Consultant for Fodder Production Curriculum Development for Livestock Farmers in Akkar

BACKGROUND:

Mada is seeking a qualified consultant to develop a training curriculum focused on fodder production for livestock farmers under the project entitled “Strengthening the Resilience of Vulnerable Women, Young Adults, and Men in Lebanon through Livelihood Improvement and Increased Food Security” funded by the German Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented by Mada Association in partnership with arche noVa.

The project supports the transition to agroecology and improve access to food by strengthening the resilience of vulnerable women, young adults and men in Lebanon by improving livelihoods and increasing food security. The project aims to build a more resilient, economically stable, and food secure communities in the project regions by addressing livelihood and food security challenges through a comprehensive approach.

The project will specifically support 50 women and men livestock farmers, enabling them to produce their own fodder. The mission's objective is to develop a comprehensive curriculum for 5 training sessions in a PowerPoint format, aimed at enhancing the skills of these livestock breeders in fodder production. The curriculum will integrate both theoretical knowledge and practical components, including exercises.

The mission is expected to be participatory, incorporating direct input from farmers in close coordination with Mada.

Objective of the mission:

To develop a comprehensive, participatory, and context-adapted curriculum, comprising 5 sessions, for livestock farmers. This curriculum will cover key aspects of fodder production, including, but not limited to, the following proposed session topics:

• Session 1: Introduction to fodder production and its significance and importance in soil fertility and crop rotation linked to challenges faced by livestock breeders.  
• Session 2: Selection and cultivation of fodder crops including identifying fodder varieties suitable for different livestock types, breed and for Akkar's specific climatic (including climate change challenges and water scarcity) and soil conditions, outlining procurement channels, detailing land preparation techniques, and demonstrating fundamental planting and irrigation methodologies.
• Session 3: Fodder harvesting, preservation, and storage techniques.
• Session 4: Fodder quality assessment and nutritional management.
• Session 5: Sustainable and economically viable fodder production.

The developed curriculum must be locally relevant, visually engaging, and firmly rooted in sustainable agricultural principles, directly addressing the challenges encountered by livestock farmers in Akkar, Lebanon.

Main tasks and Responsibilities:

The selected consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Develop a comprehensive 5-session curriculum focused on fodder production for livestock farmers in Akkar.
• Organize and conduct an induction meeting with Mada's technical team within one week of the contract start date to address any queries and clarify expectations.
• Facilitate a meeting with farmers (if deemed necessary) to validate and adapt the curriculum content based on their direct input, thereby ensuring its local relevance and practical applicability.
• Prepare and provide elaborated tools and comprehensive supporting materials (e.g., templates, visual aids, worksheets) to be included as annexes to the curriculum.
• Ensure that the curriculum comprehensively includes:
• A dedicated trainer's introductory page outlining the module and its intended use.
• A clearly structured outline detailing session objectives and flow.
• Detailed session content with thorough elaboration.
• A section summarizing the key messages intended for delivery to participants.
• Pre- and post-training tests designed to quantitatively measure learning outcomes.

• Coordinate effectively with Mada's team for feedback and content validation, incorporating two to three feedback rounds per session.
• Submit a final version of the curriculum in both English and Arabic, provided in an editable Word format.

Final deliverables:

• Outline for the 5 sessions curriculum.
• Pre and post-test
• Main findings for meeting and field visit conducted to breeders.
• A comprehensive curriculum in both Arabic and English consisting of 5 sessions, designed to equip livestock farmers with practical skills and supporting annexes. The final curriculum must be user-friendly, adaptable and practical for the context. It should be delivered in word format in both English and Arabic, with clear headings, and sub-headings. Each training session should not exceed 3 hours.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in veterinary, animal production or a related field.
• Previous experience in developing training curriculum and delivering trainings to farmers and livestock breeders.
• Strong knowledge of fodder production, animal nutrition, and farming challenges in Akkar, Lebanon, is essential.
• The consultant must be able to understand farmer needs and adapt the training accordingly, and have experience with diverse farmers, including women and youth.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with a focus on interactive and inclusive approaches.
• Ability to assess the participants' needs and challenges and adapt the curriculum accordingly.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

Eligible Applicants:

• Applications can be submitted by an individual expert, a team of more than one expert, or a company. If submitted by a team, one of the experts will be considered Lead Expert and be signatory. CVs for all applicants should be attached.
• The contract will be signed with a single entity, whether an individual or a consultancy institution, outlining clear terms of engagement.
• The selection process will consist of two steps: a pre-selection based on technical experience and qualifications, followed by in-person or online interviews with the shortlisted candidates.

Timeline:

The consultant is expected to submit the draft curriculum within six weeks of the start date.

The final version of the curriculum, along with supporting materials, should be delivered within two weeks after receiving feedback on the final draft.