Investment Readiness Expert – AquaLink

Consultancy Opportunity

1. CASA PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

CASA is an FCDO-International Climate Finance (ICF) funded programme driving global investment for inclusive climate-resilient agri-food systems that increase smallholder incomes. CASA makes the case to impact and return-oriented investors for increased investment in agribusinesses that work with smallholder supply chains. The programme achieves this goal by:

• Demonstrating the commercial viability and investment-readiness of small and medium-sized (SME) agribusinesses with significant smallholder supply chains
• Helping investors to increase the impact of their investments through the provision of inclusive technical assistance
• Strengthening the socio-legal empowerment of smallholders within value chains
• Tackling the information and evidence gaps holding back investment

For demonstrating the commercial and development potential of smallholder sourcing models, CASA focuses on catalytic interventions in the agriculture sectors of Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda that support agri-SMEs prepare for and secure investment while connecting smallholders to commercial markets.

CASA’s work on research and communications is structured around identifying constraints, opportunities and addressing evidence gaps through research; shaping the debate on smallholder agriculture to influence actions of investors, governments, and donors; and creating networking opportunities through events and stakeholder engagement.

ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND

 2.1 Sectoral context

In Malawi’s poultry and aquaculture sectors, smallholder farmers are the predominant players. Despite their vital role, these smallholder fish and poultry producers struggle to meet market demand in terms of both volume and quality. Rising costs of imported and locally produced feed for both sectors continue to impede their ability to produce adequately. To address these challenges, CASA has partnered with AquaLink Services to enhance production efficiency and output among smallholder fish and poultry farmers, ultimately increasing their incomes.

This partnership aims to promote sustainable strategies to ensure an affordable and consistent supply of feed for both poultry and fish. Specifically, it will encourage the use of Black Soldier Fly as the main protein source for feeding chickens and fish among smallholder farmers who supply their fish and poultry to processing and marketing enterprises, many of which are working with CASA as implementing partners. This initiative is designed to reduce production costs, boost the commercialization efforts of smallholder farmers, and enhance their climate resilience, providing a viable solution to the productivity issues exacerbated by rising feed costs.

In pursuit of this objective, CASA seeks the services of a Short Term Technical Assistant (STTA) to facilitate preparation of AquaLink to be ready for third part investment as a means to expanding their proposed business model.

2.2 About AquaLink

AquaLink Services is a Malawian-owned company established and registered as a partnership in 2020. The company has three equal partners: Pemphero Kumbani (Operations Director), Precious Sanjama (Marketing Director), and Moses Simwaka (Production Director). AquaLink Services supplies aquaculture inputs, equipment, and related services to smallholder farmers, NGOs, and government projects throughout the country. The company has its head office in Lilongwe and branches in Blantyre, Zomba, and Mzuzu.

AquaLink Services is currently piloting a novel on-farm Black Soldier Fly (BSF) production unit, which it plans to sell to smallholder fish and poultry farmers. These units will be offered as part of a comprehensive package that includes user training, integration with poultry and fish farming, technical support, and product financing.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

1. Assignment objectives

The main objective of this assignment is to facilitate the preparation of AquaLink as a suitable destination for third party commercial investments. In line with this, the STTA under this assign will specifically deliver the following:

• Conduct a comprehensive commercial and technical feasibility assessment of the proposed business model.
• Develop the business’ Strategic Business Plan focusing only on the business model being supported under the partnership with CASA;
• Carry out an assessment of the company’s financial statements and develop cash flow projections to support investment application submissions;
• Develop an Investment Plan focusing on the CASA-supported business model;
• Develop the company’s abridged Business Profile;
• Prepare documents required by targeted potential investors; and
• Link AquaLink to potential investors

REQUIREMENTS and EXPERTISE

Key qualification and field of expertise for the ideal expert are:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, mathematics, or any other relevant fields. Those with master’s degree in the same field will have an added advantage;
• Strong analytical skills with a deep understanding of financial concepts;

• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent writing and oral communication, listening and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with a wide range of people combined with an appreciation of the importance of confidentiality;
• Willingness to take on new tasks at short notice and travel frequently to remote places if need be;
• Ability to make decisions regarding own work, often in ambiguous situations and suggest recommendations regarding own function/discipline;
• Ability to function with minimum guidance and under pre-set procedures with attention to detail; and
• Able to exercise independent judgment within defined policies and practices.

MODE OF APPLICATION

Interested candidates should send an Expression of Interest no more than 6 pages long (in one document) broken down as follows;

1. A maximum of 1 page EOI submission letter providing an overview of the candidate’s suitability for the role and their preferred daily rate expressed in
2. A maximum of 2 pages outlining a proposed methodology according to their understanding of the assignment and its requirements.
3. A maximum of 3 pages Curriculum Vitae/Resume outlining only the relevant qualifications, experience and attributes for the role. Emphasis should be placed on similar consultancy assignments carried out by the candidate in the past 7 years.

Applications to be sent to rhch@niras.com with title of the position being applied for in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will accept the first viable ones received.

For more details download the TORs using: Terms of Reference_Investment Readiness Aqualink