Philippines: Market Assessment Consultancy

Background

The American Red Cross (AmRC) is jointly implementing a recovery program with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) called “Tindog Tabang Leytana” or TTL. The project facilitates community and household recovery through a range of interventions in the areas of water and sanitation, shelter and settlements, livelihoods, community-based health and disaster risk reduction.

The project is based in Leyte covering 4 municipalities and 23 barangays or villages. The project began in July 2014 and is expected to conclude between June and December 2017.

The overall goal of the TTL programme is “to contribute to building safe and resilient communities by identifying and addressing various factors that will help people sustainably rebuild their lives, livelihoods and assets while ensuring that future climate, environmental and disaster related risks are addressed and/or minimized.”

The livelihood activities under the TTL Program include support to community managed livelihood projects (CMLP), support to agricultural and non-agricultural small enterprises, and training for out-of-work youth. For all these activities, it is important to understand the local market in order to promote viable businesses.

· To help AmRC understand local market dynamics in their four operational municipalities in Leyte Province, Philippines

· Identify key value chains (agricultural and non-agricultural) through which, AmRC supported livelihood projects would have a high chance of resulting in an economically viable livelihood. **

Scope of work

This consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive market assessment in Tacloban City, MacArthur, Mayorga and Alang-Alang Municipalities in Leyte Province, Philippines.

Consultancy objectives

The purpose of this market assessment is to collect and report adequate market information to enable AmRC make informed decisions about which projects they will support, and understand what type of businesses are likely to be economically viable.

Focus will be on agricultural activities in each municipality but non-agricultural opportunities that would be viable should also be identified.

The specific objectives are to:

Market Mapping

· Map the key local agricultural markets (including non-agricultural components)

· Map the key local non-agricultural markets (if identified to be areas of potential viability)

· Analyse each of the identified markets in terms of local and national demand and supply, market determinant factors, supply chains and government market regulatory and control mechanisms

· Analyse possible potential risks that AmRC livelihood project beneficiaries may face if they want to work within the identified market chains. Suggest possible mitigation measures

Value Chain Analysis

· Assess the resources, skills and capacities of people already linked with the above markets

· Understand the capacity of producers to access services, credit, information and resources.

· Identify non-agricultural components of the value chain that might provide viable business opportunities (if appropriate)

· Suggest improvements in the value chain system for ensuring direct linkages of the farmers with the major markets and increased incomes from their produces

Research Methodology

The following methodology and research tools will be employed (but not limited to) during the assessment.

1. Literature Review

The consultant will review the existing market assessments in the target area and/or in Leyte Province, as well as review key market regulatory and price control policies and/or laws and mechanisms. Secondary documentation should also be reviewed regarding market trends in the target area as well as other relevant literature where possible.

1. Market Mapping and value chain analysis

The consultant will be required to map potential local and regional markets in terms of type, size and volume of market, goods sold and bought, supply chain, type of producers, suppliers and vendors, distance of the market from the target project villages, competition, existing market associations/trade organizations, and other points of importance to each of the identified value chains.

· Interviews with AmRC Livelihood staff to understand the main markets that beneficiaries are interested in pursuing.

· Interviews of focus group discussions with key informants (beneficiaries, producers, suppliers, vendors and consumers etc.)

· Interviews with other stakeholders such as municipal agricultural extension workers, Barangay leaders, Local Government Unit officials, relevant associations, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade etc. as relevant.

Scope of work

The contractor is expected to:

· Develop of short document that outlines the methodology to be used for the assessment.

· Seek approval of methodology from the AmRC Livelihoods Consultant

· Conduct a market assessment (including value chain analysis) in each of the four AmRC operational municipalities (Tacloban City, MacArthur, Mayorga and Alang-Alang) as per agreed methodology

· Analyse the findings and identify a number of viable business opportunities or value chains

· Prepare a detailed report

The contractor will report to the AmRC Co-Head of Programmes in Tacloban with technical oversight from the AmRC Livelihoods Consultant.

Skills Required

· At least 10 years direct experience working on market surveys including value chain analysis

· Post graduate level qualification in related subjects (e.g. economics, agricultural economics, food security, development studies, or related)

· Demonstrable experience in the market survey and VCA

· Excellent communication and reporting skills.

· Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

· Knowledge of local market trends

Time frame

· This consultancy is for a maximum period of 40 days during May to June 2016.

· Accomplishment report should be provided together with the final invoice.

FILIPINO NATIONAL ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED

How to Apply:

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter by email to jobs.prc.ttl@gmail.com. In the subject line of your email please state the position you are applying for, your surname and first name.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted*