Position Description

Potato Value and Supply Chain Study

Location Tanzania

Department Programs

Employment Type Volunteer

USAID-Funded

Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program

Scope of Work

Potato V alue and S upply C hain S tudy

Description of the Program:

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 large r 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, potato es 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, T anzanian urban population growth is the main driving force for demand for potato . Potato es are mainly grown in Southern and Northern Zones of Tanzania where altitudes rang e from 1500 to 3000 meters above sea level. The Southern highland zone s 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 cent er 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 t o conduct a potato value chain study , train its staff on the value chain findings , and provide recommend actions 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 /achi evable recommendations

3. Power Point Presentation

Anticipated In-Country Schedule:

Day

Activity

Location

Estimated number of days

Pre-departure

Review: Volunteer Manual, Country Guide, Host Profile, Environmental Materials
Review: Available potato value chain information including the already developed value chain study .
Home country

1

Day 1

Depart from the US
US to Dar

1

Day 2

Arrive in Tanzania
Dar es Salaam

1

Day 3

Debriefing meeting with F2F A2F team
Meet with the host for introduction and agree on the field plan
S tart of the assignment by meeting with downstream actors .
Dar

1

Day 4-5

Conduct value chain study at down stream level with traders in Dar
Meet with different institutions and projects in Dar
Dar

2

Day 6

Fly to Mbeya in the morning
Meet with the traders/aggregators and retail traders in Mbeya
Dar to Mbeya

1

Day 7-8

Meet with potato farmers (upstream) in Mbeya to collect information
Meet with Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI) Uyole
Mbeya and Songwe

2

Day 9

Drive to Njombe
Rest
Mbeya to Njombe

1

Day 10-11

Meet with potato farmers (upstream) in Njombe to collect information
Meet with aggregators/ agents to collect information
Njombe

2

Day 12

Drive from Njombe to Mbeya
Preparation of the report
Njombe to Mbeya

1

Day 13

Fly from Mbeya to Dar
Conduct feedback session with the host
Mbeya to Dar

Dar

1

Day 14

eV5bs5h Dmw14d
Debriefing with F2F A2F team and USAID
Submit the report.
Depart to US
Dar

Dar to US

1

Day 15

Arrive in US
US

1

Additional Travel Information:

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. Driv ing 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.
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.