Monitoring, Coordination and support to the implementation of ASARA project (Amélioration de la Sécurité Alimentaire et l'Augmentation des Revenus Agricoles)

client DEU to Madagascar .

The “ Improvement of Food Security and Increase of Agricultural Income ( ASARA)” project, of which this contract is part, aims to contribute to the reduction of rural poverty in the region of Fort Dauphin and to reduce its vulnerability to climate and environmental hazards. The ASARA project is based on a direct centralized management of the Delegation of the European Union in Madagascar ( DUEM ) , which is the contracting authority .

It has three components:

•Component 1 (Development of agricultural production) : grants will be awarded through calls for proposals for NGOs , MFIs and R &D organizations ;
•Component 2 (Development of value chains): management will be delegated to GIZ ;
•Component 3 (Rehabilitation and maintenance of rural roads): works contracts and project management will be passed through tenders.
The project also includes the promotion of income generating activities (IGA) and therefore advocates a particular approach to value chain development and agricultural finance.
The specific objective of this contract (Monitoring, coordination and support for the implementation of the ASARA project) is to ensure the quality of the technical and financial implementation of different activities planned under the ASARA project through the establishment of a Monitoring and Project Coordination Unit (USCP).

There are 5 results to be achieved:
•Result 1 - Progress in ASARA project’s implementation and in the objectives’ achievement is regularly assessed;

Result 2– ASARA project’s efficiency and effectiveness are optimized ;
• Result 3- Cross-cutting issues are taken into account in the activities supported by ASARA project;
• Result 4 – ASARA project’s results and impacts are disseminated ;
• Result 5- A system of continuous improvement of ASARA project is implemented.

Type of services provided:

Assist in EU Delegation in procurement procedures :

Preparation of TOR and calls for proposals;

Evaluation of bids received in response to calls for proposals (micro- credit, agricultural finance, agricultural development fundsetc.);

assistance in negotiations for the award of contracts and grants.

• Monitoring and Evaluation of the ASARA Project : Development of a M & E system;

Elaboration of a baseline study, monitoring of the implementation of grants, organization of the Steering Committees.

• Support stakeholders in the implementation of ASARA ’s activities : identification of needs and opportunities; analys is of relevant experiences; capitalization studies; pla nning activities; preparation and implementation of selected activities.

• Coordination and harmonization of donors and other stakeholders : implementation and application of systems to ensure effective coordination and harmonization of the work and activities of the various stakeholders.

• Communication and visibility of the project : Design and implementation of a 3 levels Communication Plan: (i ) for the project’s visibility, following the Commission’s guidelines, (ii) for stakeholders harmonization, and (iii) for the direct beneficiaries.