Consultancy: Short-term Engagement to support the implementation of 10x20kx30 Initiative in Rwanda

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)Consultancy Title: Short-term Engagement to support the implementation of 10x20kx30 Initiative in RwandaOrganization: World Resources InstituteProject: Food Loss and Waste: 10x20kx30 InitiativeLocation: Rwanda

• About World Resources InstituteThe World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global non-profit research organization established in 1982. The organization has been working in Africa for more than 30 years, supporting local partners and African governments to advance forest protection, landscape restoration and sustainable cities. Our vision for Africa is an inclusive transformation so that Africa’s people and landscapes flourish. WRI Africa generates actionable knowledge across three strategic pillars: Vital Landscapes, Thriving and Resilient Cities, and Institutional and Economic Transformation. The goal of the Vital Landscapes pillar is to revitalize and protect landscapes for people and the planet working in four programmatic areas: Food, Restoration, Water and Forests. WRI’s Strategy aims to catalyse transformation of African food systems, so that the way we produce, distribute and consume food is done in a manner that protects the environment and guarantees human health and well-being.
  • Background and Context of AssignmentAn estimated one-third of food is lost or wasted between the farm and fork. This loss and waste have huge economic, social, and environmental consequences. It deprives farmers of much-needed income, drains households of hard-earned wages and contributes to food insecurity. It is estimated that food loss and waste consume one-quarter of all water used by agriculture, requires a land area the size of China to be grown (but then not eaten), and annually emits 10-12% of global greenhouse gases—fueling climate change. Reducing food losses and waste is therefore critical than at any time in recent history.It is in this context that WRI, is implementing the 10x20kx30 – an initiative that is working with 10 major farmgate-facing agriculture companies, each engaging 20,000 (20k) of their supplying farmers to follow the “Target-Measure-Act” approach to reduce on-farm and near-farm (harvesting, transportation and storage) food losses by 50% by 2030. The “Target-Measure-Act” approach has been proven to work because (1) targets set ambition, and ambition motivates action, (2) what gets measured, gets managed, and (3) what ultimately matters is action. WRI believes that farmgate-facing agribusinesses (companies which source raw materials from smallholder farmers) are well positioned to engage farmers via outgrower programs that deliver farmer training, capacity-building, finance, and access to technology (e.g., processing, storage) and markets to reduce FLW
    • The AssignmentWRI Africa is seeking a highly qualified expert consultant to support companies/businesses to implement the Target-Measure-Act approach. In particular, the consultant will support companies/businesses to measure their food loss in their priority value chains with the aim of creating baselines. The consultant will be required to train company staff on how to conduct farm loss assessment using a direct measurement approach and provide backstopping to the process to ensure accurate data is collected. Following the baselining, the consultant will support companies to identify and prioritize solutions to address the identified causes and drivers of food loss and waste in the priority value chain. The qualified candidate will have a strong interest in food systems transformation, and a grasp of the big picture, and the systemic implications of food loss and waste on people’s social and economic conditions as well as the environment. The person must demonstrate deep understanding of the principles underpinning effective FLW assessment, and the emerging issues around FLW measurement, prevention and reduction in Africa. The candidate is expected to be proactive and able to deliver autonomously, taking ownership of the delivery of the work program.
      • Scope of WorkWRI is already engaging three companies in Rwanda who are interested in reducing food losses and waste along their supply chain. These companies operate within the cassava, fruits, and vegetables (chilli) value chains.The consultant will work closely with the WRI-Africa team to execute the following tasks over the consultancy period:
        • Support scoping studies with companies: To enhance our understanding of company activities, priority value chains, sourcing practices, and the current FLW situation, the consultant will support scoping studies with the participating companies. A scoping tool has already been developed to support this process.As part of the company scoping process, a farm-level assessment will be conducted to examine agricultural practices related to production, harvesting, and transportation, focusing on how these impact losses observed at the processing company for chilli and cassava value chains.
          • Customization of FLW data collection tools and templates: WRI-Africa team has developed tools for FLW data collection in Kenya for a number of value chains including fruits, potatoes, fish and maize value chains. These are currently under piloting as a means of validation. The consultant will work with WRI-Africa team to adapt these tools to make them relevant geographically and fit for use by companies in the interest value chains.
          • Support delivery of FLW Measurement Training to Companies: This task will involve customizing availed training resources to the local context and train the companies’ staff on food loss and waste measurement including preparation for data collection and practical demonstration for direct measurement at farm level. This will be followed by a short pilot to ensure company staff have sufficient understanding to undertake the measurement.
          • Support baseline measurement of FLW for companies: This task will involve supporting companies to conduct an assessment for the prioritized value chains (including direct measurement at farm level) to understand the quantities of FLW, hotspots for FLW, causes and drivers for FLW, and the opportunities/potential solutions to mitigate the same. The consultant will provide backstopping to ensure the data is correct and support in the analysis of the collected data.
          • Supporting participating companies to identify and prioritize FLW Solutions: Based on the assessment results (iv above), the consultant will work closely with companies to help them identify and prioritize solutions for reducing or addressing food loss and waste.
          • Maintaining engagements with enlisted companies: The consultant will maintain regular communication with companies to ensure continued engagement with the initiative and deepened commitment to measurement, targeting, and action, while effectively managing their expectations.
          • Expected DeliverablesThe consultant is expected to work in collaboration with WRI-Africa team on the following deliverables on dates that will be agreed on during the inception meeting.ActivityDeliverablePeriod after signing contractScoping of value chainsScoping reports for each company priority value chains. An assessment report of farm and near-farm practices for cassava value chainAn assessment report of farm and near-farm practices for the chilli value chain1 month 2 months 2 monthsCustomization of data collection tools and templatesReviewed and contextualized FLW data collection tools for the key value chains: Cassava, Fruits, and Vegetables (Chilli).3 monthsSupporting the delivery of Training to companies on FLW measurementA report (written feedback) on FLW measurement training and detailing the piloting procedure, methodology and results for the priority value chain of the company.3 monthsSupport baseline measurement of FLW for companiesA report of the magnitudes of FLW across the selected value chain stages, causes and drivers and recommendations on possible interventions to reduce FLW by specific entities. The consultant will, in collaboration with the WRI-Africa team, present the findings of the assessment on food loss and waste to the company and seek their feedback on the same.5 months 5 monthsSupporting participating companies to identify and prioritize FLW SolutionsA list of prioritized solutions against challenges identified. The consultant will, in consultation with companies and WRI-Africa team, co-create a set of implementable solutions that companies can undertake to reduce FLW. 6 months
            • Duration of the AssignmentThis assignment is scheduled to take place between February and July 2025 for a duration of 45 direct engagement days spread across six (6) months.
              • Required Qualifications
              • A master’s degree or above in development studies, food Science/technology postharvest technology, agriculture or a related field.
              • Extensive experience in conducting research in the agricultural sector, specifically on food loss and waste.
              • Strong analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative) and ability to synthesize large amount of data to produce desired outputs.
              • Knowledge of Africa’s agri-food sector, food systems and how they are linked to issues of food loss and waste, food and nutrition security in Africa.