Job vacancy: Independent consultant to evaluate its project intervention in terms of increased production of climate-resilient and micronutrient-rich species

NESFAS is hiring an independent consultant to evaluate its project intervention in terms of increased production of climate-resilient and micronutrient-rich species.

Last date of application: 24^th July 2020

Background: The North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) is undertaking the project “No One Shall Be Left Behind Initiative: Biodiversity for Food, Nutrition and Energy Security for 3000 Households in Meghalaya and Nagaland, North East India” supported by Rural Electrification Foundation, New Delhi. For evaluating the agricultural intervention, NESFAS invites interested candidates to carry out this task which will include data collection, analysis and report writing for the same.

Objectives: NESFAS seeks to hire an experienced consultant to independently assess the impact of project intervention aiming to increase the production of climate-resilient and micronutrient-rich species. The consultant needs to design adequate methodology using SMARTER[1] principles, implement the methodology by conducting the impact survey, and come up with evidence-based findings building and drawing lessons for NESFAS to consider for future use. The consultant will be provided with the relevant oral and project monitoring reports to review and use for designing the methodology for the final evaluation by this consultancy. The Consultant will be expected to conduct the survey in a participatory way where the views of communities are also taken into account and reviewed to ensure that the evidence so collected is based on local, traditional and scientific knowledge.

Any consultant who is selected for the position will have to design methodology and implement the survey and analysis to answer the following questions and project objectives:

1. Has the number of nutrient rich crops produced increased during the project period;
2. Has the number of nutrient sensitive land use increased;
3. Has the land area with sustainably used wild edibles increased;
4. Has the volume or yield of nutrient rich crops increased;
5. Has the volume of nutrient rich crops for household consumption increased;
6. Has the adoption of agroecological practises among farmers increased;

Expected deliverables:

• A Report that reviews the existing reports from the baseline and mid-term survey that identifies lessons learned;
• Development of a suitable methodology for assessing the impact of project intervention on production and productivity of food plants promoted by the project as per the objectives specified;
• To be willing to capacitate NESFAS staff to make use of the methodology in future.
• A Report on the Study that makes good and sound analysis of the data and other evidence collected through field surveys or dialogue with community members.

Minimum Qualification:

• Master’s Degree in Agriculture with specialization in Economics/Agri. Economics
• Having experience with project monitoring and evaluation (measurable indicators/quantitative or mixed method approach, causal attribution and research design for impact assessment such as baseline-endline, experimental design, or quasi-experimental design);
• Knowledgeable about good practises in crop management and production;
• Skilled writer able to deliver report of good standard in time.
• Ability to ensure that the assignment is undertaken with the prior and informed consent of participating communities and is as participatory in nature as possible.
• We welcome applications by independent individual consultants, consultant teams or organizations.

Terms and conditions:

• The expected start of the work is on 1^st August, 2020.
• Duration to be discussed with NESFAS.
• A fee will be paid based on NESFAS project policy and the timely delivery of satisfactory outputs.

How to apply?

Interested candidates can mail their CV at info.nesfas@gmail.com on or before 24th July, 2020, 5:00PM.

• For more information contact +91-6009142823 or +91-9163644665 or write to nesfas@gmail.com

[1] SMARTER Principles mean focus on S(Specific), M(Measurable), A(Achievable), R(Relevant), T(Timely) and Evaluation and Review