Rural Livelihood, Food Security and Cash Project Content and Training Design (Consultancy)

[Erbil,Iraq ]

arche noVa – Initiative for People in Need is a non-religious, independent non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) with Headquarters in Germany. We work in the field of humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development and primarily focus on the WASH sector.

Globally, arche noVa currently works in twelve countries. Since 2013, we have been implementing projects for IDPs, returnees and host communities in Northern Iraq and Kurdistan (Diyala, Sulimaniyah and Kirkuk Governorate).

arche noVa provides WASH services in IDP camps in Sulaymaniyah, Kalar and Khanaqeen. Over and above that, we also provide WASH services and support outside of camps by rehabilitating WASH facilities in schools and health centers, as well as improving water and sewerage systems in villages. arche noVa is further expanding on these WASH support activities through a more sustainable long-term and holistic approach focused on community engagement, capacity building and livelihood diversification in the agricultural sector, yet always continuing to keep WASH at its core. Livelihoods, Food Security and Cash programming forms a relatively new thematic field for AN globally and AN in Iraq in particular.

arche noVa co-leads the WASH Sub-cluster in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and the WASH Working Group in Northern Diyala Governorate.

Objectives of the position:

The overarching goal of the consultancy is the operationalization of the LFS thematic component of the existing BMZ project, backed with the preparation of necessary capacity building measures which are in direct relations to core project activities to be delivered between 2021 and 2024. This is expected to be achieved through, firstly, conceptualization and preparation of technical capacity building modules to beneficiaries, community volunteers and other field-based stakeholders; secondly  preparation of standard operating procedures (SOP) and activity plans geared at achieving most immediate LFS-centered results of the project; thirdly, capacity building of AN field staff in relation to the above; as well as, lastly, delivery of technical input to Baseline Study design within the scope of LFS component as expected by the donor and AN Country Team.

Time and location

The period of consultancy should not exceed 24 working days and the consultant is expected to start work from the day the agreement is signed. AN expects for all deliverables be approved by 30 September 2021.

The consultant will be based in Erbil and work remotely as well as from the office-based on a time plan to be discussed with the direct supervisor, i.e. Head of Programmes (HoP). The time plan will form integral part of Plan of Action, as described below. Contingent on safe and secure access, as assessed by AN Security Management, the consultant will undertake travels between Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, Salah Al-Din, Kirkuk and/or Diyala governorates. AN has offices in all these locations except for Salah Al-Din.

Duties & Responsibilities:

 

Through a consultative and field-based process, the contracted consultant will

1- Draft and present the Plan of Action

2- Design activity SOPs and activity plans for vegetable production, home gardens and livestock support with well-researched programmatic alternatives, mainstreaming international best practices in the project’s operating context;

3- Deliver trainings, in a form deemed best suitable, following AN HoP guidance and suggestions, to AN implementing personnel, covering the scope of outputs delivered under point 2. Above; field travel arrangements to be confirmed by AN;

4-Present well-designed curricula and other capacity development sessions and ToT (training of trainers) centred at core LFS topics, to be delivered to trainers or directly to beneficiaries, in particular:

1. Modern irrigation techniques in greenhouse cultivation for farmers (may also include soil management, and treatment of plant diseases and other topics);
2. Marketing, business planning and value-adding activities for farmers (agribusiness development training);
3. Training in basic farming skills for beneficiaries of “home garden” inputs and tools;
4. Water conservation in agriculture: rationale, methods and techniques;

5. Design data collection and data analysis tools in livelihood and food security in relation to LFS baseline assessment design of the BMZ project, working in cooperation with AN MEAL Coordinator, with support from AN HoP; the final output will be approved by AN HoM and HoP.

Process & Deliverables

1. Plan of Action

Based on this TOR the consultant will draw up a Plan of Action (5 pages maximum). The Plan of Action will be sent to the AN Head of Mission and Head of Programme Department by the end of day 3 of the assignment. The Plan of Action will be drawn up in a close collaboration with AN Head of Programmes and include, among other:

• methodological approaches and tools in relation to each deliverable,
• specific quality standards per deliverable,
• required level of effort (LoE) per deliverable,
• day-breakdown indicating timeframe required per deliverable as well as indicating number of days in field needed by the consultant.  

2. Required Deliverables and LoE Proposed 

	Deliverable	No. of days
1	Plan of Action write-up and incorporation of AN comments	3
2	Preparation of LFS activity SOPs and activity plans for greenhouse cultivation and home gardens	7
3	Delivery of trainings on activity SOPs to AN field staff*	5
4	Design of 4 LFS training curricula for beneficiary trainings	5
5	LFS technical inputs to baseline assessment design and quality assurance of data collection tools	4

* involves travels to field; where applicable, includes time required for design of staff capacity building measures

Payment Schedule

The payment will be made upon receipt of invoices, according to the deliverable schedule as follows:

• 50% upon satisfactory delivery and AN approval of deliverables 1 to 2
• 50% upon satisfactory delivery and AN approval of deliverables 3 to 5

arche noVa – Initiative for People in Need is a non-religious, independent non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) with Headquarters in Germany. We work in the field of humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development and primarily focus on the WASH sector.

Globally, arche noVa currently works in twelve countries. Since 2013, we have been implementing projects for IDPs, returnees and host communities in Northern Iraq and Kurdistan (Diyala, Sulimaniyah and Kirkuk Governorate).

arche noVa provides WASH services in IDP camps in Sulaymaniyah, Kalar and Khanaqeen. Over and above that, we also provide WASH services and support outside of camps by rehabilitating WASH facilities in schools and health centers, as well as improving water and sewerage systems in villages. arche noVa is further expanding on these WASH support activities through a more sustainable long-term and holistic approach focused on community engagement, capacity building and livelihood diversification in the agricultural sector, yet always continuing to keep WASH at its core. Livelihoods, Food Security and Cash programming forms a relatively new thematic field for AN globally and AN in Iraq in particular.

arche noVa co-leads the WASH Sub-cluster in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and the WASH Working Group in Northern Diyala Governorate.

Objectives of the position:

The overarching goal of the consultancy is the operationalization of the LFS thematic component of the existing BMZ project, backed with the preparation of necessary capacity building measures which are in direct relations to core project activities to be delivered between 2021 and 2024. This is expected to be achieved through, firstly, conceptualization and preparation of technical capacity building modules to beneficiaries, community volunteers and other field-based stakeholders; secondly  preparation of standard operating procedures (SOP) and activity plans geared at achieving most immediate LFS-centered results of the project; thirdly, capacity building of AN field staff in relation to the above; as well as, lastly, delivery of technical input to Baseline Study design within the scope of LFS component as expected by the donor and AN Country Team.

Time and location

The period of consultancy should not exceed 24 working days and the consultant is expected to start work from the day the agreement is signed. AN expects for all deliverables be approved by 30 September 2021.

The consultant will be based in Erbil and work remotely as well as from the office-based on a time plan to be discussed with the direct supervisor, i.e. Head of Programmes (HoP). The time plan will form integral part of Plan of Action, as described below. Contingent on safe and secure access, as assessed by AN Security Management, the consultant will undertake travels between Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, Salah Al-Din, Kirkuk and/or Diyala governorates. AN has offices in all these locations except for Salah Al-Din.

Duties & Responsibilities:

 

Through a consultative and field-based process, the contracted consultant will

1- Draft and present the Plan of Action

2- Design activity SOPs and activity plans for vegetable production, home gardens and livestock support with well-researched programmatic alternatives, mainstreaming international best practices in the project’s operating context;

3- Deliver trainings, in a form deemed best suitable, following AN HoP guidance and suggestions, to AN implementing personnel, covering the scope of outputs delivered under point 2. Above; field travel arrangements to be confirmed by AN;

4-Present well-designed curricula and other capacity development sessions and ToT (training of trainers) centred at core LFS topics, to be delivered to trainers or directly to beneficiaries, in particular:

1. Modern irrigation techniques in greenhouse cultivation for farmers (may also include soil management, and treatment of plant diseases and other topics);
2. Marketing, business planning and value-adding activities for farmers (agribusiness development training);
3. Training in basic farming skills for beneficiaries of “home garden” inputs and tools;
4. Water conservation in agriculture: rationale, methods and techniques;

5. Design data collection and data analysis tools in livelihood and food security in relation to LFS baseline assessment design of the BMZ project, working in cooperation with AN MEAL Coordinator, with support from AN HoP; the final output will be approved by AN HoM and HoP.

Process & Deliverables

1. Plan of Action

Based on this TOR the consultant will draw up a Plan of Action (5 pages maximum). The Plan of Action will be sent to the AN Head of Mission and Head of Programme Department by the end of day 3 of the assignment. The Plan of Action will be drawn up in a close collaboration with AN Head of Programmes and include, among other:

• methodological approaches and tools in relation to each deliverable,
• specific quality standards per deliverable,
• required level of effort (LoE) per deliverable,
• day-breakdown indicating timeframe required per deliverable as well as indicating number of days in field needed by the consultant.  

2. Required Deliverables and LoE Proposed 

	Deliverable	No. of days
1	Plan of Action write-up and incorporation of AN comments	3
2	Preparation of LFS activity SOPs and activity plans for greenhouse cultivation and home gardens	7
3	Delivery of trainings on activity SOPs to AN field staff*	5
4	Design of 4 LFS training curricula for beneficiary trainings	5
5	LFS technical inputs to baseline assessment design and quality assurance of data collection tools	4

* involves travels to field; where applicable, includes time required for design of staff capacity building measures

Payment Schedule

The payment will be made upon receipt of invoices, according to the deliverable schedule as follows:

• 50% upon satisfactory delivery and AN approval of deliverables 1 to 2
• 50% upon satisfactory delivery and AN approval of deliverables 3 to 5

Individual consultants to apply. The profile of the individual consultants needs to meet the qualification requirements below. 

• PhD degree in areas of agriculture & rural development, business administration, economics, international development or related field (preferable).
• Master degree in these areas and extensive (more than 7 years) managerial and/or consulting experience in the relevant fields would compensate for the absence of PhD degree;
• 5 or more years of experience in designing, implementing and/or evaluating rural livelihoods and food security projects and programmes in Iraq;
• Track record in research and consulting, with extensive experience of working with international development and humanitarian organisations;
• Experience in designing, undertaking and/or supervising market studies in Iraq;
• Experience of training design, training delivery and facilitation in related topics;
• Excellent attention to detail and evidence of quality outputs from previous assignments;
• Fluent in English and Arabic at native or bilingual level; Kurdish is an advantage.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills;
• Excellent reporting and presenting skills;
• Punctuality and availability to complete the work on time;
• Experience of field-based mentoring and building the capacity of communities and partners is highly desirable.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply!

Deadline for application: 31 August, 2021

Interested applicants are requested to submit to 

 [email protected] the following requirements:

1- CV

2- Two sample reports from past consultancy assignments

3- Financial proposal (full proposed budget of the consultancy at hand) 

Subject: Rural Livelihoods, Food Security and Cash Project Content and Training Design (Consultancy). 

Further information: www.arche-nova.org

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and the interviews will be in rolling basis. arche noVa reserve the right to hire before the deadline; at the same time, AN reserve the right to not fill the position.