Afghanistan: Small Scale Food-Processing Consultant

Jan 2, 2017 | Roots of Peace
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Roots of Peace is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to rid the world of landmines and other remnants of war by transforming toxic minefields into thriving farmland and communities through a focus on sustainable, organic farming practices. Roots of Peace is implementing the Commercial Horticulture & Agricultural Marketing Program (CHAMP) in Afghanistan for USAID, along with two smaller programs. CHAMP recently received a three-year extension from USAID to implement a program along the lines described below.

The purpose of this assignment is to identify existing and potential agricultural products whose value can be enhanced through efficient value added processing and improved methodologies by small-scale food processing businesses owned or operated by local women, e.g. jams, pomegranate arils, and pre-cut vegetables

CHAMP will provide focused attention to supply chains, marketing, and export promotion of Afghan fruits, nuts, vegetables and other high market value crops to international markets. CHAMP will help Afghan traders and agribusinesses export high value crops to wholesale markets and supermarkets in the region by focusing on two major components: 1) Supply Chain Improvement and 2) Export Market Development to strengthen commercial horticultural exports from Afghanistan.



Description of Role:

  • The Consultant will lead an initiative to improve small scale food processing, with a particular focus on women owned or operated businesses so that they can produce quality horticultural processed products for promising domestic markets.
  • The Consultant will provide expertise in the application of appropriate industrial processing methods, product quality and safety, cost effective packaging, and product presentation.
  • The Consultant will work closely with CHAMP’s Deputy Chief of Party, Gender Manager and Post-harvest and Trade Specialist in implementing this assignment.
  • The Consultant will be responsible for the investigation and determination of the best options for the processing of horticultural products, including fruits and uncut vegetables, and the subsequent establishment of plans on how to implement these ideas.
  • As part of this work, the Consultant will analyze current food processing practices used in the country and determinate the best-course of action for promoting promising processed products in CHAMP target areas.



Deliverables:

  • Detailed methodology for conducting the assignment for approval by the Chief of Party within one week of undertaking the assignment.
  • Interim Report outlining preliminary findings and recommendations 25 working days after arrival in Afghanistan.
  • Detailed final assessment report including current status of small scale horticultural processing businesses – with an emphasis on women owned or operated enterprises - and recommendations for improving their operations. The assessment will include an evaluation of physical and human resource capacity of local manufacturers and a concrete plan for strengthening these. Draft Final Report to be submitted one week before departing the country.
  • Design and implement appropriate training courses for small scale horticultural processing businesses – with an emphasis on women owned or operated enterprises. Course content to be submitted within one month of undertaking the assignment. Courses to be delivered during second month of Consultancy as agreed with COP.
  • Provide processing equipment requirements and technical specifications for viable women owned or operated processing businesses to support their application under CHAMP’s small grants program. To be delivered during the first week of the second month of Consultancy, as agreed with COP.

Required qualifications:

  • Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or closely related areas. Master’s degree in one of these areas is highly desirable.
  • Have at least 10 years’ work experience in the design and development of intermediate technology that support processing enterprises, with extensive experience in small to medium scale food processing operations and management, particularly in fruit and vegetable processing.
  • Past experience working in fruit and vegetable packaging industry that support projects in developing countries and South Asia is particularly desirable.
  • Knowledge of international food safety quality standards for horticultural crops, preservation and processing.
  • Private sector experience working with fruit and vegetable processing, especially in the field of apricot drying, jams, jellies, pomegranate arils and pre-cut vegetables is highly desirable.
  • Both spoken and written fluency in the English language.
  • Have excellent communication, leadership, presentation, training, and interpersonal skills.