Identification and formulation of EU Actions to support Agriculture and Rural Development in Sierra Leone under the second phase of the 11th EDF (2018 – 2020)

Sierra Leone is a West African country considered quite small in area (72,300 Km2), with a household population of 7,076,119 people at a growth rate of 2.2% (Census 2015). In terms of the human development index (HDI) published in 2016, Sierra Leone recorded 0.420 points in 2015, ranking 179th place in the table of 188 countries. There has been no recorded poverty incidence index since 2011. The recorded poverty headcount ratio (the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 a day in 2011) shows a decline in poverty incidence from 62.8 % in 2000 to 52.2% in 2011 (World Bank ). The terrestrial and marine protected areas (at least 1,000 hectares that are designated by national authorities) measured as a percentage of total territorial area, increased from 2.6% in 2000 to 3.3% in 2016. CO2 emissions stemming from the burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of cement increased from 0.11% in 2000 to 0.18% in 2016 (World Bank). Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and therefore, its development is of strategic importance. However, smallholder farmers exhibit limited agricultural productivity, which makes their dominance in staple crop production remain solely for subsistence and rarely for sale.

Sierra Leone's current economic and social situation has been shaped by two events in the last decade and half: the civil war (1991-2002) and the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) (2014-2015). The civil war and social unrest years caused a severe economic decline that virtually destroyed the physical and social infrastructure of the country, leading to widespread poverty and over 50,000 human deaths with 1 million both internally and externally displaced. The EVD outbreak that occurred in 2014 worsened the country's development indicators, killing about 3,461 people (WHO, 2015) and further bringing the whole economy to another halt.

The concept of sustainable agriculture lies on a delicate balance of maximizing crop productivity and maintaining economic stability, while minimizing the detrimental environmental impacts of degrading finite natural resources. It is yet not known whether Sierra Leone is maintaining this balance, but taking cognisance of the country's reliance on finite natural resources, including for energy purposes, suggests a possible imbalance.

Objective of the study

The objective of this consultancy mission is to support the European Union Delegation and the Government of Sierra Leone in the identification and formulation of EU Actions to support Agriculture and rural development in Sierra Leone under the second phase of the 11th EDF (2018 – 2020). These actions should contribute to unlocking the agricultural potential and increasing rural access to market in Sierra Leone, and subsequently contribute to the development of a diversified and commercial agriculture sector that promotes inclusive green economic growth.

Specific objectives:

• To develop actions that sustainably contribute to a more productive, diversified, climate resilient, market oriented and equitable agriculture. This further contributes to the creation of the enabling conditions for smallholder farmers in poverty stricken districts to move towards a more sustainable, resilient and productive agriculture;

• To develop actions that improve access to markets in targeted rural areas. This component aims to enhance connectivity between production areas and agricultural marketing centres, including removing 'bottlenecks' on the feeder road network;

• To develop innovative interventions to support the sustainable commercialisation of Sierra Leone's commercially oriented smallholder farmers through agribusiness partnerships, capacity development and agricultural commercialisation - linking farmers to markets and value chains.

The candidate must possess a least an advanced university degree in agricultural economics, crop science, agronomy, agricultural marketing, development economics; or related field is required, with post-graduate qualifications preferred.

1. General required experience:

   Minimum 10 years' experience providing Technical Assistance (TA) in agriculture and/or integrated rural development programming including three or more of these areas: value chain and markets (for a range of value chains including cassava, coffee cocoa, cashew, potato, sorghum, vegetables), crop diversification activities, ecosystems & rural environment, smallholders, farmer groups, agri-extension services, food processing and marketing, public-private partnerships development, food security, improved incomes, climate resilience, the design of projects.

2. Specific required experience: the candidate must show sufficient evidence where he/she:

• has experience with market and livelihood analysis, where s/he has identified target agricultural value chains, designed appropriate interventions and developed an implementation plan;
• has experience with respect to: development of cooperatives, business development services and marketing; engagement with the private sector and other stakeholders;
• has a least 5 years of relevant experience in management of projects on any two of the following: value chain development, livelihood diversification, rural business development and agricultural marketing, preferably in an African context;
• has demonstrated experience in sustainable agriculture and livelihoods resilience programming;

3. Desirable experience:

• shows technical knowledge in strengthening of producer organizations, professional associations and linkages;
• has a past experience as team leader in EU-funded identification and formulation studies, including providing an Action Document.
• working experience with key value chain stakeholders (producers, traders, enterprise groups, rural financing institutions/banks, and research/policy associations)
• demonstrates experience with mainstreaming gender in development programming.

The proposed experts group should have the following profile:

• At least two experts should have good knowledge of the EU environment and development policies; be familiar with the Commission's guidance on Programming and Project Cycle Management;
• At least one member of the team should have previous experience in developing both a Project Identification Fiche and an Action Fiche;
• All experts must be fluent in English. All reporting should be done in English. Excellent written and oral skills are requested of the experts;
• All experts shall follow standard ethics with diligence and high degree of professionalism;
• Experts experience in participatory planning process would be an asset.

The candidate must possess a university degree in civil engineering, agricultural engineering, rural development and infrastructure or equivalent, with post-graduate qualifications in economics preferred.

1. General required experience:

   At least 10 years of experience in rural infrastructural development studies aiming at rural market development.

2. Specific required experience: the candidate must show sufficient evidence where he/she:

• shows hands-on experience in planning and/or implementing rural infrastructure programmes such as rural road and irrigation schemes;
• has experience in structural and non-structural measures of market access for smallholder farmers;
• has experience developing strategies to address infrastructure bottlenecks affecting agriculture value chains.

3. Desirable experience:

• Ability to work as a member in teams of multi-disciplinary nature.
• demonstrates working experience in gender-responsive and community-driven programming/implementation of rural infrastructure improvement, rural services provision, and climate change resilience;

The candidate must possess at least Master’s Degree in Agriculture Engineering or Water resource management or related subjects or a proven track record on working in similar field, with post-graduate qualifications preferred.

1. General required experience:

Minimum 10 years' experience with irrigation water management, out of which a minimum of three (3) years must be as an international expert.

2. Specific required experience: the candidate must show sufficient evidence where he/she:

• has good knowledge of agriculture/ irrigation issues;
• experience with design, development, and operation of irrigation schemes with smallholder farmers
• have proven track record in preparation of irrigation masterplans, including formulation of irrigation policies;
• have proven track record in preparing feasibility reports;
• has demonstrated experience in sustainable agriculture and livelihoods resilience programming;

3. Desirable experience:

• Experience in participatory and community based irrigation management approach is preferred;
• Experience in drafting TOR/business/project proposals is an advantage.

The candidate must possess a university degree in agriculture economics, economics, or related field, with post-graduate qualifications preferred.

1. General required experience:

A minimum experience of 5 years in enterprise development, organisation and institutional development in the agribusiness sub-sector.

2. Specific required experience: the candidate must show sufficient evidence where he/she:

• demonstrates understanding and competencies in management of smallholder farmers enterprises and private sector actors;
• demonstrates illustrative knowledge and experience in working through value chains and market development approaches;
• has experience in farm planning and economic analysis with extensive experience in small to medium scale agro-enterprise management;
• has experience with functioning of food crop value chains with specific reference to crops in Sierra Leone.

3. Desirable experience:

Experience with externally funded development programs would be desirable, preferably with experience in market oriented projects.