Position:                  Professional Services (Technical Assistance to Hydroponics Operators in Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname)

Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity

Period of Performance:         February 3 – March 31, 2025

Total Level of Effort:              LOE 30 days

Introduction

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equitable and sustainable economic growth in developing countries. IESC believes that a robust private sector is a foundation for resilient nations and strong communities. Since 1964, IESC has helped to grow small and medium-sized enterprises around the world and strengthened the systems and institutions that support them. By deploying a mix of technical assistance and volunteer expert support, IESC works with emerging industries, financial institutions, and governments to stabilize economic environments, increase opportunity, and promote growth. 

In the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC), food prices and the cost of agricultural inputs have      increased significantly, and smallholder farmers are unable to produce sufficient food to meet local and regional demand without technical assistance. IESC is therefore implementing the USAID-funded Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA), designed to help farmers and other stakeholders with an emphasis on women and youth in selected fruit and vegetable value chains, adopt market-driven agricultural practices and technologies, and their integration into domestic and regional markets. 

CAPA recognizes that the sustainable development of the agriculture sector requires stakeholders to adopt fit-for-purpose resilient business models. IESC is recruiting an experienced consultant to conduct assessments, support installation and conduct capacity building for producers using hydroponics system in Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname to enable efficient and profitable operation.

Scope of Work 

The Consultant is expected to conduct evaluations of the existing designs of a hydroponics system, support installation and upgrades and facilitate training and capacity building in the management and operation of hydroponic systems in Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.  The assessment is expected to be used as a training tool for other producers. The scope of work covers all activities necessary to accomplish the deliverables as stated below.

The Consultant will execute the following main tasks/activities:

1. Participate in a briefing with representatives from IESC to discuss the objectives, activities, approach, expected outputs, and any other issues related to the execution of the assignment that require clarification.
2. Conduct an in-country assessment of one hydroponic system in Dominica and Suriname respectively. The assessment should consider issues around:

-        Physical design

-        Existing equipment and proposed equipment list

-        Recommendations on type of crops for consideration and growing cycle

-        Human capacity gaps and proposed capacity building interventions.

1. Support the installation of one hydroponic system in Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines respectively.
2. Support the upgrade of one hydroponic system in Suriname.
3. Submission of a close-out report covering the items listed above including other areas that are considered important.

Deliverables

The principal deliverables of the Consultant will be:

1. Deliverable 1 – Assessment Reports – Completed assessment reports for Dominica and Suriname to be submitted within 5 business days after in-country visits are conducted. The report should be a minimum of 5 pages.

2. Deliverable 2 – Facilitate installation / upgrades to hydroponic systems and training of farmers in Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname on the efficient operation and management of hydroponic systems.

3. Deliverable 3 – Close out Report – A final report detailing the interventions and recommendations for future interventions.

Duration of Consultancy

The assignment will require a maximum of 30 days for completion. Payment will be made on submission of the deliverables. The salary range for this position will be based on qualifications and experience. Consultant salaries are typically established within a range and are based on qualifications, internal equity and the amount budgeted for this role.  

Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have at least:

●      Advanced degree in management, finance, agriculture economics, agribusiness, or a related and relevant field. B.A. required, Masters a plus.

●      Minimum of five years’ professional experience in agriculture business development, extension, hydroponics or related activities. 

●      Knowledge about CARICOM Member States markets. 

●      Experience in preparing and presenting high-quality qualitative and quantitative reports.

●      Strong oral and written communication skills. Fluency in English is required.

Location and Reporting

The assignment will take place in Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname. The consultant will work closely with the Program Director and the Market-led Production Specialist in each country. 

IESC is an equal opportunity employer.