Design and Implement Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan for maize agribusiness

  • Short-term contract assignment
  • Posted on 28 January 2016

Job Description

Background

Maize plays a predominant role in the farming systems and diets of millions of Nigerians. It is a very versatile crop since it is used for domestic consumption in addition to its industrial use by flour mills, breweries, confectionaries and animal feed manufacturers. BIF has undertaken a detailed market analysis of the maize value chain which identified key constraints as to why smallholder farmers are not benefitting as much as they could from the maize market system. Our vision for the maize market is enhancing smallholder farmers’ income through increased productivity such that they benefit from the increasing utilisation of maize in different industries. BIF’s primary tool is to provide match-funded consultancy support to partners (‘service recipients’), ranging from support in designing and developing business plans to delivering market research and undertaking feasibility studies. In this regard, a number of interventions areas have been outlined to address the key constraints identified during the market analyses. Intervention 2, which seeks to “promote uptake of certified seed varieties by smallholder farmers”, has been prioritized and is the focus of this particular activity.

Objective

The primary objective is to equip Value Seeds Limited (VSL) with necessary skills and systems for tracking and analyzing sales of improved seeds and other related inputs. The ensuing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system developed should be capable of being tailored and deployed by other market players, and will also form an input in the development by BIF of a generic business model for seed multiplication and distribution services.

Scope of Work

BIF is looking to hire an individual or team of consultants who will be responsible for working closely with VSL to design and implement an effective and efficient evidence-driven monitoring and evaluation system.

Specific activities will include:

Conduct a needs assessment of systems and skills gap of VSL in relation to delivering the objective above

  1. Use the findings above to design an M&E Plan to include all necessary monitoring and evaluation tool, knowledge management and dissemination tool.
  2. Implement the monitoring and evaluation plan/system
  3. Train VSL staff on the application of the M&E plan and the following;
  4. Monitoring and evaluation basics
  5. Knowledge management
  • Basic research technique
  1. Data quality assurance
  2. Working closely with the BIF consultant engaged to develop a business model for the effective operation of seed multiplication and distribution businesses.[1]


Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following;

  1. A report on activity 1 to 4 in the Scope of Work above
  2. A training manual capturing all the elements of activity 2 in the Scope of Work above
  3. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing structure of the M & E system and implementation plan.

Consultant (s) Experience and Expertise

  • A minimum of a Masters degree in humanities preferably development studies.
  • Proven evidence of capacity to design and deliver successful monitoring and evaluation of economic projects and programmes
  • Knowledge of the broader agro-business sector, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the agri-business sector research and analysis, or a related field.
  • Specific qualifications in monitoring and evaluation is a requirement;
  • Demonstrated writing, analytical, presentation and reporting skills.

Timelines

The consultancy will last for 10 days, with completion period within 20 days from the date of contract signing.

The proposed plan is subject to discussions with the consultant(s). BIF understands that some flexibility might be required during the delivery of the assignment, and any changes to the budget and timelines will have to be agreed with the BIF Market Manager, to whom the consultant(s) is/are directly accountable for this assignment. The consultant(s) must be available to commence work on 22nd February 2016.

Submission

Interested applicants should send an Expression of Interest and CVs detailing relevant experience and areas of capabilities to info@cbinigeria.com by close of business on 5th February 2016. Please clearly indicate in the subject line of the email: ‘BIF MAIZE – M&E Training and Model Development.’

Please note that only shortlisted candidates who meet the criteria above will be contacted.

[1] The deliverables from this ToR will be inputs in the development of the business model, and the consultant charged with developing that model will have a measure of quality oversight over the M&E system developed.

About the Organization

The Business Innovation Facility (BIF) is a 5-year, UKaid (DFID)-funded enterprise and poverty alleviation program being implemented in Malawi, Myanmar and Nigeria. The program employs a ‘Market Systems Approach’ - aiming for large scale, sustainable economic impact by focusing on catalysing change in overall markets rather than targeting individual operators within that market. Thus, BIF aims to facilitate commercially sustainable innovations that have the potential to address the root causes that prevent market growth and limit the poor from economic participation as producers, consumers or employees. The main mechanism for facilitating change is through delivery of technical assistance to selected partners (service recipients) who demonstrate an interest in market-changing business innovations. BIF Nigeria is focusing on five (5) major market value chains, Aquaculture, Cassava, Dairy, Maize and Information & Advisory Services (IAS).

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