1). General objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to develop and deliver a practical, gender-inclusive training program on coffee post-harvest management, primary processing, and quality control for women coffee producers and processor groups.

 2) Specific Objectives

§   Assess current post-harvest handling practices and knowledge gaps among target female coffee farmers/processors.

§   Develop customized training modules, visual aids, and a practical handbook translated into local languages/formats.

§   Conduct interactive field-based training sessions (Training of Trainers & direct farmer workshops).

§   Establish quality monitoring indicators for post-harvest handling to ensure sustained impact.

I.      Description of the assignment

To achieve this objective, the consultant shall be responsible for the following activities:

Phase 1: Inception & Needs Assessment

Conduct a desk review of project documentation and existing local coffee value chain frameworks.

Design and execute a rapid field assessment to identify technical gaps, socio-economic dynamics, and operational constraints faced by women in coffee post-harvest operations.

Submit an Inception Report detailing the baseline findings, methodology, detailed work plan, and training evaluation metrics.

Phase 2: Curriculum & Material Development

Develop a gender-sensitive, highly practical training curriculum covering key stages of the post-harvest value chain:

Core topics must include:

§   Selective Harvesting: Cherry selection standards (Brix degrees/ripeness), reduction of defects.

§   Primary Processing: Pulping, fermentation monitoring, washed vs. natural/experimental processing methods, and water management.

§   Drying & Moisture Control: Raised bed management, turning routines, moisture meter operation (target 10–12%), protection from moisture reabsorption.

§   Storage & Warehousing: GrainPro/hermetic bag storage, pest management, air humidity control, and cupping score preservation.

§   Quality Assessment & Sorting: Identification of primary/secondary defects, basic cupping standards, and value differentiation.

Phase 3: Training Execution

Deliver 2 Training-of-Trainers (ToT) workshops for cooperative lead women and local extension staff.

Deliver direct field-level training workshops for women farmer clusters (combining theory with hands-on drying bed and processing unit demonstrations).

 Phase 4: Monitoring, Evaluation & Final Reporting

§   Administer pre- and post-training evaluations to assess knowledge gain.

§   Formulate a practical post-harvest compliance checklist for cooperatives and smallholders.

§   Submit a comprehensive Final Consultancy Report detailing outputs, participant outcomes, challenges, and actionable recommendations for project sustainability.