SheTrades in The Gambia
The SheTrades in The Gambia project is a three-year initiative which aims to enable Gambian women to benefit from economic participation, particularly in the agricultural and textiles and clothing value chains. The project supports advocacy and policy design, strengthening of business support organizations, enhancing the productive capacities of women-owned businesses in the horticulture and textile and apparel sectors, and connecting these businesses to market. The SheTrades Gambia Chapter is hosted at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE).
The project is implemented by International Trade Centre under the leadership of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration & Employment and funded by ITC, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
The Role of the Horticulture Coordination Consultant
The Consultant will work under the direct guidance of the ITC SheTrades Gambia Project Manager and (s)he will undertake the following duties:
1) Coordinate support programmes to women’s horticultural gardens
Monitor and regularly liaise with different stakeholders engaged in SheTrades Gambia-funded support to women’s horticultural gardens, such as extension services and trainings to ensure effective support for women’s gardens. Where necessary, trouble shoot issues, and provide recommendations for additional support to the gardens;
Where relevant, support training preparation by implementing partners;
Regularly report to the project team on progress, challenges and results of activities;
2) Support market linkage programme for export
Coordinate sensitization of women in selected horticultural gardens on available market opportunities and requirements, including need to work as a group. Ensure that they and their voices are heard and any concerns are addressed;
Ensure continuous flow of communication between gardens, exporters, the project, and any implementing partners;
Monitor progress of production in gardens growing for export and alert the project and/or relevant implementing partners in case of need for additional support;
3) Create market linkages to tourism industry and domestic buyers
Support coordination of linkages between horticultural gardens and aggregators/buyers as part of the response to COVID-19;
Engage potential buyers in the Gambian tourism sector, government, and other sectors and identify priority buyers;
Support linkages between horticultural gardens and SheTrades Gambia horticulture companies;
Together with partners, develop a plan to sustainably connect horticultural gardens with buyers in the tourism sector;
Establish a collaboration with transport companies to connect buyers and producers;
Travel
Travel within The Gambia.
Outputs and Tentative Timelines
1) Coordinate support programmes to women’s horticultural gardens
| a. Monitor support programmes
|
By 31 August 2020
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| b. Support preparation of trainings
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By 30 June 2020
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| c. Report on progress, challenges, and results
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By 31 August 2020
|
2) Support market linkage programme for export
| a. Coordinate sensitization and initial community engagement
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By 30 June 2020
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| b. Ensure communication between all parties
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By 31 August 2020
|
| d. Monitor progress
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By 31 August 2020
|
|
|
|
3) Create market linkages to tourism industry
| a. Support COVID-19 response
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By 31 July 2020
|
| b. Engage potential buyers
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By 30 June 2020
|
| c. Create linkages to SheTrades Gambia horticulture companies
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By 31 July 2020
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| d. Submit plan for market linkages to tourism industry
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By 31 August 2020
|
| e. Establish partnership with transport companies
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By 31 August 2020
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Skills
- Expertise in the horticulture sector in The Gambia;
- Good understanding of market linkages and the horticulture value chains;
- Experience creating market linkages between horticultural producers and buyers in The Gambia;
- Excellent coordination and project management skills;
- Politically sensitive, culturally aware and diplomatically savvy;
- Ability to keep tight deadlines;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with report writing experience;
- Computer literate in MS office applications (PowerPoint, Excel and Word).
Education
An undergraduate Degree (BA/BSc or other). BA Degree in Agriculture or a related field.
Experience
At least 10 years of professional work experience in the horticulture industry in West Africa; Excellent networks with stakeholders in The Gambian horticulture industry;
Prior experience coordinating projects or initiatives relating to the horticulture value chain is a distinct advantage.
Language
The consultant is required to have excellent communication skills in English. Knowledge of local Gambian languages is an advantage;
Contract
Initial contract for 3 months full-time or part-time (at least 2 days per week) with possibility of extension.
Application
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to SheTradesGambia@intracen.org by 11.59 pm on 26 April 2020.