Baseline Study: Developing Inclusive Grains Supply Chains

Opportunity Background

IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) is a leading organization that works with the private sector, governments, and civil society organizations, to support sustainable and inclusive agricultural production at scale in global agricultural supply chains. Our approaches are designed to drive sustainability from niche to norm in mainstream markets, delivering impact on the Sustainable Development Goals. Headquartered in the Netherlands and funded by multiple European governments and private philanthropic donors, including our institutional donors: BUZA, SECO and DANIDA, IDH works in partnerships with over 600 private sector companies, including global brands and retailers, in over 50 countries.

IDH is starting a three-and-a-half-year market-led grains value chain development program in Ghana, to contribute to the development of the grains sector, support the inclusion of local SMEs and smallholder farmers, and create jobs, with a central focus on women and youth empowerment. The program will be implemented until March 2025.

IDH aims to select a party to conduct a baseline evaluation study.

Opportunity structure

Objectives

The aim of this baseline study is to provide an information base against which to monitor and assess progress and effectiveness of the intended actions during implementation and at program completion.

Through a market-led approach, IDH will work closely with 12 SMEs in maize, rice, and millet supply chains in Northern Ghana to improve business operations, build technical and management capacity, structure sourcing of high-quality grains from smallholder farmers, and to support these SMEs in meeting the buying requirements of large multinational off-takers.

IDH will provide technical assistance and strategic support to these SMEs through project contracts, to support these businesses in realizing business opportunities in grains supply chains, leading to impact through job creation (focus on women and youth empowerment) and the inclusion of smallholder farmers. Establishing a digital platform approach to provide advisory support to farmers and facilitate market linkages will be a central program component.

Goal

The overall goal of the program is to develop sustainable, inclusive, and economically viable supply chains of maize, rice, and millet; increasing income of smallholder farmers; employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially among women and youth; and contributing to the improved livelihoods of beneficiaries.

Location(s) of the project: Northern Ghana

Duration of the project: 42 months (three and a half years)

Sector of the intervention: Agriculture: maize, rice, and millet supply chains

Beneficiaries:

SMEs

Smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.

Service Providers

Scope of the service

Inception phase

Data-collection phase

Data analysis, reporting and learning

Competitive scope

Service provider profile

The selected service provider will be composed of experts with following skills:

Expertise on designing (baseline) evaluations and a proven track record on conducting evaluations.

Experience with quantitative data-collection (farm household survey), preferably in Ghana.

Experience with facilitating focus group discussions and key informant interviews.

Expertise on quantitative and qualitative data-analysis.

Staff available in Ghana or the ability to quickly find reliable enumerators that understand the context and sensitivities in both countries.

Experience in working with smallholders.

Experience in doing both income and SME business performance assessments or willingness to work with a partner in data gathering and analysis to ensure one overall outcome.

Neutral and trusted.

Ability and experience in presenting research findings in an accessible manner. 


Application

Proposal requirements

IDH is requesting the service providers to hand in a proposal of maximum 10 pages (excluding company biographies, CVs, sample work and references). The proposal must be handed in a MS Word or PowerPoint version next to a PDF submission to facilitate any copy-and-pasting of content that we may need during evaluation.


The proposal must at least include:

Content:


a) A succinct, well-documented approach. This includes a description of research methodology against each objective of the baseline study, as well as the risks and limitations.


b) A section specifically focused on how service provider will deliver both the household survey and the baseline study.


c) Detailed activities and expected deliverables and timeline.


d) A contingency plan on the limitations faced due to the COVID-19 crisis.


e) Inclusion of a budget in Euros (ex. VAT) with a break-down of many days/rates per consultant and other costs.


f) Clear description of the project team, relevant experience of team members and time allocation per team member.


g) Statement of experience (only experience from the suggested team members is relevant) and two references.


h) Maximum of three client references and a sample of previous work relevant to the deliverables in this ToR.


i) Statement on Ground for exclusion (see section 7 below).


Administrative:

a. Copy of most recent (audited) financial accounts


The proposal must be submitted to David Black. Email:  black@idhtrade.org

Deadline: October 13, 2021, 17:00 CEST.


News Source: Ghana@agricinafrica.com

Agriculture in Africa Media


 


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