CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO PREPARE HONEY PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING SITES OF THE MaYAE PROGRAM IN ETHIOPIA TO COMPLY FOR ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

The international Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) was founded in Kenya in 1970. Icipe is the only independent international institute working primarily on arthropods. It employs a diverse range of disciplines in a holistic approach to conduct research on pest and beneficial insects and arthropods with the goal of improving human and livestock health, crop production, the ecological system, and wellbeing of communities. icipe has carved out a leading role in what may be termed tropical insect science, as reflected in the range, depth, and impact of its extensive publishing record. This work focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly the large population of smallholder farmers.

The development of affordable and effective instruments to manage insect pests and vector-borne diseases is central to its mission, which aims to alleviate poverty, ensure food security, and improve the overall health status of peoples of the tropics. Its mandate is to develop alternative and environmentally friendly pest and vector management strategies that are effective, selective, non-polluting, non-resistant, and economical for use by resource-constrained rural and urban communities.

icipe’s mandate is to work across four health themes: human health, animal health, plant health and environmental health. To have an effective impact in these diverse areas, icipe operates through a diverse impact path, collaborating with various agencies in both the public and private sectors. Few research institutes straddle such different sectors, posing challenges in both downstream delivery and resource mobilization. Moreover, given the large number that directly attacks plants, and many others that provide beneficial ecosystem services, particularly pollution, icipe must access appropriate research priorities and strategies in context of smallholder communities in Africa, an increasingly dynamic and changing environment, periodic pandemic emerging in Africa, and under resourced national research and delivery agencies.

icipe in partnership with MaYEA, ORDA, IIRR and Implementing Partners (IPS) launched the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) Program (2024-2028) to generate over one million job opportunities by addressing systemic bottlenecks in the apiculture sector. This program adopted a demand-driven employment generation modality, leveraging public private partnerships and unlocking systemic bottlenecks. It actively seeks to empower young women and men to create and expand their businesses in the beekeeping sector and related businesses sustainably.

One of the strategies for promoting sustainable beekeeping is the establishment of organic certification of honey production and processing sites. This certification grants access to premium markets that offer much higher prices than ordinary commodity markets. In some importing countries, organic certification of table honey has been made a statutory requirement for entry into high end international markets, such as those in the USA, EU, Canada, and Japan. Becoming certified organic grants producers and traders have the opportunity to receive premium prices for their products.

Organic certification is established through compliance to a protocol of internal control system, its inspection and auditing by licensed independent service provider that can assess and verify this compliance and issue the certificate for the same.

In order to prepare the four honey production and processing sites of the MaYAE program in icipe, Ethiopia, for organic certification in compliance with EU Organic, USDA/NOP, or equivalent standards, icipe has developed the terms of reference for engaging an enabler consultant.

 

2. OBJECTIVES:

2.1 General objective:

• Prepare and make ready four honey production sites for organic honey certification in compliance with international organic standards and achieve organic certification.

2.2 Specific objectives:

• Conduct risk assessments and recommend mitigation measures for organic compliance.
• Develop and operationalize Internal Control System (ICS) with producers and partners.
• Train extension staff, field officers, beekeepers (around 2000), processors, and approval committees on organic standards and practices.
• Develop ICS documentation (registration, mapping, contracting, traceability, inspection protocols, compliance reports).
• Conduct internal inspections and pre-audit readiness assessments.
• Facilitate linkages with accredited certifiers and prepare all required documentation for external inspection, auditing and certification.
• Build market readiness by connecting producers with potential organic honey buyers.

 

3. METHODOLOGY

The following are the minimum requirements, and the consultant must provide details on the processes and protocols that will be used for organic honey certification.

• Participatory risk assessment based on the unique beekeeping characteristics in selected four honey production and processing sites/facilities or woredas.
• Conduct an initial site-visit to assess current practices of youth-supported honey production and processing units.
• Identify gaps against the selected organic standards (EU Organic, USDA/NOP, or equivalent standard).
• Provide a risk assessment report with practical recommendations to bridge identified gaps.
• Participatory development of internal standards and Internal Control Systems (ICS), including traceability.
• Develop relevant documentation for Internal Control Systems (ICS).
• Train ICS personnel.
• Train youth beekeepers, aggregators and honey processors, extension staff, field officers, and approval committee, focused on:
• • Organic beekeeping standards and practices.
  • Requirements for organic honey handling and processing.
  • Record keeping and documentation for organic compliance and so on.
• Develop handling procedures.
• Conduct internal inspections and pre-audit assessment as prerequisites for external inspection and auditing.
• Organize relevant documentation for auditing by a certifying company.
• Facilitate and ensure issuance of organic certification by a certifier company.

 

4. DELIVERABLES

• Risk assessment report with identified gaps and practical recommendations.
• Established Internal Control System (ICS) and traceability with manuals, templates, and compliance documentation.
• Training sessions conducted (with participant lists, training manuals, and reports).
• Pre-audit assessment report including corrective action plan.
• Complete documentation package prepared for submission to certifying body.
• Final consultancy report summarizing achievements, lessons learned, and next steps toward certification.
• Report on certification-related (external inspection and auditing) facilitations.

 

5. TIME FRAME

The assignment is expected to take four months. However, the consultant expected to support the certification process in the next two months. Within this period, the consultant will complete:

• Risk assessment in one month.
• Capacity building and ICS establishment in two months.
• Internal inspections, and pre-audit readiness assessment in one month.

 

6. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Activity	Deliverable	Payment %
Risk assessment	Risk assessment report	30%
Capacity building	Training materials, completion reports	50%
ICS development	ICS manuals, documentation, registration, traceability system
Pre-audit readiness assessment	Pre-audit report and corrective action plan
Final report	Consolidated report, documentation package for certifier
Facilitate external inspection and auditing by a certifying agency	Report on external inspection and auditing facilitations, and Organic certification issued by the certifying company	20%
Total		100%

 

7. FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

The consultant must submit financial and technical proposals, as well as CVs and evidence of previous consultancy services in enabling production and processing sites/facilities compliant for organic certification. The technical proposal must incorporate a clear methodology and a defined timeframe for each activity. The financial proposal must also indicate the phases of payment that align with the required activities and deliverables.

REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed and have knowledge of EU, USDA/NOP or equivalent organic standards and procedures (preferably of organic honey certification).
• A minimum of 6 years of experience and service in preparing production and processing sites compliant for organic certification.
• Hands-on experience in organic farming, consulting for organic honey supply chain.
• Experience in connecting producers to international markets for fair returns while adhering to organic production guidelines will have an added advantage.
• Evidence in preparing production and processing sites and facilities compliant for organic certification (preferably of organic honey certification).
• An in-depth knowledge of EU organic regulations or equivalent standard.
• Collaborate and align activity plans with a client-designated organic certifier company to complete tasks on schedule.