Consultant – Manufacturing System Activity CSISA MEA

iDE is dedicated to creating income and livelihood opportunities for the rural poor. We were one of the first organizations to unlock the power of markets to fight poverty. iDE designs and delivers market-based solutions in agriculture and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in 11 countries across Asia, Africa, and Central America. We believe that entrepreneurs can be found everywhere and that through design and innovation, they can have the opportunity to build a better world for themselves, their families, and their communities. iDE Bangladesh is the oldest iDE country program having operated continuously since 1982.

We are currently seeking a Consultant with a focus on agricultural manufacturing to join the Feed the Future Bangladesh Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA MEA). The Activity is a partnership between CIMMYT, iDE, and Georgia Tech, and is the second phase of the Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia - Mechanization and Irrigation (CSISA-MI) project.

CSISA MEA’s objective is to enhance agricultural resilience, productivity, and profitability by improving the competitiveness and effectiveness of agricultural machinery lead firms while generating business opportunities for collaboration with US manufacturing firms, technical institutions, and financial advisory companies. The Activity also focuses on developing an appropriately trained gender-inclusive workforce, with a special focus on linked support market actors and manufacturing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Bangladesh, as well as crisis-affected areas.

CSISA MEA’s activities will accelerate new business opportunities for domestic and US agricultural machinery manufacturers, suppliers, and light engineering firms in the Bangladesh agricultural machinery sector. The project applies cutting-edge research to analyze selected lead firms and their supply chains to determine critical areas for improvement, such as best manufacturing, management and governance, and sales and customer service practices and then provide, or facilitate access to, technical and business support. This is coupled with the professional development of skilled workforces with a focus on Bangladeshi women and youth. CSISA MEA places emphasis on medium to large enterprise-level actors and their supply chains that meet basic criteria of worker safety standards, experience in the market, and share a vision for transformation in the provision of agricultural equipment to the Bangladesh market. The Activity prioritizes MSME-level actors in the supply chain that are critical to service and maintenance of existing and new machinery utilized in the market, as well as machinery and spare parts import, manufacture, assembly, and/or sale.

To strengthen CSISA-MEAS’S Manufacturing System Activity (MSA) Interventions, iDE invites applications from qualified candidates to fill the position of Consultant - Manufacturing System Activity. The key role of the Consultant – will be to provide advisory support on implementing the interventions.

Position
Consultant – Manufacturing System Activity (MSA)
Number of Vacancies
 1
Job Location
 Dhaka, with frequent travel to the field (40% Dhaka; 60% field; subject to prior approval)
Reporting Line
 Director Programs
Duration
 6 Months

The consultant will be primarily responsible for leading the manufacturing systems activities of the Activity in coordination with Georgia Tech. The activities will focus on four key areas:

  • Market research: In coordination with Activity partner Georgia Tech, the consultant will design, develop and lead a thorough market research to identify current and new potential manufacturers/ suppliers of parts in Bangladesh including domestic manufacture, assembly and/or spare parts production of more complex machines such as power tillers, tractors, combine harvesters and rice transplanters.
  • Market analysis and business model development: Based on the market research, the consultant will identify and recommend potential suppliers and/or partners for the Activity to engage with and support under the Activity.
  • Strategic partnership creation: In partnership with the Activity consortia, the consultant will form strategic partnerships and build the case, investigate the technical feasibility, economic viability and owner desirability of the initiative.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

The key responsibilities of the Consultant – MSA will include the following

Sector Analysis and Intervention Design
  • Lead the ongoing Manufacturing Systems Activity by coordinating internally and externally with lead firms, Light Engineering companies, and other relevant stakeholders
  • Be the primary point-of-contact from iDE for the aforementioned Activity with Georgia Tech and CIMMYT and provide period progress updates
  • Support ABLE companies to identify sources of and gain access to raw materials that are of a higher quality for a similar cost than currently supplied raw material. This principally applies to the supply of high-quality steel.
  • Define potential quality testing and heat treatment service providers and link ABLE to get access to fee for quality testing and heat treatment services.
  • Facilitate capacity building initiative for ABLEs to set standard specification for their product and process for quality standard certification through linking them with respective authority.
  • Support ABLE companies to develop viable investment plans for the purchase of any new equipment identified
  • Co-develop detailed scope of work and customized activity plan with lead firms for manufacturing improvements
  • Assist to support the development of detailed supply chain maps for priority machines and spare parts
  • Support CIMMYT consultant to conduct desk study on OEM model international best practices
  • Assist to develop or strengthen the business case (business model) for specialist equipment and quality testing facilities
  • Support the implementation of lead firm service agreements on manufacturing improvements

Partner Engagement
  • Engage with Georgia Tech and CIMMYT Engineers to implement Manufacture System Activity Intervention
  • Build and nurture partnerships with ABLE companies and lead firms

Deliverables
  • Event reports
  • Monthly Work Plans
  • Market analysis and business case reports

Skills and Experience

Candidates are expected to have the following qualification, skills and experience, and to be comfortable with the following conditions.

Education
  • At least a Graduate degree in Mechanical/Agriculture Engineering

Work Experience
  • A minimum of 12 years of work experience with 8 years’ experience in product engineering, testing and quality control in agriculture sector
  • Experience in working with private sector partners
  • Experience in supply chain development and strengthening.
  • Proficiency in designing and conducting research using qualitative and quantitative tools, and in documenting and critically analyzing results efficiently and comprehensively
  • Experience with social and behavior change approaches to intervention design is of advantage

Skills & willingness to travel
  • Strong analytical skills, an investigative mind set and a passion for understanding incentives motivating multiple, interrelated actors in complex sectors
  • Ability to communicate openly and to work constructively in a team
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Bangla
  • Excellent computer literacy in Windows Office programs (especially Word and Excel); Familiarity with internet-based software systems such as Google Apps are of advantage
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact constructively with a variety of stakeholders including rural households, local informal entrepreneurs, representatives of private sector companies and local Government representatives
  • Ability to work in a consortium environment, maintaining constructive relationships with colleagues from all partner organizations
  • Willingness to spend up to 40% of time in field locations, and to travel on short notice on occasion.

Please email your application comprising a CV (max. 4 pages) and a cover letter to bangladesh-jobs@ideglobal.org. Your response should indicate clearly your anticipated daily consulting rate and potential start date for the assignment.  Kindly use ‘Application as Consultant – MSA CSISA MEA as subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Women are actively encouraged to apply.

iDE provides a women friendly work environment with flexible work arrangements, appropriate skills development opportunities and good career development potential for high performing individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employee selection and related decisions are made without regard to gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Deadline: 21 January 2021 COB (4:30pm Bangladesh time)