National Consultant for Supply Chain Analysis and Demand Mapping

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of individuals who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities it serves. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security globally. The organization emphasizes the importance of personal and professional development for its employees, offering various training and mentorship programs, as well as opportunities for internal mobility across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Supply Chain Analysis and Demand Mapping will play a crucial role in strengthening the national Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF) in Lesotho. This position involves designing a methodology for conducting supply chain analysis and demand mapping, which will be tested in two selected districts, Quthing and Leribe. The consultant will be responsible for identifying gaps in the supply chain and developing targeted action plans to enhance linkages between the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) and local smallholder farmers. The role requires collaboration with a technical working group to ensure inclusive stakeholder representation, conducting desk reviews and interviews to assess previous efforts, and facilitating discussions to identify logistical bottlenecks. The consultant will also analyze value chains, conduct market assessments, and propose strategic interventions to integrate smallholder farmers into the HGSF. This position is pivotal in ensuring that effective and sustainable food assistance reaches school children in Lesotho, thereby contributing to their nutrition and educational outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of tasks, including:

• Collaborating with the designated technical working group to develop and articulate the methodology for supply chain analysis and demand mapping.
• Conducting a desk review and interviews with key stakeholders to assess previous efforts in strengthening supply chains for the NSFP.
• Designing methodologies and tools for conducting supply chain analysis and demand mapping in Quthing and Leribe districts.
• Facilitating a technical working group meeting to solicit input and build consensus on the proposed methodology.
• Conducting a thorough supply chain analysis, including assessing existing storage and agro-logistical arrangements.
• Identifying gaps and bottlenecks in logistics and post-harvest handling through stakeholder discussions.
• Mapping crop production by farmers in the targeted districts, prioritizing women and youth.
• Analyzing value chains of prospective food crops and engaging with smallholder farmers and local authorities to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Conducting market assessments to understand the dynamics of locally produced and imported school feeding commodities. 1
• Proposing strategic interventions to strengthen linkages between NSFP and local smallholder farmers. 1
• Facilitating discussions to design targeted action and procurement plans to address identified supply and demand gaps. 1
• Collaborating with the TAF Coordinator to present and validate action plans with relevant stakeholders. 1
• Developing a unified methodology and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for conducting supply chain analysis at the national level. 1
• Creating a unified toolkit for scaling up supply chain analysis across all districts in Lesotho. 1
• Engaging additional partners to support the expansion of the supply chain analysis initiative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced post-graduate degree in economics, public administration/policy, agriculture, international development, nutrition, social sciences, or related fields. Additionally, candidates should have specialized training in smallholder livelihood development, policy development, program design, or multisectoral coordination. A strong understanding of the local context and the ability to engage with various stakeholders is essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced post-graduate degree in relevant fields such as economics, public administration, agriculture, international development, nutrition, or social sciences. Candidates with additional years of relevant work experience and specialized training in areas related to smallholder livelihood development or program design will be given preference.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in areas such as smallholder mapping, farmer capacity assessment, value chain analysis, and strategic engagement with the Government of Lesotho. Candidates should have a proven track record in designing and managing nationally led programs and initiatives, as well as technical assistance projects that align with the goals of the National School Feeding Programme.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within WFP and for documentation purposes. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Lesotho would be considered an asset, as it would facilitate better engagement with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is a consultancy role with a specific contract duration, and it is expected to be full-time. The consultant will be working closely with various stakeholders, including government entities, local farmers, and technical working groups. Compensation will be based on WFP's terms and conditions, which include an attractive package that reflects the consultant's experience and qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds.