Consultancy for Risk Analysis and Rapid Assessment for Producer Organizations’ Preparedness towards Climate Resilient Support Programmes in East Africa at Fairtrade International

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTANCY RISK ANALYSIS AND RAPID ASSESSMENT FOR PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS PREPAREDNESS TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENT SUPPORT PROGRAMMES IN EAST AFRICA.

SEPTEMBER, 2021.

ASSIGNMENT context and backgound

Fairtrade Africa is implementing a project in partnership with Coop-UK. The project focuses on climate change; - one of the most pressing issues facing farmers and workers in global supply chains, and has the potential of deepening the vulnerability and poverty context of thousands of farmers and workers in sub-Saharan Africa. The reality for many producers in low-income countries is that the impact of the climate crisis is as immediate and pressing as the impact of COVID-19. Producers are already seeing first-hand the ravaging impact of changing weather patterns and emergence of pests and diseases that devastate crops. Meanwhile, international market prices do not reflect the full economic, social and environmental costs of climate change on their production, failing to provide fair incomes to farmers/workers and compromising their quality of life and that of their communities.

Coffee: As temperatures rise, bugs and diseases such as leaf rust are spreading which is affecting production, yield, and incomes. It also means that land suitable for coffee growing is moving to higher altitudes, resulting in deforestation, biodiversity loss and soil degradation as land is cleared to plant farms. As a devastating consequence of climate change it is expected that the total area of land suitable for coffee growing will have halved by 2050.

Tea: Kenya, where half of UK tea imports come from, is facing a host of climate related impacts such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts and new insect infestations. These are forecast to destroy 26.2% of the country’s optimal tea growing areas by 2050. According to a U.N. survey of 700 growers in all seven of Kenya's tea regions, farmers observed changes in rainfall patterns, distribution, and reduced yields tied to climate change. More than 40% of respondents said they had noticed changes in rainy and dry seasons, which led to shifts in the planting season, while 35% cited drought.

Flowers: The cut flower sector is one of Kenya’s main exports and one of the largest employers in the country. Highly sensitive to changing weather patterns, the industry is increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change. In recent years, many flower farms have had to cope with a range of threats: heavy rainfalls, prolonged cold weather and too high temperatures in the greenhouses. As a result, scheduling the cutting ahead of key sales periods such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas is becoming challenging.

Bearing the challenges faced, farmers and workers in low-income countries need to receive adequate support to cover the cost of adapting to climate change and building their resilience. Without Fairtrade’s climate-dedicated farming support programs, farmers and workers will continue to bear the brunt of these effects, as their livelihoods are depleted every day. Thus, FTA recognize that they need to employ climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to sustainably develop, and secure their livelihoods.

In the recent past, FTA has implemented climate change projects supporting farmers and workers overcome the effects of climate change. Key projects implemented include climate academy in Kenya and Ethiopia, Growing Resilient Agricultural Enterprises in Uganda, sustainable coffee chain in Ethiopia. Some of the documented impacts from these projects include an increase in climate change adaptation and mitigation capacity of small-scale coffee farmers living in poverty that saw improved crop yields by 28%, enhanced competitiveness of pos by improving the volume and value of coffee sold and increased climate change mitigation capacity by promoting climate friendly energy-businesses and Fairtrade Carbon Crediting (FCC) providing green growth livelihood opportunities for women and youth.

The project proposes a series of interventions designed to contribute to realization of the right to sustainable livelihood for producers’ households experiencing effects of climate change in Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia. Specifically, the project intends to contribute to the following result areas:

1. Farmers and workers have improved their institutional and management capacity to enable them to make decisions and take action to more effectively tackle climate change (Farmers and workers have greater voice and influence within POs).
2. Improved farmer’s resilience to climate change for increased productivity and quality of produce.
3. Farmers make more efficient use of natural resources in environmentally sustainable manner.
4. Increased opportunities for farmers and workers to diversify and engage in alternative income generating activities.

 Scope of work and objective

The objective of this assignment is to conduct rapid assessment and risk analysis in select producer organizations to inform key project management strategies.  FTA is seeking the services of experienced consultant to:

1. Carry out producer organizations specific needs with regards to key climate change interventions.
2. Conduct assessment of producer organizations preparedness in participation and support in addressing the key needs identified.
3. Carry out risk assessment and develop risk management plan from the target producer organizations.
4. Develop project monitoring evaluation and learning (MEL) strategy, including a Log Frame, indicators and targets.
5. In consultation with the project team, refine of the project overall Theory of Change and articulation of how the Theory of Change integrates with the wider FTA climate change strategy

 OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant; -

1. Inception Report: The consultant shall submit an inception report after signing the contract detailing the approach/methodology, tools and provide any other information that shall be relevant towards the achievement of the assignment objectives/scope.
2. A report of POs climate change support areas: Synthesis of PO needs identified from the target beneficiary POs (8 in Kenya, 3 in Rwanda and 1 in Ethiopia) and the proposed intervention areas.
3. Risk analysis report and risk management plan: a clear summary of the risks identified and proposed risk management plan.
4. Project MEL strategy that includes the log frame, indicators, targets and monitoring templates and refined Theory of Change.

Consultancy specifications

The consultant(s) should have the following academic qualifications expertise and experiences:

1. Over 5 years senior-level experience in designing and conducting feasibility studies for climate change related projects.
2. Relevant experience in management of development projects with a focus on project management, monitoring & evaluation and reporting.
3. Must have extensive expertise and experience in project planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
4. Strong analytical skills and expertise in data collection tools, analysis and management software.
5. Excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills;