Consultant – Strengthening Institutional and Economic Resilience in Yemen (SIERY)

CTG overview:
CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Background & context:
SIERY is an initiative that aims to improve economic & social wellbeing for Yemeni, in particular for the poorest & most vulnerable in 9 governorates & 47 districts (Hajjah, Hodeidah, Sana’a, Ibb, Ta’iz, Lahj, Aden, Marib & Hadramaut). The strategy pursued by SIERY rests on two components:
The 1st component (implemented in all 47 districts) focuses on institutional resilience, which caters for service delivery needs of local populations & considers the role that responsive & legitimate local governance can play in rebuilding peace & stability.
The 2nd component (implemented in 16 districts) focuses on economic resilience & aims to improve the business environment for economy recovery & employment opportunities. This component empowers private sector players (SMEs (Small & Mediums Enterprises) & microfinance service providers), working on selected value chains, for skills development, capital support, job creation & employment. SIERY will rehabilitate or construct community prioritised infrastructure & support small & medium enterprises for the expansion & scale up of businesses. It will enable & engage micro finance service providers & network, private sector or business associations & regulators to support producers, private sectors & local authorities to derisk unstable market environment.

The economic component (outcome 2: improved business environment for economy recovery & employment opportunities) will be realized by supporting smallholders, SMEs through a strengthened value chain approach & strengthening access to microfinances. The overall strategy for component 2 comprises of:
Strengthening a value chain approach by empowering producers, private sectors & microfinance service providers for skill development, capital support, job creation & employment.
Engaging value chain stakeholders from producers to consumers to create the demand & supply.
Supporting small medium service providers to the business sector, including for financial services.
Strengthening horizontal & vertical linkages between producers & the market by supporting the productivity gains in promising sectors.
Providing the market infrastructure, inputs & improving access to support small & medium enterprises for collective growth for the expansion & scale up of businesses.
Enabling & engaging micro finance service providers & networks, private sector or business associations & regulators to support producers, private sectors & local authorities to derisk unstable market environment.

The overall strategy SIERY project is planning to establish 5 new strategic markets in Yemen. The project will construct the markets & provide needed equipment & technologies for each market. To ensure sustainability & functionality of the markets for economic recovery in the selected economic sectors in Yemen, it is however essential to go beyond the mere provision of the infrastructure.

Role objectives:
The project is therefore interested in establishing financial & institutional sustainability strategies, guidelines & manuals for the operations & functioning of the established markets & train the relevant stakeholders in sound implementation. The design of 4 of the 6 markets has already been initiated by PWP (Public Works Project), for 2 markets it will be done soon. The sector of the markets & the business training has been identified / will be done with the support of SMEPS (Small & Medium Enterprises Promotion Services). The ownership of each market is not yet determined & needs to be proposed by the consultant, based on the identified optimal sustainability strategy. The manuals shall predominantly be directed to the owners & the managers of the markets, but shall include, where applicable, sections targeting staff & users. The 5 selected markets are the following:
The honey central market in Al Qaten district, Hadhramaut governorate.
The onion & dates market in Tareem district, Hadhramaut governorate.
The fish export center in Mukalla district, Hadhramaut governorate.
The fish central trade market in Al Buraiqah district, Aden governorate.
The coffee central market in Manakha district, Sana’a governorate.

Under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor & the direct supervision of the National Coordinator Economic Resilience of SIERY, the consultant is expected to:
Conduct meetings (face to face & online) with relevant SIERY team members, SMEPS, local authorities & potential users of the markets & other relevant stakeholders (to be mapped by the consultant) to develop a thorough understanding of, respectively, the project’s objectives, the value chain approach adopted & the market construction approach & modality.
Review all the legal documents, laws, regulations relevant for the running of each market (including, but not limited to, potential sanitary & physiosanitary requirements & liabilities) & ensure the provision of the official required documents, letters & approvals for each market.
In close coordination & agreement with the local authorities, potential owners, main users & relevant stakeholders, elaborate & describe the function, organisational model & management model of each market (with focus on institutional & financial sustainability) & the business activities to be performed.
Based on this, propose the best suited ownership structure for the market & come to an agreement with the local authorities, proposed owners & mayor stakeholders.
Note that the owners may also be the local authorities or multiple owners.
Note further importance of the local authorities & owners having the full ownership.
Where applicable, coordinate with & support the PWP in the (final) design phase for each market to ensure design & BoQs match the agreed function & model of each market.
Review & support the LAs in drafting the markets’ detailed information about the potential users of the markets, the buyers in the markets, expected sales, income & turnover, etc.
Describe for each identified model legal prerequisites, liabilities, taxation, etc.
Elaborate a detailed management & operation manual for each market including but not limited to the administrative, logistics, finance, operations, products, sales, pricing, business activities, daily / monthly documents format, banking documents / procedures, waste management, hygiene / health standards, work conditions etc).
Elaborate a manual describing roles & responsibilities of the entire management & staff as well as complete financial plan at least covering the time period until the expected break even.
Deliver a comprehensive final report for each market.

Project reporting:
The consultant will report directly to the National Coordinator Economic Resilience under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor.

Key competencies:
Master’s degree in business administration, economic, private sector development or any related fields.
At least 15 years of experience leading consultancy assignments in the field private sector development, value chain development, entrepreneurship / business management, organisational development & / or public private partnerships is a must.
Extensive expertise, knowledge & experience in the field of the development & / or management of markets is an added value.
Demonstrated ability to prepare manuals is desirable.
Strong familiarity with strategic central markets establishment is an asset.
Evidence of sectorial expertise in at least 3 out of the following 5 sectors namely horticulture, dates, honey, fish & coffee.
Fluency in English & Arabic, both written & oral.
Excellent computer literacy.
Excellent communication, report writing & analytical skills.
Knowledge and experience in ensuring consideration of construction for people with disabilities.
Ability to work under pressure & meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability of analytical & drafting work.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Self reliant & able to work as a part of a multi cultural team in a stressful environment.
Demonstrating / safeguarding ethics & integrity.
Demonstrate corporate knowledge & sound judgment.
Self development & initiative taking.
Acting as a team player & facilitating team work.
Facilitating & encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
Learning & sharing knowledge & encourage the learning of others.
Promoting learning & knowledge management / sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values & ethical standards.
Promotes the vision, mission & strategic goals of our client.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality & age sensitivity & adaptability.
Ability to work with a multicultural & diverse team.
Demonstrating / safeguarding ethics & integrity.

Team management:
this role has no team management responsibility.

Key deliverables:
Inception report.
Stakeholder mapping.
Design of the sustainability strategy including business model, financial plan & management modalities for each market.
5 markets’ operational manuals.
Final comprehensive report for the 5 markets.

Other general inforation:
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.

CLICK TO APPLY

Share this job