Background information on the Project
The Land Investment for Transformation Programme (LIFT) is a DFID-funded programme that aims to increase incomes of the poor by providing Second-Level Land Certification (SLLC), improving the Rural Land Administration System (RLAS), and developing the rural land sector through a market systems development component (dubbed Economic Empowerment Unit, EEU).
The EEU Component of the programme aims to ensure that farmers are able to maximise benefits from SLLC through a number of complimentary interventions in three sectors: rural land rental, access to finance, and environment and conservation agriculture (ECA).
To improve the functioning of the agricultural sector, the main EEU intervention aims to improve the access to clean, improved inputs to rural farmers. LIFT EEU works through input suppliers and agri-retailers at the woreda level, facilitating commercial relationships between the two to ensure the products meet end beneficiaries at a fair price. LIFT EEU has signed cost-sharing grant agreements with the input suppliers to reduce the risks of setting up the distribution network in remote areas to incentivise them to enter new regions that they would normally not operate in. As part of the grant, input suppliers have to implement various activities (including training agri-retailers and farmers about the right application of their products), submit quarterly reports and report on transaction data (number of units sold). During the implementation phase, various grant partners (input suppliers) have been facing significant challenges to deliver reports on time and the quality needed.
As LIFT is nearing its completion date in July 2021 we are also aiming to undertaking a number of assessments into existing market gaps. The main aim is to identify the challenges that LIFT EEU not managed to address to date. Particular areas to address include:
Objective of the Services
The consultancy will focus on providing backstopping support to the LIFT EEU team in the implementation of all Conservation and Environment Agriculture interventions, particularly managing on-going grants, as well as leading on future assessments around existing market gaps.
Scope of work of the Services
Reporting and relationships
The Consultant will report to the EEU (M4P) Coordinator. He/she will be expected to work closely with the team to ensure complementarity of interventions and knowledge as well as with cross-cutting functions.
Duration
This is a full time role until 31st July 2021.
Start date: Able to start as soon as possible
Desired competencies
The desired candidate will be entrepreneurial, creative, analytical, a team-player, a good listener and thoughtful communicator. He/she will be able to lead others, have strong interest in the agricultural sector and agri-business, enjoy travelling to rural areas, understand the big picture but also work-out the details. The individual will need to be highly motivated, systematic and methodical and, above all, have a great curiosity for how to make things better, especially to economically empower women.
Qualifications and experience