GGGI recrute un Agriculture business development specialist

Introduction to GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

Project background

Senegal’s agricultural sector has faced numerous challenges despite the government’s efforts to prioritize its development. These challenges include soil degradation, reliance on rainfall, population growth, outdated equipment, and limited access to quality fertilizers and seeds. The country’s focus on achieving food autonomy is crucial and the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE) recognizes agriculture as a key driver for poverty reduction, job creation, and food security.

In this context, GGGI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Equipment of Senegal and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea, is implementing a “Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable value chains” Project” in the Senegal River Delta. The project is a 39-month and aims to enhance food self-sufficiency and security in Senegal by addressing the critical underlying issues affecting the productivity and resilience of the rice and vegetable value chains.

Under the project, GGGI is planning to develop a business model for Farmer’s Hub Saint Louis. Farmers’ hubs in the target area will become the primary destination for rice and vegetable farmers, functioning as a comprehensive platform for selling produce, accessing high-quality seedlings, farm machinery, post-harvest equipment, marketing information, and agronomic advice, including guidance on climate-smart agriculture. The overall impact of the hubs is an increase in farm yields and income for farmers, while buyers benefit from product aggregation and a reliable supply.

Typically, each hub will serve 500-1000 farmers, connecting them with 10-20 buyers, including traders, processors, and export companies of medium to large scale. The hubs will be owned by rural entrepreneurs, agribusiness suppliers, or farmers’ cooperatives, and generate income through service fees. Digitalization will also play a significant role in enhancing the operations of farmers’ hubs. The introduction of dedicated applications like the e-Farmers’ Hub (e-Hub), a mobile and digital platform, has facilitated daily transaction management, improved interactions, and reduced transaction costs for entrepreneurs involved in the hubs.

The hub will be established in the target area, in the delta of the Senegal River (Thilène, Gandiaye, Pont Gendarme).

Objectives of the assignment and scope of work

The main objective of this assignment is to develop a robust business model for the Farmers’ Hubs through benchmarking survey and needs assessment, considering the specific context of the target area. The model should outline the strategies, activities, and operational framework to ensure the sustainability and profitability of the Hubs while maximizing the benefits for farmers and buyers alike. Also, the model should explore opportunities for leveraging digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Hubs’ operations.

Scope of work

Details

Timeline

Conduct a benchmarking survey of farmers’ hubs in Senegal with potential digital technologies to be integrated into GGGI’s potential Farmer’s Hub.

• Review the existing Farmers’ Hubs in Senegal and conduct benchmarking survey by assessing their function, successes, challenges, and lessons learned to inform the development of an improved and tailored business model.
• Identify and analyze revenue streams of existing Farmers’ Hubs, such as service fees, machinery rentals, input sales, and other value-added services.
• Assess the potential of digital technologies and applications, such as the e-Farmers’ Hub (e-Hub), to streamline operations, facilitate transactions, and reduce costs for GGGI’s potential Farmer’s Hubs.
• 1 week after the contract signing

Conduct field analysis and stakeholder consultation

• Conduct field visits and analyze the target area, including farming zones, transportation infrastructure, and proximity to formal markets, to identify the specific needs and opportunities for GGGI’s potential Farmers’ Hubs.
• Consult with relevant stakeholders for the farmer’s hub including farmers, processors, and traders. Farmer’s hub management, government officials, providers, industry experts, etc to assess stakeholders’ needs, challenges, and potential opportunities for GGGI’s potential farmer’s Hub.
• 2 weeks after the contract signing

Develop a business model for GGGI’s potential farmer’s Hubs

• Develop a robust business model for GGGI’s potential farmer’s Hub. The business model needs to be included below.
• A pricing strategy for the services offered by the Hubs, ensuring affordability for farmers while generating sufficient income to sustain the operations.
• A partnership strategy to strengthen the Hubs’ ownership and support network with rural entrepreneurs, agribusiness suppliers, and farmers’ cooperatives.
• A marketing and outreach plan to attract farmers and buyers to the Farmers’ Hubs, ensuring a steady flow of clients and a reliable supply for buyers.
• An operation and management framework for GGGI’s farmer’s hub.
• 4 weeks after the contract signing

Present and knowledge-sharing session

• Development of materials, such as PPTs, brochures, and infographics to raise awareness among stakeholders about the potential farmer’s hub business model.
• Presentation to key stakeholders or relevant forums to share the benchmarking survey and the proposed GGGI farmer’s business model.
• 5 weeks after the contract signing

Develop an implementation plan

• Develop a detailed implementation plan, including a timeline, necessary inputs, resource requirements, and budget for the establishment and scaling up of the Farmers’ Hubs based on the proposed business model.
• 6 weeks after the contract signing

Deliverables and payment schedule

• All deliverables must be completed and submitted to the Senegal Country Programs Lead/Project Manager for their review and approval,
  All reports must be written in French and English upon request,
• Each report should include a schedule of activities for the past month, the status of implementation, the difficulties encountered, and the recommendations,
• All Payments will be processed after receipt of an invoice and upon validation of each deliverable according to the below schedule:

Scope of work

Deliverable

Timeline

Payment on acceptance of each deliverable

Conduct a benchmarking survey of farmers’ hubs in Senegal with potential digital technologies to be integrated into GGGI’s potential Farmer’s Hub.

• Workplan outlining specific activities with timelines, a list of stakeholders to be consulted, and methodologies for each specific activity.
• A benchmarking report presenting the findings and recommendations of the benchmarking exercise including revenue streams of existing Farmers’ Hubs and the potential of digital technologies and applications could be integrated into the farmer’s hub
• 1 week after the contract signing
• 30%

Conduct field analysis and stakeholder consultation

• Field analysis plan outlining specific activities with timelines, a list of stakeholders
• Consultation reports
• 2 weeks after the contract signing
• 30%

Develop a business model for GGGI’s potential farmer’s Hubs

• 1st Draft of Farmers’ Hub business model, including strategies, activities, and operational framework
• 4 weeks after the contract signing

Present and knowledge-sharing session

• Knowledge sharing materials
• Present to the knowledge-sharing session
• 5 weeks after the contract signing
• 40%

Develop an implementation plan

• The final version of the Farmers’ Hub business model, including strategies, activities, and operational framework.
• A detailed implementation plan based on the proposed business model, including a timeline, necessary inputs, resource requirements, and budget for the establishment GGGI’s Farmers’ Hubs based on the proposed business model.
• 6 weeks after the contract signing

Expertise required

• Master´s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Economics, Agricultural, Business, Management, or other related field;
• Minimum 8 years of experience in conducting assessments and benchmarking surveys related to the establishment of agricultural services, especially farmers’ hubs, preferably in developing countries;
• At least 3 proven records of business model development
• Strong knowledge of the Senegalese agricultural sector, particularly in the rice and vegetable value chains.
• Excellent analytical, research, and report-writing skills;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and facilitate productive discussions.
• Ability to develop a detailed implementation plan, including a timeline, necessary inputs, resource requirements, and budget for the establishment and scaling up of the Farmers’ Hubs based on the proposed business model.

Administrative information

The selection process will involve reviewing candidates’ CVs, financial proposals, interviews, and reference checks.

Date to close is July 28, 2023 Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application.

Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.