Value Chain and Food Systems Specialist

About the role

FC Africa is seeking an experienced Value Chain Assessment Specialist to lead assessments of food value chains and support the identification and prioritisation of nutritious First Foods products in Ethiopia. The consultant provides technical expertise in agribusiness and food-systems analysis, assessing the viability, availability, nutritional potential and cost considerations of selected food products.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct value-chain assessments of five selected food chains, examining supply, production, seasonality, post-harvest losses and nutritional potential.
• Analyse and compare locally produced and imported food products to assess their availability, feasibility and relative advantages.
• Identify key opportunities, constraints and risks across the selected value chains.
• Shortlist and recommend 3-5 priority nutritious First Foods products based on assessment findings.
• Develop preliminary cost assumptions to inform product prioritisation and subsequent planning.
• Present clear, evidence-based findings and recommendations to the project team.

Required profile

• Strong professional background in agribusiness, agricultural economics, food systems or a related discipline.
• Substantial experience conducting agricultural and food value-chain assessments in Ethiopia.
• Sound understanding of Ethiopian agricultural markets, supply chains, seasonality and post-harvest challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to assess commercial feasibility, supply availability and cost considerations.

Required skills

• Strong analytical, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to translate technical assessments into practical, actionable recommendations.

The consultancy lasts approximately 50 working days over a 10-month period. Interested candidates submit their CV by email, indicating "Value Chain Assessment Specialist - First Foods" in the subject line.