The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID) is supporting a four year (2013 - 2017) Livelihoods and Food Security Programme (LFSP), aimed at contributing to poverty reduction through increased incomes for smallholder farmers. The programme will actively address the specific constraints that smallholder farmers - particularly women and youth - face in increasing the productivity of their farms and participating in markets. LFSP’s investment in a consortium of companies in Zimbabwe has begun the process of commercializing the Zimbabwe honey sector. This has connected over 800 rural beekeepers in the Mutasa and Mutare districts with a central buyer and processor in Harare, where the honey is packaged and sold nationally as a brand in all major retailers. The investment by LFSP and the consortium has enabled the mobilization of lead beekeepers and their communities, an intense schedule of both ‘train the trainer’ and field school training in the field, and investment in processing equipment, packaging, branding (Bee Well™ honey), sales and distribution to secure a sustainable end-to-end supply chain.
In order to diversify markets, scale-up sales and significantly increase honey production and the livelihoods that depend on it, there is an opportunity to supply food grade honey in bulk into the EU using, and expanding, the Bee Well™ supply chain. Organic African honey in the EU is a premium, niche product with a demand that currently outstrips supply. The majority of African honey is currently imported from Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia, and initial discussions with honey buyers regarding Zimbabwe honey have resulted in high level of interest, subject to all key supply chain and product standards being met.
In order to supply honey to the EU, a country must be an approved ‘3rd Country’ for honey exports. This requires a structured process and clear engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including government, standards associations, testing laboratories and all supply chain players. This ToR is for a lead consultant to obtain EU third country approval for Zimbabwe for honey exports within 12 months.
The lead consultant will follow a process for project engagement, communications and all key activities and responsibilities. They will identify and manage risks and issues and ensure full awareness and participation between all key stakeholders.
Activities will include:
* A detailed action plan to deliver third country certification with owners and deliverables including a Residue Monitoring Plan and full traceability
* Identification and recommendations for specialist consultants and/ or organisations as needed, leveraging local expertise where possible
* Establishment and management of a ‘Honey Quality Working Group’ with key participants from the supply chain and public sector bodies
* Use the “Working Group” as a forum to assure stakeholder drive, leadership and actions
* Circulate concise monthly reports to all stakeholders with progress, issues and risks
* Engage the EU office at the start of the process and establish a good relationship
* Engagement of (accredited) private laboratories in Zimbabwe where possible to avoid bottlenecks and cost later in the project/ export process
* Effective working with all existing supply chain partners (the Bee Well™ supply chain)
* Effective working with other related projects in the Bee Well™ supply chain including organic certification and HACCP certification of the Bee Well™ honey processing facility
* Management of issues and risks to maintain progress to plan
* Identify other bee products to broaden the scope, manage risks and reduce costs
* Establish awareness about the importance of the process for the whole value chain
* Establish ongoing costs for supply chain of 3rd party certification
* Work with UK-based supply chain partner to secure demand for Zimbabwe honey, and appropriate laboratory tests during the project
Deliverables:
* To secure 3rd country approval for Zimbabwe honey in 12 months with full engagement and support of all key stakeholders
* To ensure engagement of UK/ EU partner during the process to ensure exports and orders are successful once third country approval is obtained
* Any additional deliverables may be decided based on mutual agreement between Palladium team and the consultant.
* The consultant will propose a budget, based on a workplan, the activities and events to be undertaken and the possible involvement of assistant(s).
* The budget shall indicate the number of days and expected fees for each person involved in the project, as well as travel costs, per diems and miscellaneous expenditure.
* The final budget and activity plans will be determined upon negotiations with the best qualifying bidders.
* The contract will be from 1st Oct 2016 and ending on 30th Jun 2017.
* The project will be implemented by a consultant who has specific experience in securing third country status for African countries. Experience of this in the honey sector is a real advantage.
* The consultant team may also have, among others, the following qualifications:
* Master degree or equivalent specializing in business, marketing, international development or agribusiness with experience in a value chain or market development program.
* Experience of undertaking similar kind of approval/ certification assignments such as organic or HACCP experience.
* Experience of working with national or regional governmental organisations, private sector and national or sectoral actors will be an added advantage
* Excellent analytical and communication skills and command over writing good reports in English
Palladium develops and delivers solutions that create positive impact for communities, businesses, societies and economies. We transform lives and create enduring value by working with governments, corporations and non-profit organisations.
Palladium is built on the idea that progress will be supported by four key pillars:
* International Development
* Strategy Execution Consulting
* Impact Investment
* Training and Events
We create positive impact through more than 100 current projects with more than 2000 employees operating in over 90 countries.
