Permaculture Consultant

Job Description

Concern World Wide–Zambia is looking for a consultant for design and promotion of permaculture gardens under its Zambia Female Youths Livelihood and Nutrition Enhancement Project

Background

Concern has been working in Zambia since 2002 implementing livelihoods, agriculture, women’s empowerment and nutrition programmes. In 2015, Concern initiated the Zambia Female Youths Livelihood and Nutrition Enhancement Project (FYNEP) in collaboration with World Bank with a Funding from the Japanese Social Development Fund. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve access to livelihood opportunities and nutrition among selected female youths in targeted project areas. The project has 4 main components; a life skills curriculum to increase control and knowledge around life choices and nutrition, a livelihoods component focussed on agricultural livelihoods related to improved nutrition, a health component to directly support pre-conception nutrition and nutrition outreach. The project is implemented in close coordination with government at the Provincial and District level and through a National level Steering Committee. This project will benefit an estimated 24,600 persons in Limulunga and Kaoma Districts, through different project activities.

As a complement to this Project, Concern is planning to introduce permaculture to 3300 female youths aged 15 - 24 years to strengthen their livelihood base and increase the availability of nutritious foods both for themselves and for their families. The project area, Western Province has extremely challenging physical environment. The soil is dominated by deep sand layers, which lack the ability to hold either nutrients or moisture. Areas with nominally better soil and water access for vegetable production are limited to small plots of land adjacent to perennial streams, which is not often accessible for women. Hence, increased productivity of farm inputs in this province entails an agricultural approach that can address both economic and environmental aspects.

Objectives of the Consultancy

This consultancy support is anticipated over three year’s period and the main objectives are to:

• To build the capacity of the project front line staff and beneficiary peer group leaders on permaculture gardening including the production of a guiding document
• Provide technical support for the design of permaculture gardens appropriate for the Western province context and resource poor young women age 15-24years.
• Introduce a competition amongst the project beneficiaries for the best designs.

Specifi Tasks:

Year 1

• The consultant will conduct a literature to understand the context of Western Province and the likely approach to use. The review will include the project documents, contextual analysis report for Western Province and other available studies and guidance on agriculture in Western Province and agriculture for youth.
• Conduct field visit to Concern programme areas and discuss with appropriate staff and community members
• Draft training manual and use actual trainings to refine and finalise;
• Rollout training to Concern and partner staff and peer group leaders;
• Prepare methodology and criteria for the competition between the female youth on the basis of the garden design and performance.
• Prepare field visit report outlining the activities accomplished and recommendation for follow up.

Year 2 and 3

• Conduct technical follow up of the training and technical quality of the garden design implementation for about 15 days each in year 2 and 3 and provide guidance on how to address any challenges that may come up in the course of project implementation
• Provide refresher training for the field staff and peer groups as appropriate
• Prepare visit reports following each visit with clear list of observation and practical recommendations.

Expected Outputs ( Deliverables)

• Permaculture garden design appropriate for the context of Western Province and the livelihood condition and resource basis of the female youth aged 15-24 years.
• Training manual for Concern staff and peer group leaders
• Concern and partner staff and peer leaded trained in permaculture
• Female youth of age 15-24 years start permaculture gardens that are productive and easy to manage and increase availability of nutritious foods.
• Annual competition between the beneficiaries based on the quality of their garden.
• Report outlining activities accomplished following each technical visit and recommendation for follow up

Duration

The perspective consultant will provide technical support for 70 days over a 3 years project period (40 days first year, and 15 days each for year 2 and 3). First visit will be in March/April 2016.

Required Qualification

Education:

The consultant should have at least a graduate degree in Agriculture/Horticulture and a qualification in permaculture

Experience:

Perspective consultant should have extensive practical experience in permaculture garden design and management in marginal and difficult environments and should present evidence of conducting training in permaculture gardening.

Lines of Communication

The Consultant(s) will report to the Director of Programmes and will work closely with Project Coordinator and Climate Smart Agriculture Coordinator. The consultant will also liaise with the District Programme Coordinator and Concern Nutrition Coordinator as appropriate.

Submission details

Interested applicants should send financial and technical proposals including CV and a cover letter together with testimony of similar work to:

Concern Worldwide Zambia

Attn: Program Director

5466, Libala Road, Kalundu, P.O. Box 36700, Lusaka, Zambia or

HR.Zambia@concern.net and copy to Zenebe.mekonnen@concern.net