Background:

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is planning to conduct an evaluation of an agricultural input financing project through the One CGIAR Rethinking Food Markets and Value Chains for Inclusion and Sustainability Research Initiative. This initiative seeks to evaluate innovative projects that extend finance and logistics services across value chains in several countries including Nigeria.

As part of this initiative, IFPRI will be evaluating a financial product that provides agricultural inputs on loan to smallholder farmers. The contracted party will be responsible for managing and conducting all implementation-related tasks, in consultation with the IFPRI research team.

Scope of work

Tasks for the implementing organization will include:

• • Prior to the beginning of implementation, agree with the IFPRI research team on a protocol manual and adhere to all guidelines.
  • Identify potential study participants via regular assessments of input loan applications of an existing farm inputs on credit program in Nigeria and share a dataset with the IFPRI research team on all farmers with approved loan applications.
  • The IFPRI research team will work with the consultant to prepare the script that will be used while interacting with farmers.
  • The consultant will work with the IFPRI research team to assist and monitor project implementation.
  • The consultant will share all relevant project data with the IFPRI research team. This includes, but is not limited to, data on loan repayment of farmers and other administrative data relating to the loan application and the service of the loan.

Deliverables for this work will include:

• • An intervention summary document and plan.
  • A list of farmers who have applied and are eligible for an input loan.
  • All relevant administrative data on take-up of project, repayment, interest rates, input loan use, etc.
  • Cost sheet of the implementation.
  • Regular updates during field work.

Required qualifications of the consultant / survey team leader

• • Ability and appropriate authorizations to carry the implementation work in Nigeria.
  • A minimum of 3 years of experience providing access to financial services to smallholder farmers in rural areas.
  • Project managers should be fluent in English and able to communicate verbally and in writing with IFPRI researchers.
  • Established network of local agents in rural areas of Nigeria.

Preferred qualifications

• • Proven track record of collaboration with international organizations and donors.
  • Proficiency in local languages in Northern Nigeria.

Application: Please upload a proposal outlining the approach, human resources, timing, and costs (including details of staff time, training, field activities, overhead, etc.), along with CV/resume (including details of previous related experience) for individual(s) leading the work. We expect that the applicant will be a local digital financial services firm able to handle a contract with IFPRI and source the required human resources to fulfil the scope of work themselves.

Please also submit with your application submit a financial proposal to implement and monitor a supplemental cash and input loan program with 200 farmers.

Application deadline: October 29, 2023