International Consultant on Feasibility Studies for Agro-industrial Clusters

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

This project is a part of larger programme aimed at promoting green investment that increases efficiency and competitiveness, thus reducing dependency of communities on direct uses of resources (i.e., wood and pasture) and improving their livelihoods through benefits gained by improving ecosystem functions and diversification of livelihood opportunities for women and men.

In this context the project activities would be both aligned to the immediate needs, particularly those associated with the post-COVID socio-economic rehabilitation framework, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan and direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), in close coordination with the national counterpart, the National Project Coordinator (NPC), and with other project international and national consultants, the International Consultant on Feasibility Studies for Agro-industrial Clusters will undertake the following duties:

Technical Focus

Agro-industrial Clusters in Kyrgyzstan.

Tasks and responsibilities

- Conduct preliminary (ensuring state bodies and other stakeholders could make well-grounded decision) research to analyses preconditions of cluster creation for priority commodities, including preparation of a methodology to conduct the analysis. Organize a round table with key project stakeholders to present results of analysis and defining potential pilots on which project will be implemented
- Support the organization of a Multi-stakeholder Workshop to select two (2) value chains where the agro-industrial cluster modality will be pilot in Kyrgyzstan;
- Coordinate as a team leader the work of two national experts who would be engaged in the development of feasibility studies for the two selected value chains;
- Lead the work of the team in conducting a situational analysis in the two selected value chains, where the Government of Kyrgyzstan and RKDF would like to pilot the modality of agro-industrial clusters, with a particular focus on:
 Patterns of all the engaged actors and stakeholders along the selected value chains;
 Backward and forward links in the selected value chains;
 Challenges and opportunities in establishing clusters;
 Modalities of institutional framework and set up in establishing clusters; , as well as its governance;
 Analysis whether the current context would support value chain upgrading and clustering (feasibility) as well as the potential impact from the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, socio-political and environmental);
 Contribute to the analysis of the current regulatory framework in the selected value chain
Lead the work of the team in developing of detailed feasibility studies for two pilot clusters ensuring consistency of feasibility study for each of selected clusters and with focus on:
 Cluster scheme and structure;
 Cluster actors - composition (the list) of participants of each value chain (VC) and cluster elements;
 Existing capacities of engaged institutions and other cluster elements (educational, scientific, financial, marketing entities)
 Value chains analysis, including functional, socio-economic and environmental analysis. That will contains, among other topics, description of released products; existing volumes and capacities of VC and cluster elements; analysis of raw materials; existing and potential capacities of processing; analysis of the key factors of production, processing, sales (existing market and potential of new markets taking in account their requirements and capacities of Kyrgyz agro-sector; analysis of the current socio-economic and environmental sustainability etc
 Core/development strategies, including an Investment Action Plan (Need in inputs, financial, technical, human, and upgrading investments): existing vs projected necessities in financing of each VC and cluster elements; proposals for financing taking into account tasks of lending organizations (MFO, commercial banks, RKDF); necessary institutions (meso-level); expected immediate results and outcomes and spill-overs; preparation of cluster financial model; Measures to ensure cluster sustainability; Expected results and “side effects”; Others
- Conduct broad consultations with all the potential stakeholders to ensure awareness, interest and commitment to the suggested modalities;
- Present the feasibility studies, including the suggested Investment Action Plan and resources required/committed at a Round Table with participation of national and international stakeholder;
- Support trainings on development and operations of clusters - About 4 trainings (40-50 participants per training from different VCs stakeholders);
- Contribute to the project Guideline on Agro-industrial clusters development in Kyrgyzstan, focusing in the 2 selected clusters;

- Perform any other duties when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

- University degree in agricultural sciences / agro-economy / economics, or related field.
- At least 5 years of working experience in one or more of these areas: Agro industrial Clustering; Value Chain Analysis and Development, Agricultural and agri-business development; Climate Smart Agriculture and Management of Natural Resources practices and technologies
- Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages, preferably Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

- Research, data analysis, analytical and reporting skills.
- Demonstrable working experience in the agri-food sector in Kyrgyzstan would be an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency