CONSULTANCY SERVICE FOR A CONSULTANT TO UNDERTAKE DETAILED COSTINGS FROM ALL ACTORS IN THE GREEN MARKET CHAIN IN ORDER TO PRODUCE A THOROUGH BUSINESS MODEL AND FINANCIAL MODELLING TO ENSURE THE VIABILITY OF THE GREEN MARKET AND TO INFORM WHETHER STRATEGIC SUBSIDIES WILL BE REQUIRED

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Coalition for the Advancement of Organic Farming (CAOF) was formed in 2008/09 and is working with the Northern Ghana Green Market project in order to create a “strengthened and vibrant movement of organic producers and consumers promoting Ghanaian organic products nationally and internationally.” The organisations under CAOF have worked with their farmers to train and educate them on the benefits of organic farming both in terms of income sustainability and environmental sustainability. However, the project wasn’t successful in promoting organic amongst consumers and in linking these farmers to new markets which would provide them with a premium for their produce.

CAOF’s new strategy looks at moving away from a purely advocacy focus to a more practical work in supporting farmers to grow organic/Green Label food and find markets for the produce. An initial survey on the potential market reveals a proven understanding of the value of healthy and safely produced vegetables and a willingness to pay a premium for locally produced goods cultivated according to a known and accepted standard with clear records of how the food has been produced. CAOF therefore seeks to establish a Green Market in Bolgatanga to serve its farmers and the consumers in the Region.

A consultant is therefore wanted, to undertake detailed costings from all actors in the chain in order to produce a thorough business model and financial modelling ensuring the viability of the Green Market model going forward to inform the decision on whether strategic subsides will be required

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the research will be to look at the data gathered by consultants undertaking research on the crops already produced by CAOF farmers in order to have developed a final list of crops that might be sold at the Green Market. Research has also been undertaken on the actors involved in the organic/Green Label fruits and vegetable chains in the Bolgatanga area. Consumer and business surveys have also been carried out and this data can be reviewed. Using this research the consultant will undertake agronomic analysis in order to ensure that the Green Market model will be viable going forward and to show in and where strategic subsidies will be required to get the market underway at the outset. It will also set out how the Green Label produce should be priced.

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work of the required consultant includes but is not limited to the following;

•   Reviewing the previous research undertake to see the recommended crops to be grown at the Green Market and the actors involved in those chains.
•   He/she will be required to conduct a field study and come out with data regarding the costs involved for undertaking their various activities for all the actors in those chains
•   Using this data the consultant will be required to draw up a detailed business model and financial modelling to show whether the Green Market is viable going forward.
•   The consultant will be required to recommend whether strategic subsidies are required for certain actors/activities in the chain in order to get the Green Market underway.
•   The consultant will be required to advise whether all actors in the chain will be viable and profitable if they undertake their activities according to the Green Label standard.
•   He/she will be required to recommend how the goods sold at the Green Market should be priced.

METHODOLOGY

The consultant is to outline the methodology for carrying out this assignment. The CA Staff, CAOF staff, Exco and VSO volunteer will only play a coordination role to assist the researcher in his/her work.

DELIVERABLES

A report including the clear proposed business model under which the Green Market would work, a financial analysis including a profit and loss and cash flow forecast and the financing requirements.

It will also include:

•   A cost-benefit analysis for each actor in the chain and a comparison to their current income.
•   It will recommend whether subsidies are required for any actors and at what level and for how long.
•   It will recommend appropriate methods for pricing for each of the crops in the research to be at the Green Market.
•   It will outline the additional costs to each actor in the chain for running their enterprises in accordance with The Green Label standard.

TIME FRAME

The consultancy is to start in March and the detailed timeframe will be discussed with the successful candidate. It is expected that the work would be completed within 8 weeks of signing the contract.

The consultant will have regular update meetings with the project team to discuss the progress of the work and to ensure that all outcomes will be achieved.

A draft initial report should be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the beginning of the work and will form the basis of the discussions of the last four weeks.

A final report should be submitted no later than a week before the end of the project so that there is time for reviews and ammendments.

BUDGET

Interested consultants are asked to submit a detailed budget for the delivery of the work.

Location: Bolgatanga

How To Apply For The Job

To apply for this consultancy, please send your expression of interest and your CV to the following email addresses not later than two weeks after the publication of this advert:

caofinfo@yahoo.com  and agana.gerard@gmail.com

Closing Date: 20 February, 2015