Winrock International
1.0 Background
The USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity is partnering with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and key market actors to test, replicate, and scale models of smallholder-oriented service delivery that will rapidly, effectively, and sustainably provide access to agro-inputs and services and disseminate extension messaging to two million smallholder farmers. The main objective of the Activity is to enhance the productivity, income, and nutritional status of 2 million smallholder farmers in Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger states engaged in the aquaculture, cowpea, maize, rice and soybean value chains. The Extension Activity aims to achieve its objectives by building cohorts of private sector service providers and developing their capacity to deliver services that are responsive to the needs of most smallholder farmers.
This approach is underpinned by: 1) a focus on building on-farm efficiencies, ensuring that farmers’ limited resources are invested in the products, services, and technologies that yield the most value, and 2) integrating adaptive management and peer learning in business development assistance for MSMEs to ensure the replication, scale-up, and sustainability of successful service provision models. The Activity ensures that services promoted by the project are applicable to and inclusive of a broad spectrum of farmers, including women and youth; this is critical to the project’s scale-up approach to reaching 2 million farmers.
Through its facilitative market-based approach, the Extension Activity provided support to 162,007 smallholder farmers in the 2022 farming season to increase their productivity and improve their livelihoods across seven targeted states (Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger state) and 5 value chains (Aquaculture, Rice, Maize, Cowpea and Soybean). Support provided includes business development services training, access to finance, business to business linkages, extension services and access to market.
2. Purpose and Scope of Work.
21. Objective:
The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct an annual farmers’ survey to determine the outcome of the Extension Activity’s initiatives on smallholders’ productivity and income in the seven FTF focus states in Nigeria. The Activity have obtained an approval to use the concept of a “market shed” or “catchment area” approach to identify the geographic area that defines the population to be reached by the market being strengthened, and then conduct a survey among that population of producers who are participating in the market, and thus would be considered project participants. The approach will help to overcome the challenges of underreporting of project participants (producers) by the partner MSMEs who only keep record of their high performance SHFs. The results will be compared with the FY21 annual results to help measure progress towards achieving the project outcome indicators (see Table 1 below) and will help understand the project’s achievement and identify potential issues. The study should be able to generate information on gender and age gaps, and barriers that could limit the project’s ability to meet its intended goals. For example, this study will focus on understanding the role of women, men and youth in the value chains as well as identifying the opportunities for participation, the barriers and constraints that could hinder their participation and inclusion. The results of the study will be used for further planning and improve the implementation of the activity interventions and will provide, throughout its implementation, the information to tell its story more effectively.
Table 1: Extension Activity list of Indicators to be measured in the Farmers’ Survey
NO
INDICATOR
DISAGGREGATION
1
EG.3-2: Number of individuals participating in USG food security programs
Commodity, location (state, lga, community) sex, age of the respondents, farm size
2
EG.3.2-26: Value of annual sales of producers and firms receiving USG assistance
Commodity, location (state, lga, community) sex, age of the respondents, farm size
3
EG.3-10: Yield of targeted agricultural commodities among program participants
Commodity, location (state, lga, community) sex, age of the respondents, farm size
4
(EG.3.2-21): Number of firms (excluding farms) or civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in agricultural and food security-related manufacturing and services that have increased profits or become financially self-sufficient with USG assistance
Commodity, location (state, lga, community) sex, age of the respondents, farm size
5
EG.3.2-24: Number of individuals in the agriculture system who have applied improved management practices or technologies with USG assistance
Commodity, location(state, lga, community) sex, age of the respondents, type of technology, farm size
6
(PSE-3): Number of private sector enterprises with improved participation in the local economy as a result of USG assistance
Commodity, location (state, lga, community) sex, age of the respondents, farm size
7
EG.3.2-25: Number of hectares under improved management practices or technologies with USG assistance
Commodity, location/ (state, lga, community), sex, age of the respondents, type of technology, farm size
8
EG.3.2-28: Number of hectares under improved management practices or technologies that promote improved climate risk reduction and/or natural resources management with USG assistance
Commodity, location (state, lga, community), sex, age of the respondents, type of technology, farm size
9
Custom: Percentage of individuals reached with household nutrition-related messaging through USG nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions that apply nutrition-sensitive practices.
Commodity, location (state, lga, community), sex, age of the respondents, farm size
2.2 Methodology
The Extension Activity typically use a facilitative approach, where products and services are delivered to producers by assisted private sector firms (MSMEs). Measuring results for producer participants reached through the market-system strengthening activity can be particularly challenging. As recommended by the FTF Indicator Handbook, the Extension Activity will use the “Market Shed” or “Catchment Area” approach method in conducting the survey among the population of producers who are participating in the market, and thus would be considered project participants. Therefore, as indicated in the Extension Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP) and using the FTF Participant Based Sampling Guide, a Participant – Based survey design will be adopted for the FY 22 annual survey. The Farmers’ annual Survey will be conducted using a quantitative surveymethodology in the seven targeted states in Nigeria, among the smallholder farmers, to measure and report on the indicators mentioned above in terms of agricultural productivity, profitability of supported firms and smallholder farmers as well as assess the gender and youth status and conditions (challenges, barriers, opportunities, and comparative advantage) in the Nigerian agricultural sector with focus on aquaculture, maize, rice, soybean, and cowpea value chains.
Considering the current stage of the Extension Activity, where a comprehensive participant list of producers (SHF) generated by the partner MSMEs may not be available, the Extension Activity will use a participant-based survey approach, a two-stage cluster sampling design with a listing operation and systematic sampling of participants will be developed in collaboration with the Extension Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team. The survey will capture data from a representative sample at 90% confidence interval and 10% margin of error with a design effect of 2 of the target population of smallholders. The first stage cluster frame (consisting of a complete set of project implementation clusters, i.e., villages or communities) and a second stage selection of participants occurs, where a listing operation is undertaken in the field in each of the clusters selected for sampling and in doing so, a second stage sampling frame is created dynamically while in the field. The listing can be created by walking through the sampled cluster and identifying households in which participants reside. The listing is expected to generate a total of 350,000 current or old participants (small holder farmers) to create the sampling frame. After the frame is created, survey participants are then randomly selected for interviewing while in the field using systematic sampling.
The survey questionnaire will address and collect information on participant outreach productivity, profitability, sales, adoption of improved technologies and management practices, application of nutrition sensitive practices, gender and youth roles (challenges and barriers) within the communities. The Consultant will be responsible to design the sample. However, a slight deviation from sample size estimation in line with the Feed the Future sampling guide for PaBSs will be made. The outreach indicator (EG.3-2 Number of individuals participating in USG food security programs) will be main indicator used to determine the sample frame. In total the Extension Activity team expects the sample size for the quantitative survey to not surpass 2000 respondents (small holder farmers and MSMEs). The sample should be representative of supported MSMEs and farmers presence across value chains, locations, gender and age to mitigate risk against sampling bias on the validity of findings. The interviews will be administered using smartphones/tablets owned by the enumerators and data will be uploaded on an online platform. It is crucial that all data will be geocoded. It is expected that appropriate controlling mechanism will be included in the software, which will not allow entry of incomplete questionnaires and wrong data format.
2.3 Scope of Work:
The Extension Activity wishes to engage the services of two (2) Annual Survey Consultants who are specialists in Monitoring and Evaluation, agribusiness development and value chains development, with excellent understanding of the context where the smallholder farmers were supported. The MEL team will meet with the consultants to provide adequate knowledge about Winrock ethics, the project background, and objectives as well as the survey instruments. The meeting will offer the opportunity for the consultants, and the MEL team to review the questions and agree on how best questions can be expressed to eliminate any ambiguity. The tools to be used for data collection will also be reviewed during the meeting. The Extension Activity will provide its own enumerators for the consultants to work with.
2.4 Tasks:
The consultants will perform the following tasks:
- Meet with The Extension Activity MEL team to discuss/ clarify deliverables.
- In collaboration with the Extension Activity MEL team, inform local authorities about the administration of the annual survey.
- Design a research plan that includes the survey protocol and sampling methodology to collect responses from a representative sample of smallholders from the seven target states.
- Collaborate with the Extension Activity MEL team in finalizing the survey instrument
- Prepare a Field Procedure Plan, to include an approach to quality control for all aspects of work
- Conduct training of enumerators and field supervisors for the survey. This should include questionnaire piloting and finalization.
- Produce training manuals for Enumerators. The training manuals will be mass produced by the Extension Activity
- Community sensitization for the survey.
- Field data collection.
- Submit weekly field progress reports.
- Clean dataset housing survey data.
- Monitor the implementation of the field research phase, data cleaning, analysis and results presentation
- Report writing and Meet with the COP and other relevant Extension Activity staff to discuss conclusions and final deliverable.
- Participate in survey findings workshop/seminar to present key findings to relevant stakeholders of the project
- Submit to the Extension Activity all the documents related to the study [training materials for enumerators/others, completed questionnaires (if applicable), final electronic database in Excel and (syntax file if created). All collected data that is stored has to meet Winrock policy/USG standards. The Winrock Data Classification Policy can be used for guidance. Code of Conduct | Data Classification Policy (winrock.org)
- Questionnaire Design – The Consultants, in collaboration with the Extension Activity MEL team, will design the instruments taking into consideration questionnaire employed in the FY21 annual survey and conduct pretest and pilot of the questionnaire with at least 50 respondents. Following the pilot, the consultants will work with the Extension Activity MEL team to finalize the survey instrument. Data check – All the questionnaires will be reviewed real time as data are being collected on the field. However, upon the completion of data collection, 25% of all questionnaires will be checked by designated supervisors for compliance with methodology, mistakes, missing questions, etc., and information will be updated and corrected.
- Quality control – The Consultants will implement quality control measures to ensure a high level of enumerator performance. A full description of these measures and the results of the quality control must be included in the proposal and final report. The Consultants shall ensure that every respondent can be matched to a questionnaire and an enumerator. At a minimum, quality control measures will include verification of the:
- fact that the interview took place.
- proper application of the sampling plan in selecting the respondent.
- approximate duration of the interview.
- proper administration of the various sections of the questionnaire.
- proper data entry based on interviewees response; and
- Enumerator’s general adherence to professional standards.
Each data record should include the following identification fields:
- Interview serial number.
- Date of interview (MM/DD/YYYY format).
- Beginning and ending time of each interview; and
- Enumerator ID number (must be unique in data file).
- GIS coordinates of the location where interview was administered.
N.B. For each verification conducted, a brief verification form should be completed.
Data analysis
All data collected shall be analyzed using advanced Excel or other analytical statistical software package. It is expected that relevant statistical test will be utilized to assist the Extension Activity MEL team in learning what factors may be most associated with the indicators of interest. This will help the team in better designing approaches to specifically address related factors.
2.5 Qualification and Experience.
The ideal consultants will have the following qualifications and experience:
- Well qualified in sociology/rural development, agriculture, economics statistics, and survey techniques.
- S/he will have at least 10 years’ experience in survey fieldwork (data collection, validation, entry, and analysis) and experience in leading teams in field (training, field logistics, human relations, teamwork). Experience in survey planning methodologies, participatory evaluation, community-based approaches, developing and evaluating integrated food security and development programs.
- Relevant Contextual experience of carrying out related studies in targeted locations and value chains.
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including ability to effectively communicate across cultures.
- Experience and ability in the provision of technical support in Agricultural, marketing, and economic growth.
- S/he will be someone with proven experience in participatory evaluation, household, and community-based approaches, developing and evaluating integrated food security and development programs.
- S/he must have experience working in teams, preferably in a leadership position, and have a strong client orientation.
- Strong analytical skills and sociological focus; knowledge, understanding and practical implementation of survey methods and the team leader should have significant experience in working on social assessments and conducting Key Informant Interviews as well as designing qualitative assessments.
- S/he will have broad understanding of food security and have skills in measuring and assessing the effectiveness of rural production and marketing systems as well as trade and investment.
- Experience in survey planning and directing is necessary while understanding of local government structure in Nigeria will be an added advantage.
- General grasp and understanding of key gender concepts, terminologies in long term development and empowerment programs.
- Good English language skills are essential.
2.6 Timing/Duration:
The level of effort for this consultancy assignment is 45 calendar days, hence, each consultant can only claim 45 calendar days within the performance period.
2.7 Reporting:
The technical direction for this assignment will come from the Extension Activity’s MEL Manager.
3. Deliverables
Each consultant will submit the following deliverables to the Extension Activity:
Deliverable # 1: Inception Report:
The report will include: a work plans that details timeline of activities, and final research methodology, including field research plan, data collection instruments; questionnaires and guides, pilot research
Deliverable #2: Training
This deliverable includes field staff training agenda & relevant training materials
Deliverable #3: Data Set:
This deliverable comprises of a clean data set (quantitative data collected) downloaded in Excel and syntax file
Deliverable #4: Draft Annual Survey report
The draft annual survey report should include amongst others the main findings of the survey and submitted to the Extension Activity for reviewing and provide comments within 10 days after completion of field work
Deliverable #5: Final Annual Survey Report:
The final annual survey report will be written with the subject area specialists. The Extension Activity will provide comments to the consultants within 7 days of receiving the draft report, and the consultants are expected to incorporate comments from Extension Activity and submit the final version of the report by December 21, 2022.
The analysis should follow the sample design and present a comparison of results by state. In addition, the Consultants shall also disaggregate the results by other key variables. For example, analysis of data by sex or age may reveal some interesting findings and help inform targeting and adjusting of the project strategies.
The final report will include at a minimum the following elements:
- Executive Summary – 3 pages maximum
- Acknowledgements
- List of Acronyms and abbreviations
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Background/Brief program description, context, and rationale
- Purpose and expected use of the survey
- Objectives of the Study
- Survey methodology and data collection techniques
- Main findings (to include values of all indicators listed in the objectives section with their confidence intervals)
- Key observations
- Conclusions
- Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Annexes to the final annual survey report
▪ Terms of Reference for the evaluation
▪ Timetable
▪ List of documents, references and data sets used
▪ Survey instruments: questionnaire, interview guide (s), etc. as appropriate
▪ Field work documentation
▪ Description of sampling procedures
▪ Data analysis procedures
The entire report excluding executive summary and annexes will not exceed 28 pages
Deliverable Schedule:
Each consultant will submit the deliverables described above in accordance with the following deliverable schedule:
S/N
Deliverable
Due date
1
Inception report
Two (2) working weeks after signing of consultancy agreement, and orientation by the Extension Activity.
2
Training report
Within Two (2) working weeks after signing of consultancy agreement, and orientation by the Extension Activity.
3
Data Set
Four (4) weeks after submission of deliverable 2
4
Draft Annual Survey report
Four (4) weeks after submission of deliverable 2
5
Final Annual Survey Report
December 21, 2022
The deliverable timelines stated above are just estimated delivery dates and are subject to change upon signing of the consultant agreement.
4. Proposed implementation schedule
The Extension Activity estimates a period of 45 calendar days for the entire study – (Monday to Saturday) from November 1, 2022 – December 22, 2022.
Implementation Phase
Planned Activities
Outputs
Duration
Orientation and Preparation for fieldwork
Development of research plan and data analysis plan
Inception Report, Review research tools and agree on logistics and procedures outputs.
4 days
Review of data collection instruments; questionnaires; pilot research
Refined survey questionnaire.
3 days
Trainings for enumerators
Research team ready for fieldwork
2 days
Field data collection, and reporting
Field work, Listing operation, data entry
Completed field questionnaires from the field
21 days
Verifying and cleaning the dataset
Electronic data set
3 days
Preparation of final report (including feedback from Extension Activity comments)
Draft Narrative report
7 days
Report
Revision and preparation of final report
Final report
5 days
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter:
- Highlighting the candidate’s expertise regarding to the consultancy tasks
- Highlighting how prior experience matches the scope of work
- Specifying consultants’ availability and consultancy professional fee (daily) rates
The letter should have an attached CV which spells out relevant work experience and qualifications and provides at least 3 references with full contact details.
All applications should be submitted to: [email protected] using the position as the subject of the email.
Closing date for submission of application is October 5, 2022 – 5:00p.m