Consultancy: analysis of critical issues in organizational models in Jordan At Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II

Project title: بذور Bothoor – Crescita e sviluppo inclusivo delle attività microimprenditoriali e empowerment economico

Project Code: GIO/LRDD/12485/2021/COOPI

Summary of the Project

The initiative aims to support access to income opportunities and foster the creation of decent work opportunities for the most vulnerable Syrian and Jordanian refugee population, particularly women, youth and people with disabilities, in the Governorates of Ibrid, Zarqa, Russeifah, Tafileh, al-Karak, Mafraq, Balqa, Jerash and Ajloun

The Organization

The John Paul II Foundation, is a non-governmental organization active in Jordan since 2017 where it implements livelihood projects that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and improved working conditions for the most vulnerable.

FGPII operates in Mafraq, Madaba, Balqa, Jerash, Irbid and Karak where it has developed a partnership with women associations, fostering the empowerment and legitimization of women’s role in agricultural work and within the local community through home-based business (HBB) with supplementary income for families.

Purpose of the study

The fabric of micro-enterprises operating in agriculture and food processing is characterized by high fragmentation, which is reflected in the small size of the enterprises themselves and a low propensity for associated management of production processes.

This has consequences on several levels:

a) reduced capacity in the realization of economies of scale;

b) poor bargaining power aimed at obtaining better conditions of purchase/sale of products;

c) limited investment capacity to comply with the requirements of local and international certification standards and to make the production cycle more efficient and complete.

An analysis of the organizational models of agricultural associations and micro-enterprises in the governatorates of Karak, Mafraq, Irbid, Jerash and Balqa will be conducted.

Expected results

The initial analysis of the critical issues of existing organizational models will:

1. Provide an accurate snapshot of the level of aggregation and mode of operation of existing associations and micro-enterprises.
2. Provide an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of individual and associated business systems, identifying the critical success variables related to specific cases analyzed;
3. Analysis of the opportunities that an associated management allows at the economic level (cost management of the production process) and commercial level (sales opportunities in organized markets).
4. Analysis of possible scenarios of associated management applied to individual reference contexts to offer concrete evaluation cues to the beneficiaries.

Study methodology

• Preparation phase: one or more meetings will be organized between the consultant, the Value Chain Expert and the expert in business administration who will conduct the training on governance systems for the associated management of product purchasing, processing, preservation and packaging for CBOs to ensure coordination between the two project activities
• Documentary review and validation of tools: this involves taking stock of existing documentation on the legal framework of associations in Jordan. In addition, the data collection tools will be validated by the project team before moving on to the data collection phase.
• Data collection in the field: The analysis will be conducted through individual interviews with the support of pre-established questionnaires. The analysis will be expanded to the level of focus areas through focus group discussions involving members of the various associations and micro-enterprises. Key stakeholders from relevant government institutions and experts will be possible involved.
• Synthesis, processing and elaboration of data and drafting of the report: after the field phase, the information gathered will be compiled, processed and analyzed
• Drawing up the final report. once the field phase has been completed, a first draft will be sent to the project team. A feedback meeting with the main conclusions of the study will be organized between the project team and the consultants.
• Validation of the study: a provisional final study will be forwarded, taking into account the observations made at the draft feedback meeting, which will be revised by the Value Chain Expert before final validation and approval.
• Sharing the results with the project beneficiaries: an accountability session will be held to share the results of the analysis with the project technicians and the representatives of the cooperatives.

Content of the study

• Executive summary
• Background to the study
• Level of aggregation of existing associations and micro-enterprises.
• Mode of operation of existing associations and micro-enterprises.
• Case studies: Strengths and weaknesses of both individual and associated business systems (two for each Governatorate)
• Associated management: economic and commercial opportunities
• Possible scenarios of associated management applied to the context where the project is implemented
• Recommendations
• Conclusions

Consultant profile

The skills required to carry out this analysis are those of a consultant covering the following fields:

• Postgraduate degree in Agri-economics, international trade/economics of agricultural products or others related field.
• Proven experience in research and analysis.
• 4 Years of experience in developing marketing strategies for agricultural products.
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English.
• Knowledge of the associationism in Jordan (associations, cooperatives, social enterprises)
• Knowledge of the Jordanian fruit and vegetable market

Deliverables

• N. interim report in English
• N1. Final report (1 IGA Analysis) in English
• Brief version of the report in Arabic

Deadlines for completion of the study

The total duration of the study is estimated at 3 months.

The date of delivery of the interim report is estimated at 45 days, after which a further 45 days will be allowed before delivery of the final report.

The service will begin once the contract between the service provider and FGPII has been signed.

The start date is scheduled for 24th July 2024.

Method of payment

– 20% in advance after signature of the contract

– 30% after submission of the interim report

– 40% after submission and approval of the final report

– 10% after an accountability session and sharing of analysis results with project technicians and cooperative representatives