Consultant-Bio slurry Commercialization Assessment job at Palladium

Overview of CSJ Program

Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) Component 1 is a four-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. It consists of three sub-components: 1A - Market Systems Development, 1B – Uganda Climate Innovation Fund, and 1C -Ecosystems Services. Component 1 seeks to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately improve the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers (SHFs) are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints. Mitigating these effects is central to the programme’s approach.

The constraints SHFs face in improving agricultural productivity and income levels include limited access to inputs for crops and livestock, poor soil and water management, limited access to an efficient distribution model for climate-resilient varieties, limited access to affordable extension services for both livestock and crop, weak engagement between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and research institutions, high incidence of pests/parasites and diseases for crops and livestock, uncertainty in seasonality (unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spell, spatial distribution of rainfall), limited access to affordable on-farm mechanization services), and weak market access and value addition.

CSJ intends to work with market actors to trigger change in the market system in a way that enables SHFs to gain increased access to affordable, quality input products and services, in turn increasing their incomes and ability to adapt and become resilient to the effect of climate change

This TOR focuses on the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) to conduct in-depth commercialization research on bio slurry, including nutrient profiling, economic valuation, and feasibility of drying, packaging and marketing bio slurry-based products.

Background to the Assignment

Under Component 1C, CSJ is piloting biodigester technology with 10 biodigesters installed across Acholi, Lango and West Nile. These are now fully operational, producing bio slurry from a range of livestock systems including chickens, goats and cattle. Understanding the commercial and agronomic value of the different types of bio slurry is essential to inform scalable business models for Farmer Group Enterprises (FGEs), Commercial Agents (CAs) and progressive farmers.

The CSJ biodigester pilot has created an ideal testing environment to understand:

• the comparative nutrient value of bio slurry from each livestock type
• its financial value in relation to inorganic fertilizers
• the feasibility of drying and packaging the slurry
• opportunities for smallholder enterprises to commercialize bio slurry
• willingness-to-pay among surrounding farmers

To inform a clear commercial pathway, there is need for rigorous, evidence-based research to guide CSJ and market partners on viable business models for scaling bioslurry use as both an agronomic input and an income-generating opportunity.

Objectives of the Assignment

CSJ requires the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Consultant to provide technical expertise and guidance to research the agronomic, economic and commercial value of bioslurry produced from chicken, goat and cattle systems.

Scope of Work

The preferred Consultant will deliver the following responsibilities:

Bioslurry Characterisation and Sampling

• Collect samples of bioslurry from the 10 operational biodigesters across the regions.
• Analyse nutrient composition (NPK, organic matter, micronutrients), pH and contaminants.
• Compare slurry characteristics across chicken, goat and cattle feedstocks.
• Document production volumes and variability across farmers.

Agronomic and Economic Valuation

• Assess bioslurry performance on representative crops grown by FGEs.
• Estimate fertiliser-equivalent value and cost savings.
• Analyse potential yield uplift associated with bioslurry application.
• Evaluate farmer willingness-to-pay for raw and processed bioslurry.

Processing and Packaging Feasibility

• Assess technical and economic viability of drying, pelletising or compacting bioslurry
• Evaluate suitability of solar dryers, mechanical dryers and simple processing tools.
• Provide costed models for smallholder-level or group-level processing.
• Propose packaging options suitable for the northern Uganda market.

Market Systems and Commercialization Pathways

• Map potential buyers (vegetable growers, nurseries, agro-dealers).
• Analyse competitive landscape for organic fertilisers.
• Build at least three commercial pathways for raw and processed bioslurry.
• Provide pricing, branding, distribution and quality assurance recommendations.

Documentation and Reporting

• Produce a comprehensive assessment integrating agronomic, economic and market findings.
• Present findings to CSJ teams and partners in a validation session.

Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver the following in execution of the Scope of Work:

• Inception Report outlining methodology and requirements to deliver each element of the Scope of Work.
• Nutrient and physical analysis report for bio slurry (all livestock types).
• Agronomic and economic valuation report.
• Feasibility report on drying, processing and packaging bio slurry.
• Market assessment and commercialization pathways report.
• Draft final report and presentation.
• Final consolidated report and annexes (with recommendations for scaling).

Reporting

The Bio slurry Commercialization Consultant will report to the Team Leader while supervised by the Ecosystems Services Lead.

Required Competencies

The preferred candidate will exhibit the following competencies:

• Achieve Results: Sets and aligns challenging, achievable objectives in performance of tasks having lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: Create opportunities to help teams expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: Politically savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion wider collaboration.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in soil science, agricultural economics, agribusiness, environmental engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in organic fertilizer value chains, soil nutrient analysis or bio slurry/biogas systems.
• Experience in conducting market assessments and economic valuations.
• Demonstrated capacity to design and analyze commercialization models.
• Strong understanding of smallholder farming systems in Uganda.
• Excellent field research, data analysis and reporting skills.

• Collect samples of bioslurry from the 10 operational biodigesters across the regions.
• Analyse nutrient composition (NPK, organic matter, micronutrients), pH and contaminants.
• Compare slurry characteristics across chicken, goat and cattle feedstocks.
• Document production volumes and variability across farmers.
• Assess bioslurry performance on representative crops grown by FGEs.
• Estimate fertiliser-equivalent value and cost savings.
• Analyse potential yield uplift associated with bioslurry application.
• Evaluate farmer willingness-to-pay for raw and processed bioslurry.
• Assess technical and economic viability of drying, pelletising or compacting bioslurry
• Evaluate suitability of solar dryers, mechanical dryers and simple processing tools.
• Provide costed models for smallholder-level or group-level processing.
• Propose packaging options suitable for the northern Uganda market.
• Map potential buyers (vegetable growers, nurseries, agro-dealers).
• Analyse competitive landscape for organic fertilisers.
• Build at least three commercial pathways for raw and processed bioslurry.
• Provide pricing, branding, distribution and quality assurance recommendations.
• Produce a comprehensive assessment integrating agronomic, economic and market findings.
• Present findings to CSJ teams and partners in a validation session.

• Achieve Results
• Think Innovatively
• Learn Continuously
• Adapt with Agility
• Act with Determination
• Engage and Partner
• Excellent field research, data analysis and reporting skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in soil science, agricultural economics, agribusiness, environmental engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• At least 5 years’ experience in organic fertilizer value chains, soil nutrient analysis or bio slurry/biogas systems.
• Experience in conducting market assessments and economic valuations.
• Demonstrated capacity to design and analyze commercialization models.
• Strong understanding of smallholder farming systems in Uganda.