Consultancy - Study of the Forage sub-Sector for Ruminant Livestock in Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta Counties at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Project background

SNV Kenya (SNV) and Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) - in collaboration with County Governments - are implementing the “Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes in Kenya’s ASAL” project or action. The project’s lifetime is from 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2023. The project works in the Counties of Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta and is funded by the European Union and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The project’s objective is to apply research towards building more resilient and market-based solutions for improved forage production and livestock husbandry, through climate smart innovations and sustainable landscape management in the three Counties referred to above. The project aims to mainstream gender with a focus on women and youth.

Work package 2 of the project has two outputs of intervention areas:

1. To validate and promote amongst livestock and forage value chain actors, commercially viable drought resilient feeding innovations and business models, based on trials and demos for improved forage grasses and legume forage crops, and effective dissemination strategies that include women and youth.
2. To facilitate and support SMEs (including women and youth enterprises/self-help groups), cooperatives, ranches and conservancies, to adopt improved forage seed varieties and practices and establish forage plots, feedlots and grazing areas, for use by own cattle and/or for sales as fresh or preserved forages.

Job Description

Click here to download the Terms of Reference.

Qualifications

Lead consultant’s qualifications/expertise

A.      Education

A degree from a University of applied sciences in any of the fields of livestock management, ruminant nutrition, forage management and farm economics.

B.      Work experience

1. Minimum ten (10) years of experience in relevant positions in Kenya related to the ruminant livestock sector (preferably also in semi-arid areas), farm and forage management, farmer training, forage demos and private sector engagement in the forage value chain.
2. Good networks with and understanding of the roles and contributions of private sector, farmers and agro-pastoralists, conservancies, ranches, national and county governments, regulatory bodies, research and knowledge institutes, and international donors in developing the forage sub-sector or value chain.
3. Good understanding of climate smart agriculture and sustainable livestock production systems, and of relevant policies and strategies at national and international level, including initiatives for climate funding.
4. Specific knowledge and hands-on expertise of the forage seed sector, pasture management, fodder production / preservation, mechanisation and scaled technology, ruminant nutrition, and farm and forage economics.
5. Proven expertise in carrying out technical and financial assessments and evaluations, feasibility studies, sector studies, strategy and policy papers for the forage sub-sector in Kenya and/or East Africa.
6. Knowledge and experience as regards inclusion of women and youth in the livestock and forage value chains.

C.      Additional requirements

1. Good verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
3. Practical and hands-on attitude/experience as regards implementation of good forage management practices, dissemination and adoption of forage technologies by farmers.
4. Committed to gender equity and the role of youth.

Additional Information

Timelines

This assignment is expected to take place between March 2021 and May 2021, approximately 8 weeks.

Requirements in response to this TOR

The following is required from the consultant in response to these terms of reference as a basis for evaluation and choice of the suitable consultant:

1. A technical and financial proposal.
2. A tentative work plan of the planned activities and the number of professional days for the consultant(s).
3. CVs of the lead consultant and any other consultants to be engaged.
4. Reference list of previous consultancies and relevant reports.