Organization: AVSF Zambia

Duration of the consultancy: 40 days spread between May and November

Expected Starting Date: 15th of May 2026

Project Goals and Background

Agronomes & Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF) is a French NGO implementing a project entitled ‘Bush 2 Business (B2B) project in Zambia’s Mpika and Lavushimanda districts, in Muchinga Province. This project, which is being funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) through its FEXTE fund, has the following objectives:

1. Community development and green jobs/income are created, particularly for women and youth, through better market access and value addition at community level;

2. A sustainable private sector related to biodiversity and forest-based non-timber products is promoted and supported along value-chains (SMEs of producers, off-takers and French companies); and

3. Investments in biodiversity and forest conservation contribute to the integrated landscape management and resilience towards climate changes.

The project area includes four communities in Chief Mpumba’s area, three communities in Chief Mukungule’s area, one under Chief Chikwanda. The goal of the project tis to support non-timber forest products value chains, through strengthening the community’s involvement in both the primary production and potential value-addition for non-timber forest products, with a special focus on honey and mushrooms.

In the project area, forests provide a safety net for rural communities. However, forests are suffering significant degradation (agricultural expansion, illegal charcoal production, etc.), thus reducing their capacity to provide economic and environmental services at both the local and regional levels. NTFPs, for which demand is increasing nationally and internationally, represent both an economic opportunity for rural communities and an incentive to protect forests for the products they provide. However, support for small rural enterprises in the NTFP sector remains poorly structured, and these businesses struggle to formalize and develop. There is thus a clear need for structured, practical support to help producer groups to shift from informal initiatives to business-oriented enterprises.

Against this background, AVSF Zambia is inviting applications for a consultancy to develop a capacity building programme with the aim of strengthening the business development capacity of producer groups.

Objectives

The consultancy will aim to design and deliver a capacity building programme with the aim of strengthening the business development capacity among targeted producer groups in the Project.

Scope of Work

The capacity building programme will focus on incubating Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in business planning, entrepreneurship and financial management. It will involve CBOs such as Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs), cooperatives, and conservancies.

Trainings will be focused specifically on the project area, targeting the districts of Lavushimanda and Mpika.

Trainees will include the project’s field technicians from the AVSF team and Government technical staff from the Forestry Department and the Ministry of SMEs development.

The consultancy will be based in the Mpika district, the project office, with some days spent in the Lavushimanda district. The key activities include:

1. Critical review of an internal document on Capacity Producer Group Capacity Development Programme – 1 day

An internal document has been developed by the project as a working framework to guide programme design and targets, resource planning, and preparation. The consultant(s) will conduct a thorough and critical review of this document to assess its relevance, practicality, and alignment with the project objectives and field realities.

In addition, a capacity needs assessment was conducted with eight producer groups to identify existing gaps and constraints in transitioning towards business-oriented production and market readiness. The report of this assessment will also be provided to the consultant(s).

2. Development of capacity building programme content – 6 days

Based on the guidelines and targets outlined in the Capacity Development Programme document, the findings from the critical review, and the data from the capacity need assessment, the consultant(s) will design a comprehensive capacity building programme. This will include the development of detailed session guides, tools, and practical materials tailored to the needs of the targeted groups and to the objective of supporting women and youth. The programme should cover three interconnected areas of business capacity: entrepreneurship, business planning, and financial management. The content should also be adapted to the specificities of rural communities, of non-timber forest products (low level of literacy, seasonality of products, etc.).

The programme will be designed not as a conventional training curriculum, but as a mentorship-oriented approach. It will aim to accompany producer groups over time, supporting their progression towards organizational and business maturity, enabling them to manage production as viable enterprises and effectively engage with off-takers.

3. Training of Trainers (ToT) – 5 days

A Training of Trainers programme will be conducted, targeting project field staff and government personnel. Target beneficiaries of these trainings will be producer groups having activities in the non-timber forest product sector. This ToT will include:

• Training sessions for 5 trainers in each district, on how to deliver the mentorship programme;
• At least two demonstration trainings delivered alongside the trainers, with one session held in Lavushimanda and another in Mpika for producer groups; and
• Emphasis on hands-on learning to ensure trainers are fully equipped to cascade knowledge effectively.

A Training of Trainers (ToT) programme will be conducted for selected project field staff and relevant government technical personnel. The ultimate beneficiaries of the mentorship programme will be producer groups engaged in non-timber forest product (NTFP) activities.

The ToT will aim to equip trainers with the skills and tools required to effectively deliver and the mentorship programme. It will include:

·      Training sessions for a cohort of five trainers per district on the methodology, content, and approach of the mentorship programme;

·      At least two demonstration sessions co-facilitated with the trainers, including one session in Lavushimanda and one in Mpika, targeting selected producer groups; and

A strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning to ensure trainers are confident and सक्षम in cascading the programme and adapting it to local contexts.

4. Monthly backstopping – 18 days

Following the Training of Trainers, the consultant(s) will provide regular backstopping support on a monthly basis (3 days per month). This will aim to ensure effective roll-out of the mentorship programme, including follow-up, coaching of trainers, and monitoring of implementation at field level (including a grid assessing progress made by groups).

The backstopping will focus on addressing challenges encountered by trainers, reinforcing the mentorship approach, ensuring consistency and quality in programme delivery across both districts, and follow-up group progression.

5. Final assessment – 10 days

The consultant(s) will conduct a final assessment of the capacity building and mentorship program.

This will include:

·      Field visits to assess the application of the mentorship approach and to do a final assessment of the progress made by producer groups; and

·      Preparation of a comprehensive final report, including key findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations for future scale-up or replication.

Budget

Transportation within Lavushimanda and Mpika districts to visit producers groups will be provided by the project.

The office supplies necessary for the training will be provided by the project.

Expenses linked to travels to the project area, accommodation and food will be covered by the consultant(s).

Consultant qualifications

• Background in business administration and entrepreneurship or agribusiness

• Training experience with rural communities on enterprise development (mandatory)

• Strong reporting skills

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications by Email with title ‘Proposal- AVSF Zambia Bush2Business Community-based Enterprises Consultancy’ to the following addresses: c.bwalya@avsf.org and copy to k.mukoma@avsf.org and ophelie.robineau@expertisefrance.fr .  

Applications should include:

• CV and/or profiles,

• a three paged technical and financial proposal

• track records of past activities related to the consultancy

Deadline for applications: 25th of April 2026