Terms of Reference for Consultancy – Food Laboratory Trainer (SPDDP II)
1. Background and Context
VSF Germany is an international Non Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
With support in animal health, agriculture, marketing, food safety but also with developing the capacity of communities and governmental institutions or initiating peace and conflict resolution we work towards food security and strengthened livelihoods of pastoralist communities.
VSF G had been implementing the SPDDP Phase 1 project between 2006 and 2009 in Somaliland and Puntland. The project funded by the European Development fund focused on strengthening livelihoods, in particular food security, of nomadic pastoralists in marginal rural areas of Somalia through marketing of better quality fresh milk and production/marketing of storable milk products via a network of village milk centres managed as local community based enterprises.
The project ended after successful implementation in June 2009; however its sustainability was questionable. Therefore VSF G requested the continuation of the project to consolidate the achievements of the first phase and to initiate the set-up of a regulatory framework for the dairy sector, the introduction of a quality assurance scheme based on HACCP requirements, development of new appropriate milk processing techniques (not only for camel milk, but also for cow and goat milk), the creation of a brand label for the project’s dairy products and the establishment of model retail outlets in urban centres.
2. Objectives of the consultancy
This is the beginning towards the implementation of an appropriate Quality Assurance System (QAS), accepted by the public and the private sector.
The QAS will comprise the major elements of such a HACCP, able to address food safety through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished products, using simple, reliable and cost efficient methods. In the absence of a legal foundation, the Quality Assurance System will be based on auto-control mechanisms within the private dairy chain, based on standards jointly agreed by the public and private stakeholders (public/private partnership), where the private sector monitors its performance and keeps records on these activities which are monitored by the public sector on a regular basis.
In addition the public sector has the right to inspect ad hoc production sites and carry out necessary tests. A joint public /private board is assigned to intervene in cases of litigation.
The Project intends to assist Burao Municipality in setting up a quality control system using the Laboratory donated by Phase 1 of the project to Burao University. In order to establish this system the following needs to be done:-
1. Baseline analysis of the existing milk coming in to the Burao municipality market.
2. Refresher trainings for the University of Burao lab technicians, Burao Municipality hygiene officers, Ministry of Livestock officers and SPDDP II project staff.
3. Trainings will be on: -
· Good food hygiene laboratory practices.
· Chemical analysis on milk and dairy products.
· Microbial analysis on milk and dairy products.
4. Production of clear handouts on the various procedures the participants will be refreshed on.
3. Methodology
The consultant shall be expected to design and employ appropriate methods that will yield the best results with regard to the achievement of the objectives. This shall include but shall not be restricted to desk review, participatory appraisal methodologies, and any other methods as shall be devised by the consultant, and as shall be stated in the technical proposal
4. Timeframe and processes
· 1 day. Travel to Burao
· 1 day Laboratory Orientation, preparation and briefing of training participants. staff at the laboratory.
· 1 day. Milk sample collection from Burao town.
· 3 days. Incubation of samples while trainings on the various procedures are ongoing.
· 1 day. Recording and interpretation of the results.
· 1 day. Travel back to Consultants location.
· 2 days. Finalization of handouts and report
The entire mission should be concluded within 2 weeks.
Qualifications, Experience, Attributes & Skills required:-
· Interested consultants must provide a consultancy firm profile
· Attach a financial proposal with per day rates.
· Technical implementation proposal
· Consultants’ Individual profiles
· Minimum experience of 5 years in rural development work with past expertise in Laboratory Technology and Dairy science.
· Knowledge and experience of working with pastoralist communities
· Excellence in computer knowledge and report writing skills
· Knowledge of Donor Funds Management and Reporting
· Working knowledge of EC priority areas
· Knowledge of Somalia background and current pertinent issues
· Sensitivity to work in cross-cultural and religious background
· Somali Language proficiency or Native speaker will be an added advantage.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit technical and financial proposals clearly stating their per day rates, together with all the related standard application documents to the above contacts on or before 7th March, 2011.
Due to the urgency of the assignment, the selection process shall be on going.
VSF Germany,
Ngong Road, Horton Court,
P. O. Box 25653, Nairobi, Kenya
E mail: Admin_Hr@vsfg.org, somalia@vsfg.org, handlos@vsfg.org,You can also visit www.kenyanvacancies.com for more jobs
