NIRAS International Consulting
TERMS OF REFERENCE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
FCDO’s approach to economic development and agriculture relies on an increasingly commercial approach to its agricultural programming by: –
- Boosting agri-business investment, financing agricultural infrastructure and supporting smallholder farmer access to markets;
- Helping farmers and their families to have opportunities and jobs outside of their farms, and supporting SMEs in rural areas;
- Supporting subsistence farmers without other economic opportunities to avoid hunger, malnutrition and extreme poverty; and,
- Encouraging commercial approaches that reduce the cost of nutritious diets.
In support of this approach, FCDO launched the 6-year flagship Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) programme in March 2019. CASA seeks to change how investors, donors and governments view and invest in agribusinesses that work with smallholder supply chains. In doing so, CASA is working towards increasing economic opportunities for smallholders by: –
- Demonstrating the commercial viability of small and medium-sized (SME) agribusinesses with significant smallholder supply chains and attracting more investment into these businesses;
- Deepening the smallholder impact of existing investments made by Development Finance Institutions and impact investors;
- Enabling poor smallholder farmers to engage with and trade in commercial markets; and,
- Researching and communicating the case for successful engagement with smallholder-linked agribusinesses.
CASA has three components, two of which (Components A and C) are managed by NIRAS in partnership with Swisscontact and CABI. Component A is demonstrating high impact interventions in four target countries (Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda) leading to mobilisation of investments for partner agri-businesses (which includes the commercially minded), while Component C is a learning and knowledge-sharing component for upscaling and replication. The CASA cross cutting priorities are Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI), nutrition and food security, climate change and the environment[1], and animal welfare. CASA’s component B is separately implemented by Technoserve.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
To lead market systems analysis and identify entry points for CASA interventions in the aquaculture sector, and any other supplementary cross-cutting sectors that may be considered necessary to catalyse traction in the aquaculture sector. To oversee the delivery of CASA interventions in the aquaculture and related sectors and to contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of country level inputs. The Malawi Market Manager for Aquaculture reports to the Malawi Country Manager[2].
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Based in Lilongwe, managing work across Malawi. Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Oversight
- Ensuring that interventions under the aquaculture portfolio adhere to the overall strategy of CASA.
- Proactively monitor overall progress of the portfolio, adjusting intervention strategies and partnership plans where required.
- Ensuring that Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), Nutrition, Climate Resilience, and Animal Welfare are mainstreamed effectively in aquaculture interventions throughout the lifetime of the programme.
- Ensure the aquaculture sector portfolio delivers good results and Value for Money (VfM).
Managing Consultant and Co-facilitator Delivery
Support the Country Manager in: –
- Development of ToRs for Short Term Technical Experts and Co-facilitators.
- Identifying appropriate Malawian or international consultants for project work if the need arises.
- Identifying consultant input requirements in good time to allow the Programme Manager to make the necessary logistical and contractual arrangements.
- Identifying and screening co-facilitators and conducting due-diligence exercises as relevant.
- Conducting briefing and de-briefing sessions at the start and end of the assignment.
- Linking short term consultants to relevant in-country sectoral stakeholders and planning and arranging meetings as required.
- Quality control on consultant and co-facilitator inputs and outputs and providing feedback to the Country Manager on their performance.
Project Planning
- Lead Market Systems Analysis in the aquaculture and ancillary sectors and identify entry points for interventions.
- Develop detailed intervention and partnership work plans to guide the work of the Aquaculture Portfolio: ensuring that activities are delivered on time (whilst recognising that certain activities are dependent on the pace of change of CASA’s partners).
- Preparation and management of sectoral intervention budgets together with the Country Manager and Programme Manager.
- Ensuring that activities are delivered on time and on budget.
- Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of sectoral and country level inputs.
Reporting and Administration
- Regular provision of the Aquaculture Portfolio’s information/data to the rest of the CASA team, including through Weekly, Bi-Weekly and Quarterly Progress Reports amongst others.
- Maintain accurate and complete database records on the aquaculture projects portfolio.
- Manage and inform the Country Manager of evolving in-country risks.
- Support with tracking project risks and advise on mitigation measures using the adaptive learning approach
- Timely submission of monthly timesheets and other documentation.
Research, Learning and Communications
- Provide advice to the Country Manager on opportunities to deliver research, learning and communications work.
- Stay up to date with sector updates and analyse implications for the aquaculture portfolio
- Facilitate cross learning from other sector players for the improvement of CASA programme delivery and represent CASA in relevant stakeholder forums.
- Support delivery of effective learning and communications materials to key stakeholders in conjunction with CASA’s communications team, including sharing of field success stories.
Expected Qualifications
- Significant Experience of working in the Agriculture Sector in Malawi, preferably in Aquaculture;
- Good knowledge and understanding of Value Chains, preferably in Aquaculture;
- Significant experience of working with SMEs and Producer Organisations, providing strengthening and capacity building services.
- Strong experience of scoping, developing and implementing targeted support projects, preferably with agriculture Small and Medium Enterprises and/or Produce Organisations;
- Experience with managing portfolios of projects or interventions;
- Experience with Market Systems Development and/or Value Chain Development;
- Good relationship building skills, networking skills, and partner and stakeholder management skills;
- Strong Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Management Skills;
- Excellent Report Writing Skills;
- Ability to strategise and focus on the overall and overarching goals and objectives, as well as specific targets;
- Ability to be results-focused, and able to manage and deliver results;
- Able to work independently and be proactive;
- Strong English Language Skills both Spoken and Written.
- Experience dealing with donor organisations in particular and the development sector in general
KEY DELIVERABLES and KPIs
Deliverables will be determined on a quarterly basis and reflected in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
KPIs will be produced, against which performance will be measured on an annual basis during an appraisal process.
DURATION: Start Date: February 2023; End Date: March 2025.
Method of Application:
Send your application and CV to:
Email: rhch@niras.com
by 17th January 2023. Late applications will not be considered.
[1] The environment content here is mainly related to preserving the environment and biodiversity.
[2] While CASA reporting lines are described in the ToR, all CASA staff are ultimately responsible to NIRAS International