Market Strategy Consultant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Title:

Market Strategy Consultant

Total number of Consultants

1

Country Program

RAI-US / 6DCV

Proposed Dates

December 1, 2025- December 31, 2025

Duration

130 Hours (estimated)

Background of the project 

The consultant will support the International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville's New Roots Food and Agriculture program. Existing program activities seek to build direct-to-consumer marketing capacity of 30 beginning refugee and immigrant farmers, improve operations of Charlottesville's most rapidly expanding farmers market, and improve food security among Low-Income/Low-Access consumers. The IRC’s investment in training and technical assistance and strategies to stabilize and expand the local food economy seek to prompt a 100% increase in sales among participating refugee and immigrant farmers over the life of the project and accompanying improvements to food safety practices, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance by participating producers and programs.

Consultant Scope of Work

The consultant will work closely with the IRC’s Manager of Food and Agriculture Programs and Farmer Training Coordinator. The market strategy consultant will: 

Conduct a market analysis to inform the New Roots program--and participating farmers’--business strategy across various direct-to-retail and wholesale models. The market analysis should extensively examine the following four models: IRC-facilitated and “New Roots”-branded pooled availability and ordering system that allows multiple New Roots farmers to advertise their produce to chefs/restaurants (ie. pooled direct-to-retail marketing); Multi-producer CSA run by participating farmers with support from the IRC; IRC-initiated sales contracts with institutional purchasers, where IRC hires farm apprentices to provide seasonal farm labor while they receive relevant hands-on training; and IRC offers technical assistance to independent farm business owners who conduct independent marketing and sales activities. Research and advise the roll-out of a digital pooled direct marketing tool by New Roots farmers in direct-to-retail sales. The tool may be an existing software or a program customized or developed to meet the needs of the program. The digital pooled direct marketing tool will be critical to operationalizing the first model described above (A.1) and establishing the program’s SOPs for sales to restaurants and other food retailers. Prepare and conduct 1 farmer-facing training in the basics of on-farm food safety compliance. The training will introduce the requirements of each of the four marketing strategies listed above and share relevant food safety resources, frameworks, and templates. The training will take place in Spring 2026, and the draft training materials should be shared with the project staff for review and input prior to the training date.

Deliverables:

• Market analysis report comparing the 4 scenarios described in Scope of Work Part A, above. The market analysis will include assessment of production and labor costs, marketing time and effort estimates, food safety certifications, potential earnings, potential funding sources, and program training and technical assistance requirements for each of 4 scenarios above. Furthermore, the analysis will include a discussion of the roles and responsibilities of farmers, IRC staff, and customers and a sample schedule/template for marketing communications accompanying each model.
• Digital pooled direct marketing tool for use by New Roots farmers in direct-to-retail sales. The tool should function as an availability and ordering system that advertises multiple producers’ weekly produce availability to retail customers (ie. restaurants) and allows them to place orders for delivery from multiple producers. The tool will also function as a payment processing platform and require minimal ongoing management by IRC staff.  With pre-approval from IRC, duties may include 1-on-1 engagement with participating farmers to pilot the tool.
• Host one small group training for New Roots staff and participating farmers on the basics of on-farm food safety compliance and highlighting relevant standards and programs such as GAP and FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Share training outline with staff for review and feedback prior to the session and share the final training materials with IRC for future use.

Payment Rate and Schedule:

The above deliverables are estimated to require 130 hours of time. The consultant will be

paid $80/hr for completion of the above contract (estimated total contract of $10,400). The consultant will be paid 30%, or $3,120 upfront upon contract signature. Thereafter, the consultant will invoice quarterly until the end of the contract, with ad hoc invoices submitted as needed.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience working within the local Central Virginia food system, such as with farmers, food service providers, distributors, chefs and food retailers.

• 3+ years of experience with supporting on-farm food safety compliance. Focus in small, socially-disadvantaged, and/or with immigrant populations in the US a plus.

3+ years operating a farm or food business and/or advising farm business strategy.

• Experience with analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and in comparing and synthesizing findings of each data type.
• Ability to work independently and manage time according to the scope of work, project timeline and deliverables.
• Ability to be flexible to accommodate feedback from the project team.
• Excellent digital, communication, presentation, and report writing skills.
• Local to Charlottesville area, able to visit farm sites and meet the project team in-person and on farm sites periodically.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.