Team: Programs | Commitment: Consulting | Location: The Republic of Georgia

STTA: Pre-Cooling Operations

BACKGROUND:

 

The USAID Agriculture Program is a five-year activity that aims to accelerate growth of agricultural sub-sectors that demonstrate strong potential to create jobs and increase micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) revenues. The USAID Agriculture Program provides competitive matching grants and technical assistance (TA)  to address identified gaps in horticultural value chains (VCs), namely berries, stone fruits, pome fruits (apples), culinary herbs, perishable vegetables, table grapes and mandarins, that will result in the improved productivity and productive capacity of MSMEs, strengthened value chain linkages, increased access to markets, and improved capacity of MSMEs, cooperatives, associations and service/information/extension providers.

 

One of the challenges faced by targeted VCs in the horticulture sector is a lack knowledge of modern technologies and practices to be used in postharvest handling and cold storage operations, in order to minimize losses, preserve quality, extend product shelf life, and access new markets.  Pre-cooling, a critical postharvest operation, takes place prior to storage, reduces crop respiration rate, crop waste, and extends its storage life. It is a new practice for Georgia, requiring significant technical guidance that is critically missing from Georgian postharvest operations.

 

In line with above-mentioned, the USAID Agriculture Program plans to utilize international expertise to upgrade technical knowledge and skills of the relevant grant recipients and beneficiaries to improve their current operations and gradually adopt best practices.

 

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to primary producers and postharvest handling operators, to increase efficiency of their operations, thereby strengthening targeted horticultural VCs.  The USAID Agriculture Program plans to engage an international consultant to render assistance over two visits.

The first will take place in April 2020, once pre-cooling equipment is purchased and installed by agribusinesses targeted for this consultancy. A second visit in July will facilitate observations and evaluation of pre-cooling operations in action. Ten grant recipients engaged in berry and vegetable VCs are targeted for this consultancy. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide targeted beneficiaries with tailored onsite consultancies on how to operate and maintain pre-coolers as well as best prepare for the season ( 1st visit);
  • Provide targeted beneficiaries with tailored onsite consultancies once pre-coolers are operational (2nd visit);
  • Hold a follow-up working session for targeted grant recipients and beneficiaries on pre-cooling operations;
  • Develop trip report highlighting visit findings, consultancy briefs and improvement recommendations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • BS degree in engineering, agricultural technologies or another relevant field;
  • Minimum 10 years of practical working experience in cold storage facilities with a focus on berries and vegetables;
  • Proven experience in the design/improvement of postharvest handling and storage schemes;
  • Strong communication skills.

DELIVERABLES:

  • Final Report integrating visit findings, consultancy briefs and improvement recommendations;

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

This assignment is planned to take place during April 20- 30, 2020 and July 5- 15, 2020. This consultancy will be provided through two visits visit and follow-up offsite work and will not exceed 20 days.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. CNFA takes affirmative action in support of its policy to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.