Consultants at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Scope of Work

• Providing necessary briefing and mobilization of Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) in Benue/Kogi State as assigned
• Provide required training for the Seed Entrepreneurs Network (SEN) in the State. The SEN is a group of 15 – 25 CSEs living in close communities.
• Facilitate the development of at least one new SEN in a new cassava growing area in the State of assignment,
• Responsible for growing of existing networks of CSEs, the SENs, and the formation of new SENs in the State of assignment,
• Avaialble for training and also be responsible for providing required capacity strengthening of the networks in the State of assignment,
• Support the marketing of the CSEs’ stems within and outside the State of assignment, and
• Support the CSEs and SENs in regualr updates of basic farm and network records.
• Production of montly reports and analysis
• Recruitment and training of CSEs

Expected Monthly Deliverables:
Monthly activity report indicating work done in respect of the scope of work itemized above including:

• Number of new CSEs engaged
• Number of new SENs formed
• Number of training held for SENs
• Number of new markets/clients successfully delivered for the SEN
• Number of CSEs recorded checked/reviwed
• Number of hectares of fields establihed
• Number of bundles of stems produced and sold
• Number roots produced and sold
• Quarterly activity report summarising activities performed in respect of 1a-e above.

Selection Criteria / Conditions

• Should have a Degree or HND in Agriculture, Agricultural Education
• Familiar with local and improved cassava varieties in Benue and Kogi states
• Familiar with local farmer groups and their operational dynamics
• Good knowledge of Kogi rural communities
• Basic adult learning skills and ability to facilitate training for semi-literate farmers
• Agricultural Commodities marketing skills

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Scope of Work
Entrepreneur Networks:

• Assist Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) in Benue/Kogi State to connect with quality input suppliers
• Work with the Seed Entrepreneurs Network (SEN) in the State to help CSEs in identifying profitable output markets for Certified Stems
• Undertake demand mapping and marketing activities to create additional demand for certified cassava stems utilizing National SeedTracker and similar tools that would be assigned.
• Facilitate the aggregation of CSEs production of Certified Stems to fill orders from clients,
• Coordinate with actors (including IITA GoSeed, Umudike Seeds, Nigeria
• Cassava Growers Association, National Agricultural Seeds Council) to ensure timely delivery of inputs and services for the CSEs and SENs.
• Work with the CSEs and SENs to regularly update their basic farm and network records.
• Provide linkage services for cassava processor towards and stem buyers
• Demand creation activities for the sale of stems and roots
• Create market outlets for cassava stems and roots
• Assisting CSEs to build customer databases and use same to increase sales

Expected Monthly Deliverables:

• Monthly activity report indicating work done in respect of the scope of work itemized above including:
• Number of CSEs engaged with
• Number of CSE records updated
• Number of new clients successfully delivered for the SEN
• Number of bundles contracted/sold
• Number of meetings/ training or engagements held for the SENs
• Number of bundles of stems sold
• Quarterly activity report summarising activities performed in respect of 1a-e above.

Selection Criteria / Conditions

• Should have a Degree or HND in Agriculture, Agricultural Education
• Familiar with local and improved cassava varieties in Benue and Kogi states
• Familiar with local farmer groups and their operational dynamics
• Good knowledge of Kogi rural communities
• Basic adult learning skills and ability to facilitate training for semi-literate farmers
• Agricultural Commodities marketing skills