Consultancy Service for "Macadamia Pilot and Demonstration Project"

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Country:                 Vietnam
Organisation:           SNV – Netherlands Development Organisation
Project:                  Inclusive Business Accelerator
Abstract:                National expert group to support the implementation of macadamia pilot and demonstration project
Duration:                March 2018 – June 2018
Location:                 Dak Lak

I.            Background

SNV (www.snvworld.org [1]) is a not-for-profit international development organization. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 38 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organizations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

SNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995. Using market based approaches, SNV is committed to reducing poverty by catalysing environmentally sustainable solutions for the poor in agriculture, energy, water & sanitation, and REDD+.

In Vietnam, SNV manages the Inclusive Business Accelerator program (IBA, https://iba.ventures/ [2]). Inclusive business is a strategic, innovative, commercially- viable business initiative, which unlocks entrepreneurial opportunities for low-income markets to engage in the value chain. Inclusive business creates shared value for the businesses, low-income markets and the environment.

the first one-stop shop in Vietnam for various services needed by businesses which include low-income groups in their operations. We use innovative acceleration models to make the businesses investor-ready. Our scope of services, including Market Intelligence & Opportunity Identification, Business Design & Readiness, Investor – Investee Match making, Impact Measurements & Scalability.

The IBA Vietnam is currently supporting one of our clients in developing sustainable macadamia production material zone in Daklak province. SNV is looking for a national consultancy to provide technical service to support the IBA private client with the implementation of a macadamia pilot and demonstration project.

II.          Consultancy service description

1.    Methodology and scope of work

The main objective of this consultancy is to support IBA client to establish 20 pilot macadamia demonstration plots and monitor the results in the establishment stage of the demo farms. Based upon the preliminary results, an upscale macadamia production strategy will be developed by the IBA client.

The consultancy will be conducted based on the sequence below:

Inception phase:

• Demonstration plots will be preselected by IBA client and shortlisted by the consultant during the inception phase on the basis of availability of infrastructure, production conditions, capacity and motivation of local producers to initiate the pilot model. The Consultant will develop a selection criteria and conduct an assessment of potential macadamia growers identified by IBA clients.
• From the field visits, the consultant will be able to create an overview of the farmer households suitable for the pilot project, taking into account all criteria mentioned above. Additionally, in close coordination with IBA client, the consultant will be able to project justification on the best design of the demo plots for each of the households and productivity and other economic efficiency indicators to be collected and recorded during the implementation phase. The outcomes of the visits will then be presented in an inception report which will include the list of the expected pilot farms.

Implementation phase

• Upon approval of the inception report, the consultant will start with the development of the detailed designs and establishment of the demo plots, which includes but not limited to soil preparation, the procurement of seedling and fertilizer, planting, and fertilizer application. Regular coordination will be required between the consultant and IBA client to ensure the quality of the development of the demo plots. A submission which includes a cost estimate as well as work plan for the implementation of works must be submitted to IBA team before the procurement.
• In order to ensure that target households and communities are able to acquire the necessary knowledge and capacity on sustainable macadamia production, grow and maintain the established pilot plots, the consultant will prepare a curriculum and organize at least 01 training session for potential pilot macadamia producers and selected staff of IBA clients on sustainable macadamia production.

Monitor and evaluation

• After the training, farmers are expected to implement the production techniques in demonstration plots. The consultant will provide the needed supervision via a combination of site visits and remote support to the outreach team of the IBA client and pilot households in order to support the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot project, and keep accurate records of all factors related to productivity and other economic efficiency indicators of the 20 demonstration plots so as to ensure accurate interpretation of experiment results

2.    Deliverables

The consultant will submit the following reports in Vietnamese:

• Inception report based on the first site visits assessing the households highlighting the full methodology of works, and expected pilot households, best design of the demo plots for each of the households and productivity and other economic efficiency indicators to be collected and recorded during the implementation phase
• Detailed work plan and draft cost estimate for the establishment of demo plots
• A training curriculum and at least 01 training session for the pilot farmer households and other relevant stakeholders
• A monitoring and evaluation framework of productivity and other economic efficiency indicators of the demonstration plots
• 03 monthly evaluation and progress report including productivity and other economic efficiency indicators of the 20 demonstration plots

The consultant shall be solely responsible for the quality and integrity of its services including the deliverable outputs outlined in this Terms of Reference. The consultant shall coordinate all work assignments with IBA client, and conduct discussions and consultations with IBA team.

3.    Timeline

The consultant will report directly to IBA team and will be working closely with field staff of IBA client. The intended start date is the last week of February.

III.        Qualifications, skills and experience required:

The consultant and/or group of consultants should meet the following requirements:

• University degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness or related fields. MSc and above preferred;
• At least 5 years of proven practical experience on similar work in the Central Highlands;
• Experience in planning, designing and establishing small-scale demo farms;
• Previous experience in designing and conducting trainings for beneficiaries in topics relating to sustainable agriculture and home based agricultural production;
• Having good understanding on macadamia production; 
• Being able to deliver the committed outputs on time;
• Having excellent analytical skills and report writing skill.

How to apply: Interested candidates should send (1) CV(s), (2) Technical proposal; (3) Financial proposal; (4) a minimum of two referee contacts. The budget proposal should also include logistics and administrative support to organize trainings. 

Email to [email protected] [3] by 17.00 18th March 2017 or by post to SNV Netherlands Development Organization

Add: 3rd Floor, Building D, La Thanh Hotel, 218 Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh Ha Noi, Viet Nam; Tel: 84-4 38463791   Fax: 84-4 38463794

With the title: “Macadamia pilot and demonstration project”