Cassava Subject Matter Expert, USAID Liberia Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Program

FED is a USAID-funded project that aims to increase productivity, profitability, and access within the rice, cassava, vegetable and goat value chains; improve nutrition; and strengthen food security. USAID FED is focused on four priority counties (Grand Bassa, Bong, Nimba and Lofa) and two secondary counties, (Magribi and Montserrado). USAID FED works with partners throughout the value chain, improving productivity, strengthening access to inputs and services, and creating market linkages, with a particular focus on women and youth. The USAID FED project is implemented across the following component objectives:

• Component 1: Increase agricultural productivity and profitability and improve human nutrition;
• Component 2: Stimulate private enterprise growth and investment; and
• Component 3: Build local technical and managerial human resources to sustain and expand accomplishments achieved under objectives one and two.

The objective of this assignment is to engage a Subject Matter Expert who has significant working knowledge of food fortification policy approaches/impacts and a very significant working knowledge of agriculture/nutritional needs and policy formation process in Liberia and/or West Africa, to facilitate the USAID FED Cassava Value-Chain Manager to prepare a quality presentation to be delivered at the 2015 MSME conference and to prepare a final draft of the 10% Cassava Composite Flour policy. Expected level of effort is 18 days - 10 days from home base and 8 days in-country.

Tasks include:

• Conduct a review of the current legislative and economic background regarding the Liberian cassava value-chain, and engage with key stakeholders to analyze the current market for cassava in Liberia.
• Conduct a review of the economic, nutritional and development impact of flour fortification & cassava promotion policies in countries with a similar context to Liberia, especially in West Africa.
• Lead the preparation of a draft 10% Cassava Composite Flour policy draft.
• Lead the preparation of a draft 10% Cassava Composite Flour policy presentation and represent USAID FED in presenting this information at the MSME Conference.
• Provide USAID FEDad hoc expert advice and opinion in meetings and other interactions with the MoCI and other stakeholder on the impact of Composite Flour policies as required
• Prepare a Final Report which includes a final draft of a proposed policy including concerns promoted after the MSME conference.
• Provide USAID FED with expert advice and opinion in meetings interactions with the MoCI and other stakeholders involved in the submission of the policy.

Qualifications:

• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated experience in research in agricultural and/or in nutritional enhancement policies;
• Prior experience providing policy recommendations to development projects and/or governments;
• Prior experience in drafting government policies in West Africa.
• Excellent theoretical and in-country understanding of the cassava value-chain in Liberia, and regional / international government policies concerning nutrition promotion policies and the economic effects of these policies;
• Demonstrated understanding of international best practices for supporting policy formation.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• An ability to work independently & produce high quality work in short timeframes in challenging environments; and
• Bachelor's degree, in relevant area of study.

****Preferred Qualifications:****

• Prior experience in working with the GoL.
• Master's degree / PHD in relevant area of study.
• Significant Private sector experience in agriculture / food production.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a CV and three references directly to lea_antic@dai.com.