Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

SNV Zambia Job: Consultant

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Artificial insemination (AI) in dairy is undoubtedly the oldest technique within the assisted reproductive spectrum. It involves collection of semen from a bull and transfer of the semen to the reproductive tract of the cow. Cows can be inseminated with either fresh semen or with commercially available frozen semen. It is a well-accepted method used to achieve faster genetic improvement in livestock species

This has been developed to its optimum extent in cattle. In addition to this, over 80% of all dairy cattle are now bred artificially globally. The success of dairy producers in improving milk production has been impressive. A large proportion of the success is due to improvement of the genetic potential of dairy cattle through use of outstanding sires by artificial insemination.

It is due to the above that AgriProFocus and its members Agriterra, SNV and DAZ have partnered to engage two consultants (one international and one local) who will undertake a study to assess the various AI business models applied in Zambia and other countries and recommend suitable and viable models for DAZ members and other private AI service providers. This scope of work addresses the tasks for the local consultant only.

Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ)

DAZ is a member based organisation that strives to contribute to the development of a strong sustainable dairy industry that can be able to meet both the domestic and regional demand through collaborative business arrangements by processors and producers. DAZ would like to see Zambia become a net dairy exporter, being regionally competitive for all dairy products. The overall mission of DAZ is to promote and protect the interests of its members in their capacity as dairy farmers, processors, purveyors and others involved in the dairy industry.

AgriProFocus Zambia

AgriProFocus Zambia is part of the international AgriProFocus network that promotes and drives farmer entrepreneurship among farmers and their organisations. AgriProFocus is a network that offers a central place (online and offline) where organisations, professionals, and agri-businesses can meet, do business and share resources and knowledge. AgriProFocus is active in Zambia since 2009 and currently hosted by SNV.

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) providing capacity building advisory services to local organizations involved in private sector development. In its effort to contribute to the global and national poverty alleviation goals, SNV works with public sector, private sector and civil society organisations to facilitate increased production, incomes and employment creation. SNV under its Dairy Business Services Project provides capacity services to dairy cooperatives and processors to improve services provision to increase dairy production.

Agriterra
Agriterra is an agri-agency that provides advisory services to farmer organisations in the field of advocacy, farmer entrepreneurship and bankable cooperatives. Agriterra has been supporting the build-up of the AgriProFocus network in Zambia since 2012. From November 2015, a Business Advisor will be based in Lusaka to represent the interests of Agriterra in Zambia.

Objectives

  • To determine the level of commercialisation of AI services in Zambia especially in relation to small holder farmers/cooperatives
  • To identify major challenges affecting the commercialisation of AI service provision in Zambia
  • To recommend suitable AI enterprise models for AI service provision that is expected to increase milk yields for small holder farmers/cooperatives

Activities
The local consultant will conduct the following analysis in these phases:

  • Undertake a mapping exercise and list all AI services providers (companies/dairy cooperatives/government) in Zambia clearly indicating town/district where they are found and service package offered
  • Develop a table with a detailed list of different AI models used clearly highlighting type of model, country of origin and advantages/ disadvantages

Demand analysis for AI services in Zambia including:

  • Identify AI service packages most in demand
  • Indicate actual prices for AI service packages and what the clients are willing to pay
  • The satisfaction of the clients of specific service packages by district and target group
  • Map % of farmers using AI vs. bull service and willingness to move from local bull to AI
  • Map % of farmers using conventional semen vs. sexed semen and willingness to move from conventional to sexed semen
  • Conduct an AI business risk assessment exercise and SWOT Analysis
  • Identify constraints faced by AI service providers
  • Provide remediation’s to constraints identified at private/cooperative level
  • Demonstrate profitability of AI service provision at all levels -individual, company or cooperative level in Zambia. A comprehensive cost, price and break-even analysis for different packages at different levels should be undertaken
  • Make a recommendation of the viable AI model to be adopted at individual, company and cooperative level
  • Points 6 and 7 will be conducted in collaboration with the international consultant. A clear inceptions report will be delivered together by the international and local consultant to stipulate the exact responsibilities for this assignment

 

Number of days allocated to activities: 20 days, of which 10 days preparatory work by a local consultant (mapping), followed by a 10-day joint mission by the local consultant and an international consultant (Dutch Agripool expert who will be focused on strategy).

Location of the activity: 10 rural districts in selected regions (Southern, Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt Provinces). The exact itinerary will be discussed with the technical team.

Methodology
AgriProFocus, Agriterra, SNV, and DAZ have selected an international consultant to lead the team focusing on strategy. The local consultant will work with the international consultant to complete the assignment. Both will respond to a technical review team made up of representatives from the AgriProFocus, Agriterra, SNV and DAZ who will be responsible to review and approve the report.

The local consultant will provide a proposal that will outline the methodology and the selection process of the 10 districts in the two selected study regions. The consultant will meet with the technical review team to discuss the assignment after which he/she will draft an inception report clearly stating methodology, timeframe, and developing criteria for selection of 10 rural areas to conduct the field research. The inception report will include the selected 10 areas. This methodology will also be shared with the international consultant for inputs before submission to the technical review committee.

The local consultant will be responsible to work hand in hand with the international consultant. He/she will be responsible to conduct activities 1-5 under point 3 of this scope of work. Activities 6 and 7 will be conducted jointly with the international consultant. He/she will be responsible to contextualise the research and to provide the international consultant with a network. The local consultant will also be in charge of organising the field programme and securing meetings with businesses and providing existing research material on the subject matter.

The local consultant will conduct field research through focus group discussions, interviews, collection of data from all relevant players and will continue the field research with the international consultant where relevant. Additional desk research is done at home base, data analysis and first draft report is produced. This first draft will be delivered to the technical committee for review. After the committee’s feedback the consultant will finalize the study.

Target group of the activity: AI Service Providers (companies, individuals and dairy cooperatives).
Number of participants in activity: 2 consultants (1 local consultant, 1 Dutch agripool expert) , AI services providers, smallholder farmers.

Expected result of activity: A report with articulated AI models and analysis of requested content as described above.
Time period: 20 days, specific planning together with all stakeholders, starting in October until November 2015

Deliverables

  • Inception report by October 21st
  • First draft of the AI assessment study by November 12th
  • Presentation/Validation of findings by November 16th
  • Final draft of the AI assessment study by November 23rd

Qualifications and Submission requirements for consultant

  • A degree in economics or business administration or other relevant degree pertaining to agribusiness from a reputable institution.
  • Experience in financial, cost and investment analysis;
  • Familiarity with the dairy sector in Zambia and AI business models;
  • Fluent in English (speaking, reading, and writing);
  • Good communication, relational and computer literacy skills.

How to apply
The consultant is required to submit his/her CV, cover letter and one example of work that is similar to the proposed assignment to [email protected], [email protected] and cc: [email protected].

The deadline for submission is 19th October 2015