The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.
This consultancy (Value Chain Specialist) will be conducted under the project entitled: “Nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate action, biodiversity, and people in the United Arab Emirates”. The project is in partnership with EN-WWF and EAD and it is funded by the HSBC bank. The project is implemented at the coastal areas in Abu Dhabi (AD) and Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) in the United Arab Emirates.
In the UAE context, where carbon sequestration rates are relatively low and transaction costs to set up blue carbon offsetting projects are extremely high, conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems can support climate mitigation efforts that need to be considered within a broader framework of ecosystem services, rather than just focusing on carbon offsetting. The carbon narrative can be placed at the core of NbS, while multiple economic benefits arising from coastal ecosystems beyond carbon sequestration (e.g. tourism, fisheries and food security) would need to be considered to attract investors interest. The NbS project is targeting to create an initial NbS project portfolio that can complement the blue carbon crediting and accounting mechanism, creating commercial opportunities and helping the local communities (entrepreneurs, SMEs) to generate additional revenues diverted back to coastal ecosystems conservation and restoration.
ICBA’s long experience in the development of value chains for halophytic crops such as quinoa and Salicornia through projects implemented at the national and international level is valuable for this project component, however, more on the culinary side. During these projects’ implementation, ICBA worked extensively with food sector entities, chefs, culinary experts, and professionals to leverage the gastronomic value of halophytic crops by utilizing them in innovative recipes, dishes, and products. Some of these halophyte-based products were commercialized and sold in the local markets. In addition, these innovative halophytic products were showcased at prominent regional exhibitions and events, such as Gulfood, Top Table, GulfHost, etc. Going one step further, the project team decided to hire a Value Chain Specialist to explore in-depth the market features and identify commercial opportunities that might arise in NbS interventions for the coastal areas in the UAE.
The 2nd phase of the NbS project is focusing on the value chain development of two selected saltmarsh species Salicornia and Arthrocaulon that are naturally growing in the coastal areas in UAQ and AD. The value chain specialist will conduct a study exploring how commercial opportunities can be created for the local saltmarsh vegetation directed for food use to find the proper positioning in the local markets, adopting relevant-oriented approaches and identifying the proper partners that will form the investable NbS project portfolio.
The Value Chain Specialist will undertake the following activities throughout the duration of the consultancy:
Interview and identify local entrepreneur(s) / community representative(s) who could build capacity, explore future opportunities on the potential use of halophytes and champion the innovative food and feed potential of Salicornia and Arthrocaulon.
Undertake market analysis and engage with key stakeholders (building on ICBA previous initiatives that involved chefs and other stakeholders), including regulatory context (to identify legal barriers for the use of land and harvest from the coastal vegetation).
Develop a commercial business case / High-Level Business Plan based on the market research and integrating learnings from technical pilot to include investment needs and costs throughout the lifecycle of future NbS projects.
Prepare a pitch deck and a project concept note to gather interest and facilitate partnership development.
Identify stakeholders and key partners across value chain, including private sector partners that can take over commercial projects and investors (or grants) in the UAE.
Desktop review of farmers’ cooperatives in the Northern Emirates and Abu Dhabi of the UAE: Understanding the current status and exploring approaches on how to cooperate and commercialize the project outputs and upscale the impact.
MSc or PhD degree to related fields (Business studies / Agricultural Economics / Economics or other related fields)
Minimum 10 years of proven experience in Value Chain development for food and feed products / Marketing / Business / Rural development
Proven record of implementing projects on agribusiness, agro-based livelihoods, and value chain development for food and feed products.
Good teamwork and communication skills
Proven management efficiency
A working knowledge of English is essential
Working knowledge of Arabic could be an advantage for the candidate.
*The consultant should be based in UAE with a valid residency and driving license.
