SCOPE OF WORK TENDER MC YGN Agriculture Consultant for Improving Private Sector Extension Services

Transcription

1 SCOPE OF WORK TENDER MC YGN Agriculture Consultant for Improving Private Sector Extension Services Funding Agency: Name of Organization: Name of Project: Location: Duration: LIFT Mercy Corps Myanmar Linking Laputta to Markets (LLM) Laputta 35 Days Budget codes: GL Account Fund Code Department Code Office Code LIN Code MM L035 I. P R O J E C T B A C K G R O U N D The Linking Laputta to Markets-LLM ( ): Increasing Incomes through Agriculture, Skills, and Employment project in Laputta Township is implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with Swisscontact and Ar Yone Oo Social Development Association. One of the main outcomes which LLM seeks to achieve is the improved performance of 3,700 smallholder farmers in the rice value chain in 276 villages (26 village tracts) in Laputta township. Mercy Corps and AYO apply a market approach to assist smallholder farmers to engage in the rice value chain through contract farming with large scale millers. In order to more effectively engage with market actors, the farmers organize themselves into local organizations called Farmer Producer Enterprises (FPEs) with average of 30 members usually from one to two villages. The LLM project facilitates linkages between FPEs and various market actors to develop productive market relationships. Since 2014 farmers received support to meet large scale millers and try contract farming with them for the first time. It was at this time also that Mercy Corps facilitated a connection between millers and the national input supply company Awba. Millers became dealers for Awba and they began providing fertilizer and herbicide on credit at low rates of interest to FPEs. Awba was willing to sell bulk inputs to millers on the basis of their contractual relationships with millers. As millers had already established sales relationships with the local Awba dealers, so Mercy Corps and Awba seek to take a next step of demonstrating the value of providing dedicated extension service to the sales relationship.

2 Awba and Mercy Corps agree on the need to find ways for private sector companies to be more smallholder-inclusive in their business practices. This includes specifically to improve on strategies to more conscientiously target smallholder farmers with appropriate demand-driven products and services. In this regard, both Awba and Mercy Corps have agreed to pilot, on a co-investment basis, a dedicated extension executive (EEs) to provide a full package of training throughout the growing seasons of Summer and Monsoon 2017 seasons. The EE should receive support for curriculum development. For the content development, a technical expert will be contracted and assigned to work with the Awba EE directly. As part of ensuring that the most appropriate training package is developed for Laputta-based rice farming, the expert will liaise with farmers, key FPE members (such as the FPE Input and Training Manager), and the miller, in order to ensure that Awba is delivering the extension services that Laputta farmers want. II. S C O P E O F W O R K ( S O W ) O B J E C T I V E To achieve this aim, the technical expert will be guided by the following Objective: To support the Awba Extension Executive to be more smallholderinclusive in his business practices, and specifically to be more conscientiously target smallholder farmers with appropriate demanddriven extension services. I I I. T A S K S & D E L I V E R A B L E S Tasks, Scope & Approach The consultant will assist the Awba EE to determine the proper set of training materials for delivery to rice farmers in Laputta. S/he will work closely with the Awba EE to regularly review and revise the content of Awba s extension training delivery package. Where delivery can also incorporate mobile information services should also be considered. The revisions to training content will be based on feedback from key stakeholders with regard to the performance and effectiveness of the Awba EE. Key stakeholders are the farmer members of the FPEs, and the miller. With the farmers the aim is to seek their feedback on what is a good extension service and to what extent is Awba addressing that. With the miller the aim is to understand better with regard to the grower relationship they have established with FPEs and what is necessary for scaling up the tripartite relationship between miller, Awba, and FPE. This process should be guided by a gender approach whereby the consultant is getting the feedback from women and men FPE members accordingly. Where necessary, the consultant will conduct focus group discussions for collecting information and feedback. S/he will provide brief updates on activities to MC and Awba when required 2

3 Deliverables 1. One report each for Summer and Monsoon 2017 seasons on main findings and recommendations; 2. Two trainings provided to Awba EE; 3. Revised Awba training package. IV. L I N E S O F C O M M U N I C A T I O N The Consultant will report to LLM Programme Manager, and closely communicate with Awba line management when requested. In order to harness strong existing field knowledge and ensure that the assessments provide useful recommendations for Awba the Consultant will maintain communication and sharing of information with Awba and MercyCorps field staff (i.e. Awba Area Manager, MC Tech Advisors, etc).. V. L E V E L O F E F F O R T ( LO E ) & T I M E F R A M E This is a part-time position which the Consultant contributes his/her skills, expertise and guidance to the Awba EE. The Consultant works an average of 3 days per month. The table below is provided as a guide to indicate LOE and timeframe: 3

4 DRAFT - Workplan for Agriculture Consultant for Awba Extension Worker (Jan Dec 2017) Activity. Initial meetings with Mercy Corps / 1 Awba / FPEs / miller Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-16 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk 3-4 Wk 1-2 Wk Review the current Awba training materials Review the Consultant 2017 schedule with Awba and MC for Summer and Monsoon seasons and revise as needed Regular meetings with Awba EE (for planning, share feedback from FPEs & miller, revise curriculum, etc) Joining in Awba EE trainings to FPEs for observing and documentation Accompanying Awba EE during field visits Meetings with FPE members to get feedback on Awba trainings or village visits Checking back with miller (on Awba EE performance, paddy quality of FPEs, etc) 9 Provide training to the Awba EE Review the training delivery package and revise for Monsoon 2017 Finalize the training delivery package Debriefing with Mercy Corps and Awba Prepare final report and recommendations 4

5 V I. Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S Mercy Corp and Awba are seeking a Consultant according to the above SOW with the following qualifications: Minimum five (5-8) years of professional experience in agriculture field; experience in rice cultivation an asset; Academic degree in agriculture or related field; Experience with donor-funded projects is preferred; Experience in capacity building, advocacy, and outreach an asset; Experience with mobile information service also an asset. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and submit a letter of interest, outlining how they would approach this task to Human Resources Department (mm-hr@mercycorps.org) and cc: to Procurement Officer ( ekhaing@mercycorps.org) by February 21, 2017 (before 5:00pm). 5