Consultancy on the Feasibility Study for the Adoption of Sustainable Production and Processing Practices, Climate-Smart Agriculture – Empowering Rural

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Consultancy on the Feasibility Study for the Adoption of Sustainable Production and Processing Practices, Climate-Smart Agriculture – Empowering Rural Economies in Agriculture, EREA programme in Kosovo

Caritas Switzerland is an independent Swiss NGO, engaged in Switzerland and in more than 20 countries worldwide, including Kosovo. Our mission is to prevent, combat and sustainably eradicate poverty. To achieve this goal, Caritas employs a policy of equity: we support inclusive communities with opportunities for everyone regardless of their ethnic background, group affiliation or gender. Caritas Switzerland has been working in Kosovo since 1999, focusing on social inclusion, rural development and rehabilitation. Based on the Strategy 2021-2025, our central themes are Income, Climate Change and Migration. Caritas Switzerland in Kosovo is implementing a highly regarded agricultural project which aims at contributing to the socio-economic development of the country by supporting farmers and the sector in income generation and new employment opportunities, funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation and Prishtina municipality. In particular, the EREA programme contributes to more sustainable and inclusive market systems by increasing the participation of producers and market actors and enhancing their income and productivity, thus contributing to poverty reduction for rural populations, particularly women and marginalized groups.

The main Objective/Purpose of this assignment is to: Evaluate the feasibility of integrating climate-smart practices and technologies into existing agricultural systems. This will involve identifying gaps and opportunities to enhance readiness for the latest practices and technologies, developing targeted interventions like training, capacity development and financial support, and formulating policies and advocacy strategies to foster a supportive environment. Also, to assess the potential impact of sustainable production and climate-smart agriculture on food security, income and environmental conservation; Identify barriers and opportunities for adoption and provide recommendations for policy and practice.

Deliverables and Timeframe

The activity will commence once the contract has been signed by both parties and will end by the end of 30.06.2024. For this activity, the consultancy amount shall not exceed 30`000.00 €.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or Higher in relevant fields such as in climate change, agriculture, environmental science, or other relevant fields related to climate change and climate-smart initiatives. Specialized education or certification in climate change mitigation or adaptation, sustainable agriculture or environmental management.
• Demonstrated knowledge, expertise and experience of a minimum of 5 years in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable production practices, technologies and their application in agriculture or related fields.
• Experience in Capacity Assessment, conducting comprehensive assessments of agriculture, infrastructure and technical expertise, particularly in the context of environmental technology.
• The consultant(s) should demonstrate a successful track record in implementing a minimum of two comparable assignments, aligning closely with the nature and scope of this planned assignment.
• Skills in Gap Analysis and Opportunity Identification: Ability to identify resource deficiencies and opportunities for improvement in the adoption of climate-smart technologies.
• Experience in developing targeted interventions, including training programs, capacity-building initiatives, and financial support strategies.
• Ability to innovate and think creatively to address complex challenges in adopting agriculture and climate-smart technologies.
• Experience and knowledge of the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach and Economic Analysis or a related field would be appropriate.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for working closely with the EREA program team and stakeholders. (for international experts, experience working in Kosovo will be an advantage).
• Fluency in English and Albanian or Serb languages.