Afghanistan: Value Chain Analysis of Dry Fruits in Badakhshan & Samangan, Afghanistan.

Vacancy No : CS/KBL/2/16/012

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private international, nonprofit, and non-denominational development agency. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal and other resource poor areas across the world. Concentrating its efforts in health, education, rural development and strengthening civil society sectors, AKF’s approach is based on a long-term commitment that is maintained despite political and social uncertainty.
The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is a member agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a dynamic network of development agencies currently operating in over 30 countries across Central and South Asia and East and West Africa. AKF (Afg) currently manages and implements the largest multi-sectors development programme within the network and has built a strong reputation with the Government of Afghanistan, donors and local partners in a number of technical fields.
The AKDN is a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. AKF (Afg) is part of AKDN and has been working in Afghanistan since 2002, with programs focused on Rural Development, Education and Health.

1. Rationale
   AKF’s Rural Development department under its market development programme is promoting value chain strengthening in central and northern parts of Afghanistan since 2009; and one of the promising value chain is dry fruits, which is practiced by small farmers since a long time back. Development of this value chain will result in enhanced livelihood opportunity for a high number of small holders and poor households in target areas. AKF, MDP have already started some interventions for the promotion of this value chain based on understanding from the field. But prior to initiate further interventions, it is looking forward to undertake one Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of the sector to identify potential trades/enterprises, existing gaps in the chain and services required for the future. In this process, AKF MDP will hire a consultant who has seasoned experience of undertaking the above mentioned analysis. S/he will identify gaps, opportunities, service requirements and will propose potential interventions strategy for the development of the dry fruits value chain in Badakshan and Samangan provinces.


2. Objective
   The objective of the study is to help AKF MDP team to develop a practical approach for the development/promotion of dry fruits value chain in Badakshan and Samangan provinces. The value chain analysis is expected to cover input supply & services, production, processing, wholesale and finally retail market with focus on increasing market access for the small producers. In addition, s/he is expected to identify interventions that can strengthen the competitiveness of dry fruits, methods for effective value additions and to develop competitiveness strategies that are beneficial both to the environment and to local business development.


3. Main Duties and Responsibilities
   The main duties and responsibilities of the expert include:
    To carry out market survey and identify potential trades in which small holder producers of
   dry fruits are engaged or potential to be engaged for their livelihood in target communities of
   Badakhshan and Samangan.
    To carry out Value Chain Analysis to identify – major actors and their linkages, market
   potentiality and analysis of demand & supply pattern.
    Identify the technical and vocational skills needed for potential male and female dry fruit
   producers which need to be addressed for self and wage employment opportunities.
    To assess and recommend best methodology/practice to provide assistance/support to
   small-holder producers, value chain actors and chain enablers that can have effective role in
   growth and development of the dry fruits value chain.


4. Qualifications Required
    Masters degree in Business Management or relevant field.
    Senior and experienced individual in value chain analysis & feasibility studies.
    Background/sound experience in social development related work in general and with market
   development/income generation program in particular.
    Exposure to technologies/innovations is an advantage.
    Excellent communication and writing skills in English.


5. Deliverables
   The expert will prepare and submit AKF Kabul office the following:
    Comprehensive value chain analysis study report plus recommendation plan for future
   interventions respectively for Badakhshan and Samangan provinces.
    Conduct a debriefing session with MDP staff both in the provinces and Kabul.
    Practical tips/techniques and support/guidance to AKF team in further analysing the value chain
   and designing MDP interventions to address the needs of the sector.


6. Reporting line
   The consultant will report to National MDP Manager and coordinate the logistics and assignment
   operations with Regional MDP Manager(s) in the provinces.


7. Work location(s)
   Badakshan, Samangan and Kabul


8. 
   

   Schedule (including number of assignment days in Afghanistan, total assignment days, total
   payable days)
   Tentative work schedule is given below:

   
   

   Day 1
   Meeting with MDP & ERLU to finalize the Design & Methodologies at NPO, Kabul
   MDP Kabul is responsible
   Day 2
    Travel [Kabul – Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan]
    Meeting with Baghlan MDP team [Design, Methodologies and scheduling]
   MDP Baghlan is responsible
   Day 3 – 12
    Analysis of the dry fruit value chain (Field visits, stakeholder meetings/FGDs/workshop)
    National and international market scenario of Afghan dry fruits with focus on Samangan dry fruit products [desk research or prior information assimilation]
   MDP Baghlan is responsible
   Day 13 – 14
   Discussion in Baghlan, preparation of report and draft presentation to AKF Baghlan
   MDP Baghlan is responsible
   Day 15
   Travel back to Kabul
   MDP Kabul is responsible
   Day 16
   Presentation of findings and debriefing in Kabul for ERLU, MDP Kabul team & Baghlan representatives.
   MDP Kabul is responsible
   Day 17
    Travel [Kabul – Faizabad]
    Meeting with Badakshan MDP team [Design, Methodologies and scheduling]
   MDP Badakshan is responsible
   Day 18 – 27
    Analysis of the dry fruit value chain (Field visits, stakeholder meeting/FGDs/workshop)
    National and international market scenario of Afghan dry fruits with focus on Badakhshan dry fruit products [desk research or prior information assimilation]
   MDP Badakshan is responsible
   Day 28 – 29
   Discussion in Badakshan, preparation of report and draft presentation to AKF Badakshan
   MDP Badakshan is responsible
   Day 30
   Travel back to Kabul
   MDP Kabul is responsible
   Day 31 – 32
   Presentation of findings and debriefing in Kabul for ERLU, MDP Kabul team & Badakshan representatives.
   Departure from Kabul
   MDP Kabul is responsible
   Number of assignment days including travel days: 32 days
   Total number of days charged: 32 days
   Final report submission – within 40 days of presentation in Kabul