Technical Expert For An Agriculture Project

Terms of Reference Technical Expert Duration: 108 days during a 30 months consultancy   The Technical Expert will work as a consultant for the project ‘Improved livelihoods for small-scale farmers in Akkar, North Lebanon’, funded by the European Union and implemented by Mada Association.  The objective of the action is to improve the livelihoods of small scale farmers in three villages and their suroundings in Upper Akkar, through training sessions on sustainable, cost-efficient agricultural practices, the introduction of drip-irrigation systems, and improved access to markets.   The main objective of the Technical Expert will be to develop plot maps and design the drip irrigation systems along with bill of quantities and specifications for all the beneficiary farmers involved in the action.   Mainwork interfaces  Internal interfaces   -    Project Director      -    Project Coordinator    -    Field Coordinator       -    Administrators     -    Monitoring Expert     External interfaces -    Small-scale farmers -    The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) -    The Agriculture Extension Centre – (Ministry of Agriculture) -  Hrar -    Agriculture Experts   Mission 1: Support in beneficiaries selection and mobilization  Objectives: -          Selection of 40 small-scale farmers’ representatives to attend focus group discussions for validation of training program. -          Ensure that 200 small-scale farmers of Upper Akkar attend the training sessions on sustainable farming practices. -          Selection of 100 small-scale farmers to benefit from water management training and the installation of drip-irrigation systems in their lands.   Tasks: -          Provide Mada with a list of 40 recommended farmers’ representatives based on a set of defined criteria. -          Mobilize 200 farmers to attend training sessions through the Agriculture Extension Center in Hrar. -          Assist and coordinate with Mada staff in collecting the required forms to be used for the selection of 100 farmers            to benefit from the drip-irrigation systems.   Expected Results: -          40 farmers’ representatives attend focus group discussions for validation of training program. -          200 farmers attend sessions on sustainable agricultural practices. -          Drip irrigation systems installed in the lands of 100 farmers.   Mission 2: Development of plot maps   Objective: Develop plot maps for the design of 100 drip irrigation systems.   Tasks: - Work with the Project and Field Coordinators to take measurements of the land plots of the 100 selected farmers. - Develop sketches for each selected plot with the required measurements and details (water source, trees if present, topography, etc.).   Expected Result: Individual sketches developed for the 100 selected plots to design the drip irrigation systems.   Mission 3: Design of drip irrigation systems and bill of quantities   Objectives: -          Design 100 drip irrigation systems for 100 small scale farmers of Upper Akkar. -          Preparation of bills of quantities (BoQ) for each irrigation system.   Tasks: -          Design, using the measures provided by the Project and Field Coordinators and upon the Technical Assistant’s recommendations and advice, proper irrigation systems, based on the characteristics of the land, available water source, and other relevant parameters.         -          Develop a detailed bill of quantities for each irrigation system, including all the needed material and equipment, based on the design of the system and on the land’s characteristics and needs.  Expected Results: -          AutoCad designs of 100 drip irrigation systems.  -          Bill of quantities of 100 drip irrigation systems.     Mission 4: Specifications for equipment   Objective: Develop a set of specifications of the equipment required for the drip irrigation systems.  Main task: Develop, based on the needs and irrigation systems’ designs, a set of specifications applying to the 100 drip irrigation systems, to be used for the bid opening(s).   Expected Result: Adequate sets of specifications developed for the equipment of 100 drip irrigation systems.   Mission 5: Support and Supervision of bidding process and installation of irrigation systems   Objectives: -          Ensure that the bidding(s) proceeds as planned. -          Ensure that the irrigation systems are being adequately installed in the field.   Tasks: -          Develop the text to be published in local newspapers for the bid opening. -          Provide support in the bid opening by analyzing the offers and advising on the best bidding company. -          Support the development of the contract between Mada and the selected provider. -          Be present on the field during the first day of installation and report any issues, give recommendations, and ensure that the process will proceed successfully.   Expected Results: -          Selection of a cost-effective, appropriate bidding company (ies) to install the drip irrigation systems. -          Irrigation systems properly installed and functional.