Introduction

About HER Lab

Perur Rays of Hope (PRoH), in partnership with Global Give Back Circle (GGBC), implements the HER Lab Program in West Pokot County. HER Lab is a 12–18-month post-secondary initiative that equips rural young women with pathways to dignified and fulfilling work through vocational skills training, mentorship, entrepreneurship development, and community give-back projects. The program adopts a holistic approach, positioning young women as catalysts for economic empowerment within their communities.

HER Lab Ecosystem Mapping, Value Chain, and Market Analysis in West Pokot

The HER Lab program aims to strengthen women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by fostering the growth of local, sustainable, young women-owned businesses, with a long-term vision of developing cooperatives. The program will engage rural young women and their communities in local, regional, and international supply chains, positioning them to access opportunities, grow their businesses, and contribute to inclusive economic development.

Between July and August 2025, HER Lab West Pokot conducted an Ecosystem Mapping, Value Chain, and Market Analysis across the county. The objective was to identify value chains with high potential for the growth and success of women-led enterprises. The study revealed promising opportunities in various value chains including honey, mango, poultry, vegetables, aloe vera, and herbs particularly chamomile and hibiscus. It also highlighted the need to implement activities through structured and coordinated women’s groups to enhance their ability to access opportunities and share resources more effectively.

HER Lab West Pokot Women’s Cooperative – Flagship Chamomile Project

Building on the findings of the Ecosystem Mapping, Value Chain, and Market Analysis, and informed by engagement with a Nairobi-based tea blends company, HER Lab West Pokot is advancing the establishment of the HER Lab West Pokot Women’s Cooperative, with chamomile designated as its flagship project.

The cooperative represents a key pillar of the HER Lab Program, with significant potential to generate employment opportunities for young women. Its flagship project, chamomile, creates a well-defined pathway for income generation and access to markets, while the cooperative structure enhances women’s ability to access resources, support networks, and economic opportunities.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide agronomic, post-harvest, and primary processing support for chamomile under the HER Lab program, while also supporting the setup, establishment, and development of the HER Lab Women’s Cooperative and facilitating its integration into competitive markets.

Objectives of the Assignment

General Objective

This consultancy will primarily lead in the development and implementation of the Chamomile Project, providing technical guidance in agronomy, post-harvest management, primary processing and other key aspects to ensure production meets the quality standards required by leading tea blending companies. The consultant will work closely with the team to support the setup, establishment, and development of the HER Lab West Pokot Women’s Cooperative, assisting with market access and initiatives that enhance competitiveness and income-generating potential.

Specific Objectives

1. Develop a roadmap for implementing the Chamomile Project based on findings from the Ecosystem Mapping, Value Chain, and Market Analysis, incorporating their expert technical guidance.
2. Support the establishment of the HER Lab West Pokot Women’s Cooperative by providing technical assistance in setting up infrastructure, production systems, governance structures, supply chains, and operational procedures.
3. Provide technical guidance on chamomile agronomy, including soil fertility, crop cultivation and breeding, water and irrigation management, pest and disease control, and sustainable practices such as regenerative agriculture, crop rotation, and intercropping.
4. Conduct post-harvest handling and processing of chamomile to reduce losses and meet target market quality, including handling, cleaning, sorting, grading, storage, processing, transportation, and preservation to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.
5. Build the capacity of cooperative members in agribusiness, market readiness, and enterprise management for chamomile.
6. Run a complete pilot production cycle with cooperative members to demonstrate best practices, identify challenges, and ensure readiness for full-scale production.
7. Establish systems and processes that enable HER Lab participants to sustain and scale chamomile production beyond the consultancy period.

Scope of Work

The consultant will:

1. Assess the capacities and resources of the HER Lab West Pokot Women’s Cooperative, including land, equipment, and facilities, and support in procuring and setting up required resources.
2. Provide recommendations and collaborate with HER Lab to develop a practical implementation plan, including an associated budget.
3. Develop training modules and deliver practical sessions on chamomile production, in coordination with HER Lab team members.
4. Provide support for the cooperative’s digitization, working alongside other teams who lead the implementation of digital tools and systems to enhance record-keeping, reporting, and operational efficiency.
5. Conduct hands-on demonstrations and provide guidance on sustainable agronomic practices suitable for the West Pokot context.
6. Introduce and support post-harvest handling, storage, and processing methods for chamomile to maintain quality and reduce losses.
7. Build the capacity of cooperative members and women-led MSMEs in record-keeping, pricing, quality standards, and market linkages.
8. Link HER Lab to potential partnerships with buyers and market opportunities.
9. Provide guidance on meeting quality and compliance requirements for supply to commercial buyers.
10. Develop a roadmap to sustain production cycles beyond the consultancy period, including recommendations for ongoing technical support, partnerships, and resource needs.

Duration and Reporting

The consultancy will run for 8 months with an estimated 60 working days.

Qualifications and Requirements:

The consultant/firm should demonstrate:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in value chain development, agronomy, and post-harvest management with experience in chamomile production.
• Proven expertise working with MSMEs in rural settings.
• Strong facilitation and training skills.
• Experience linking smallholder producers to markets.
• Proven experience with similar assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare detailed implementation plans, project budgets and financial projections for initiatives.
• Experience in working with cooperatives is an added advantage
• Ability to provide current clean Police Clearance Certificate.
• Availability to start immediately.

• Assess the capacities and resources of the HER Lab West Pokot Women’s Cooperative, including land, equipment, and facilities, and support in procuring and setting up required resources.
• Provide recommendations and collaborate with HER Lab to develop a practical implementation plan, including an associated budget.
• Develop training modules and deliver practical sessions on chamomile production, in coordination with HER Lab team members.
• Provide support for the cooperative’s digitization, working alongside other teams who lead the implementation of digital tools and systems to enhance record-keeping, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Conduct hands-on demonstrations and provide guidance on sustainable agronomic practices suitable for the West Pokot context.
• Introduce and support post-harvest handling, storage, and processing methods for chamomile to maintain quality and reduce losses.
• Build the capacity of cooperative members and women-led MSMEs in record-keeping, pricing, quality standards, and market linkages.
• Link HER Lab to potential partnerships with buyers and market opportunities.
• Provide guidance on meeting quality and compliance requirements for supply to commercial buyers.
• Develop a roadmap to sustain production cycles beyond the consultancy period, including recommendations for ongoing technical support, partnerships, and resource needs.

• Strong facilitation and training skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare detailed implementation plans, project budgets and financial projections for initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or related field.
• Ability to provide current clean Police Clearance Certificate.