Find Jobs in Kenya: 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.

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:

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;

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;

Identify the viable

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

Identify key

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

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:

Hold inception meeting with BAK staff and
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review any relevant documentation.
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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).

Implement and supervise field data collection
```
and entry.
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Analyse and synthesise data; and prepare
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report.
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Submit data analysis and draft report for
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feedback.
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Incorporate, compile and submit final report.
Expected Deliverables

An inception report

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

A comprehensive mapping

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

A database with

data collection information produced and delivered with final report.

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.

Proposed work plan ----------------------------

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

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

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.
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.
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.
The consultant should have significant experience of collecting and analysing quantitative data from small scale sample surveys.
The consultant should mention previous works in regard/ relation to quality assessment/evaluation processes in their proposal and give reference to previous clients.
Experience of working within a dispersed team, remaining self-motivated, using initiative and responding appropriately to constructive feedback.
Able to reliably access the Internet, as well as relevant national policy/planning documents and surveys. ****
Application Process
Interested consultant must submit the following documents:
Cover Letter
CV including reference details of previous clients
Sample of previous work in similar consultancy work (assessment/survey/baseline assessment)
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.

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

How to apply:

11. Application Process

Interested consultant must submit the following documents:
Cover Letter
CV including reference details of previous clients
Sample of previous work in similar onsultancy work (assessment/survey/baseline assessment)
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.

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

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