The VCA4D project launches a new call for experts (social and environmental) for a Value chain analysis on maize in Georgia.
The study includes a capacity-strengthening component of a national farmers’ association.
The profiles are detailed below. The period for the study is May 2025 – February 2026.
The ToR will be circulated upon request.
As the end of Phase II of the VCA4D project is approaching, the experts engaged in this assignment should commit to deliver the final report in strict respect of the calendar, and no later than February 2026!
If you are interested and available for the study period, please send the CVs of candidates to vca4d@agrinatura-eu.eu and laura.felisatti@agrinatura-eu.eu by Friday, 9th May
2025.
Context
The EU Delegation (EUD) to Georgia requested an analysis of the maize value chain in Georgia to have a thorough, evidence-based baseline and overview of the sector. This will help the EU and local partners to reflect on the bottlenecks that hinder its sustainable development. The findings are expected to inform EU support for Georgia’s irrigated crop management system, particularly under the “Sustainable and Inclusive Irrigated Agriculture Development in Georgia” project. This initiative aims to benefit 11,000 households across 19,000 hectares in the Zemo Samguri irrigation network. Additionally, the study aligns with ENPARD evaluation recommendations, focusing on value chain and regional development approaches to unlock the agricultural sector’s full potential. The findings of the VCA4D study will also support the EU in potentially structuring new action on Sustainable Food Systems and Rural Development.
EXPERTISE REQUIRED
The requirements for the different profiles are detailed below.
1) Agro-Economist – This position will be covered by the VCA4D PMU
2) Social expert
S/he is a senior expert with deep knowledge of and experience on social issues related to agricultural value chains in particularly on the inclusiveness of the most vulnerable groups and on social market economy.
The expert will have experience at least in two of the social domains covered by VCA4D (working conditions, land and water rights, gender equality, food and nutrition security, social capital, living conditions) and will be able to handle and inform on the other ones.
Experience in social analysis of the agricultural sector is required, and specific experience on social issues and market access in countries under the EU accession process is strongly appreciated.
Experience in the social aspects of the maize value chain is an asset.
Professional experience in Georgia/the region is compulsory.
Experience in the social analysis of fair trade and organic certification, and schemes is an asset.
Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Georgian is an asset.
Experience in stakeholders’ management (including relations with high level officials and private sector) and analysis of public policies are a plus.
The social expert will provide a social analysis to be included in the report, based on the VCA4D Social Profile. An introduction on how to complete the Social Profile will be made prior to the first mission.
The Social Expert will also support the economist in the analysis on inclusiveness, and the LCA expert to deal with the Biodiversity Analysis.
S/he will help the team leader to: (i) define the typology of actors that will be adopted throughout the study; (ii) formulate an executive summary and conclusions that combine the results of the different analyses to answer the framing questions and to finalise the report (reading, formatting of the report…).
3) Environmental expert
S/he is a senior expert with deep knowledge of environmental aspects linked to value
chains.
• Experience in value chain analysis in the EU and transition countries is appreciated.
• Experience in cereals VCs is an asset.
• Professional experience in Georgia/region will be appreciated.
• Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Georgian is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and circular economy is an asset.
S/he will provide the part of the report on the Environmental Analysis that will be included in the final report. His/her analysis will focus on the analysis of damages on resources, ecosystems and human health, as well as on the impacts on climate change. The expert will also integrate and complement (with the support of the social expert) an analysis of biodiversity.
S/he will help the team leader to: (i) define the typology of actors that will be adopted throughout the study, (ii) formulate an executive summary and conclusions that combine the results of the different analyses in order to answer the framing questions and to finalise the report (reading, formatting of the report…).
4) National experts- These positions will be covered by a national farmers’ association.
