Research Consultant - FLW Measurement Protocols Fish Value Chains at World Resources Institute (WRI)

• WRI Africa is seeking a highly qualified expert consultant to pilot the contextualized FLW measurement protocol with food companies and businesses in Kenya. The consultant will be required to implement direct FLW measurement exercises with select companies/ business entities. The objective is to iteratively review and refine the protocol and the accompanying guidelines. The companies/businesses may include agricultural firms, food processing companies, large aggregators/packhouses, established cooperatives, major retail outlets (supermarkets), and established food service outlets. The qualified candidate will have 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. Experience in the value chains of interest will be an added advantage. The candidate is expected to be proactive and able to deliver autonomously, taking ownership for delivery of the work program.

Specific tasks

• Perform an expert review of the protocols and guidelines for FLW measurement along fish value chains.
• Develop a relevant appraisal matrix outlining the specific aspects to be evaluated on the protocol and guidelines.
• Pre-test the tools proposed in the guidelines for FLW data collection to flush out any issues or ambiguities.
• Work with WRI team to identify a presentative sample of targeted end-user entities.
• Work with WRI Africa team and selected business entity representatives and to identify the value chain stages for the assessment.
• Work with WRI team to train representatives of the target business entities on collecting FLW data across the value chain stages of interest, analysis of the data and reporting.
• Work with WRI Africa team representatives of the selected business entities and to deploy the FLW quantification tool across the different value chain stages.
• Gather feedback from the end users paying attention to any challenges and unexpected issues.
• Analyse the collected data and report on magnitude of FLW in the selected entities the causes and drivers and make recommendation on the suitable innovations/technologies that the entity can use to reduce FLW across its value chain stages.
• Analyse user feedback and compile a detailed report of the findings from the piloting exercise, highlighting any modifications made (or which should be made) for purposes of refining the protocol and guidelines.

Deliverables

• A report (written feedback) detailing the piloting procedure, methodology, results, and user feedback for each of the value chains selected for the exercise.
• A report documenting the magnitudes of FLW across the selected value chain stages, causes and drivers and recommendations on possible interventions to reduce FLW by specific entities.
• Seminar presentation. The consultant will participate in at least one webinar or physical seminar session with WRI-Africa partners to present the findings of the assignment presented in the two reports above.
• A verified and validated version of the protocol/guidelines. The consultant will in consultation with WRI-Africa team integrate all user feedback to produce the final, verified, and validated protocol and user guidelines for FLW measurement in fish value chains in Kenya.

Duration of the assignment

• This assignment is scheduled to take place in between May and September 2024 for a duration of 60 direct engagement days spread across five (5) months. It can be conducted by an individual consultant or a team of consultants with designated lead.

Required Qualifications.

• A master’s degree or above in social science, development studies, food Science/technology postharvest technology, 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.
• In-depth understanding of the Kenyan agricultural sector and food value chains
• Experienced researcher with ability to work multiple stakeholders including public and private sector.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality, policy-oriented research papers.
• Excellent English writing and oral communication skills
• A great team leader and team player
• Good work ethics