Terms of reference - Maize chain development - Cameroon
Référence du TdR : SNVCm/A/2012/N°20
Terms of reference for recruitment of LCBs to conduct further studies and support implementation interventions related to maize chain development in the North West and Far North Cameroon
1. Background
In December 2010, SNV Cameroon developed and adopted a strategy of intervention toward 2015 with focus on priority sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, water and sanitation. The goal of SNV is to contribute in improving the sustainable access of people to basic services, and improvements in production, income and employment creation (PIE) through the promotion of good governance systems at both national and local levels.
Since early 2011, SNV Cameroon intervenes in areas of WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Renewable Energy (Biogas), and Agriculture; the latter including pastoral livestock and milk products, NTFP (Non Timber Forest Products), maize (food crops) and cocoa (cash crop) subsectors.
Programs are delivered through three field teams based in Yaoundé to cover the Central, South and East; in Bamenda for the Northwest and Maroua for the Far North.
In the agriculture sector, a study was conducted in 2011 on cocoa and maize following the selection of these sub-sectors as the focus of SNV in the development of cash and food crops programs. Maize is one of the key cereal crops in Cameroon and is a staple food for most households; confirmation was made by the national study commissioned by SNV (Cocoa and Maize value chains analyses in five regions of Cameroon, March 2012).
During the SNV Cameroon annual reflection meeting in January 2012, the Northwest and Far North Regions have been identified as priority intervention areas for maize value chains development.
The maize programme implementation aims at improving producers’ livelihoods through in supporting producers’ organisations in three production basins (Ngoketunjia Division and Donga Mantung Division in the North West and Mayo Tsanaga Division in the Far North), and facilitating multi stakeholder processes at divisional and regional levels. First scoping missions were undertaken in February and March 2012 to the production basins whereby discussions took place with some government stakeholders, farmers’ organisations and other maize chain actors (traders, processers, microfinance institutions, local capacity builders, etc.) and information was gathered on the production of maize and leverage entry points in the maize value chain for SNV interventions. Potential actors (clients and Local capacity builders-LCBs) were also identified.
In these two regions, almost every household and every farmer cultivate maize. However, the value chain remains prone to several challenges ranging from group organization, technics of production, processing and storage as well as market organization and access to inputs. The principal form of producers’ organization is Common Initiative Groups (CIGs), which are further organised into unions of CIGs and federations. The CIGs are generally village groups whose members are into maize production; most of them are put in place or stimulated by MINADER with the aim to benefit from State grants (Maize Program). The CIGs form village or sub-divisional unions. Some unions came together to form federations (at sub-divisional or divisional levels). Storage of maize is in the form of cribs, barns and local granaries and remains a big challenge for producers due to high post-harvest losses. Marketing is done mainly on individual basis and many traders (wholesalers and retailers) are active in the maize chains. Processers are also key actors, particularly animal feed producers and breweries (mainly local). Improved maize seeds and ware maize are the most important chains.
To engage clients and LCBs in the implementation of the programme, it is necessary to have full picture of the value chain in the production areas to complete the national study undertaken in 2011, by:
• Identifying and analysing key actors, keys opportunities, constraints and challenges;
• Undertaking some specific studies (livelihoods analysis, environmental screening);
That will better inform the choice of appropriate niche interventions for SNV positioning in the maize chains and for the clients and provide baseline information for the interventions at regional and divisional levels.
This call for proposals aims to recruit local capacity builders to undertake these assignments.
2. General objectives of the assignments
Four specific assignments are defined with the following objectives:
i. Actors’ baseline study in the maize chains in the different production basins: survey of Service Providers and Clients;
ii. Support designing and implementation of niche interventions with chosen clients towards PIE.
iii. Livelihoods and food security analysis: baseline information/data of farmers involved in the maize chains; and rapid environmental screening: identify critical practices and processes and design mitigation strategies to overcome possible negative effects;
3. General Scope and time frame of the assignments
Specific terms of reference are developed for each assignment (see below). Local capacity builders will be recruited for the assignments. Each LCB can apply for one or more specific assignment in one or both regions. However assignments (i) and (iv) are interlinked; one LCB will be then engaged per region.
These assignments will take place in the following maize production areas:
Regions: Far North
Divisions: Mayo Tsanaga
Sub-divisions: Mogode, Koza, Mokolo, Hina, Mayo Mokota
Region: North West
Division: Donga-Mantung
Sub-divisions: Ako, Misaje, Ndu, Nkambe, Nwa
Region:North West
Division: Ngoketunjia
Sub-divisions: Babessi,Ndop/Bamunka, Balikumbat
The first three assignments will take place in May-August 2012 (see detailed specific terms of reference) while assignment (iv-designing and implementation of interventions) will run from July to December 2012.
Find more information in the attachment published on http://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/325624
How to apply:
Please apply by clicking on http://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/325624 and completing your application in our in-house recruitment system before 1 June 2012.
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