Terms of Reference for Consultancy

FLR Value Chain Development and Market Access Analysis in Seven Districts of Eastern Province-Rwanda

1. Background

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in collaboration with Rwanda Forestry Authority, Ministry of Environment and several other partners is implementing two projects: (1) TREPA - Transforming Eastern Province of Rwanda’s capacity to adapt to climate change through forests and landscapes restoration and (2) AREECA-The Alliance for Restoration of Forest Ecosystems in Africa. 

Similar Jobs in Rwanda
Learn more about International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) jobs in Rwanda

Funded by BMU and implemented in three additional countries in Africa, (i.e. Kenya, Malawi, and Cameroon) AREECA aims at increasing the economic, ecological, and climate-related benefits from large-scale FLR. In Rwanda, the project seeks to restore 25,000 ha of degraded lands in two districts of Eastern Province (Kirehe and Nyagatare) by the end of 2024. To unblock large-scale restoration in the country, the project aims to provide field technical support and build FLR capacity among local stakeholders, provide policy advice on FLR, and expand restoration-financing mechanisms both at local and international scenes.

TREPA on the other hand is a GCF- funded project that intends to restore over 60,000 ha of drought-degraded landscapes into climate resilient ecosystems through re-forestation, agroforestry, restoration of pasturelands, and erosion control measures in 7 districts of the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The project will develop climate resilient markets and supply chains to incentivize public and private investments in forests, increase the capacity of communities to renew and sustainably manage forests and agroforestry resources, and support smallholder farmers to adopt climate-resilient agriculture. The agriculture value chains that face key constraints at different stages will be supported.

Community-centric restoration approach is at the heart of both TREPA and AREECA projects. Through the two projects ( for synergies and convergence)  the government is  keen on developing replicable community-based financing models for community-level bio-enterprising riding on a number of FLR value chains (Timber, Non-Timber products) focusing on forestry and agroforestry. In a closely tied study, IUCN is conducting a feasibility study for a community environmental conservation fund that seeks to establish a revolving fund that will promote and encourage community-level restoration and bio-enterprising among the local farmers and landowners – women, men, and youth. In this endeavour, the project will maximize community benefits through community, private, and public sector alliances and investments in value chains and consequently promote PPP at the local level. To engage the local farmers and private sector in bio-enterprising, the project seeks to identify, map, analyze, and develop value chains, which offer viable business opportunities in Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) in the Eastern Province.

Further, the study will involve market analysis (market information) to determine economic and policy directions and considerations in the adoption and implementation of business cases.

2. The Objective of the Study

To identify, map, scope, analyse FLR-related value chains in Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), and conceptualize viable and bankable business models – attractive for investment in Seven Districts of Eastern Province.

3. Scope of the Study

1. Identify, analyse, and appraise value chains that support FLR (agroforestry, protective forest products, NTFP and related products) and activities/services/facilities available to support them.
2. Identify all the existing FLR-related products (goods and services) in the eastern province, main markets, and trade channels, and estimate the percentage of the local population involved in the production, processing, trading, and marketing of the products.

• Review the enabling environment for potential value chains: policies, access to infrastructure, extension services, financial services, business development services, and technological and managerial level of enterprises/groups/entrepreneurs in the sector.

1. Identify practices and linkages between private enterprises and communities, and assess the potential for community-private enterprise partnerships.
2. Find out key development actors (civil society, government agencies, others) in potential value chains, the different roles they play, and the challenges involved.
3. Identify community groups (e.g. cooperatives, associations, clubs) that are engaged in FLR value chains their main activities, and sources of income.

• Gather information on FLR product conditions, market conditions, and stakeholder commitment.
• Assess potential opportunities for production, value addition, investment, and markets.

1. Propose and conceptualize feasible and bankable business models linked to the identified value chains.
2. Provide geospatial data related to the location of the proposed/identified Value chains and business models.
3. Analyse market access (supply and demand) related to identified goods and services and determine economic and policy directions and considerations in the adoption and implementation of various business cases.

• Engage potential investors including farmers in the validation of the proposed value chain and business models.
• Conduct an assessment on the type of support needed for private sector/entrepreneurs/cooperatives/farmer groups to access prospective investments: proposal development capacity, building links between possible implementing institutions and potential donors and investors, tools for public-private partnerships, etc. as well as the potential innovative sources of funds (payments for ecosystem services, etc.)
• Assess market trends and opportunities (this includes market demand, market structure, and the drivers, with specific attention to market opportunities, market requirements, critical success factors, unique selling propositions, the competitiveness of selected VCs, and sustainability considerations)

1. Assess existing public and private support schemes, which are currently not linked to landscape restoration but could be used as incentives to support bio-enterprising.

• Strong/compelling, bankable, and inclusive business models providing opportunities for sustainable and scalable financing.
• Access the required support services including technical support/capacity building/technology, financing, banking, policy and governance, certification process, the role of civil society organization, community settings, and culture, etc
• Assess the market and climate information needs and potential channels/platforms for information dissemination among FFPOs and value chain actors, before recommending the projects’ approach to improve the systems for market and climate information, and farmers linkage to lucrative markets.

4. Methodology

The study will involve desk research and participatory approaches to gather information from stakeholders. The methodologies will include:

• Desk research value chains in FLR, related studies and approaches in Rwanda, and local and central government reports on FLR products.
• Focus Group Discussions with Communities.
• Personal interviews and observation of the landscapes and socio-economic conditions.
• A weighting method to shortlist and recommend products for a detailed value chain analysis
• Other appropriate methods may be proposed by the consultant.

5. Deliverables

6. Requirements

The consultant is expected to have:

• Proven over 10 years’ experience in value chain analysis and development linking private sector and local communities with markets.
• At least a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (economics, business management, agricultural or natural resource economics).
• Must be a valid residence in Rwanda.
• Experience in Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products value chain development.
• Good knowledge of policy and institutional framework in the agribusiness and forestry sectors and general entrepreneurship in Rwanda.
• Experience in business development and developing bankable business models related to forest and agricultural products.
• Solid analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think creatively
• Skills in fact-finding in rural communities on income-generating activities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Kinyarwanda and English.

7. Evaluation criteria

8. How to Apply

Interested experts (with residence in Rwanda) should submit their technical and financial proposals in electronic format to Rwanda@iucn.org  with a copy to Valentine.Ikirezi@iucn.org  by 1^st September   2023 @1700Hrs.