CIFOR-ICRAF
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation Sri Lanka (MoALLI), along with ICRAF, is implementing a project titled “Strengthening Climate Resilience for Subsistence Farmers and Agricultural Plantation Communities Residing in the Vulnerable River Basins, Watershed Areas and Downstream of the Knuckles Mountain Range Catchment of Sri Lanka”. The Green Climate Fund (GCF Knuckles project) is the principal donor of this project.
The project aims to build sustainable land and water management with improved ecosystem services and enhanced economic and livelihood options for the vulnerable communities that will ultimately improve the adaptive capacity to the expected climate change.
Under Component 2.1.1, the project focuses on developing green farming technologies to upgrade existing agricultural value chains and stimulate smallholders and subsistence farmers to adopt sustainable practices. Four priority business models have been identified for development: Kithul, Food Processing, Spice & Herbs, and Tourism.
The Kithul palm (Caryota urens L.) is native to Sri Lanka and thrives in the mid- and up-country wet zones, including the Knuckles project area. Developing it as a climate-resilient agroforestry value chain offers a sustainable income source for local communities, aligning directly with GCF’s goals while contributing to co-benefits through nature-based approaches. Kithul cultivation contributes to soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and climate risk reduction, making it an ideal business model for the project.
The target communities include seven farmer groups: Hunnasgiriya (estate community, Kandy district), Elkaduwa (Sembuwatte Knuckles cooperatives), Selagama (estate workers), Knuckles Forest (specialized farmers’ organization), and three Sarvodaya-affiliated groups in Matale district and other potential communities in the Knuckles region.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Develop Comprehensive Business Models
Develop comprehensive business models for climate-resilient Kithul value chain development that align with GCF Knuckles project objectives, including:
- Enhanced market competitiveness through inclusive value chain development
- Increased resilience of rural livelihoods through climate-smart investments
- Diversified revenue streams through participation in green markets
- Scalable community-led enterprise models within forest buffer zones
- Clear pathways to link Kithul products to global markets with necessary quality assurance systems and product development strategies
2. Conduct Detailed Feasibility Analysis
Conduct detailed feasibility analysis, including technical, financial, market, and environmental viability assessments for different scales of operation across naturally harvested, domesticated cultivation, and processing enterprises
3. Product Development and Refinement
Product development and refinement to enhance market positioning, value addition opportunities, and quality standards for different Kithul products, including jaggery, treacle, sap, flour, and syrup
4. Design Implementation Strategies
Design implementation strategies with clear timelines, resource requirements, and partnership frameworks specifically tailored for the seven target farmer groups
5. Develop Financing Mechanisms and Investment Strategies
Develop financing mechanisms and investment strategies, including blended finance approaches and green market opportunities for sustainable Kithul value chain development
SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The consultant will develop comprehensive business models for Kithul value chain development across individual farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, and small enterprise levels. This includes technical production protocols for both naturally harvested and domesticated systems, market linkage strategies, financial projections, and implementation roadmaps for naturally harvested Kithul production, domesticated Kithul cultivation (including nursery development and agroforestry integration), and post-harvest processing enterprises.
Please see this link for full details of the following subject:
DETAILED WORKING PACKAGES
POTENTIAL PARTNERS
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
EXPECTED INTEGRATION
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Education, knowledge and experience
• Advanced degree in agricultural economics, rural development, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in value chain development and business model design
• Proven track record in climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry systems
• Experience with GCF or similar climate finance mechanisms
• Demonstrated capability in participatory research and community engagement
• Knowledge of Sri Lankan agricultural policies and market systems
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions
• This is a consultancy position
• The period of the consultancy is 8 weeks from contract signing
• Work location: Colombo, Kandy, Matale, and the target communities in the Knuckles region
To apply, please visit our career site at:
http://www.cifor.org/careers and https://www.worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at:
https://www.cifor.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.