CONSULTANT FOR MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (CURRICULUM) FOR AGROECOLOGICAL FARMERS
BACKGROUND:
Mada is seeking a qualified Business development and marketing consultant to develop a business training curriculum for women agroecological small-scale farmers under the project entitled “Strengthening the Resilience of Vulnerable Women, Young Adults, and Men in Lebanon through Livelihood Improvement and Increased Food Security” funded by the German Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented by Mada Association in partnership with arche noVa.
The project supports the transition to agroecology and improve access to food by strengthening the resilience of vulnerable women, young adults and men in Lebanon by improving livelihoods and increasing food security. The project aims to build a more resilient, economically stable, and food secure communities in the project regions by addressing livelihood and food security challenges through a comprehensive approach.
The aim of the mission is to develop a comprehensive curriculum for 5 training sessions that focus on enhancing the marketing and business development skills of these farmers, supporting them in transforming their agroecological practices into viable businesses. The curriculum will include both theoretical and practical components, with exercises, and will consist of no more than five sessions that can be then delivered by local trainers.
The mission is expected to be participatory, with input gathered directly from farmers in close coordination with Mada.
Main tasks and Responsibilities:
- Meet with Mada’s technical teams to discuss the mission’s objectives and expectations.
- Meet with women farmers to discuss and understand their expectations and needs.
- Present an outline for the proposed final topics/sessions and share it with Mada for review and approval.
- Develop a comprehensive curriculum consisting of 5 sessions (Four theoretical and one practical), covering all aspects of marketing and business development; collaborating closely with Mada’s technical team to ensure the curriculum is relevant. Each training sessions should not exceed the 3 hours.
- Prepare a trainer’s guide or facilitation toolkit to support local trainers in delivering the curriculum.
- Participate in a review meeting with Mada’s technical team to discuss feedback on the first draft, revise accordingly, and submit a second draft.
Work closely with Mada’s technical team, incorporating feedback iteratively until the final draft is completed.
Content of the Curriculum
- The language used in the curriculum must be simple, clear and culturally relevant, avoiding technical and complex terminology, to ensure it is easily understandable by farmers.
- The final curriculum must include, but not be limited to:
- Marketing Basics: Understanding the value proposition of agroecological products; Identifying target markets and consumer segments; Branding and packaging strategies to attract customers.
- Business Development: Basics of business planning for small-scale agroecological farms; Financial management and budgeting for farming activities; Cost-benefit analysis for agroecological practices.
- Product Pricing and Distribution: Setting competitive and sustainable pricing strategies; Exploring local, regional, and online distribution channels; cooperative models for shared resources and market access.
- Practical Marketing and Business Tools: Interactive exercises on creating marketing plans, pricing strategies, and financial projections; Practical tools for managing business operations and tracking progress.
- Building Sustainable Business Practices: Strategies for long-term sustainability and resilience in agroecological businesses.
Final deliverables:
- Detailed outline for the marketing and business development curriculum.
- A comprehensive curriculum consisting of 5 sessions (theoretical and practical), designed to equip women agroecological farmers with practical marketing and business development skills. The final curriculum must be user-friendly, adaptable for trainers, and practical for the agroecological context. It should be delivered in PowerPoint format in both English and Arabic, with clear headings, and sub-headings. Each training session should not exceed 3 hours.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
- Previous experience in developing business development, marketing, or entrepreneurship training material.
- Proven experience working with farmers, cooperatives, or agroecological projects.
- Strong knowledge of agroecology principles and the challenges/opportunities in marketing agroecological products.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with a focus on interactive and inclusive approaches.
- Ability to assess the participants' needs and adapt the curriculum accordingly.
- Experience working with women farmers and NGOs is a plus.
- Fluency in Arabic and English.
Eligible Applicants:
- Applications can be submitted by an individual expert, a team of more than one expert, or a company. If submitted by a team, one of the experts will be considered Lead Expert and be signatory.
- The contract will be signed with a single entity, whether an individual or a consultancy institution, outlining clear terms of engagement.
The selection process will consist of two steps: a pre-selection based on technical experience and qualifications, followed by in-person or online interviews with the shortlisted candidates.
Timeline:
The consultant is expected to submit the draft curriculum within three weeks of the start date.
The final version of the curriculum, along with supporting materials, should be delivered within one week after receiving feedback on the draft.
How to apply
Please send an email to vacancy@mada.org.lb, specifying the full title of the consultancy in the subject of the email. Please send:
- A cover letter explaining your suitability for the work.
- Updated and relevant CV.
- A financial proposal in USD for all deliverables.
All submissions not following these guidelines will be automatically rejected.
منتهية الصلاحية