Edible Insect Farming Consultant

1. Background information

1.1. About VWB/VSF Canada

Veterinarians without Borders/ Vétérinaires sans frontières – Canada (VWB/VSF) is a charitable, humanitarian organization, founded in 2005, whose mission is to work for, and with, those in need to foster the health of animals, people, and the environments that sustain us. This organization engages in activities around the world related to the health of farm animals, urban domestic animals, and wildlife, as well as public and ecosystem health. See www.vetswithoutborders.ca for more details.

1.2. About the FIT Project:

VWB/VSF Canada in partnership with Basenet is implementing a pilot project on Edible insects farming in Eastern Equatoria (EEQ) and Jongolei States through research under the Funds for Innovation and Transformation (FIT) from the Global Affairs Canada. The FIT project and its proposed research seek to mitigate the effects of malnutrition and gender-related challenges in Jongolei and EEQ through the production and marketing of edible insects. It is anticipated that, farming of insects in a controlled environment can address current challenges in insect collection practices. This will lead to the increased consumption of insects. It will also improve their availability throughout the year rather than just seasonally. Moreover, insect farming constitutes a sustainable livelihood activity due to the relatively low necessity for equipment, feed, time, labour, money, and skill required. Engaging women’s groups and youth in innovative insect farming will offer access to a protein- and calorie-rich food source for household (HH) consumption. In addition, this will provide a source of disposable income to meet family expenses, strengthening both nutrition and food security.

2. About the Consultancy

VWB/VSF Canada is seeking for experienced and proven Consultant with practical knowledge and experience in farming/rearing of edible insects to support in conducting a training of trainers on insect farming/rearing for Project staff and government extension workers in South Sudan. An Insect Specialist Consultant to provide technical support to the Edible Insect Farming for Improved Nutrition and Incomes in South Sudan project, a 10-month research project implemented in Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei states.

The Consultant will report to the Project Manager, the successful candidate will provide locally relevant insect production knowledge and experience to the project implementation and re-design, the development of training materials, and other value added trainings. The Consultant will work closely with the project team to develop the training modules for local farmers.

2.1. Position title: Edible Insect Farming Consultant

2.2. Location: Juba

2.3. SPECIFIC CONSULTANCY RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant will train project staff in Juba but in relation to the following responsibilities

· Determine and recommend the appropriate insects for production in the participating communities as per the findings from the baseline study.

· Develop a plan for equipping and training community members on insect production including the development of a practical training manual and providing linkage for sourcing of the required materials for the establishment of insect farms.

· Train local project staff and government extension workers on insect production methods for the recommended insect species identified/recommended (20 participants) max.

· Develop insect production indicators and reporting tools for community members and for the project as a whole

· Develop a plan for determining the economic feasibility of insect production in the participating communities

· Provide feedback/recommendations on the plan and adjust accordingly.

· Prepare technical and budgetary information as requested by the country office to assist for example with the procurement of the materials for setting up the insect farms.

· Develop specification for edible insect inputs such as plastic bucket, netting saucer and other materials required for the setting and management of insect farms.

· Include trainings for participants on insect consumption, dietary benefits, insect food preparation, and processing for value addition as component of the overall training.

· Include the component of business and entrepreneurship skill training in the general training.

· Support the development and implementation of a simple but effective farmer training program based on a series of field schools ensuring that Farmers knowledge, practices and skills on edible insects farming is enhanced through training and adoption of innovations and new technologies.

3 Methodology:

The consultant will be expected to propose the most appropriate consultative and participatory approaches for this assignment following initial consultations with the Project Manager. However, practical and participatory training approaches are encouraged.

4.0 Deliverables and timeframe

4.1 Deliverables

· Developed and submitted a practical training manual on rearing of edible insects. (The training manual should cover the following topics; Edible insect ecology, collecting from the wild-potential threats and solutions, conservation and management of edible insect resources, semi-cultivation of edible insects and pest management, Insect farming for human consumption, Recommendations on insect farming, different types of consumable products, preservation and storage, food safety and antimicrobial compounds, allergies, Insects as a part of the minilivestock sector, Improving local diets, Inclusion of women, Cash income from insect farming, enterprise development, developing markets for insect products and marketing strategies, promoting insects as feed and food, drawing on traditional knowledge, role of stakeholders and important aspects of small-scale production of edible insects but not limited to these.

· Training report in English (Max 5pages).

· List of items/materials to support in the establishment and management of insect farms.

4.2 Timeframe:

The total time frame of this assignment is 14 consultancy days, including the development of the training tools and sourcing of training materials, facilitation of a 5-days practical training on insect farming and writing of the training of the training report as per the schedule below. The consultancy is expected to commence on the 10^th of March 2022, and end by 24^th of March 2022. The consultancy must be completed in this timeframe as the teams will be sent to the field to conduct training of the farmers.

Activity / Deliverable

Provision of relevant program documents for Consultant, Project Manager, By 02/03/2022

Briefing of consultant and preparatory meeting. Project Manager, By 05/03/2022

Develop training tools and list of materials for the training. Consultant, By 10/03/2022

Training of Project staff and extension workers. Consultant, 14^th to 18^th March 2022

Submission of Training Report. By 21/03/2022

*Timelines will be revised once the consultant is on board**

5. Job Requirement

Qualifications, Experience & Skills required.

· Knowledge of, and experience with, production methods for raising insects on small holder farms in South Sudan, or surrounding countries in East Africa is required;

· Bachelors or Master’s degree in Entomophagy or insect production or related fields such as agribusiness, agriculture, food security, insect breeding and genetics etc.

· Strong knowledge and experience in training support staff on insect production methods in a culturally appropriate manner and context is required;

· Experience in leading participatory training sessions in rural and agricultural communities is required;

· Demonstrated experience in the design, monitoring, learning, and evaluation of pilot projects is an asset;

· Experience in applying participatory methods and tools, including the promotion of gender equality, good governance, and environmental sustainability is an asset;

• Familiarity with the One Health concept is an asset.

6. Budget for the consultancy

The consultant is expected to submit a budget for the consultancy assignment (cost of materials for the consultancy and the consultancy fees) stating if the consultancy fee is negotiable or not in your application.