Smallholder Agriculture Development Project - II: Service Provider (LS-MAFS-252222-CS-INDV)

Project ID: P165228

Project Title: Smallholder Agriculture Development Project - II

Borrower Bid Reference: LS-MAFS-252222-CS-INDV

Kingdom of Lesotho

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD) 

LOAN NO:                      P165228

CREDIT NO:                   IDA -64220 -LS

ASSIGNMENT TITLE:   SERVICE PROVIDERS                        

DURATION:                   TWO YEARS

NUMBER:                      ONE HUNDRED

DUTY STATION:           Mokhotlong, Qacha’sNek ,Thaba-  

                                      Tseka, Mafeteng, Quthing, Mohaleshoek, Maseru,

                                      Berea, Leribe and Butha-Buthe. 

BACKGROUND

The Government of Lesotho is currently implementing the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project 2 (SADP 2) with funding from the World Bank, the Grant from the Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).  The project includes a program of matching grants provided on a competitive basis to rural businesses for introducing and testing technological innovations and improved business practices (sub-component 1.1).  Each grant includes a technology transfer element to demonstrate and disseminate the findings to a broad audience.  At this stage, the project intends to award grants to the ten districts of Lesotho and the maximum threshold will be US$2 million.  The matching grants programme is being managed by a small Secretariat in the Project Management Unit (PMU) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and is governed by a detailed Operational Manual (OM).

GENERAL PROVISIONS

In recognition of the limited management capacity of most small-scale businesses and to support the businesses to develop and implement their activities, the grant applicant would be required to establish partnerships with a service provider(s) who would provide technical assistance, business and management advice, support for business development and market identification, and help with drafting the application and reports as needed.                                                                                                    

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

The Service Providers will report directly to the Project Director and will:

• Providing technical assistance and advice to the applicant to clarify the business idea and prepare the application,
• Work with the applicant to clarify different technical aspects of the activity and prepare an activity implementation plan;
• Provide technical assistance to the applicant during the project implementation phase and provide the products and services to be delivered according to an agreed schedule;
• Support the applicant in managing grant funds, including keeping the necessary accounts and collecting contributions from beneficiaries;
• Supervise the inputs of beneficiaries and subcontract technical assistance as necessary;
• Take the lead in organization and coordination of the planed technology transfer activities including training and demonstrations;
• Monitor the progress of activities;
• Support the applicant in the preparation and submission of the required financial and technical reports.

       QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness or economics.      

  EXPERIENCE PROFILE

• At least 5 years of experience on the field(s) and the specialty(ies) that are (is) priorities of the Matching Grants Programme and has prepared proposals for funding;
• The Service Providers will assist farmers in the ten districts of Lesotho should reside in those districts or reside in the neighbouring districts.  The Service Provider can assist the maximum of two sub projects at a time.
• To have successfully accomplished a number of activities on the field of his/her specialization and have a good knowledge of the Lesotho agriculture sector (production, processing and marketing issues).
• To be well known person, progressive, compromised and objective, have good communication skills with colleagues and farmers.
• To have experience on the projects/programmes of the agriculture development and contacts and international experience on proposal writing. 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016 and revised in November 2017 and August 2018, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.

SUBMISSION

Expressions of interest accompanied by detailed CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person or by email by 12:30hrs local time on 01st October, 2021 clearly marked ‘’ Expression of Interest for Service Providers-Name of District’’.  

To: Project Director-SADP II

       Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

       Department of Livestock Services -Moshoeshoe 11 

       P.O. Box 24

       Maseru 100 Lesotho.

      Email: procurement@sadpii.org.ls

NB: APPLICANTS ARE ADVICED TO APPLY TO THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEY RESIDE.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Organization/Department Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Name Felleng Ramaqele
Address Box 24 Maseru
City 
Province/State Lesotho
Postal Code 
Country Lesotho
Phone 2663000509
Email ramaqelef@gmail.com