Terms of Reference
Consultancy for training on assessment and development of appropriate soil and water monitoring criteria for coffee farmers
Activity code: 1.2.2 – Locally-led research on project baseline
Duration: from 08 to 10 March 2025
Deadline to apply: March 02, 2025
- ABOUT RECOFTC
RECOFTC is an international nonprofit organization working towards a future where resilient communities with respected rights thrive in forest landscapes that they manage sustainably and equitably. We take a long-term, landscape-based, and inclusive approach in supporting local communities to secure their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equality. We have more than 37 years of experience working with people and forests and has built trusting relationships with partners at all levels. As a trusted, honest broker, we occupy a distinct position as an international organization that supports, informs and brings together governments, communities, businesses, academia and civil society organisations. Our innovations, knowledge and initiatives enable countries to foster good forest governance, mitigate and adapt to climate change and achieve the UN Global Goals.
RECOFTC operates in the Asia-Pacific region, with country program offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam. RECOFTC’s work adhere to the core values:
- Embrace innovation
- Adapt to and learn from challenges
- Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership
- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
- Commit to sustainability
- Cultivate participation, gender equity and social inclusion
- Prioritize wellbeing
- PROJECT BACKGROUND
The “Change beyond supply chains, driving positive landscape transformation through inclusive business models”, or in short “Chain of Changes” project is a pioneering initiative under the umbrella of the Reversing Environmental Degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) program. It aims to spearhead a paradigm shift in agricultural practices within sensitive forest landscapes, with particular focus on coffee sector in Vietnam. It will do so by fostering locally-led research, evidence-based collaboration, training, and participatory monitoring. The core focus of the project is on establishing inclusive business models between Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and companies, aiming for nature-positive business models that enhance water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and agroforestry elements to protect watersheds. This initiative is set to lay the groundwork for sustainable business partnerships, increased production in forested landscapes, and the development of effective farmer organizations complying with international standards. Specific objectives of the project are:
- Establish a multi-stakeholder platform for collaborative nature-positive solutions.
- Conduct locally-led research on baseline conditions and potential solutions.
- Develop mutually beneficial business models integrating regenerative agriculture.
- Establish Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and demonstration sites.
- Implement training programs for farmer groups to enhance capacity.
- SCOPE OF THE WORK
The project supports two cooperatives and three farmer groups in Lat and Dung K’No commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province. These cooperatives and farmer groups were recently established. The local population, predominantly from the Chil/K’Ho ethnic group, primarily grow coffee as their main livelihood. However, unsustainable farming practices in recent years have led to a reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, causing soil degradation and posing a risk of soil and water pollution.
Following the baseline study on soil and water of coffee farms, the project is inviting one expert to conduct training for coffee farmers as part of the activity 1.2.2 Locally-led research on project baseline. It aims to enhance understanding of the soil and water status in the cultivation area and its relationship with farming practices. Additionally, it aims to guide farmers in identifying simple criteria and indicators for monitoring soil and water conditions amidst changing coffee farming practices towards more nature-positive outcomes. This will form a part of the Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) framework under Activity 3.1.2.
General objective
The ultimate goal of this activity is to support farmers in developing appropriate criteria for monitoring soil and water in coffee farming, which then be monitored by farmers themselves.
Specific objectives
- To get a collective understanding of baseline data on soil health and water quality with the link to farming practices e.g., applying fertilizer and pesticide.
- Local farmers gain understanding of the status of soil and water on coffee farms in their areas from the results of soil and water analysis, and how these factors are related to farming practices
- Local farmers gain knowledge and practical experiences on how to assess the status of soil and water rapidly and locally appropriately in their farms
- Local farmers will gain skills on how to collect soil and water samples for analysis
- Indicators for assessing soil and water status in coffee farming are collectively developed.
- Location
The fieldwork will be conducted in the target villages in Lat and Dung K’No commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province.
- Schedule
The consultancy service will be completed by March 15th, 2025. The detailed schedule is as follows:
|
Timeline |
Activities |
Deliverables |
Location |
Estimated working days |
|
05 to 06/3/2025 |
|
|
|
01 |
|
08 to 10/3/2025 |
|
|
K’No village, Dung K’No commune |
01 |
|
Da Nghit and Da Nghit 1 village, Lat commune |
01 |
|||
|
Pang Tieng and Pang Tieng 1 village, Lat commune |
01 |
|||
|
15/3/2025 |
|
11/3/2025 for the draft report (in Vietnamese) with the PMEL indicators for soil and water and recommendations 15/3/2025 for final report (Vietnamese and English) highlights the PMEL indicators for soil and water and recommendations |
|
01 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
05 |
- Qualification and experience
The consultant should demonstrate experience in the following areas:
- At least a bachelor’s degree in soil science, chemistry or fields related to soil analysis
- Excellent in soil and water sampling and testing techniques
- Demonstrated understanding of soil in coffee farming systems
- Working experience with community of IPs and LCs
- Strong facilitation skills, particularly in farmer field school settings.
- Ability to work independently and manage tasks efficiently.
- Good writing skills in both Vietnamese and English
The consultant will adhere to RECOFTC fundamental principles (Transparency, Partnerships, Safeguards, Consensus-building, Equitable benefits) and follow RECOFTC Environmental and Social Safeguard Guidelines, Guidelines on Conflict of Interest, Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics.
The consultant is required to follow RECOFTC’s ethical guidelines to ensure data confidentiality and protection during scientific research. Specific attention is required that the consultant ensures that IPLCs and other people are informed, and that necessary approvals and permissions are obtained prior to conducting research. The consultant ensures that all data is treated with confidentiality and anonymity, and practice appropriate measures to ensure data protection and security.
- How to apply
Interested applicants are requested to submit their proposed method and approach, CV and a cover letter indicating why they are suitable for this task along with daily rate and current contact details of three referees to [email protected]. Please quote the assignment in the subject line of the email. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
To learn more about RECOFTC, please visit our website recoftc.org.