Consultant – Seeds Security System Assessment, RUNNER Program – CAR and Remote

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Description

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a fertile country. It rains abundantly, the soil is rich, and a variety of crops, fruits and vegetables grow almost year-round. Despite this apparent abundance, one in two people do not have enough to eat. The reason for this is the conflict, which has intensified again since the beginning of the year. The number of internally displaced people has not been this high since 2014, now reaching 658,000 people, and far more in the previous months. People live in fear of attacks and abuses by armed groups, which limits their mobility and access to fields and forests for farming, gathering, and hunting. This dangerous environment also limits the access of humanitarian organizations to people in need of assistance. One of the consequences is the continued deterioration of food insecurity since last year.

Background (RUNNER Program)

Responding to Urgent Needs and Investing in Recovery (RUNNER) is a USAID/Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance-Funded program through Mercy Corps in partnership with Concern Worldwide to provide integrated support to 110,100 for immediate relief and improve living conditions of conflict-affected populations in the Central African Republic. The program’s Goal aligns with BHA’s overarching mission statement to “save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters.” Within the scope of this Goal, the program presents two overarching Purposes.

• Purpose 1, which includes the Food Assistance and Agriculture sectors, focuses on improved access to food and diversified income sources among conflict-affected households in Ouaka and Mbomou prefectures.
• Purpose 2, which focuses on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), increased access to clean water and adoption of hygiene practices amongst conflict-affected communities in Ouaka and Mbomou prefectures.

Purpose

Mercy Corps is seeking a consultant – Seeds Security System Assessment for the Responding to Urgent Needs and Investing in Recovery (RUNNER) in Central African Republic. The RUNNER aims to facilitate the transformation of agriculture and food systems by increasing productivity, inclusiveness, and competitiveness of the agricultural market system in the zone of influence (ZOI) such as Ouaka and Mbomou Prefectures.

The purpose of this study is to collect and analyses information on the seed system/sector in the project area and propose strategic solutions for future programs to improve last mile farmers access to quality and diversified seed on planting time for household ‘s own consumption, income-oriented production crops and gender-friendliness.

The objective(s) for the consultant will be to identify the main factors constraining the seeds market systems to make available and accessible to cereals and crops that fall into the Minimum Food Basket (inclusive of maize, cassava, rice, oil, beans, and peanuts) by producers’ good quality seeds of the right variety that will meet requirement of end market.

• Describe the seed systems of the crops exploited in CAR and in particularly in the main areas of intervention of the program.
• Analyze the different seed acquisition strategies implemented by vulnerable households.
• Explore the most appropriate types of responses to improve the seed security of vulnerable households in the event of a food crisis.

Consultant Objectives:

• Seed market systems analysis and benchmark analysis of competitor countries.
• Investigate the Minimum Food Basket (MFB) seeds value chains to assess the performance of seed supply chain actors and the strength of Public/Private partnerships;
• Assess the status of contract farming systems for seed production in the MFB crops;
• Identify the key constraints limiting commercial seed operations from effectively supplying the market;
• Investigate constraints and opportunities to increase the sustainability of seed production, improve marketing for seed producer groups, increase engagement with lead farmers to encourage private sector-led Agriculture multiplication, and report on seed distribution methods to increase access for smallholder farmers of various ethnicities;
• Assess the seed registration and certification processes of certified seed in Central African Republic;
• Research seed supply chain models of Central African Republic’s main competing countries highlight successful systems, and report data on the MFB seeds sales data from countries of interest.
• Understand the current challenges and opportunities facing producers in the Ouaka and Mbomou.
• Study price trends of the different sources of seeds, flour and agricultural inputs.

Design and Methods

The assessment will use a qualitative method to collect and analyze data. Prior to field work, the consultant will be oriented in Mercy Corps method for Seed System Security Assessment (SSSA) and have an introduction meeting with Mercy Corps to develop tools for focus groups and Keys Informants interview. The consultant will conduct a review of available documents on seed done by Government and others key actors including INGOs and FAO. Mercy Corps can arrange meetings with Ministry of Agriculture seed services, seed enterprises, National union of seed producers to discuss some of the questions.

Surveys, focus groups and individual interviews in RUNNER zone will be employed to gather small farmers perspectives considering women farmers.

Consultant Deliverables

• Key crops preferred or cultivated: are there women(men)-specific crops/varieties?
• Sources of provision for seed of key staple and cash crops (Men and women farmers).
• Supply chain of certified and non-certified seeds, challenges, and opportunities.
• Local production and availability of certified seeds of improved varieties (and quality) in RUNNER zone and analysis.
• Foundation seed availability of new varieties at research level and connection with seed producers and extension services in RUNNER zone.
• Barriers for geographical and financial access to seeds of new varieties.
• Analysis of the enabling environment for seed activities in CAR (policies, laws) and opportunities for sustainable seed intervention in RUNNER zone.
• Farmers and Households needs for seed considering nutrition and incomes.
• Gaps analysis on actors involved in the area and the modes of intervention.
• Analyze the involvement of private sector for access to quality seeds.

The consultant’s specific deliverables are as follows:

• Developed and approved study methodology (December 2022)
• Designed data collection tools (December 2022)
• Data Collector Training (depending on consultant’s needs) (December 2022)
• Completed interviews and focus group sessions (December 2022)
• Data entry into database, cleaning and analysis (January 2023)
• Data Analysis and completion of preliminary report; report sent to Mercy Corps (January 2023)
• Debriefing with key staff (January 2023)
• Resolution of issues/questions from initial briefing; writing of final report (End of January 2023)
• Dissemination of final report (End of January 2023)

Timeframe/Schedule

This contract is for a maximum of 40 days, starting in Mid-December with an anticipated end date of January 31, 2023. All activities and deliverables (listed above) must be completed or submitted by the contract end date.

Research Plan/Timeline

December 2022

• Consultant development of assessment tools/questions & approval of Mercy Corps
• Data collection

January 2023

• Data analysis and preliminary findings completed
• Initial briefing with key staff
• Report revisions and final dissimation

Language: The final report must be submitted in French and English.

The Consultant will report to:

Mercy Corps CAR PaQ Director

The Consultant will work closely with:

Mercy Corps and Concern Worldwide Program Teams

Required Experience & Skills

• At least 10 years’ experience working in seed sales and/or marketing, seed multiplication, seed contract farming;
• Master’s degree in Food Security and Livelihoods or any related area;
• Experience working with farmer/industry associations in seed supply chain;
• Experience in agriculture and rural development;
• Demonstrable experience conducting research, carrying out surveys, and creating innovative approaches to seed sector development;
• Knowledge of Central African Republic’s agricultural systems and export markets, preferably of the MFB;
• Excellent spoken and written French and English.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.