About HarvestPlus
HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. Our food-based approach targets some of the most vulnerable populations around the world. HarvestPlus, and its CGIAR partners, breed crops with naturally higher levels of key micro-nutrients, using a process called biofortification, as well as other beneficial agricultural traits, such as climate resilience, higher yields, disease resistance, and pest tolerance. This approach complements other nutrition interventions, and is evidence-based, cost-effective, and sustainable. We work across the entire value chain to develop and deliver nutrient-enriched seeds, grains, and foods to the people who need it most, via a large collection of innovative and traditional supply chain activities. HarvestPlus works across CGIAR as part of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). To learn more about HarvestPlus, visit our home page here.
The ENRICH PROJECT (2016-2022).
HarvestPlus together with our partners implemented a project called Enhancing Nutrition Services to Improve Maternal and Child (ENRICH), where production and consumption of biofortified high iron bean and vitamin A orange sweet potato was promoted in parts of Kenya and Tanzania. A value chain approach was used and various actors along the value chain participated; see https://www.ifpri.org/blog/enrich-project-educating-communities-benefits-biofortified-crops-and-nutrition-smart/.
The REACTS IN Project (2023-2030)
With support from the Government of Canada, HarvestPlus together with other partners is implementing a follow up project to ENRICH called Realizing gender Equality, & Attitudinal Change for Transformative Systems in Nutrition (REACTS-IN). The project is being implemented following a gap of two years of no direct project activities. We aim to document the status of various interventions at individual, institutional and community level as affected by this gap.
HarvestPlus is seeking for a consultant who will document baseline status, especially the voices of stakeholders at the onset of REACTS-IN Project in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya.
Specific Deliverables
1. Develop a detailed study protocol (including detailed methodology and justification, sampling plan (where applicable), and data analysis plan) and data collection tools for review and approval by HarvestPlus
2. Conduct desk review of relevant data sources as appropriate.
3. Carry out all aspects of primary data collection, data entry, cleaning, management and analyses.
4. Develop final report outline for review and approval by HarvestPlus
5. Draft full report, including literature review, methods, data collection activities, results and conclusions/recommendations.
6. Revise and finalize report based on inputs from HarvestPlus team and prepare summary PowerPoint slides.
Audience for interview:
Data Source | Theme | |
1 | Kenya Agriculture and Livestock organization- Kitale | Seed sector- High iron beans and orange sweet potato- production and marketing |
2 | High iron bean seed multipliers | Seed production |
3 | Orange sweet potato vines multipliers | Seed production |
4 | Individual farmers- Subsistence/ social safety net | Bean production – (subsistence, commercial), production |
5 | Commercial Individual farmers | Production, productivity, marketing |
6 | Agro-dealers | Seed access
Demand and supply |
7 | County Government | Agriculture – Various levels |
8 | County Government | Nutrition – Various levels |
9 | Nutrition education forums | Nutrition related such as the care group models- Leaders and participants |
10 | Health facilities linked to intervention sites | Leadership, Community health extension workers |
11 | Cereal traders | On farm procurement
Market level presence of Nyota beans |
Candidate Requirements
· Master’s degree + 5 years of work experience; degree in Agricultural economics sociology, anthropology, or other related disciplines
· Excellent understanding of gender dynamics in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya is an added advantage
· Understanding of approaches for scaling agri-nutrition innovations in rural areas
·High proficiency in analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
· Willingness and ability to work in rural setting
· Skilled at preparing reports
Instructions To Apply
To be considered for the consultancy, please submit a resume and cover letter to the IFPRI website. In the cover letter, please specify expected daily rate. In the event of any questions about the consultancy, please reach out to Katie Foley at [email protected].