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Description 

Outlines 

Proposed timelines 

1. 

The inception report 

The consultant firm or individual consultant will initiate the assignment by reviewing all relevant project documentation, policies, and existing studies related to horticulture value chains, climate resilience, and market systems in Rwanda and particularly in the CND region. 

Consultations will be conducted with key stakeholders—including project implementing partners, district authorities, and community structures 

• Methodology and analytical framework  

• Work plan and timelines (up to August 2026)  

• Tools for data collection and stakeholder engagement  

• Approach to integrating climate resilience, gender, youth, and environmental safeguards 

10 days 

2. 

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of selected horticulture value chains in the CND region, covering the full spectrum from production to end markets. 

• Mapping of value chain actors and functions using stakeholder mapping approach 

• Identification of constraints in productivity, aggregation, processing, and marketing  

• Assessment of infrastructure and service gaps (e.g., Irrigation technologies, storage facilities, logistics)  

• Analysis of climate risks affecting production and supply chains 

3. 

Market Access Strategy Development for the selected Horticulture value chains.  

The strategy will be practical, scalable, and aligned with climate resilience and environmental sustainability objectives of the CND project. 

The consultant will develop a  Market Access Strategy that integrates: 

• Market analysis to identify viable domestic, regional, and export opportunities, including demand trends, pricing, competitiveness, and potential buyers  

• Assess market requirements and certification standards (e.g., Global G.A.P.) and evaluate the readiness of farmers, cooperatives, and relevant actors 

• Develop a phased roadmap to support compliance with certification and market standards  

• Identify and propose market linkage mechanisms, including partnerships with private sector actors such as buyers, aggregators, and exporters  

• Recommend strategies to strengthen coordination across value chain actors and improve logistics, aggregation, and market access  

• Analyze financing needs across the value chain and propose linkages with financial institutions, including opportunities for blended finance 

45 days 

3. 

Capacity Building of Value Chain Actors 

The consultant will design and operationalize a comprehensive capacity building framework targeting farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises within the selected value chains 

The capacity building approach will include recommendations for ongoing coaching, technical backstopping, and follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustained adoption of practices and business growth. 

Design and implement a comprehensive capacity building framework for farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises, including the development and standardized Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training modules and delivery through a Training of Trainers (ToT) approach to enable an outreach of 900 farmers. 

Provide targeted, market-driven training to at least selected high-potential cooperatives and enterprises, including advanced support on certification   Global G.A.P protocols, and strengthen systems required for compliance such as record keeping, traceability, and internal control mechanisms 

20 

4. 

Final Reporting 

The consultant will consolidate all findings and outputs into a comprehensive final report,  

The final report shall be comprised of 

• market access strategy  

• capacity building framework  

• certification roadmap  

• actionable recommendations for implementation 

15 days 

Profile / Qualifications  

Key duties and responsibilities  

• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Systems, Agricultural Extension, Food Safety, Environmental Science, Agricultural Economics, or related fields with a bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Systems, Agricultural Extension or Economics. 

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the horticulture value chain, agricultural certification systems, and sustainable agriculture.  

• Demonstrated expertise in Global G.A.P. certification, including audit preparation, compliance systems, Internal Control Systems (ICS), and farm-level implementation.  

• Strong knowledge of international standards such as HACCP, ISO 22000:2018, and related food safety frameworks is an added advantage. 

• Proven experience in value chain analysis (avocado, green beans, chili and other short-term horticulture value chains), post-harvest handling, and market systems development.  

• Solid experience in climate-smart agriculture and environmental management practices.  

• Experience in farmer training, extension services, and development of training materials.  

• Strong background in socio-economic analysis, gender mainstreaming, and stakeholder engagement.  

• Proven ability to work with smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agribusiness actors.  

• Excellent analytical, reporting, and communication skills.  

• He/She MUST be fluent in English and Kinyarwanda. 

• Experience in GCF or other donor-funded projects is an added advantage.  

• Lead and coordinate the assignment, develop methodology and work plan, with CORDAID field-based staff to ensure quality assurance, and liaise with the beneficiaries and stakeholders.  

• Assess avocado, macadamia, and vegetable value chains; analyze production systems, market requirements, and constraints; develop crop-specific guidelines and recommendations in the CND region.  

• Integrate climate-resilient and sustainable practices, including soil and water conservation, agroforestry, and biodiversity protection; align with Forest and Land Restoration objectives. 

• Develop contextualized training modules and manuals in good agriculture practices that integrate compliance tools, checklists, and traceability systems; support certification, roadmap and audit preparation. 

• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) to support identified farmers and cooperatives in adopting Global GAP requirements 

• Develop Global GAP capacity building plan  

•  Conduct socio-economic and gender analysis; integrate inclusive and gender-responsive approaches; promote participation of women and youth.  

• Conduct consultations, workshops, and ensure partnerships with local authorities, cooperatives, the private sector, and certification bodies.  

• Develop monitoring tools and indicators and document lessons learned and best practices.  

• Prepare inception, progress, and final reports with clear recommendations and participate in validation meetings with project partners. 

Evaluation Criteria 

Description 

Maximum Score (%) 

Technical Proposal (80%) 

Understanding of the Assignment 

Demonstrated understanding of the CND context, objectives, and integration of market access, GAP training, certification, and inclusion aspects 

10% 

Methodology and Approach 

Clarity, relevance, and practicality of the proposed approach, including value chain analysis, market access strategy, and capacity building (GAP and ToT) 

30% 

Relevant Experience of Firm 

Proven experience in horticulture value chains, market systems development, certification standards (e.g., GLOBALG.A.P.), and similar assignments 

20% 

Key Personnel 

Qualifications and expertise of proposed team, including technical competencies in agronomy, market systems, and certification 

15% 

Work Plan and Feasibility 

Realistic and coherent work plan aligned with timelines and deliverables 

5% 

                         Subtotal Technical Score 

80% 

Financial Proposal (20%) 

Cost competitiveness based on the lowest evaluated responsive bid. 

20% 

Total Score 

100% 

Criteria 

Weight 

Technical expertise and relevant experience 

30% 

Methodology and approach 

30% 

Proof of previous similar consultancies 

10% 

Understanding of the local context  

20% 

Financial proposal 

10%