Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 21 Jul 2017
Consulting Opportunity at World Vision International – Myanmar
World Vision International - Myanmar is looking for National and International Consultant to:
“Develop a strategic plan for potential on-farm/off-farm economic activities in Hpa-An and Hlaingbwe Townships, Kayin State ”
Period of Consultancy: 90 Days in August-October, 2017
Background
Myanmar is a country in transition, having recently held its first democratic elections in 20 years. With these elections has come an opening up of the country as many sanctions by other countries have been lifted. The economy has been changing rapidly and will most likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future. It is therefore important, when looking at economic sectors, to consider the probable changes which will come as borders continue to open up, trade relations normalize and investments accelerate.
Myanmar is primarily a rural country which relies heavily on its agricultural sector as a source of national income. Agriculture, hunting and forestry are the largest employers in the country accounting for half of total employment. Manufacturing employs only about 6% of economically active population. The remainder of the population is employed in the low-end service sector which is mainly divided between trade/repairs (10.5%), miscellaneous productive activities (7.9%) and renting and business activities (7.1%).
Average farm size in Myanmar is 6.7 acres which is moderate by regional standards. Poor households have smaller land holdings than less-poor households with 4.4 and 7.3 acres respectively. Because of the importance of the agricultural sector in Myanmar, small farm size is correlated to poverty.
Landlessness is found in 30% of the population which consider their primary occupation as agriculture. They are mostly employed as casual workers and tend to be poorer than land owning households.
In this context, World Vision Myanmar is implementing a project titled “Value Chain Development and Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth Project” in 40 villages in Hpa An and Hlaingbwe Townships, Kayin State supported by the Australian Government which aims to improve the economic status of small farmers.
The project started in July 2016 and a project team is already present in Hpa-An and HlaingBwe. This team includes market facilitation specialists who undertook a participatory local value chain assessment late 2016/early 2017. This assessment resulted in targeted villagers identifying the products that they want to focus on. Current consultancy is planned to support the next steps of Local Value Chain Development.
OBJECTIVES and DELIVERABLES:
Objective 1: Identify new key commodities with potential of high return per household
Proposed Methodology (consultant to re-submit once awarded contract):
a) Analysis of cost of production and revenue including estimation of net profit. It should include a detail of the investment required for tools, supplies, equipment, infrastructure, others.
b) Identification of the break-even point at household level.
c) Analysis of market prices and its seasonality and trend.
d) Benchmark the commodities comparing with domestic and foreign production.
e) Carry out workshops with beneficiaries in each location to test acceptance of new commodities based on agreed criteria (including the points above)
f) Estimate the potential production capacity of each commodity in each township
g) Identify potential added value products
Objective 2: Assess Domestic and International Market Potential
Proposed Methodology (consultant to re-submit once awarded contract):
a) Revision of secondary information of the old/new key commodities including import and export data, FOB prices, quality requirements.
b) Carry out KII with market actors to identify opportunities and assess the market potential for the commodities
c) Estimate the total domestic market value for the commodities based on secondary information and the KII results
d) Assess potential market barriers
Objective 3: Mapping the Value Chains of the Selected Commodities
Proposed Methodology (consultant to re-submit once awarded contract):
a) Revision of secondary information
b) FGD with beneficiaries
c) KII with VC actors such as input suppliers, producers, village traders, wholesalers, processors, exporters, retailers, others
d) Estimation of volumes and values traded along each link of the value chain for each selected commodity
Objective 4: Develop Strategies and Propose Interventions
Proposed Methodology (consultant to re-submit once awarded contract):
a) Carry out meetings with WVM staff, beneficiaries and key actors of the old/new value chains
b) Carry out SWOT analysis for each commodity with beneficiaries and key actors of the value chain, revision of secondary information
c) Propose interventions based on the SWOT results
d) Provide a detailed list of potential partners for beneficiaries along the value chain for each selected product
Outputs:
1. At least 2 commodities per township are selected
v Selected commodities/interventions should enable households to improve their income to reach the livelihood threshold with the given productive assets or with low investment.
v The total production capacity should be assess per township
2. Main geographic markets, value chain actors, trading rou**tes, volume and value traded are identified**
3. Value chains of each commodity are thoroughly described
3. Main constrains and problems for each commodity are highlighted
4. A strategy and action plans per commodity are formulated with collaboration of value chain actors
5. A detailed list of value chain actors willing to take part of the action plans is provided
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Ø Experience undertaking field level business analysis, economic research, value chain mapping and market assessments
Ø Experience developing large agricultural programs
Ø Experience developing business strategic plans
Ø Extensive development experience in the international agencies and programs; private sector on processing technologies and marketing
Ø Significant experience working with village-level structure
Ø Ability to travel to remote regions of Myanmar Registration as a private company in Myanmar will be considered as an asset.
How to apply:
Closing Date :5pm of 21st July, 2017 - Myanmar Standard Time
Interested applicants should submit a detailed proposal including consulting service cost with a resume/CVs of proposed staff attached to Htee_Khu_Shi@wvi.org with subject line, “Develop a strategic plan for potential on-farm/off-farm economic activities in Hpa-An and Hlaingbwe Townships, Kayin State”
Submission deadline via email is due on July 21st , 2017 before 5 pm. No late submission will be considered.