AL
ENTERMS OF REFERENCE for EXTERNAL CONSULTANCY FOR PREPARATION OF “SUPPORT SCHEME 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 “SUPPORT SCHEME 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
- 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 Activity 2.1.2 – Implementation of the support scheme for farmers. The activity aims agricultural development promotion by supporting local farmers and will engage in a test run of the support scheme as implemented in Albania.
The activity will aim at boosting local production of plants and build an experience at a practical level within the Governorate administration in managing similar schemes. This “test run” scheme will support 50 farmers from the marshlands with seeds and seedlings at a value of 600 USD for each unit (for a total of 50 units).
The activity will count on the agriculture department of the governorate to select the farmers to be supported based on a limited set of criteria determined such as being a resident within the governorate, owning the agriculture land and a plan for the use of seeds and seedlings. The Governorate support will also be required in deciding the types of seeds and seedlings to be provided based on their experience.
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.
- Objective
The consultant will be responsible for designing and preparing a package of management of the support scheme, with the focus on supporting the cultivation of traditional plants. This assignment will be completed within a total of 25 working days for one individual expert or single organization.
The consultant will work together with the AAM team in designing the support scheme 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 whole package documentation of the support scheme. To ensure transparency and efficient management, the support scheme must have the following components.
(a) Objective and Priorities of the Call;
(b) Eligible actions and applicants to be supported through the scheme. They should be compliant with the Project documents that provide for supply of materials to the applicants, not direct financial support. The section should provide information about:
- Geographic area to be covered;
- Criteria for applicants, giving priority to women and young people;
- Types of materials, seed and seedlings.
(c) Application process
- Guidelines for applicants
- Application form
(d) Evaluation process
- Body responsible for evaluation of applications made of representatives of AAM, Governorate of Missan and UNDP
- Evaluation criteria and evaluation sheets
- Templates for notification of applicants
(e) Award and provision of support
- Template for awarding the support
- Template for purchasing order of the materials requested. (Purchase will be handled by AAM)
- Template for handing over the materials.
The above write-up 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.
- EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- The full documentation of the support scheme as per the outline provided in English language;
- 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: 20 working days to be held in October – November 2022
Task 2: 4working days to be held November 2022
Task 3: 1 working day to be held during November 2022.
- 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
- GENERAL CONDITIONS
Required start date: 30 September 2022
Duration of work: 25 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.
- 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 “SUPPORT Scheme Consultancy” no later than 29th September 2022.
