Result of Service
Output 1 Report on the (i) segmented agribusinesses, companies and cooperatives in the portfolio, according to their financial and investment readiness along with (ii) a detailed Country Action Plan for each Tier and entity, outlining steps and recommendations to improve investment readiness, including business strategy, timelines, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs); by 31st March 2026 Output 2 Report on at least two (02) group training courses to tier 3 companies covering basics financial concepts, simple bookkeeping, cashflow management, budgeting, etc., 24th April 2026 Output 3 Report on (i) the financing landscape in Honduras, including the main players in the ecosystems, ongoing initiatives to support and incentivize agri-MSMEs financing, opportunities and recommendations for the project portfolio, (ii) the identification and recommendation of local institutions in-country that could serve as partners for Tier 3 company support on investment readiness; by 8th May 2026 Output 4 Submit a progress report detailing the training modules and coaching provided to each tier. The report should include: • The list of at least two (02) Tier one and two (02) Tier 2 supported companies, a summary of sessions delivered, and a brief assessment of each company’s readiness to engage with capital providers, • Draft marketing material and investment, including but not limited to financials, Pitch decks, business plans with financial projections, etc. by 5th June 2026 Output 5 Brief report on facilitating capital providers engagements, and meetings with companies, by 20th June 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for trade-related technical cooperation in developing countries. The Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (OLAC), as geographical section of the Division of Country Programmes (DCP), is responsible for defining the ITC strategy and coordinating all interventions in the region, either for individual countries or at the sub-regional and regional levels. The Green & Inclusive Value Chains section (GIVC) within the Division for Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT) is responsible for sector-wide transformation, improving market linkages and private sector competitiveness linked to responsible production and consumption, climate resilience, food security, sustainable standards, and market systems. The section utilizes the Alliances for Action (A4A) methodologies to implement projects in its Inclusive and Sustainable Agribusiness value chains areas of work. The A4A is a participatory partnership model that focuses on increasing the competitiveness of MSMES, smallholder farmers and value chain actors while ensuring respect of environmental, economic, and social requirements. A4A seeks to develop responsible, inclusive and sustainable trade by aligning investment and coordination across the full ecosystem of VC actors and by building competitiveness especially in agribusiness. The establishment of partnerships is an essential underlying element of the A4A approach as it contributes to mobilise collaboration, expertise and investment into the alliances along with sustainability of the approach over time. As part of the A4A approach, the Agribusiness Investment Promotion Strategy offers a comprehensive solution to bridge the financing gap for agribusinesses through a structured three-phased approach. A4A facilitates connections between investment-ready companies and capital providers. This includes segmenting MSMEs into three tiers based on their readiness for capital and finance, ensuring strategic, tailored support that enables targeted assistance effectively. and investments being strategic to tailored support effectively and enabling targeted assistance. Through tailored tools, resources, and capacity-building initiatives, the program empowers agribusinesses to thrive in competitive markets, unlocking their full potential while creating shared value across the agricultural value chain. Piloting Innovative alliances to address root causes of Child labour in supply chains The "Ending child labour in supply chains: Addressing the root causes of child labour in supply chains through an area-based approach" (CLEAR Supply Chains) project, co-funded by the European Union, brings together the International Labour Organization (ILO) as the leading UN agency, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to address jointly the root causes of child labour, with a primarily focus on the coffee supply chain. ITC aims to provide support to farmer organizations and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the implementation of strategy options for increasing commercial value, sustainability, Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) alignment and incomes for smallholder farmers in the coffee supply chain and associated crops. The aim is not only to increase but also to diversify farmers and MSMEs income, through product and market diversification targeting value addition, coffee products and associated crops. This project will promote resilient and sustainable global value chains for all by providing strong accompanying support, especially for supply chain actors in producer countries where the most salient adverse impacts occur. Hence, training and technical guidance will be provided to advance market development aligned with HREDD and to de-risk investment, in the coffee and other supply chain for all relevant actors, including farmers’ organizations and MSMEs. This assignment aims to bridge the investment gap faced by agribusinesses through the combination of: (i) targeted capacity building to enhance their investment readiness capabilities - supporting them to attract, securing and effectively utilize capital, and (ii) strategic mapping and engagement with capital providers, fostering long-term partnership and facilitate matchmaking between investors and agribusinesses. The ultimate goal is to empower agribusinesses to scale sustainably, thrive, and contribute to the transformation of global food systems while impacting communities’ livelihoods. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Associate Program Officer (OLAC), the overall guidance of the Head of Inclusive Agribusiness Systems (GIVC), and in collaboration with the Finance and Investment Expert and local consultants working on the project, based in Honduras, the Consultant will: 1: MSME Assessment and Segmentation: in collaboration with the national consultant, identify and evaluate MSMEs in the portfolio and segment them based on investment readiness criteria to tailor interventions effectively. • Adapt or develop (fitting the local context) the appropriate tool to assess agribusinesses (MSMEs, cooperatives, etc.) identified as beneficiaries of the projects into Tier 1,2 and 3. Segmentation should consider companies’ operational, business strategy, financial literacy, investment readiness, willingness to engage with capital providers and other technical criteria. • Conduct individual finance management assessments/brand scanning for MSMEs and cooperatives to complete segmentation. • Share insights on systemic investment barriers and enablers for MSMEs in the local and regional context. 2: Companies Investment Readiness Work Plan Development: Develop a detailed Action Plan for each entity based on Tier, and outline steps and recommendations to improve investment readiness, including timelines, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Build capacity for MSMEs to improve their investment readiness through tailored training and coaching programs. • Design tier-specific training modules and technical assistance: o Tier 1 and Tier 2: Hands-on coaching, small group training and/or individualized support for: Creating high-quality material (business plans, pitch decks, financial projections, investment materials, etc.). Relevant financial management techniques, budgeting, and cash flow management, risks management best practices. o Tier 3: Group-based training on foundational business and financial planning, basic market positioning, and general understanding of investment and investor expectations. • Facilitate the development of essential investment, investor materials, and marketing material such as business plans, elevator pitches, professional pitch decks, investment brochures and profiles that communicate effectively. 3: Financial landscape mapping and identification of local partners: Prepare a comprehensive analysis of the financing ecosystem for agri-MSMEs in Honduras. • Map out the key actors, institutions, and financial instruments involved in supporting the sector, mainly commercial banks, development finance institutions, credit unions, government agencies. • Provide an overview of current financing landscape, key ecosystem players and ongoing and recent policies, initiatives to support and incentivize agri-MSMEs financing. • Identify local institutions in-country that could serve as partners for Tier 3 company support for capacity building and TA on investment readiness. 4. Investment Readiness Work Plan Execution: Based on the detailed Action Plan and workplan developed as part of the second responsibility for each tier following their investment readiness assessment, design and provide customized training modules for each company that include: • Delivering comprehensive hands-on training and coaching sessions for agribusinesses in small groups or through individual support to develop high-quality materials such as business plans, pitch decks, financial projections, and investment materials, as well as to establish and populate their data rooms. • Developing and refining business strategies, fundraising strategies, including training to MSMEs in acquiring relevant financial management techniques such as budgeting, cash flow management, risk management, and best practices. • Deliver a practical beginner-level training that equips companies with no prior financial literacy with essential skills to understand, manage, and make informed decisions about their business finances. • Leverage on ESG plans developed by the SMEs to secure potential funding. 5. Capital Raising and Investment Promotion Support: Enable MSMEs to access capital through matchmaking, and direct engagements with capital providers: Actively network with local, regional, and international capital providers to create potential investment/capital opportunities, including impact investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), banks, foundations, MFIs, venture capital, and private equity firms. 6. Reporting and complementary responsibilities • Monitoring and evaluating the impact of the training program, including pre-and post-training assessments • Promote A4A’s investment promotion strategy and showcase aligned MSMEs, leveraging the consultants’ local networks. • Actively identify, engage, and provide tailored support to women and youth-led MSMEs, reporting clearly on gender and youth participation in the project and document success stories for visibility and continuous improvement as needed. • Participating in Quarterly A4A Investment Consultant Roundtable Discussions Consultant Monthly Calls to share insights and support the refinement of the A4A Investment Promotion Approach Copyright The Consultant must ensure to have obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant must request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.
Qualifications/special skills
• Postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PHD or other) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or another relevant field. • Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • At least 5 years of experience working with businesses on investment strategies. • Experience working with ITC or international organizations will be an asset. • Excellent understanding of investment strategies, financial analysis and modeling adapted to and agribusinesses, • Investment readiness support, investor material development (business plans, pitch decks, financial projects, etc) • Strong communication, training and coaching skills, • Strong knowledge of donor, development finance, and public-sector fund-raising mechanisms, • Knowledge of agribusiness value chains and agricultural finance products and instruments, • Good understanding and knowledge of the Honduran coffee sector • Ability to work with minimum supervision, efficiency, competence and integrity and in harmony with people from different backgrounds.
