National Livestock Marketing Study Advisor

Title of Position: National Livestock Marketing Study Advisor
Duty Station: Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh province
Duration of assignment: 30 working days (including travel time)

Background:
The Binh Dinh Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Project - Linking Poor Rural Households to Markets, whose Executing Agency is Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) is implemented by the Binh Dinh Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD) and funded by the New Zealand Aid Program (NZAP).
Project Goal: the overall goal of the project is to contribute to improved livelihoods by enhancing the competitiveness of the agricultural and rural development sector in Binh Dinh province; strengthen the capacity of provincial institutions and agri-business sector to implement market-led rural development activities to provide sustainable economic social and environmental benefits to poor rural households.
The project implementation takes a program approach in order to enable the phasing and timing of investments to match the development of skills and changes in the environment for adoption of interventions based on the likelihood of success of each intervention.  A Facility Funding mechanism has also been established to allow flexibility in financial management since all project activities were not identified in the Project design. Based on sound analysis and experience in the first implementation phase, detailed expenditure plans are outlined in each year’s AWPB.
The 2012 annual workplan proposes three activities to address the livestock marketing issue and identify a clear way forward: (i) a further study of livestock marketing options to consider the case for constructing physical market facilities; (ii) further training for beef CIGs (Common Interest Groups) on marketing strategies to promote concepts of collective marketing by the members; and (iii) a study tour to another province where successful cattle marketing options have been developed to gather further information on the marketing strategies as well as improvements to local slaughtering facilities. Based on the outcome of these three activities it is expected that an informed decision can be taken on whether to proceed with the construction of the cattle market.

Description of Duties:
1. Review the findings and recommendations of the August-September 2011 Livestock Marketing Study and identify means of widening the scope of the study by considering the complete range of livestock marketing options available to cattle CIG members and other cattle producers in the Province.  Meet with all key actors in the livestock and meat marketing sectors in the Province including the cattle CIGs and the Livestock PIT, to discuss the full range of options available to improve the overall efficiency of the marketing system.
2. Define and clarify the present situation with regard to cattle marketing in the Province in general, and the three Project districts in particular.
3. The above will be summarised in the form of a SWOT analysis of livestock and meat marketing in Binh Dinh Province which will identify a broad strategic direction for improving market efficiency and improving farmers’ income from cattle production.
4. Analyse the options for improving the efficiency of livestock marketing in the Province.  Each option will be assessed in terms of its likely costs and benefits for the various actors in the value chain and its likely impact on farmers’ incomes.
 
Outputs:
The National Livestock Marketing Study Advisor is required to make visits to the project site and the following outputs will be basis for the payment of the NTA (National Technical Advisor). Specific outputs will be as follows:
The study will define a strategy for improving livestock marketing efficiency in Binh Dinh Province and clear recommendations on which option, or mix of options should be adopted; together with cost estimates and an implementation plan over the remaining life of the Project in the form of a business plan for support from Facility Funds.
 
Education:
At least Bachelor Degree in Agriculture with specialization in livestock production.

Experience:
Knowledge of national and provincial government systems and procedures and administrative networks; and proven experience in capacity building and supporting the implementation of rural development projects, including the mentoring of project implementation staff; at least 7 years working experience in livestock sector in Vietnam; a sound understanding of smallholder livestock production and developing feeding regimes for cattle; and demonstrated high quality planning and reporting skills.

Languages:
Good verbal and written Vietnamese and English skills.
Please submit your Expression of Interest, together with your CV, a recent photograph and two references at the latest by 22 April (17.00 hrs.) to the Project Manager of the Project Office:
Binh Dinh Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Project
77 Le Hong Phong
Quy Nhon
Binh Dinh
E-mail: [email protected]
A detailed ToR can be supplied on request by e-mail.
Short listed candidates will be notified and invited to submit a detailed technical and financial proposal.
The selected consultant will be paid a daily fee (based on experience and education level based on UN-EU Guidelines for local costs in development cooperation within Vietnam) plus per diem and a small lump sum for local travels and incidentals.