Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, January 30 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) is a 4-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. It consists of 3 major components, 1A being market systems development, 1B-Climate Innovation funds and 1C-Ecosystems Services. The market systems development component of the program aims to sustainably increase agricultural productivity levels and ultimately the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints, mitigating these effects is central to the program’s approach.
The constraints smallholder farmers (SHFs) face in improving agricultural productivity and income levels mentioned in the CSJ’s technical proposal and recently validated in assessments, included amongst others; limited access to inputs for crops and livestock, limited access to an efficient distribution model for climate-resilient varieties, limited access to affordable extension services for both livestock and crop, weak engagement between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and research institutions, high incidence of pests/parasites and diseases for crops and livestock, uncertainty in seasonality (unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spell, uneven distribution of rainfall), limited access to affordable on-farm mechanization services.

CSJ intends to work with market actors, to trigger change in the market system in a way that enables smallholder farmers to gain increased access to affordable quality products and services hence increasing their incomes and ability to become resilient to the effect of climate change. Implementation will be done through 9 work packages or thematic areas; soil restoration and management, climate-smart inputs and services, post-harvest handling and aggregation at the smallholder farmer level, linking smallholder farmers to local, regional, and international markets, scaling commercial agent model, increasing women’s productivity and performance through access to targeted products, services and business opportunities, strengthening agricultural market performance by addressing unequal gender norms, innovations for refugees and refugee hosting communities, innovations for media. All the nine work packages aim to drive systemic change by improving access to affordable, high-quality goods and services, and a stable market for their products. This will boost incomes and help them withstand climate change effects, as UGCSJ collaborates with key market players to drive systemic change.

Background of the assignment
This TOR focuses on WP1 which aims to improve soil health by fostering collaboration between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and Smallholder Farmers (SHFs). It focuses on introducing innovative soil fertility and soil moisture management strategies to enhance crop productivity. Current data shows that reliance on improved seeds alone can only boost yields by 20%, underlining the need for better soil conservation methods. The project addresses obstacles faced by SHFs, including limited private sector investment in soil fertility services, lack of knowledge about good agricultural practices, limited access to irrigation tools, land accessibility and control issues (especially for women and refugees), and insufficient incentives for investing in soil fertility. Additionally, recent research conducted by the CSJ team highlighted that SHFs' lack of understanding on soil nutrient management, necessitating more effective models for promoting soil testing services among SHFs in northern Uganda.

The objective of the assignment
To conduct a comprehensive market needs assessment encompassing the demand for soil testing services by SHFs, women, refugee, and host communities in northern Uganda, looking at existing models of soil testing, and understanding the commercial viability for soil testing for different groups of farmers and within specific value chains. The aim of this is to provide CSJ with practical insights on how to engage in the soil testing market in Northern Uganda.

Scope of work
CSJ intends to hire the services of a competent consultancy firm or individual consultant to assess the potential for increased adoption of soil testing services by SHFs in Northern Uganda (NU). We expect the consultant to conduct a market scan, speaking with private sector actors, government institutions, and smallholder farmers to understand the following:
• Examine the current model used by private businesses, government institutions, and others in the provision of soil testing services in Uganda. Investigate the existing approach/technologies employed by private sector actors (PSAs) to market soil testing services to smallholder farmers (SHFs) in Northern Uganda.
• Detail potential new technologies or models within East Africa and rest of the world for soil testing services that have potential in Uganda and Northern Uganda.
• Identify the existing product gaps in these existing private sector soil testing models. Analyse and identify the deficiencies or shortcomings within the current models employed by these actors in marketing soil testing services to SHFs for each of CSJ’s target groups.
• Understand the value chains that make commercial sense for soil testing services for smallholder farmers, including women, refugees and hosts. This will include exploring the demand for the types and models of soil services, cost and benefits of SHFs of soil testing, and a suggested marketing strategy for each of the viable value chains for NU. This will also clearly describe the viable target groups for these services (e.g. smallholder farmers, commercialising farmers, women, refugees or hosts).
• Determine the considerations to evaluate appropriate soil testing models through a scoring matrix.
• Recommend the way forward for CSJ to design an innovative, commercially viable approach with private sector actors for promoting the uptake of soil testing services by SHFs, women, refugees and hosts in NU.
• Evaluate the advisory services available for soil nutrient management and land conservation.

Key deliverables
• Inception report with detailed work plan
• Draft report no longer than 20 pages comprising a mapping of existing services, a demand study including cost/benefit analysis for different groups of farmers and for different value chains, and a way forward, as detailed in the scope of work (above).
• PowerPoint presentation of the draft report
• Final report, no longer than 20 pages.
• Final PowerPoint presentation. Annexes can be in addition to this page count.
Experience and expertise required
• The consultant(s) should have at least 8 to 12 years of hands-on experience in soil science and expertise in soil testing methodologies, agricultural research, and data analysis. Prior work in similar projects or region is beneficial.
• In-depth knowledge of soil testing technologies and models, familiarity with both traditional and innovative methods.

Experience in conducting similar assignments, understanding of the local agricultural context in Uganda and familiarity with Northern Uganda context (Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Kiryandongo areas) is valuable. Consultant should demonstrate knowledge of specific challenges and opportunities within NU related to soil testing.
• Experience in global agricultural practices and exposure to East African, Africa and other global soil testing models to identify and recommend new models applicable to Northern Uganda.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills to assess the effectiveness of the various technologies and models, ability to use data-driven insights to inform strategies , decision-making and provide practical recommendations are essential for the execution of the assignment.
• Ability to communicate findings with various stakeholders including the private sector, smallholder farmers and policy makers is important.
• The consultant should demonstrate ability to collaborate and establish connections with private sector, other soil experts, and research institutions.
• The consultant should have a proven track record of designing and implementing market-based models in collaboration with private-sector companies.
• The consultant should hold a master's degree in soil science, environmental science, or related field.
• A strong local network within the agricultural sector and government agencies in Uganda, which can be leveraged for the success of the project

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months:

Level of Education:

Job application procedure
Submit a technical proposal that is no longer than 2 pages and includes an overview of the consultant/organization's experience related to the TOR, and the makeup of the team. Also submit a 1-page budget. Proposals should be submitted electronically to info@csj.co.ug .


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