TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. SWISSCONTACT - CASA PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

CASA is an FCDO - International Climate Finance (ICF) funded programme driving global investment for inclusive climate-resilient agri-food systems that increase smallholder incomes. CASA makes the case to impact and return-oriented investors for increased investment in agribusinesses that work with smallholder supply chains. The programme achieves this goal by: 

• Demonstrating the commercial viability and investment-readiness of small and medium-sized (SME) agribusinesses with significant smallholder supply chains
• Helping investors to increase the impact of their investments through the provision of inclusive technical assistance.
• Strengthening the socio-legal empowerment of smallholders within value chains
• Tackling the information and evidence gaps holding back investment

For demonstrating the commercial and development potential of smallholder sourcing models, CASA focuses on catalytic interventions in the agriculture sectors of Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda that support Agri-SMEs prepare for and secure investment while connecting smallholders to commercial markets. CASA’s work on research and communications is structured around identifying constraints, opportunities and addressing evidence gaps through research; shaping the debate on smallholder agriculture to influence actions of investors, governments, and donors; and creating networking opportunities through events and stakeholder engagement.

2. PARTNER BRIEF BACKGROUND

Platinum Agribusiness Ltd (PA) is a Rwandan profit-making company producing poultry products. PA started in in 2018 with 5,000 birds and has grown to a capacity of 40,000 layers. The company is in Bugesera District in the Eastern Province. Currently PA has 33 staff.

To manage and control egg sales PA owns two wholesale outlets in Kigali. 

PA currently produces 765,000 eggs, (25,500 trays) monthly. PA plans to expand the egg production capacity up to 50,000 trays a month before 2025. To achieve this, PA needs the services from extension services provider to mobilise and train smallholder farmers that will be contracted into the company’s supply chain. PA plans to provide quality feed and training to these smallholder farmers.

3. ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND

In this assignment, CASA will support PA to implement a project across the designated intervention areas. Specifically, the Project areas include: 

• Identification, mobilization, and registration of smallholder poultry farmers.
• Poultry farming and management Capacity building for the smallholders.
• Conduct grouping and coordination for smallholders.
• Conduct training of trainers (to PA extension staff).

To facilitate this initiative, CASA Rwanda intends to engage the services of an extension expert to support PA in mobilizing 800 smallholders in Bugesera district. This effort will establish an offtake arrangement benefiting both parties, as PA will support 800 smallholders.

4. OBJECTIVE

In line with budget item 3.1 in the Platinum project budget, the primary objective of this assignment is to define and create a sustainable coordinated extension system with the collaboration of PA and the local authority. Mobilizing farmers and bringing in 800 smallholders in the supply chain of PA. It is in this respect that CASA would like to hire an extension Expert to coordinate the assignment.

5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

In collaboration with the CASA Rwanda Market Manager and Platinum Agribusiness Ltd, the expert will manage the mobilization of farmers in Bugesera District, engaging local authorities. Additionally, the expert will deliver training sessions to both farmers and PA staff.

The specific duties of the Expert include: 

• Identifying in collaboration with PA 800 smallholders in Bugesera District ready to start an offtake arrangement with PA.
• Group Formation of smallholders according to their location.
• Developing smallholder database for PA
• Development of inclusive training materials on poultry extension services Conducting a TOT training course for trainers with PA staff.

6. DELIVERABLES 

All the deliverables that relate to the implementing partners policies and systems must be vetted and approved by CASA and the partner to be deemed as having been satisfactorily completed. The required deliverables Include: 

1. Providing a list of all interested smallholders and demonstrate clear groups formed and their precise location.
2. Presenting materials to be used during the training.
3. Train farmers and PA staff
4. Services provision report (6 – 10 pages maximum)

7. ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT and DURATION

3.1 Duration 

Expected Start Date: June 2024 

Expected End Date: August 2024

3.2 Assignment Days

Up to 10 working days

3.3 Reporting Lines

The expert consultant will report to the key focal person from PA and CASA poultry Market Manager.

8. REQUIREMENTS and EXPERTISE

Key qualification and field of expertise for the ideal expert are:

• Education: degree in agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, or in other relevant fields (or advance degree /master's).
• Bachelor’s degree holders should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in extension service, while master's degree holders should demonstrate a minimum of 7 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrable prior experience in agricultural extension or outreach programs is highly valuable.
• Understanding of poultry Market Dynamics.
• Excellent written and oral communication, listening and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with a wide range of people combined with an appreciation of the importance of confidentiality.
• Willingness to take on new assignments at short notice and ability to travel to remote places.
• Ability to make decisions regarding own work, often in ambiguous situations and suggest recommendations regarding own function/discipline.
• Ability to function with minimum guidance and under pre-set procedures with attention to detail; and
• Able to exercise independent judgment within defined policies and practices.

9. TERMS OF PAYMENT

As per Swisscontact norms and mutually agreed during the signing of the contract.

Offers/ proposals for this tender should only be submitted on the mentioned email: rw_info@swisscontact.org.

Deadline: June 7th, 2024