Agriculture Startup Mentor- Consultancy (Nationals only)

1- Background

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s largest international aid organization with more than 70 years of experience. We specialize in the world’s most fragile contexts and work with the most vulnerable people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.

Project title

Creating Attractive Opportunities for Livelihood of Youth in Agriculture – COOL-YA

COOL-YA project main goal is seeking to attract more youth to the agriculture sector by making it more appealing and interesting for the young people through bringing elements that excite young people – technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, IT and mentorship. The project will investigate ways on how young people can be involved in agro business and bring in new blood to this very traditional sector which is considered less prestigious for young people. To tackle these issues the project will support young farmers and cooperatives with infrastructure and equipment as well as with training (including TVET, entrepreneurship, foundational skills, new pre and post-harvest techniques etc.) and hands-on technical support. The project will support cooperatives and agro businesses in order to increase their productivity and create new job opportunities for youth. The project pays special attention to innovation and integrating technology and IT solutions through supporting innovative thinking among students, supporting IT startups, as well as running an online platform that supports direct connection/sales between farmers and consumers. Given extremely low participation of women in the agricultural sector and poor working conditions the project will systematically work on reducing barriers for women to join the sector; at the same time, seek to promote a decent job agenda in agriculture to improve working conditions and ensure rights of the workers.
The project is funded by the Ministry of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and strongly rooted locally with local partners.
Through various interventions, the project will reach over 750 beneficiaries and farm holders, engaging additionally 1750 youth in trainings and directly creating job opportunities for around 500 young women and men.

Contract key information
Number of working days: Up to 70 days (over the course of assignment period) Contract start date: July 1st , 2023
Contract end date: October 30th, 2024
Type of contract: National individual service consultancy
Duty Station: Amman with possible visits at different governorate

Purpose and Objectives of the Consultancy
Under the direct supervision of the Livelihood Program Manager and in coordination with the Project Officer and Employment Job Coach Lead , the Agrobusiness startup expert will be responsible for guiding and mentoring five startups related to post harvest and agrobusinesses of which one is focusing on GiG economy.

Objectives:
• Provide overall guidance and support to the project officer in terms of agriculture innovations and potential growth within the sector.
• Share progress briefs on each startup and provide advise on how to increase their business growth and overcome internal and external challenges.
• Monitor the progress of Startups on quarterly basis through reviewing the quarter reports and provide feedback that is aligned with the predetermined KPIs and logframe.
• Conduct monthly field/ company visits to assess the progress and provide mentorship for the start ups.
• Contribute to the outreach efforts for targeting unique and innovative youth led startups
• Contribute to selection criteria and evaluation matrix to select the best applicants for startup support.
• Submit monitoring reports on quarterly and annual basis for all startups.
• Provide support and guidance to increase the effectiveness of the platform through agriculture value chain.
• Provide guidance on how to promote food safety through the agriculture value chain.
• Recommend innovative idea’s to attract producers to join gig platform.
• Review gig platform data exported from its system to ensure reliability of statistics.

Item
Payment %
Deadline
– Selection criteria
– Scoring Matrix
– Registration Application
– Evaluation of the shortlisted applications
– Minutes of meeting with selected companies and recommendation about workplan and milestones to achieve objectives with 4 startups.
– Review and recommend amendments on workplans for the gig startup
20%
15.08.2023
– 1st Quarter report based on start up progress

Presentation on startup support and learnings

15%
10.12.2023
– 2nd Quarter report based on start up progress
15%
10.03.2023
– 3rd Quarter report based on start up progress
15%
10.06.2024
– Final (annual) report based on start up progress
35%
30.09.2024

Qualifications and Experience:

Educational Qualification:
• University degree in business development, management, marketing, Agriculture, ICT or any related field.
Working Experience:
• Previously or currently own a business related to post harvest sub sector is an asset.
• At least 10 years of extensive experience in mentoring and supporting Entrepreneurs/ start ups.
• Experience of providing technical support using modern technology and capacity building in the area of post harvest management; ability to synthesize complex concepts and to communicate them effectively.
• Good knowledge in the gig economy focused on platforms/ mobile application development is desired.
• High experience in value chain analysis within the post harvest sub sector.
• Have experience with local context for agriculture chain from producers to end users.
• Have knowledge and experience with up to date technologies related to agribusinesses.
• Ability to work with a cross section of people at different levels both within and outside the organization effectively in teams as well as independently;
• Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to write reports, conduct analysis and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.
• Practical experience or knowledge of the community development issues in Jordan is highly preferred.
• This is a local position and s/he Must be based in Jordan during assignment period.
Computer Skills:
Must have proficiency in the use of Internet based applications, Graphics, MS Word, MS Excel and MS Power Point and other related applications.
Language:
High level of fluency in English and Arabic

Terms of contract
– All information gathered from FCA, partners and beneficiaries must remain confidential and not shared with any party without FCA written consent.
– The Consultant is responsible for payment of all social costs, other employment related costs and insurance contributions and for all other liabilities of a statutory nature.
– The consultant will have to abide by FCA CoC, Child Safeguarding policy and any other relevant policies
– Copyright for the report will remain with FCA.
– FCA do not provide any mean of transportation for consultant within Amman governorate, however, all trips outside Amman will be provided by FCA vehicles and drivers.