Consultant needed- Foodscape study in Tanga

Background

Rikolto in East Africa supports several beneficiaries: farmers, traders, consumers and cities. It works to transform food chains and ensure food is produced with respect for people and the planet by supporting collective actions, innovations, and better ways for actors in the food chain to realize their potential to feed the growing population while caring the nature.
Rikolto is implementing an EU programme funded through Anabel namely IncluCities under the EU Green and Smart Cities SASA portfolio. The programme is aiming at improving the non-financial and financial business development services for the agrifood sector in Tanga City, especially targeting women and youth. The programme is designed to offer solutions to the most pressing challenges hindering women and youth involvement in the green, circular and digital sectors e.g. the agrifood sector, such as lack of awareness of business opportunities, limited access to quality non-financial and financial production resources, in coordination with food systems actors who offer non-financial and financial services to youth and women-owned enterprises and limited capacity development of agrifood enterprises. To support sustainable solutions around these food systems challenges, it is paramount to understand the different interconnected issues affecting the foodscapes of Tanga by analyzing the complex web of food production, distribution, consumption and waste disposal. Assessing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food helps identify gaps and vulnerabilities in food systems, allowing for targeted interventions to ensure that all residents have access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Moreover, by recognizing the economic importance of food systems, stakeholders can support the growth of sustainable food enterprises, thereby fostering local economic development and creating job opportunities. Furthermore, studying the environmental footprint of food production and consumption informs efforts to promote sustainable agricultural practices, reduce food waste, and mitigate the environmental impacts of food systems. Finally, considering the intersection of food systems with urban planning helps create more resilient and equitable cities by informing decisions about food markets, community gardens, and transportation infrastructure. Therefore, Rikolto wishes to engage a consultant to conduct a foodscape study in Tanga City.

Overall roles, undertaking a foodscape study to provide valuable insights that can guide efforts to create more inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems that benefit Tanga communities and the planet.

The study aims to understand the Food system with a focus on the urban and peri-urban areas using the Foodscapes methodology and a systematic perspective from the production, distribution, processing and consumption of food with an emphasis on the horticulture sector. The methodology includes but is not limited to

1. Understanding the concept of "foodscape”-involves exploring the relationship between food, culture, and the environment within the urban and peri-urban of the Tanga City communities.

2. Listening to the system- that emphasizes actively engaging and understanding the multifaceted dynamics of the food system within the urban and peri-urban Tanga city communities

3. Crafting insights-that involve examining the various elements that shape the food environment within the urban and peri-urban of Tanga city.

• Mapping the current practices, trends, and innovation initiatives in the system i.e. the production practices of urban and peri-urban farmers in Tanga, the rural market linkages, food handling practices from farm to fork, urban food environments including traditional markets and street vendors.

• Analyzing the food flow and rural landscapes within Tanga (urban and peri-urban areas)

• Analyze different local policies that influence the food systems transformation of Tanga

• Map food systems actors and stakeholders forming farmer organizations, food vendor groups/associations/public markets, processing, marketing, support, etc in Tanga city highlighting their role in the food systems and the constraints each of the actors is facing. Mapping circular economy businesses/potentials and their capacity needs

• Identifying leverage points in the system that can generate maximum impact with minimum interventions from different food system stakeholders.

• A comprehensive study report summarizing the study objectives, findings, and conclusions. This report should include detailed analysis and interpretation of data collected during the study.

• The executive summary highlights the key findings and recommendations of the study including the leverage points in the system.

• Interactive maps showcasing agricultural landscapes and food flows of Tanga, as well as food system actors including food vendors and their associations/groups, food markets, potential circular economy businesses around the Tanga city

• Detailed review of policies and initiatives aimed at addressing identified challenges and promoting positive change within the food system.

• Understanding of TOR

• Technical proposal indicating methodology or approach to achieve the required outputs of the assignment, elements of the work plan and timeline, and a preliminary budget which includes daily consultancy fees and other costs.

• Financial proposal that outlines personnel costs and other related costs.

• Team composition and their CVs outlining their experience in conducting similar assignments

• General institutional and technical information of the applicant;

• Experience in horticulture and food systems.

• Experience in policy analysis.

• Resumes of the proposed key personnel that will be assigned to work on the programme;

The proposed budget will form the basis for the negotiation of the final budget which will form part of the Agreement of Cooperation. The budget should be in Tanzanian shillings.

All proposals should be submitted to eastafrica. recruitment [at] rikolto.org. The cover email should be named titled: TANZANIA –TANGA FOODSCAPES.

Submission Deadline Date: 19th May 2024