Overview
Conduct a comprehensive, climate-informed value chain analysis to identify viable, inclusive, and climate-resilient value chains that can enhance livelihood resilience among climate-vulnerable communities in Swat and Buner.
Key Responsibilities
- Review national and provincial policies, strategies, and studies on climate change, adaptation, agriculture, livestock, forestry, and livelihoods.
- Analyze existing value chain, market, and climate assessments relevant to Swat and Buner.
- Develop a comprehensive stakeholder and market actor map.
- Conduct KIIs and FGDs with market actors, sector experts, government extension staff, private buyers, FSPs, producer groups, and community members.
- Map selected priority value chains from input supply through production, processing, marketing, and end markets.
- Analyze market demand, competitiveness, pricing dynamics, margin analysis, and enabling environment for each prioritized value chain.
- Assess climate vulnerabilities and environmental externalities at each value chain stage.
- Identify feasible entry points for climate-resilient and green skills development, sustainable MSME and entrepreneurship opportunities, EbA-aligned livelihood interventions, and private sector investment.
- Map potential private and public buyers and assess their willingness and capacity to engage with smallholders.
- Map Financial Service Providers (FSPs), government programs, and non-governmental microfinance programs.
- Assess each prioritized value chain for EbA integration potential.
- Identify green skills demand linked to prioritized value chains.
- Assess market demand for eco-friendly, sustainably produced products.
- Present all findings separately for Swat and Buner districts, with a comparative summary.
- Disaggregate analysis and recommendations by gender, age, and vulnerability status.
- Provide explicit cross-references to LAPA climate adaptation priorities.
- Submit an Inception Report, Interim Progress Report, Draft Value Chain Analysis Report, Final Climate-Resilient Value Chain Analysis Report, LAPA Input Brief, and Final Assignment Completion Report.
Required Experience
- Minimum 8–10 years of professional experience in value chain analysis, market systems development, or livelihoods assessments.
- Proven track record in conducting climate-informed value chain analyses or market assessments (at least 2 completed VCAs required, preferably in KP or comparable context).
- Strong expertise in climate resilience, EbA, and sustainable livelihoods programming.
- Demonstrated understanding of market systems development (M4P), 4Ps models, private sector engagement, and FSP linkages.
- Experience conducting gender-responsive value chain analyses and ensuring active participation of women and youth market actors.
- Familiarity with the socioeconomic and environmental context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Swat/Buner experience highly preferred.
- Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods (KIIs, FGDs, cost-margin analysis).
- Highly desirable: Experience in agriculture, livestock, and/or NTFP value chains specifically in KP, Swat, or Buner.
- Highly desirable: Familiarity with IRC, EPS, IUCN, or Global EbA Fund project frameworks and reporting requirements.
- Highly desirable: Understanding of green economy concepts, eco-certification, and EbA-aligned market development.
- Highly desirable: Prior experience developing green skills curricula or vocational training content for rural youth.
- Highly desirable: Knowledge of microfinance, social enterprise, and impact investment models applicable to rural Pakistan.
- Highly desirable: Experience in LAPAs or adaptation planning to support cross-output coherence with the LAPA consultant.
- Highly desirable: Experience applying ESMS / environmental safeguard standards in agricultural or natural resource projects.
Qualifications
Postgraduate degree in Agriculture Economics, Rural Development, Market Systems, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, or related field.
