Consultant – to Develop Feasible Business Models

Introduction

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with governments, businesses, and civil society, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious foods for all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Background

To address public health risks and combat micronutrient deficiencies, the government introduced mandatory food fortification of wheat flour and edible oil in 2022. Ethiopia’s food processing sector, particularly wheat flour and edible oil, is largely dominated by small and micro-scale enterprises that face technical, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges. Therefore, implementation remains limited among small-scale processors. Food and Beverage Industry Research and Development Center (FBIRDC), in collaboration with concerned partners, is leading efforts to assess the sector and identify scalable, context-specific generic business models to support fortification and ensure compliance with national standards.

FBIRDC, in collaboration with partners such as UNICEF and UNIDO, conducted landscape assessments to understand the value chain, identify gaps, and assess readiness for fortification. These assessments underscore the need for context-specific business models to support inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the wheat flour and edible oil processing sectors. The upcoming assessment will further examine the wheat flour and edible oil supply chains, classify millers by scale, and explore support mechanisms for SMEs to enhance fortification efforts.

To ensure the upcoming assessment yields actionable outcomes, a consultant will be engaged to provide technical leadership and strategic direction to The Working Group. The consultant’s role will include conducting in-depth supply chain analyses for wheat and edible oil from both primary data from industry field visits and secondary data from FBIRDC, classifying millers and edible oil processors by scale, identifying fortification readiness levels, and proposing scalable business models tailored to different processor categories. A key responsibility of the consultant will also be to deliver business model orientation and training sessions for the Technical Working Group (TWG) which will be established by FBIRDC and involve them throughout the business model development process, facilitating skill transfer.

The TWG provides a platform for collaborative decision-making, validation of findings, and coordination of implementation efforts. The dual approach of engaging a technical consultant alongside a dedicated TWG ensures that both expert insight and institutional coordination are leveraged. The consultant brings specialized expertise and actionable recommendations, while the TWG ensures that the findings are grounded in the local context and aligned with national priorities. This collaborative model lays the groundwork for replicable strategies in future industrial upgrading and public health initiatives.

Objective

General objective:

To provide technical leadership and strategic direction for assessing the wheat flour and edible oil supply chains, and to develop scalable business models that enhance fortification capacity among small and medium-sized wheat flour and edible oil processors in Ethiopia.

Specific objective:

• To deliver a one-day business model orientation and training session for the Technical Working Group (TWG) which will be established by FBIRDC.
• Analyze FBIRDC’s landscape mapping data to gain a comprehensive understanding of the structural, operational, and regulatory dynamics within the wheat milling and edible oil sub-sectors
• Develop two business model on the mapping data as well as a field visit to Oromia’s Sheger City, Adama and Nekemte; Amhara’s Bahir Dar and Gondar; Tigray’s Shire, Adewa, Shiraro and Mekelle; and Benishangul-Gumuz’s Assosa which will be conducted by TWG led by the FBIRDC.
• To identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and bottlenecks in the milling and edible oil value chains using both primary data gathered through industry field visits, Key Informant Interview, and secondary data obtained from FBIRDC
• Provide actionable recommendations that inform future policy, investment, and programming efforts in food fortification and industrial upgrading.

Scope of the assignment

The consultant will lead an assessment of the wheat flour milling and edible oil processing value chains, focusing on the classification of millers by scale and evaluation of their readiness for food fortification. The assignment includes receiving organized data from the TWG, sourcing the past assessments to be used as an input to the business model, summarizing, identifying challenges and opportunities within the sector, and designing two inclusive business models (one for wheat flour and one oil industry) that support technology upgrades, capacity development, and food safety compliance. The consultant will also develop an implementation roadmap and facilitate stakeholder engagement through the TWG to ensure validation, alignment, and practical applicability of recommendations. This scope aims to support the sustainable scale-up of fortified food production among small, medium, and large processors in Ethiopia.

Tasks and Responsibilities of the Consultant

• Prepare inception report with proposed work plan, methodology, and timeline
• Deliver orientation training sessions for the TWG on the business models and assessment outcomes to build capacity for ongoing sector coordination and support.
• Consult and support TWG on tools which are necessary for the field visits per the locations mentioned in the specific objectives.
• In consultation with FBIRDC, coordinate field visits to wheat milling and edible oil processing facilities, guided by FBIRDC’s industry mapping data.
• Draft Business Model Report separately for the two value chains (wheat millers and edible oil processors) incorporating initial findings and insights, prepared for stakeholder validation and feedback.
• Presentation of the 2 final business models (one for the wheat milling industry and one for the edible oil industry) to be delivered to FBIRDC leadership and key partners, summarizing key findings, proposed models, and implementation strategies.
• Final Business Model Reports incorporating the relevant partners’ feedback and including an executive summary, relevant annexes, and actionable roadmap recommendations for model adoption and scaling.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement sessions, including with the Technical Working Group (TWG), validation workshop, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with national priorities and local realities.

Major Deliverables

No.	Description	Due date
1	Inception report outlining methodology, work plan, and timeline
2	Deliver the one-day business model orientation training session for the TWG which will be established by FBIRDC and provide report.
3	Submission of report on the conducted field trip to wheat millers and edible oil industries alongside the SWOT analysis
4	Submission of the First Draft Business Model Report separately for the two value chains (wheat millers and edible oil processors)
5	Presentation of the report on the Validation workshop
6	Final report including implementation roadmap, training session for TWG, and validated stakeholder feedback

Responsibilities of GAIN

1. Provide overall coordination and support throughout the consultancy period.
2. Liaise with FBIRDC and other partners to ensure smooth communication and collaboration.
3. Review and provide timely feedback on draft deliverables submitted by the consultant.
4. Cover the logistics and organization the TWG meetings and the validation workshop.
5. Process payments as per the agreed contract terms upon successful completion and acceptance of deliverables.

Reporting line

The consultant will report to the Project Manager-Food Fortification of GAIN Ethiopia. The consultant will also collaborate closely with designated technical staff from FBIRDC to ensure the 2 business models (one for the wheat milling industry and one for the edible oil industry) meet project objectives and industry needs.

Assessment and selection criteria

 

1. Criteria	Percentage
   Technical Proposal (75%)
   1.1 Relevant academic qualifications
   1.2 Experience in food industry value chain analysis
   1.3 Demonstrated experience in business model development and implementation and experience with stakeholder engagement
   Financial proposal (25%)
   but not limited with the above Criterias

Qualification of the consultant

• Advanced degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Proven 5-8 years of expertise in designing and implementing business models
• Proven expertise in designing business models for the food industry and sufficient understanding of Food Fortification
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with experience working with government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners in Ethiopia or similar contexts.