CONSULTANCY: “FARMERS NETWORK PROJECT” MAPPING EXERCISE

1. Introduction

Build Africa is an international NGO with over 30 years of experience working in rural areas of Kenya focusing specifically on two programme areas; Education & Livelihoods. Build Africa Kenya is supporting projects in Machakos, Mwala, Gilgil and Elburgon. BAKs Livelihoods work currently focuses on supporting rural households to increase access to credit through the Village Savings and Loans methodology. Recently BAK has received funding to expand this work into Elburgon and also begin a programme to support rural farmers to increase their access to information about better farming practices and establishing farmers’ networks to take advantage of local linkages.

1. The Farmers’ Network Project (FNP)

BAK is implementing the Farmers’ Network Project (FNP) in Gilgil and Elburgon. FNP will enable rural famers in Gilgil and Elburgon to improve access to inputs and knowledge of farming practices and provide them with a collective voice, enabling them to grow sustainable farming businesses and increase their household incomes.

FNP seeks to achieve the following outcomes:

• Farmers have equitable access to financial services enabling them to invest in appropriate inputs to develop their farms;
• Farmers have skills and knowledge in modern farming practices enabling them to develop their farms;
• Farmers participate in farmers’ groups allowing them to share information and best practice, and increase their influence and negotiation ability.
• Scope and focus of the assignment

The consultant, with the support of the Deputy Director, will lead the mapping survey for the Farmers’ Network Project in two areas in Kenya; Gilgil and Elburgon. It is intended that the mapping will: a) identify possible partners for the project; b) produce information for the development of training modules and capacity building interventions and c) provide information that will assist in identifying relevant experts and actors for supporting project implementation. As part of this work the consultant will be expected to:

1. Develop an

   inventory of relevant CBOs, NGOs and other actors and specify their areas
    of operation (this will need to be both a physical map of the area as well
    as highlight the thematic operations) in each of the regions;
   

2. Identify and map

   the demonstration sites specifying the various agro-related activities
    demonstrated at each site, the accessibility of the sites and any specific
    capacity building requirements needed at the sites;
   

3. Identify the viable

   farming practices, commercial potential and marketing opportunities in the
    region;
   

4. Identify key

   agricultural experts in the area and their area of expertise and brief
    summary of area of expertise and work experience. 
   

5. Task

The aim of the mapping exercise is to gain a better understanding of the other actors in each of the regions engaged in supporting rural small holder farmers. The consultant will be expected to lead the below task in consultation with the Deputy Director and Programme Officer for Livelihoods:

1. Hold inception meeting with BAK staff and

   review any relevant documentation.
   

2. Develop detailed inception report, detailing

   their interpretation of the TOR and the objectives of the assignment, data
    collection methods for meeting these objectives and an annex of proposed
    data collection tools (this will be discussed with the Build Africa before
    being finalised).
   

3. Implement and supervise field data collection

   and entry.
   

4. Analyse and synthesise data; and prepare

   report.
   

5. Submit data analysis and draft report for

   feedback.
   

6. Incorporate, compile and submit final report.
7. Expected Deliverables
8. An inception report

    with initial proposed methodology for the assignment and annex of
        questions/survey tools. 
   

9. A comprehensive mapping

    survey report for the Farmers’ Network Project submitted in both electronic
        version and signed hard copy including recommendations and implementation strategies.
   

10. A database with

    data collection information produced and delivered with final report.
    

11. Approach and Methodology

The consultant is required use qualitative methods for the Mapping Survey, these may include but not be limited to mapping exercises, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions with farmers, Ministry of Agriculture and extension workers, among other stakeholders.

7. Reporting

The consultant, during the course of this assignment, will report to Build Africa Kenya’s Deputy Country Director and the process will be coordinated by the Programme Officer for Livelihoods.

1. Proposed work plan ----------------------------

col 1	col 2	col 3
Activity	Timeframe	Person Responsible
Identification and

recruitment of consultant | By Thursday 6th March 2014 | Build Africa Kenya and Build Africa UK | | Review of TOR and relevant documents and development of inception report including methodology and tools | By Tuesday 11th March 2014 | Consultant | | Review of tools | By Friday 14th March 2014 | Build Africa Kenya and Build Africa UK | | Data collection and analysis of data | By Wednesday 26th March 2014 | Consultant | | Draft report | By Friday 28th March 2014 | Consultant | | Validation and intense review | By Wednesday 2nd April 2014 | Build Africa Kenya and Build Africa UK | | Final Report | By Friday 4th April 2014 | Consultant |

9. Time frame

The process will last for a period of 1 month, with approximately 8 days of work available for the consultant to carry out the exercise; it will need to be completed by Friday 4th April 2014 at the latest.

10. Expertise and Experience

1. The suitable person must have a minimum of a Masters’ degree in a relevant Social Science  discipline coupled with advanced skills in Research Methodologies.  Training in, Development Studies, Agriculture or any other related field  will be preferred.
2. The person should have worked with a development organization or University before for at  least 5 years and have demonstrable experience of undertaking desk  reviews, as well as rapid assessments and/or evaluations.
3. The consultant should be conversant with NGOs’ operations with a focus on livelihoods and  agriculture. Additional knowledge and experience on networks will be of  great importance.
4. The consultant should have significant experience of collecting and analysing quantitative            data from small scale sample surveys.
5. The consultant should mention previous works in regard/ relation to quality assessment/evaluation  processes in their proposal and give reference to previous clients.
6. Experience of working within a dispersed team, remaining self-motivated, using  initiative and responding appropriately to constructive feedback.
7. Able to reliably access the Internet, as well as relevant national policy/planning documents  and surveys. ****
8. Application Process
9. Interested consultant must submit the following documents:
10. Cover Letter
11. CV including reference details of previous clients
12. Sample of previous work in similar consultancy work (assessment/survey/baseline assessment)
13. Technical proposal on how to conduct the mapping survey, with the following information:

i.
What information should be collected;

ii.
What sources are needed for the information identified;

iii.
What methodologies are appropriate given the objective of the assessment;

iv.
Financial proposal based on activities/ requirements of the consultant.

1. If persons intend to work in a team, they should indicate the team members and attach their CVs. Clearly  highlight the Team leader whose minimum qualification is Masters’ level.
2. All documents must be submitted not later than Tuesday 4th March 2014 at 5:00p.m via email to hr@build-africakenya.org and copy makoude@build-africakenya.org and libby@build-africa.org.uk

How to apply:

11. Application Process

1. Interested consultant must submit the following documents:
2. Cover Letter
3. CV including reference details of  previous clients
4. Sample of previous work in similar onsultancy work (assessment/survey/baseline assessment)
5. Technical proposal on how to conduct the mapping survey, with the following information:

i.What information should be collected;

ii.What sources are needed for the information identified;

iii.What methodologies are appropriate given the objective of the assessment;

iv.Financial proposal based on activities/ requirements of the consultant.

1. If persons intend to work in a team, they should indicate the team members and attach their CVs. Clearly  highlight the Team leader whose minimum qualification is Masters’ level.All documents must be submitted not later than Tuesday 4th March 2014 at 5:00p.m via email to hr@build-africakenya.org and copy makoude@build-africakenya.org and libby@build-africa.org.uk