director of AU-IBAR, Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road, PO Box 30786-00100 Nairobi, Kenya or email at procurement@au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line consultancy Development of value chain analysis and mapping tool for the red meat and live animals in SADC region. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.