Organization: AVSF Zambia
Duration of the consultancy: 19 days spread between May/June (15 days) and November/December (4 days)
Expected Starting Date: 15th of June 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.
Against this background, AVSF Zambia is inviting applications for a consultancy to provide training with the aim of increasing value-addition for honey products.
Objectives
Honey is the most famous NTFP in Zambia and is consumed nationally, both in rural and urban centers. Many projects have supporting beekeepers at community level on honey production. In Muchinga Province (Mpika and Lavushimanda Districts), honey production supported by project started in 2020 with about 10,000 hives spread over the landscape. However, the development of the honey as an income generating activities for rural households is hindered by low added value at local level. Honey by-products are rarely valorized at community level: either the honey is sold raw, and when pressed, beeswax if often thrown away.
The consultancy will aim to design and deliver trainings of trainers focused on techniques to process and pack honey and honey by-products, among targeted producer groups in the Project.
Scope of Work
These trainings will be focused specifically on the Muchinga project area, targeting the districts of Lavushimanda and Mpika. It will involve Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) such as Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs), cooperatives, and conservancies.
Trainees will include the project’s field technicians from the AVSF team, government technical staff from the district Forestry Department and technical staff from other partner organisations in the landscape.
The consultancy will be based in the Mpika district, the project office, with some days spent in the Lavushimanda district of Muchinga Province. The key activities include:
1. Rapid assessment of existing processing and packaging knowledge and capacity – 4 days
A rapid assessment will be conducted in eight Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) located in Mpika and Lavushimanda districts. This assessment aims to identify the existing processing knowledge and infrastructure, as well as key challenges to develop processing techniques and ways to address them (capacities, basic infrastructure that is needed etc.).
2. Development of a training manual – 5 days
Using the recommendations derived from the assessment, a detailed comprehensive training manual will be developed specifically for producer groups in the target communities. The manual will also cover essential topics including:
· Honey and honey by-products processing techniques such as filtered honey and beeswax, emphasizing hygiene, quality enhancement, and compliance
· Packaging options (including innovative packaging options)
· Proper storage methods for products
The training must take into account challenges linked to community-based processing such as infrastructure, storage, investment capacity and transport. Recommendations to overcome these challenges and foster market linkages for honey products will be expected.
3. Training of Trainers (ToT) – 6 days
A Training of Trainers program based on the recommendations from the assessments will be conducted, targeting project field staff, government personnel, and staff from partner organizations. Target beneficiaries of these trainings will include beekeepers and bee mentors. This ToT will include:
- Theoretical and practical sessions for 10 to 15 trainers in honey and honey by-product processing and packaging ;
- 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.
4. Post-training assessment and follow-up – 4 days
Following the training sessions, a post-training assessment will be conducted during the next harvest periods (November/December) in sampled communities. This evaluation will measure the impact of the training on honey processing and packaging.
Based on the assessment outcomes, further recommendations will be made to refine processing techniques practices and the training manual will be refined accordingly.
Budget
The manual processing machines and office supplies necessary for the training will be provided by the project. Transportation within Lavushimanda and Mpika districts to visit beekeeping sites and to train two community groups will be provided by the project.
The processing equipment and office supplies necessary for the training will be provided by the project. The Expert must agree in advance on the necessary processing equipment with AVSF Zambia in order to guarantee its timely availability.
The expert must come with his/her own bee-keeping personal protective equipment and will cover transport costs to and from his place of origin to Mpika as well as his/her accommodation and food costs.
Maximum budget for this consultancy is ZMW 150,000
Consultant qualifications
• Professional beekeeper with experience in processing and packaging techniques, particularly for honey AND beeswax (any additional experience in beeswax-based products like soap or candles is appreciated). Experience in innovative packaging to enhance commercialization and value-addition is an asset
• Training experience in beekeeping projects with communities and in developing manuals for community-based organizations (CBOs)
• Strong reporting skills
• Relevant academic qualifications in food processing, packaging, quality compliance or related topics is an as
How to Apply
Interested candidates (Individuals, Consortium or Companies) should submit their applications by Email with title ‘Proposal- AVSF Zambia Bush2Business Honey Processing 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. Please note that the financial proposal must be in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW);
• Track records of past processing activities and innovative packaging techniques.
Deadline for applications: 15th May 2026
