Job Description

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Document traditional ingredients, dishes and recipes, and their stories

Deadline: 24 May 2024, 5pm

This is a call to support work under the BMZ-funded Building inclusive, diverse and quality food systems in Mudzi and Rushinga districts (Pundutso) project, implemented by Welthungerhilfe and Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe.

Project summary
Mudzi and Rushinga are located in a hot, semi-arid climate zone. The soils are only suitable for agriculture to a limited extent. As a result of climate change, the rainy seasons are increasingly irregular, and the growing season is shortened. Water scarcity is a major challenge for people, crops and livestock in the region.

The population of both districts consists mainly of smallholder households practising rainfed agriculture. Crop yields are continuously declining due to non-adapted agricultural techniques and the cultivation of maize in monoculture. Agroecologically, the region is not suitable for maize cultivation. That it is nevertheless cultivated is due to its popularity as a staple food and the availability of reliable markets.

Nevertheless, there is enormous potential for developing inclusive food systems that promote the production of nutritious food and that are profitable. Indigenous crops can contribute to strengthening resilience to shocks, improving dietary diversity, biodiversity and income opportunities for small-scale producers.

Pundutso seeks to establish a resilient, inclusive, diverse and valuable food system in Mudzi and Rushinga districts, increasing the production and consumption of a variety of local nutritious foods, improving incomes and conserving the natural resources. The project directly targets 4,000 households in 5 wards each in Mudzi and Rushinga. Focus is on white sorghum, bambara nuts, rosella, mobola plum/hacha and marula nuts. The project also encourages cultivation/propagation and wild harvesting of other species (particularly wild melons, baobab, bird plum/nyii and Indian plum/masau) for local use and sale.

In an effort to raise the profile and perceived value of these products, Pundutso is creating content to promote local ingredients to consumers, highlighting the quality, versatility and heritage of these products.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expression of Interest
Through this Expression of Interest, Pundutso seeks to gather information about crops and wild foods, local dishes and the stories behind these dishes in Mudzi and Rushinga districts, and create engaging and inspiring materials (text, photographs and videos) to celebrate and preserve the history of local foods. An archive of communities’ indigenous and traditional foods, collecting recipes, and why these foods are important to their/our lives and society. This will enable modern cooks to continue traditions, build on recipes and produce delicious meals that not only their ancestors used to enjoy but future generations can experience.

The overall look and feel should be entertaining, engaging and accessible. The materials will be a celebration of Zimbabwe’s finest products, heritage and recipes.

Once produced, the documentaries (max 3 videos) and information in digital form will be launched at a dinner. Stakeholders from government, embassies, food and beverage manufacturers and hospitality, the media, as well as influencers will be invited to come and enjoy some of the recipes gathered and developed and celebrate Zimbabwe’s cuisine. Through these stakeholders we hope to better reach the larger population and share the uniqueness and value of indigenous food, raise interest and demand and create/grow markets for our farmers’ produce.

The host/chef should have the right mix of talent, fun, and curiosity needed to bring farmers, rural and urban consumers along with him on this ride— people who are familiar with these products and dishes and ingredients but maybe have forgotten what they learned, or who grew up in towns and never learned much about them to begin with. We want to charm with memories of feelings and experiences while at the same time excite viewers and readers about new ideas and tastes and flavours and make them proud of their home, of where they come from and the food that fuels their culture.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Documents for the Expression of Interest
Prospective partners should provide a 2-page overview of their company, their experience working with local communities and indigenous crops and developing similar content (links), contacts of traceable references, a draft budget (up to US$20,000) and timeline.

The following documents should also be uploaded, in a PDF format:
• Company profile (Link to website may be sufficient)
• Copy of VAT and registration certificates
• Any document that can prove the qualification of your organisation for the implementation of the project

The EOI tender, all correspondence, and all documents related to the tender must be in English.
All prices must be indicated in US$ only.

Evaluation of the Expressions of Interest
Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe will thoroughly examine each EOI.
Concepts of this kind cannot be evaluated according to strict criteria. The most favourable price is not necessarily the deciding factor. It is the best overall impression that decides.
BIZ reserves the right to request a revised cost offer after presentation and the exchange of mutual expectations.

Anti-Terrorism Policy
BIZ and Welthungerhilfe renounce all forms of terrorism and will never knowingly support, tolerate or encourage terrorism or the activities of those who embrace terrorism or money laundering. Consistent with numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, including S/RES/1269(1999), S/RES 1368(2001) and S/RES1373(2001) and the European Union, BIZ and WHH are firmly committed to the international fight against terrorism and in particular against the financing of terrorism. It is our policy to seek to ensure that none of our (donor) funds are used, directly or indirectly, to provide support to individuals or entities associated with terrorism or money laundering. Therefore, we will match suppliers and service providers against the sanctions lists on a regular basis. By submitting an offer, suppliers and service providers agree to this.

How to Apply

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