TERMS OF REFERENCE for EXTERNAL CONSULTANCY FOR PREPARATION OF “BEST PRACTICE IN SMALL SUPPORT SCHEMES FOR FARMERS / IPARD”

PEER-TO-PEER COOPERATION WITH IRAQI GOVERNORATE – MISSAN

Programme ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ Funded by the European Union and Implemented by UNDP

 TERMS OF REFERENCE for EXTERNAL CONSULTANCY

FOR PREPARATION OF “BEST PRACTICE IN SMALL SUPPORT SCHEMES FOR FARMERS / IPARD”

 

Consultant funded under:            PROGRAMME ‘SUPPORTING RECOVERY AND STABILITY IN IRAQ THROUGH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT’ FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND IMPLEMENTED BY UNDP

 

Project:                                                      Peer-to-Peer Cooperation with Iraqi Governorate – MISSAN and Albanian Association of Municipalities, Governorate for Agriculture Innovation

Location:                                                  Tirana/Albania

Missan/Iraq

 

 

 

1. Background

 

 

Iraq has recognized the importance of agriculture and the need to prioritize its role in the overall economic and social development of the country (National action plans, Sustainable development goals etc.). The policy framework guiding the prioritization of needs aims at creating a proper environment to support efficient and sustainable increases in food and agriculture production, improvement of food security and reduction rural poverty. Policies relying mainly on oil production had a deteriorating impact on the growth of other economic sectors, including agriculture. As a matter of fact, agriculture is the largest source of employment in the country (approximately 20 percent) and is dominated by the private sector. Yet, the contribution of agriculture to GDP has been declining in the last decade from 5.2 % in 2009to between 2.5% and 3.5% in 2021, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, statistic office. This data is the result of many factors that affected the agricultural sector: war, protests, institutional and economic setbacks. The security situation and rural poverty have contributed to this decline with an outflow of people from the countryside to the urban areas seeking employment and economic opportunities. Other contributing factors include a low percentage of water that Iraq receives, high cost of fertilizers and seeds and unclear policies to support the local agricultural products.

 

In light of the above, under the Programme ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ Funded by the European Union and Implemented by UNDP, the Association of Albanian Municipalities is carrying out the project titled Peer-to-Peer Cooperation with Iraqi Governorate – Missan and Albanian Association of Municipalities, “Governorate for Agriculture Innovation”.

 

Under this project, the Albanian Association of Municipalities will engage in preparing a Best practice in small support schemes for farmers cultivating traditional plants. The IPARD support scheme has been operational for many years in Albania and it is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with local level. It also aims at improving performance of local farmers in adhering to certain quality and food security standards.

 

The aim of this activity is to share results and achievements and to study the possibility of replication of such schemes or loans in Iraq. These financial support incentives might also be used in supporting young people to be employed in agriculture.

 

2. Objective

 

The consultant will be responsible for designing and preparing a package of information on the IPARD scheme as implemented in Albania, with the focus on cultivation of traditional plants. This assignment will be completed within a total of 10 working days for one individual expert or single organization.

 

The consultant will work together with the AAM team in designing the best practise and will be responsible for its completion, which will be submitted in English language.

 

The following tasks and responsibilities are expected to be accomplished over the consultancy. Please note that this list not exhaustive and AAM would welcome inputs and ideas from the consultant on other areas of expertise that can be included in the TOR:

 

Task 1:

 

Prepare the documentation of the best practice. To ensure readability and a clear presentation of what makes a practice innovative, interesting, informative and, indeed, a “Best Practice”, must include the following sessions.

 

(a) Title of the “Best Practice”

(b) Introduction, this should provide the context and justification for the practice and address the

following issues:

• what is the problem being addressed?
• which population is being targeted?
• how is the problem impacting on the population?
• what were the objectives being achieved?

(c) Implementation of the Practice

• what are the main activities carried out?
• when and where were the activities carried out?
• who were the key implementers and collaborators?
• what were the resource implications?

(d) Results of the Practice – Outputs and Outcomes

• what were the concrete results achieved in terms of outputs and outcomes?
• was an assessment of the practice carried out? If yes, what were the results?

(e) Lessons Learnt

• what worked really well – what facilitated this?
• what did not work – why did it not work?

(f) Conclusion

• how have the results benefited the population?
• why may that intervention be considered a “Best Practice”?
• recommendations for those intending to adopt the documented “Best Practice” or how it can help people working on the same issue(s).

(g) Further Reading

• provide a list of references (not more than six) that give additional information on the “Best Practice” for those who may be interested in how the results have benefited the population.

 

The above write-up should not exceed 15 A4 pages. It should be prepared in Microsoft Word. The contribution should be submitted in English.

 

Task 2:

Submit the draft documentation to AAM for review and further comments. Reflect any changes needed to reflect the comments provided.

 

Task 3:

Prepare a ppt for the presentation of the best practice.

 

 

4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS

 

 

1. The full documentation of the best practice as per the outline provided in English language;
2. Power point presentation on the best practice in English language.

 

5. CONSULTANCY TIMEFRAME

The consultancy timeframe is negotiable based upon the needs of the project and the consultant’s availability. The following is an outline of the anticipated consultancy period for the three Tasks.

Task 1:   6 working days to be held in September 2022

Task 2:   3 working days to be held September – October 2022

Task 3:   1 working day to be held during October 2022.

5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPEREINCE REQUIRED

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with IPARD support scheme
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• English language fluency
• Report writing skills
• Albanian nationals

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Required start date:         22 September 2022

Duration of work:               10 working days (home based)

Location of work:               Tirana/Albania (remote)

 

Fees: The total amount for consultancy fees to be negotiated based on the proposition and experience of the consultant.

Payment: 100% of the fees to be paid on completion and approval of each task and following the submission of the consultancy report

Other: Any materials required to carry out the assigned consultancy (laptop, mobile phone etc.), must be provided by the consultant.

6. APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should send their CV and a 1–2-page technical proposal on proposed content for the three tasks.

• The letter should also include the proposed gross daily rate for remuneration (in USD)
• Applications to be sent to the AAM email address: aidacacaj@aam.org.al with the subject “IPARD Scheme Consultancy” no later than 22^nd September 2022.