Agriculture Value Chain Assessments, Iraq.

Assignment

1. Introduction

Oxfam in Iraq is implementing a three-year project with the aim to address poverty reduction and food insecurity in Anbar and Salah al Din governorates through an integrated approach to agricultural development underpinned by social, economic, and environmental objectives. The Project will enhance the capacity of smallholder farmers and value chain actors (enterprises, services providers, departments) in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. The project will also support effective and inclusive governance within farmer associations, unions, and communities.   support effective and culturally appropriate skills development modalities.

2. Objectives:

Oxfam aims to conduct firstly a rapid market assessment and secondly three value chain assessments which will guide the design and development of its interventions aiming to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in agriculture sector in Anbar and Salah Din governorates of Iraq. To this end, Oxfam is seeking services of a consulting firm/team of experts to undertake two tasks:

Task A: One (01) Rapid Market Assessment

Task B: Three (03) Value Chain Assessments

3. Scope of Work

Task A: One (01) Rapid Market Assessment

The objective of the RMA is to screen and identify potential value chains that offer opportunities for development interventions. To this end the consultant is expected to:

1. Determine the specific criteria to identify and prioritize the value chains (e.g., market access, functionality, demand, potential for job creation, sustainability, impact on vulnerable groups etc.)
2. Develop a scoring system based on the criteria established (Step 1)
3. Collect secondary and primary data (KIIs, FGD, Survey)
4. Undertake an analysis to select three (03) high-potential value chains for further exploration and development.
5. Present the findings to key stakeholders for validation and refinement.
6. Share the complete RMA report including the validation part.

Task B: Three (03) Value Chain Assessments

The objective of the value chain assessment (VCA) is to understand, analyze and map barriers and opportunities and thus devise a strategic plan to increase value, improve the competitive advantage, reduce cost, increase employment and wealth generation in select value chains. To this end the consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

1: Assessment of the current status

Assess the entire value chain from the first stage of input supply, production/ farm site, collection, storage, processing, transportation, distribution, retailing to the last stage of consumption. This component will cover a qualitative mapping of core value chain processes, actors, product, and information flow specifying the direction and relationship for each element.

2: Quantification of the value chain

This section will comprise a quantification of the value chain which shall include the value created at each stage of the value chain, cost and revenues, wage, and income distribution, as well as number and nature of employment, technology and governance structures on the employment among other aspects.

3: Market Potential Analysis

Another important element of the assessment would be documenting end-market opportunities, market trends, industry dynamics, and the constraints of value chain players and stakeholders to tap the market opportunities.

4: Collective Action

This component shall explore the current state of collective action in the value chain (i.e., organization of farmers/producers into groups, associations) and their coordination arrangements and functions. If such structures of collective action don’t exist, then the study should assess the potential and scope for such entities.

5: Gendered Enterprise and Markets (GEM)

GEM is Oxfam GB’s approach to market systems development. The GEM approach facilitates change in market systems and social norms, with the aim of ensuring more sustainable livelihood opportunities for marginalized women and men. As part of the VCA, this part of the research should explicitly explain the different priorities, needs, and constraints in the value chain faced by rural poor, particularly women and subsequently propose solutions to generate income and employment for women.

6: External Environment

The VCA should explore the external environment including policy, institutional, and regulatory constraints or challenges that hinder or opportunities/developments that could facilitate growth.

Task C: Value Chain Development Plan

The study should provide a comprehensive value chain development plan (the major output of this assignment). The plan will be developed in two stages:

1. Drafting and listing of key binding constraints and corresponding solutions, guided by social (inclusion), economic (growth and competitions) and environmental (climate smart) objectives.
2. Undertake a prioritization as well as cost-benefit analysis of the suggested/possible solutions across the value chain such that the development phase of the value chain is logical and impactful.

4. Methodology

• Data Collection: Utilize primary and secondary data sources, including surveys, interviews, field visits, and existing literature.
• Analytical Tools: Employ tools relevant to the scope of the work including but not limited to rapid market assessment, value chain mapping, value chain analysis, ranking and prioritization, cost-benefit analysis, and stakeholder analysis etc.
• Engagement: Conduct stakeholder workshop to validate findings and gather feedback.

5. Key Deliverables:

• Inception Report - summarizing the objectives, scope of the assignment with a well-articulated research methodology, sampling design, data collection and analysis etc. along with the inception report, draft tools/templates to be deployed for the purpose of this research need to be provide for review and finalization by Oxfam.
• Data Collection: conduct review of secondary data and collect primary data for the purpose of the research.
• First draft report based on primary data, analysis, and assessment.
• Final Report, containing full-fledged upgrading plan with intervention pathways, in English and translated to Arabic. In addition to all the raw data collected.

Timeline for implementation

All documents and reports are to be submitted in English unless otherwise stated. Where specifically stated, translation into Arabic will be done only after the English version is approved by Oxfam Iraq and for the respective deliverables. All deliverables will only be accepted if they meet highest quality standards. Documents, including drafts, must be well structured and written. Data collection, analysis and presentation are expected to meet highest standards. All final documents must be proofread and professionally edited before submission. 

TOR LINK: https://oxfam.box.com/s/zi70rshr6ovnekjsby9po43mu1nefnxe 

Proposal requirements  

Oxfam is requesting the service providers to hand in a proposal of maximum three (5) pages, which should highlight the methodology and analytical approaches that the consultant will employ for acquiring and analysing data; the types of data(sets) that will be used; an analysis plan; and a workplan. The proposal should also include a succinct description of consultant’s capacities and any relevant experience related to the ToR. The 3-page proposal does not include biographies, CVs, diplomas, sample work and references, which should be submitted separately. Proposals not fulfilling the minimum criteria will be excluded from the tender procedure and will not be assessed further. 

 Education and Experience  

Interested team must possess diverse academic backgrounds commensurate with the scope of work mentioned above. Team members must hold advance degree in agriculture, economics, finance, public /environmental policy, sustainable development studies or any other relevant field. Academic training or degree in climate science and climate change related matters is highly preferable.

Experience:

• The team should have significant knowledge and experience in conducting high quality value chain research and analysis.
• The team should have technical knowledge of agriculture, economics, finance, and policy.
• Experience on research on business models and financial feasibilities.
• Experience in the MENA region is an asset.  
• Capability and access to collect primary data efficiently in Iraq with experts’ presence on the field.  
• Proficiency in English and in Arabic.   

Selection Process

Evaluation scores will be awarded for each of the components. Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%. Only candidates scoring 70% (i.e., 49 points) in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial proposal evaluation. The proposal will be assessed based on the following selection criteria: 

Timeframe  

The assignment will be starting the 15^th of November until the 15^th of January 2025, inclusive of the submission of the final deliverables defined within. Weekly meetings will be held to discuss findings and direction of work.

Disclaimer

Oxfam is not obliged in this tender procedure to make a contract award decision or to conclude a contract with a participant. Participants in the tender procedure cannot claim compensation from Oxfam, any affiliated persons, or entities, in any way, in case any of the afore-mentioned situations occur. By handing in a proposal, participants accept all terms and reservations made in this ToR, and subsequent information and documentation in this tender procedure.

Required minimum mandatory documents (in addition to the proposal requirements) which must be submitted to the email below:

1. Technical proposal.
2. Signed stamped detailed financial proposal, including the payment terms and payment methods, using the following template:

3. Consultant CV.
4. Workplan.

The interested parties should send all the required documents listed above to the address irqconsultancy@oxfam.org.uk.

Email subject: Agriculture Value Chain Assessments

Deadline for submission of offers:

The deadline for submitting the offers is: 7th Nov. 2024 (17:00 hr.).