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The International Executive Service Corps (IESC) Jobs 2024Position Description
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study Opportunities at IESC August 2024
Location Tanzania
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study Opportunities at IESC August 2024
Location Tanzania Department Programs
Employment Type Volunteer
Employment Type Volunteer
USAID-Funded
Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program
Scope of Work
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study
Description of the Program: Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program
Scope of Work
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study
Improving
Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) serves as the lead
implementer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program (F2F A2F)
to address deficits in the financial ecosystem hindering investment and
growth in agriculture for individual farmers, as well as micro, small,
and medium-sized enterprises through the delivery of volunteer technical
assistance. IESC has designed a thematic F2F program to generate
sustainable, broad-based economic growth and create jobs in the
agricultural sector with a special focus on assistance to women and
youth. Focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, and
Liberia, the F2F A2F Program will work with local partner organizations
and volunteer hosts to field pro bono experts from the U.S. agriculture,
corporate, and banking sectors to address systemic capacity constraints
for farmers and lenders in each targeted country and unlock finance for
improved agricultural production leading to utilization of agricultural
technologies and increased sales and incomes.
Problem Statement:
There is a wide range of potato production systems in developing countries that depend on local growing and marketing conditions. In high altitude regions where potatoes are relatively cheap to produce, a large portion of the crop is stored and used for home consumption. In regions where potatoes are relatively expensive such as in Central America and Southeast Asia, farmers sell a larger proportions of their potatoes to purchase cheaper foods. Moreover, the earnings from potato sales are used to improve other staple food crops productivity. In comparison with other food crops, dry matter, energy and protein production of potato per hectare and per day are high.
In Tanzania, potatoes are increasingly becoming an important cash and food crop, especially in the Southern and Northern highlands of Tanzania. Previously, the crop was grown by highland farmers for their own consumption, but recently it has become popular among people in rural and urban centers. Potato demand is increasing fast in rural and urban areas due to the growing fast foods industry in many urban centers. Thus, Tanzanian urban population growth is the main driving force for demand for potato. Potatoes are mainly grown in Southern and Northern Zones of Tanzania where altitudes range from 1500 to 3000 meters above sea level. The Southern highland zones of Tanzania, particularly Mbeya, Songwe, Iringa and Njombe Regions, are the biggest producers of potato in Tanzania.
Currently, potato production levels in southern highland area (Njombe, Iringa, Mbeya and Songwe) sit at a third of their potential This is primarily due to the low availability and use of quality seed, and limited knowledge of good agricultural practices. These – combined with poor marketing structures, unspecified weights and measures, limited value addition and lack of crop promotion – restrict potato profitability among smallholder farmers.
To overcome these challenges, the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program has partnered with an organization at the center of the potato supply chain. They work with smallholder farmers to provide technical support, off take produce, and aggregate, sort, grade and sell produce to town based small scale traders. The organization is planning to conduct potato value/supply chain study to confirm limiting factors and better position themselves to support both downstream and upstream SMEs for inclusive improvement of the value chain.
F2F A2F is therefore recruiting a U.S. citizen or permanent resident volunteer expert who is knowledgeable in value and supply chain analysis. The host needs support to conduct a potato value chain study, train its staff on the value chain findings, and provide recommendations on an intervention strategy.
Objectives:
To conduct potato value chain study in southern highland of Tanzania
To advise the host on the best intervention strategies
Deliverables:
1. Potato value chain study report (potato value chain analysis)
2. Final trip report with at least four measurable/achievable recommendations
3. Power Point Presentation
Anticipated In-Country Schedule:
Additional Travel Information:
Volunteer Outreach:
USAID and IESC encourage all F2F A2F volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of Americans’ good work in developing countries. Volunteers should select at least one outreach activity from the list below, to be completed within one month of return to the US:
Requested Expertise of Volunteer Expert:
How to ApplyProblem Statement:
There is a wide range of potato production systems in developing countries that depend on local growing and marketing conditions. In high altitude regions where potatoes are relatively cheap to produce, a large portion of the crop is stored and used for home consumption. In regions where potatoes are relatively expensive such as in Central America and Southeast Asia, farmers sell a larger proportions of their potatoes to purchase cheaper foods. Moreover, the earnings from potato sales are used to improve other staple food crops productivity. In comparison with other food crops, dry matter, energy and protein production of potato per hectare and per day are high.
In Tanzania, potatoes are increasingly becoming an important cash and food crop, especially in the Southern and Northern highlands of Tanzania. Previously, the crop was grown by highland farmers for their own consumption, but recently it has become popular among people in rural and urban centers. Potato demand is increasing fast in rural and urban areas due to the growing fast foods industry in many urban centers. Thus, Tanzanian urban population growth is the main driving force for demand for potato. Potatoes are mainly grown in Southern and Northern Zones of Tanzania where altitudes range from 1500 to 3000 meters above sea level. The Southern highland zones of Tanzania, particularly Mbeya, Songwe, Iringa and Njombe Regions, are the biggest producers of potato in Tanzania.
Currently, potato production levels in southern highland area (Njombe, Iringa, Mbeya and Songwe) sit at a third of their potential This is primarily due to the low availability and use of quality seed, and limited knowledge of good agricultural practices. These – combined with poor marketing structures, unspecified weights and measures, limited value addition and lack of crop promotion – restrict potato profitability among smallholder farmers.
To overcome these challenges, the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program has partnered with an organization at the center of the potato supply chain. They work with smallholder farmers to provide technical support, off take produce, and aggregate, sort, grade and sell produce to town based small scale traders. The organization is planning to conduct potato value/supply chain study to confirm limiting factors and better position themselves to support both downstream and upstream SMEs for inclusive improvement of the value chain.
F2F A2F is therefore recruiting a U.S. citizen or permanent resident volunteer expert who is knowledgeable in value and supply chain analysis. The host needs support to conduct a potato value chain study, train its staff on the value chain findings, and provide recommendations on an intervention strategy.
Objectives:
To conduct potato value chain study in southern highland of Tanzania
To advise the host on the best intervention strategies
Deliverables:
1. Potato value chain study report (potato value chain analysis)
2. Final trip report with at least four measurable/achievable recommendations
3. Power Point Presentation
Anticipated In-Country Schedule:
|
Day |
Activity |
Location |
Estimated number of days |
|
Pre-departure |
|
Home country |
1 |
|
Day 1 |
|
US to Dar |
1 |
|
Day 2 |
|
Dar es Salaam |
1 |
|
Day 3 |
|
Dar |
1 |
|
Day 4-5 |
|
Dar |
2 |
|
Day 6 |
|
Dar to Mbeya |
1 |
|
Day 7-8 |
|
Mbeya and Songwe |
2 |
|
Day 9 |
|
Mbeya to Njombe |
1 |
|
Day 10-11 |
|
Njombe |
2 |
|
Day 12 |
|
Njombe to Mbeya |
1 |
|
Day 13 |
|
Mbeya to Dar Dar |
1 |
|
Day 14 |
|
Dar Dar to US |
1 |
|
Day 15 |
|
US |
1 |
- Climate: Dar es Salaam has a generally hot climate. Mbeya and Njombe can be cold year-round, but between August to December the climate is relatively hot.
- Travel: The Mbeya/Songwe and Njombe field work will involve travel to rural areas where roads are rough. It can be around 50 kilometers from the town centers to the villages. Driving from Mbeya to Njombe is about 236 km and can take 4 hours.
- General Logistics: Flights, ground transportation and hotels will be booked and paid for directly by IESC. Travel and lodging conditions may vary depending on the location of the assignment. Volunteer assignments may require extended travel via taxi to remote locations, or stays in rural areas with fewer amenities. IESC can provide more information about travel and lodging during the volunteer onboarding process.
- Materials: Volunteer experts are expected to bring their own laptop for use on assignment. Volunteer experts will be provided a smartphone with a local sim card for use during the assignment
- Personal travel: F2F A2F assignments are very engaging and a full-time commitment while in-country. Any tourism or other personal activities in-country must be conducted after the assignment is completed.
Volunteer Outreach:
USAID and IESC encourage all F2F A2F volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of Americans’ good work in developing countries. Volunteers should select at least one outreach activity from the list below, to be completed within one month of return to the US:
- Write an entry for the IESC website.
- Post a photo, video, or text related to the F2F A2F assignment on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, personal website or other social media site, and send a link to IESC staff.
- Send a press release to a local newspaper in the volunteer’s hometown. (IESC can provide a template)
- Write something for an alumni or professional association newsletter, or other publication. (IESC can help as needed).
- Give a presentation about the F2F A2F assignment to colleagues, students, religious group, rotary club, etc.
- Send an email about F2F A2F to friends, family, or colleagues.
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Requested Expertise of Volunteer Expert:
- Minimum University level of education in agriculture, agri-business, business management, accounting, economics, or related field.
- At least 5 years of experience working in the agriculture sector required.
- Experience in conducting research or study in agricultural sector.
- Experience in conducting value chain studies and analysis.
- Experience working in Tanzania and/or the region is a plus.
- Strong leadership and communication skills and capacity to plan strategically and flexibly.
- Sufficiently physically fit, with appropriate medical clearance.
- Writing Skills: reporting requires good computer skills including, but not limited to, working, and generating reports with MS Word. Experience with PowerPoint presentations is desirable.
- Good writing and analytical skills, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills (adult education skills).
- All F2F A2F volunteers must be US citizens or permanent residents.
To submit your application, please follow the link provided below.
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