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ENTERMS OF REFERENCE for EXTERNAL CONSULTANCY FOR PREPARATION OF “GUIDELINES ON MANAGEMENT OF FARMERS’ MARKET”
PEER-TO-PEER COOPERATION WITH IRAQI GOVERNORATE – MISSAN
Programme ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ Funded by the European Union and Implemented by UNDP
TERMS OF REFERENCE
for
EXTERNAL CONSULTANCY
FOR PREPARATION OF “GUIDELINES ON MANAGEMENT OF FARMERS’ MARKET”
Consultant funded under: PROGRAMME ‘SUPPORTING RECOVERY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ THROUGH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT’ FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND IMPLEMENTED BY UNDP
Project: Peer-to-Peer Cooperation with Iraqi Governorate – MISSAN and Albanian Association of Municipalities, Governorate for Agriculture Innovation
Location: Tirana/Albania
Missan/Iraq
- Background
Iraq has recognized the importance of agriculture and the need to prioritize its role in the overall economic and social development of the country (National action plans, Sustainable development goals etc.). The policy framework guiding the prioritization of needs aims at creating a proper environment to support efficient and sustainable increases in food and agriculture production, improvement of food security and reduction rural poverty. Policies relying mainly on oil production had a deteriorating impact on the growth of other economic sectors, including agriculture. As a matter of fact, agriculture is the largest source of employment in the country (approximately 20 percent) and is dominated by the private sector. Yet, the contribution of agriculture to GDP has been declining in the last decade from 5.2 % in 2009to between 2.5% and 3.5% in 2021, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, statistic office. This data is the result of many factors that affected the agricultural sector: war, protests, institutional and economic setbacks. The security situation and rural poverty have contributed to this decline with an outflow of people from the countryside to the urban areas seeking employment and economic opportunities. Other contributing factors include a low percentage of water that Iraq receives, high cost of fertilizers and seeds and unclear policies to support the local agricultural products.
In light of the above, under the Programme ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ Funded by the European Union and Implemented by UNDP, the Association of Albanian Municipalities is carrying out the project titled Peer-to-Peer Cooperation with Iraqi Governorate – Missan and Albanian Association of Municipalities, “Governorate for Agriculture Innovation”.
Under this project, the Albanian Association of Municipalities will engage in preparing Activity 2.1.4 – Guidelines on management of farmers’ markets. The documents will be prepared by external expertise and approved by the Governorate of Missan. It will provide rules and procedures as to manage the market and protocols to be followed on food safety etc.
The Guidelines will serve to the Farmers’ Market in the Municipality of Al-Emarah being constructed under this project. The Market will have 80 spots. The activity supports and promotes more sustainable food production and the sale of products produced sustainably. It will offer local producers a retail outlet that enables them to sell directly to the public and to strengthen the links between producer and consumer. The market aims to be a vibrant and enjoyable place to shop, giving consumers a chance to meet and talk to the producers of the food and plants on sale.
- Objective
The consultant will be responsible for designing and preparing the Guidelines for Farmers’ Market Management, with the focus on the role of the municipality and of the end users. This assignment will be completed within a total of 25 working days for one individual expert or single organization.
The consultant will work together with the AAM team in designing the best practise and will be responsible for its completion, which will be submitted in English language.
The following tasks and responsibilities are expected to be accomplished over the consultancy. Please note that this list not exhaustive and AAM would welcome inputs and ideas from the consultant on other areas of expertise that can be included in the TOR:
Task 1:
Prepare the documentation of the guidelines. To ensure a smooth daily operation of the market, the Guidelines must include the following sessions.
(a) Standards for behaviour for vendors and customers
(b) Use of Market facilities:
– Rules to govern the use of facilities such as electrical switches, taps, toilets, rubbish bins, etc.
– Procedures for changes in stalls or leased spaces – establishes rules which tenants/vendors must follow if they wish to make any modifications or changes to their area of lease.
– Food Safety – Cooked Items – all cooked items must be handled and prepared according to the various food safety standards;
– Use of car park – establishes rules on the use of the car park;
– Rules for produce entry into the market – e.g. root crop produce must be properly cleaned or washed at the cleaning bay before being brought inside the market premises.
(c) Enforcement of rules and regulations:
– Prohibition of certain goods – establishes a guide on which goods are permitted and which goods are not permitted in the market premises.
– Live animals – states whether or not live animals are allowed into the market.
– Display and quality of produce – sets standards for both quality and display of food within the market.
(d) Municipal management of the market
- Fees to be paid, frequency. amount
- Schedule of daily maintenance of the market
- Responsibilities and competencies of the Manager of the market (appointed by municipality.
The above write-up should not exceed 20 A4 pages. It should be prepared in Microsoft Word. The contribution should be submitted in English.
Task 2:
Submit the draft documentation to AAM for review and further comments. Reflect any changes needed to reflect the comments provided.
- EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- The full documentation of the best practice as per the outline provided in English language;
- CONSULTANCY TIMEFRAME
The consultancy timeframe is negotiable based upon the needs of the project and the consultant’s availability. The following is an outline of the anticipated consultancy period for the three Tasks.
Task 1: 20 working days to be held in October 2022
Task 2: 5 working days to be held October 2022
- QUALIFICATIONS & EXPEREINCE REQUIRED
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with municipalities
- Degree in management and economics
- English language fluency
- Report writing skills
- Albanian nationals
- GENERAL CONDITIONS
Required start date: 30 September 2022
Duration of work: 25 working days (home based)
Location of work: Tirana/Albania (remote)
Fees: The total amount for consultancy fees to be negotiated based on the proposition and experience of the consultant.
Payment: 100% of the fees to be paid on completion and approval of each task and following the submission of the consultancy report
Other: Any materials required to carry out the assigned consultancy (laptop, mobile phone etc.), must be provided by the consultant.
- APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should send their CV and a 1–2-page technical proposal on proposed content for the three tasks.
- The letter should also include the proposed gross daily rate for remuneration (in USD)
- Applications to be sent to the AAM email address: aidacacaj@aam.org.al with the subject “GUIDELINE FOR MARKET MANAGEMENT Consultancy” no later than 29th September 2022.
