Invitation to Tender: Development of Strategic Plan for the Grenada Cocoa Association 2025 – 2030
The Grenada Cocoa Association (GCA) is seeking the services of an experienced consultant to facilitate its strategic planning exercise, and support the development of a new 5-year strategic plan. The process is to be facilitated over the period July–August 2024, with the final deliverables due by end of the cocoa year, 30 September 2024.
The Terms of Reference are enclosed herewith for your perusal. If you would like to be considered for providing this service, please read through the document carefully and submit your tender in accordance with the specified procedures. Tender proposals should clearly state how the consultant would approach the work with respect to the methodology and budget.
Should you have any query, please feel free to contact the undersigned at (473) 440-2933 or [email protected] for more information.
Regards
Dwight George, Board Secretary, GCA
Terms of Reference for Consultant to develop a Strategic Plan for the Grenada Cocoa Association
- Context
In April 1964, the Grenada Cocoa Association (GCA) was formed by an Act of Parliament as a “Statutory Corporation” of which every cocoa farmer by law became members on the basis of one man, one vote. The GCA was given the responsibility for processing and marketing of cocoa while the Government maintained the support services of extension, plant propagation and pest and disease control.
In 1982, the then Government, in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) staturised the cocoa agronomy to form Cocoa Rehabilitation Project (CRP). The purpose was to increase production by replanting 10,000 acres of cocoa within a 7-year period. The CRP and the GCA functioned independently until July 1989 where both organisations were merged to form the GCA.
In September 2004, hurricane Ivan devastated the Cocoa Industry destroying 60% of the cocoa acreage and most of the building infrastructure; totalling a loss of $8.2 million.
Prior to hurricane Ivan, GCA’s membership was 6,500 farmers owning more than 8,000 acres of cocoa lands, producing approximately 1.8 million pounds of cocoa annually; turnover of EC$5 million annually with assets over $6 million.
The traditional GCA is a world-renowned supplier of premium cocoa beans. It has in its membership approximately 9,000 registered farmers of which 3,700 are active. Total acreage cultivated is approximately 4,000 acres. Total production amounts to 1.8 million pounds of cocoa annually. Turnover of approximately EC$9 million annually with assets over $17.5 million. Its international cliental produce some of the world’s finest chocolates in Japan, Europe and United States.
The Association is run by a 9-member Board of Directors. Six (6) members are elected by its Farmers and 3 persons are appointed by the Government of Grenada who act in their capacity as advisors to maintain the efficient running of the GCA. The decisions of the Board of Directors are fulfilled through the day-to-day operations of a competent Management Team.
The GCA owns several facilities throughout the State of Grenada in which the prized commodities of wet and dry Cocoa Beans are purchased, processed and exported. Grenada cocoa is categorised by the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) as “Fine Flavour” (Criollo/Trinitario Bean). It is very rare and used in the production of high-end chocolates.
In light of the foregoing, the GCA is undertaking the formulation of a Strategic Plan, which will provide procedures the Association would undertake to achieve its long-term goals and objectives.
- Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide a road map to the GCA on direct actions that could be undertaken to increase its competitiveness on the global stage.
This Plan is to provide the GCA with the necessary tools to transform the Association to become a greater influence in all matters related to the production, processing and export of cocoa beans and its value-added products.
- Objective
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a 5-year Strategic Plan to ensure that the GCA fulfils its mandate as laid out in its Vision and Mission Statement.
- Scope of Work
The Consultant will:
- Review the current environment in which GCA operates taking into consideration, local, regional and international actors who may have influence in the Vision and Mission of the Association
- Propose strategic areas of intervention where the Association should focus
- Prepare and submit a detailed workplan to the General Manager
- Prepare and submit to the General Manager a Budget for delivery of the required output
- Outputs/Deliverables:
The Consultant will submit to the General Manager for approval the following:
Outputs
- Planning meeting to develop and agree on work-plan for implementation
- Review of previous strategic and industry plans
- Provide tangible report of current climate in which GCA operates
- Consultations with Farmers, other Stakeholders, and Staff
- Draft strategic plan with recommendations, implementation plan and budget
- Final report–strategic plan
- Duration
The terms and conditions of the AGREEMENT shall apply for the duration of 3 months, beginning on the date of this assignment, or the actual date of commencement of the WORK whichever is earlier.
- Financial Proposal
Financial proposal should also accompany the proposal.
- Payment Schedule
- 25% on commencement of work
- 50% on submission of draft plan
- 25% on submission of final plan
- Qualification and Experience
Eligible Consultants should have the following qualifications and experience:
- An Advanced degree in Agriculture, Business or Marketing
- Additionally, candidates should possess the following:
- Sound understanding and knowledge of the Agriculture and Cocoa Industry
- Sound understanding and knowledge of standard management tools and techniques to schedule, plan and measure performance
- Excellent analytical research and communication skills including desk research, interviewing skills and focus group facilitation
- Proven experience working with a wide range of stakeholders from the private and public sector to generate collective effort
- How to apply
Interested candidates should submit their resume via email to [email protected] by 28 June 2024; email subject line must include “Strategic Planning Consultant.” Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
GCA
