Terms of Reference State Partnership for Agriculture at TechnoServe

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SCOPE OF WORK
PROGRAM TBE REVIEWED
Program Name

State Partnership for Agriculture:

Program Location

Nigeria (Benue, Kaduna and Kogi State)

Program Goal The project aims tuse a systems-change approach tre-orient and strengthen key State actors involved in the transformation of
the agricultural system/sector.

Background on TechnoServe
TechnoServe is an international non-governmental organization that promotes business solutions tpoverty in the developing world. TechnoServe's mission is twork with enterprising
people in the developing world tbuild competitive farms, businesses and industries. It does this by linking people tinformation, capital and markets. TechnoServe is registered in the US
as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and headquartered in Washington, DC. Its staff of over 1,000 employees operates from 30 country offices in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Background on the project
In partnership with Synergos Development Innovations, TechnoServe is working ttransform the agricultural sector through the State Partnership for Agriculture (SPA). SPA uses a systems
change approach tre-orient and strengthen key state actors in the sector in Benue, Kogi and Kaduna. As a consulting partner t Synergos, TechnoServe is providing implementation support
aimed at improving decision-making at the federal and state levels, engaging critical private sector partners tpromote agricultural investment, and conducting capacity building
interventions. The objectives of the SPA project are stated below:
Improving the ability of state-level government leaders tmake informed agricultural policy choices and align around a focused set of high priority agricultural initiatives that unblock systemic constraints.
Establishing State-level Core Delivery Teams tguide the implementation of high-priority agricultural innovation initiatives that target systemic bottlenecks and opportunities
across key value chains. With Core Delivery Teams, developing a portfoliof innovation initiatives (up t6 per state) that advance state agricultural priorities.
Ensuring the sustainability and replication of agricultural productivity impacts beyond the grant, including tother states, by embedding the SATA model and approach within the
FMARD and/or other relevant agricultural development institutions.

Through the SPA project, agricultural stakeholders in the various States are grouped intthree main platforms:
Agricultural Vision Group (AVG): coalition of high-level state and federal-level government officials and private sector representatives.
Agricultural Innovation Group (AIG): network of farmers, farmers’ associations, small business owners, civil society and government representatives.
Core Delivery Team: consisting of 6 t8 leaders recruited from within the state agriculture system. Members of the CDT already have as their core job the delivery of
agricultural priorities within the state.
Purpose of the assignment

• The broad aim of this assignment is tcollect data from Cashew farmers on specific value chains in Kogi State. The primary data collection process is important tensure an updated
• database of farmers in cashew value chain and tprovide necessary information useful tTechnoServe and Synergos as well as other development organizations and Government
• agencies for effective market linkage, provision of services (i.e. inputs, financial services) and intervention programs being developed tenhance productivity across the value chain. The
• information gathered will alsga long way tserve as informative guide for policy makers, farmers, buyers, investors and other stakeholders.

Scope of data collection
The data collection process will involve:

• Primary data collection: where information would be elicited directly from farmers. This information includes:
• Demographic information
• Information cashew crop
• Agronomic information such as variety, size of farms, size of trees (for tree crops), age of tree etc.
• Every other information included in the template provided.

Database access
The database access will be available tSynergos, as well as TechnoServe.
Data collection Methodology
The Consultants is expected tcollect:
Primary data
The Consultants will be expected tdevelop a systematic and detailed methodology for data collection and database management.
Expected deliverable
The required outputs of this consultancy will be as follows:

• Data collection tools which would be submitted within five days after acceptance of the
• methodology for review and approval by TechnoServe Nigeria.
• Database for farmers.
• Presentation of the key findings tTechnoServe.
• The final report which shall be submitted within five days incorporating TechnoServe’s inputs.

Time Frame
The assignment should be carried out within a maximum period of 20 working days within the
given time frame and not beyond 20 th July, 2018. Below is suggested work plan for the evaluation.

Activities Day

• Sign contract, meet with TNS & review all relevant existing documents such as project proposal 1
• Develop data collection tools and database template 2
• Train research assistants/enumerators 2
• Data collection 10
• Analyze data and write report on the findings in draft form 2
• Present findings tTechnoServe for review and approval 1
• Write final report on the findings, including the changes recommended by TechnoServe 2

Qualification of the Lead consultant

• At least a Master’s degree in agriculture or related area (Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Agricultural extension, Farm management, Statistics)
• Over 5 years of significant Agriculture related research/work experience.
• Applied quantitative research experience and database management
• Experience carrying surveys or research for development organizations.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Proven data collection experience (Attached at least twsamples of past work done)

Selection criteria
The following weighting and points will be assigned tthe proposal for evaluation purposes:

Technical Proposal – 40%
Project Approach/Methodology
Quality of Work Plan and Field
Plan
Project Deliverables

10 points
(maximum)
20 points
(maximum)
10 points
(maximum)

40 total
points

Management Proposal -30%
Project Team Structure
Description of Internal Controls
Experience of firm

10 points
(maximum)
10 points
(maximum)
10 points
(maximum)

30 total
points

Cost Proposal – 30% 30 points
(maximum)

30 total
points

TOTAL 100 POINTS

TechnoServe reserves the right taward the contract tthe organization whose proposal is deemed tbe in the best interest of TechnoServe and the Donor.
The Firm or Individuals with the winning proposal(s) will be notified in writing. Those whwere not selected may or may not be notified, at the sole discretion of TechnoServe.

Terms and Conditions

• The Request for Proposal is not and shall not be considered an offer by TechnoServe.
• All responses must be received on or before the date and time indicated on the RFP. All late responses will be rejected.
• All unresponsive responses will be rejected.
• All proposals will be considered binding offers. Prices proposed must be valid for entire period provided by respondent. All awards will be subject tTechnoServe
• contractual terms and conditions and contingent on the availability of donor funding.
• TechnoServe reserves the right taccept or reject any proposal or cancel the solicitation process at any time and shall have nliability tthe proposing organizations submitting proposals for such rejection or cancellation of the request for proposals.
• TechnoServe reserves the right taccept all or part of the proposal when award is provided.
• All information provided by TechnoServe in this RFP is offered in good faith.
• Individual items are subject tchange at any time, and all bidders will be provided with notification of any changes. TechnoServe is not responsible or liable for any use of the information submitted by bidders or for any claims asserted therefrom.
• TechnoServe reserves the right trequire any bidder tenter inta non- disclosure agreement.
• The bidders are solely obligated tpay for any costs, of any kind whatsoever,
• which may be incurred by bidder or any third parties, in connection with the Response. All responses and supporting documentation shall become the property of TechnoServe, subject tclaims of confidentiality in respect of the response and supporting documentation, which have been clearly marked confidential by the bidder.