Call to Hire Data Collection Firm for Niger Project

Agri-food system and policy landscaping and capacity assessment in Niger

1. Background

Niger is experiencing limited access to adequate food, poor uptake of essential nutrients, and inadequate nutritional practices. Consecutive failed rainy seasons and rising desertification of the Sahel have been key contributing factors. Without urgent action, the food and nutrition insecurity, will continue to rise, owing to lack of climate smart agricultural practices, shocks, conflict, and disease [1]. Given the prevailing challenges in Niger, the USAID Mission is partnering with communities, civil society, the private sector, other donors, and the Government of Niger (GoN) to build capacity and commitment toward improving the country’s economic and social well-being. One of objectives of the USAID Mission support is to strengthen agri-food systems to drive economic development . For this purpose, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is supporting the Mission by conducting an agri-food system and policy landscape analysis to better understand the strength and weakness of the food system in Niger including institutional and human capacity of various stakeholders. This call is intended to help collect relevant information to inform needed policies and interventions.

2. Description of Responsibilities for the Data Collection Firm

Various methods and analytical approaches and data from multiple sources will be used to achieve the project objectives. Data quality is an issue, which derives from the politicization of data and national statistics on agricultural production, food insecurity, etc. [2] This concern will be addressed by triangulating among a range of independent data sources and types of data (e.g., cross-sectional and time-series data, spatial and nonspatial data, and primary and secondary). Against this background, the key responsibilities for the data collection firm are:

a.Develop data collection instruments for food system mapping

b.Collect data for the country landscaping, diagnostic and capacity assessment analysis within the food system and along major food value chains. This task involves:

• • Collect data from existing national databases (including national institute of statistics, government agencies and ministries, private sector, civil society, etc.) and conduct stakeholder interviews on the different indicators of the food system including capacity building.
  • Gather relevant policies, regulations and strategy documents such as National Accelerated Agricultural Input Programs, Health and Educations Strategies, energy and infrastructures related to each component of the food system.

c.Stakeholder mapping and engagements

• • Compile the list of All relevant food system stakeholders in country.
  • Conduct key informants’ interviews on relevant issues related to the country food system.
  • Produce matrices of connections between food system stakeholders

3.Deliverables

Expected deliverables include:

• Complete data collection instruments for food system mapping and capacity assessment;
• Comprehensive database for food system mapping and capacity assessment;
• Database of relevant policies, regulations and strategies related to each component of the food system;
• List of all relevant food system stakeholders in country;
• Matrices of connections between food system stakeholders.

4.Duration

This assignment is for a period of one month. The targeted start date is April 30.

5.Required Qualification

• The firm must include staff with master’s degree in Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Economics, International Development, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• Firm with staff that has worked or has close ties with the various data-generation entities in Niger.
• Prior experience of working on issues related to food security and nutrition, agricultural and rural development, and poverty alleviation.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and strong analytical skills
• Excellent writing skills.
• Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English and French.

Application process.

Submit proposals on the IFPRI website including capacity statement (company information), detailed budget, and the CV of the individual applying who will be leader or main contact.