Background

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank that focuses on harnessing applications of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa.

ACTS is a partner of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES). ACES is a consortium of several partners and is a first-of-its-kind Centre dedicated to sustainable, smart cold-chain, cooling, and post-harvest management (PHM). ACTS is partnering with ACES to develop the first Specialized Outreach and Knowledge Establishments (SPOKEs) of in Kenya to demonstrate sustainable cold chain solution in the agriculture sector, with the potential to scale up throughout Africa and create a template for roll-out into other markets throughout Africa.

Scope of Work

The consultant will work under the Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Security (AFNS) Program  at ACTS to conduct market analysis with the aim of demonstrating the value of cooling and cold chain solutions in reducing post-harvest loss and adding market value in the horticulture and dairy agri value chains.

The focus will be the dairy and horticulture value chains (with cases of domestic and export markets). Specifically, the consultant, will be expected to undertake the following activities as part of the scope of the study:

1. Identify and document the extent of integration of cooling and cold chain services through literature review and field interviews in the dairy and horticulture value chain (both domestic and export markets).
2. To provide specifications of these cooling and cold chain solutions including those that integrate pre-cooling. The specifications include the capacity, energy used, and type of refrigerants used.
3. To characterize and assess the business models (with economic analysis) through which these solutions have been deployed (including cases of cooling as a service if existing).
4. For the horticulture value chain, identify existing horticulture cooperatives/farmer groups engaged in either domestic or export markets that have access to cooling and cold chain (at collection, aggregation, and transportation) and provide details around testing of produce (what parameter and who does the testing), certification where applicable etc related to quality and safety aspects on the produce.
5. Develop two case studies from the horticulture sector  that would exemplify best practices related to cold chain and cooling, PHL reduction and quality and safety dimensions.
6. In the dairy sector, identify several cooperatives and interrogate how cooling and cold chain has been integrated and develop two case studies of best practices.
7. Assess of the viability of and constraints of deploying cold chains in Kenya.
8. To assess the demand for cooling as a service within the horticulture sector in Kenya for local market and exports.
9. To do a rapid perception assessment of cooling and cold chain solutions among a small sample of the farmer groups/cooperatives especially in horticultural producing regions.
10. To study the consumer preferences for fresh and frozen/processed foods.
11. Carry out discussions/meetings/interviews with key stakeholders including HCDA, MOALF to understand the status of cooling and cold chain access by farmers and identify what government programs or infrastructure related to cooling and cold chain exists.
12. To undertake an analysis of the extent to which cooling and cold chain solutions results in enhanced market access and value uplift of produce.
13. Provide recommendations related to opportunities and gaps that exist in delivering cooling and cold chain solution in these focus countries and how these can be leveraged/tackled.

Qualifications of the applicants

• A Masters in a relevant discipline i.e., Agricultural Economics; Agribusiness; Food Science especially on PHM, Marketing, Research, Business Management, or similar field with at least ten years of relevant experience in the private or public sector.
• Knowledge of cooling and cold chain issues and current developments related to agrifood systems will be an advantage.
• Experience in data collection (quantitative and qualitative data), and analysis and in reaching out to and conducting stakeholder interviews and mobilizing for validation processes.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and flexibility and openness to receive and integrate feedback.
• A reliable and effective analyst with extensive experience in conducting analyses and a proven record of delivering professional results and quality technical reports.
• Excellent presentation and report writing skills.
• Proven record of producing high-quality research reports related to agricultural market analysis.

Timelines and Deliverables

The consultancy is expected to start on the 16^th of February 2023 for a duration of at least 1 month. The consultant is expected to work closely with the ACTS team to align expectations.

The deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

1. Inception report detailing the methodology for delivering the assignment and within schedule - 1 week.
2. Commence the assignment and produce a draft report - 2 weeks.
3. Finalizing the report based on feedback from the team - 1 week.
4. Presentation of findings to ACES team - 1 week.

The consultant will also be required to deliver to ACTS staff all study materials including and not limited to all data (both quantitative and qualitative) sets.

Application instructions

Interested applicants (both individual and organizations) are invited to apply and submit:

1. A  technical and financial proposal  on consultancy fees in KES with details of why they are the best candidate for the job and how they propose (methodology) to deliver on the assignment (no more than four (4 pages). The contract will be based on a lump sum amount based on the deliverables.
2. Curriculum vitae of the consultant (s) team highlighting their previous experience in similar work and contact details of at least three referees.

Applications should be submitted on or before COB on 15^th February 2023 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. using ‘Cold Chain and Cooling Market Research & Analysis Consultant’ in the subject heading.