Consultants at Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO)

Scope of Work Consultancy Service on Policy Research on Supportive Environment for Women Farmers in Ondo State

Estimated Level of Effort:30 days

Estimated Dates:
September 25th and October 30th 2017.

Assignment Location:
Ondo State, Nigeria

General Summary
Purpose of Assignment

Objectives

• The main objective of this consultancy is to carry out a research on the status of the Ondo State agricultural policies and budget allocation to the sector with particular emphasis on support to small holder women farmers.
• Carry out a research on agricultural policies of Ondo State, determine level of implementation, and identify current gaps in the policies with regards to support to smallholder women farmers.
•  conduct an analysis of the state`s budget allocation to the agricultural sector from 2012-2017 to see the percentage and pattern of allocation, determine how budget processes and allocations have promoted or hindered growth for smallholder women farmers in the state.

Specific Tasks
Specific tasks include, but are not limited to the following, and are subject to amendment should initial research warrant:

Finalize tools and develop protocol

• a.Conduct a comprehensive Desk Review of relevant secondary data from the Project
• b.Hold a planning meeting with the project team
• c.Develop a work plan outlining tasks to be performed and dates
• d.Develop methodology and tools for executing the field tasks, including the agreement of a sample size, locations and key approaches

Implement tools and conduct research

• a.Collect quantitative and qualitative data on existing policies on Agriculture in Ondo State to ascertain the inclusiveness or otherwise of the needs of smallholder women farmers
• b.Analyse Ondo State budget allocation to Agricultural sector and expenditure from 2012-2017 showing pattern of allocation to line items for support to smallholder women farmers in the budgets.
• c.Evaluate Government engagement processes and procedures with smallholder women farmers to capture their needs during the budget process.
• d.Conduct an analysis of the state of financial support available to small scale women farmers (both through government and private sector providers) to determine the opportunities, constraints and challenges facing women small scale farmers access to finance
• e.Draw conclusions and make recommendations for action in the short, medium, and long term

Report Writing and Dissemination

• a.Present an initial draft report with key findings to LAPDO team for review
• b.Produce a consolidated final report. This must at a minimum contain:
• Conclusion and recommendations for the project
• Lessons learned
• Findings and analysis
• Methodology – process how the research was conducted
• Objectives of the research

Introduction

Executive Summary

Annexes
Facilitate the dissemination of research findings to stakeholders.

Deliverables

• A workplan outlining tasks and dates
• Research Methodology and Tools
• Research report with recommendations

Final report of consultancy
Qualifications and Experience

• a.The consultant should have not less than 8 years professional experience in policy analysis such conversant with agricultural policy issues. Advanced university degree in social sciences, political economics, management; strong analytical, presentation and interpersonal skills are required;
• b.Familiar with stakeholders in the Agricultural sector and especially smallholder women farmers in Ondo state;
• c.An understanding of Gender and Social Inclusion issues and programming;
• d.Should have a broad knowledge of Ondo State budgetary process and allocation;
• e.Previous research experience in similar area (preferably proof of some peer reviewed published work);
• f.An expert with proven skill and ability to develop guide that will help shape agricultural policy in Ondo state to be gender friendly
• g.Strong analytical, presentation, and interpersonal skills; and
• h.Excellent written and spoken English and report writing skills

VI.Supervision
The consultant will report to LADPO Executive Director

VII. Location, Timing, and Level of Effort

Location: Ondo State

Timing: The proposed timing of this assignment is between September 25th and October 30th 2017

LoE: The estimated level of effort is up to 30 days.  Level of effort is estimated as follows:

S/N

Activity

Number of days

• Planning meeting with LAPDO (agree on terms of reference/scope of work and clarifications)
• Review of relevant literatures
• Develop methodology and tools for gathering and analyzing data
• Field work
• Analyze Data and produce draft report
• Finalize and submit report
• Dissemination to stakeholders

Debrief to LAPDO team
30 days
Total Number of Day
The consultant is free to adjust level of effort as desired so long as the maximum of 30 days is not exceeded.