Consultancy to Assess the Climate-Smart Agriculture Activities in Cambodia

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PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT  

The purpose of this assignment is to design the methodologies, lead the process of the assessment and reporting. The following key questions will be used to guide the assessment process.

1. To evaluate to what extent the climate smart agriculture (CSA) activities meet the needs of the riverine communities especially the marginalized groups like women, disabled people and indigenous people.
2. To assess if the selection criteria of people we work with (beneficiaries) are inclusive and uphold Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles?
3. To assess if the selection criteria and procurement processes are transparent and inclusive?
4. To assess if the model of climate smart agricultures including aquaponics could be adopted by the communities?
5. To evaluate the extent to which the SCA technology and project strategies have contributed to build community resilience to climate change impacts?
6. To assess if the model of climate smart agricultures including aquaponics fits to the community context, is sustainable and scaling up opportunity?
7. To evaluate if there are any unintended consequences or emerging challenges that affect the CSA activities and impacts?
8. To evaluate the cost and benefits of CSA models.
9. To make recommendations for project implementation team and key stakeholders for future project design and improve intervention strategies.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The Strengthening Climate Resilience (SCR) pilot project aims to enhance the resilience of communities living along the Mekong River and its tributaries in response to the impacts of climate change. Building upon Oxfam and its partners' existing work in transboundary governance of the Mekong, the project collaborates with NGO partners and riverine communities in Cambodia, specifically in the provinces of Kratie, Stung Treng, and Ratanakiri. In Kratie, the project focuses on one commune comprising three villages; in Stung Treng, it works with one commune consisting of four villages; and in Ratanakiri, it engages with two communes that include four villages.

The objective of the project is to reduce the vulnerability of riverine communities in the Mekong Basin to the impacts of disasters and climate risks. To achieve this, the project focuses on several key outcomes.

Outcome 1: Riverine communities are empowered to implement inclusive climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk management (DRM) plans, ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. Outcome 2: Local authorities will be supported in their efforts to assist communities in managing disaster and climate-related hazards effectively. Outcome 3: Improve the availability and utilization of hydro-meteorological data, enabling both riverine communities and DRM authorities to make informed decisions that enhance resilience against climate-related risks.

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) is part of outcome 1 to support the targeted riverine communities to implement climate change adaptation activities to build their resilience to climate hazards. Up to date, in the piloting process. 21 households (6 in Kratie, 11 in Stung Treng and 4 in Ratanakiri province) were supported to implement climate smart vegetable production including 3 aquaponic models in Kratie province.

The project seeks an experienced consultant or a team to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, inclusiveness, impacts and sustainability.

SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY DELIVERABLES

1. Developed an inception report outlining the detailed methodologies, tools, questions in consultation with Oxfam and stakeholders.
2. Self-manage and coordinate with key informants in data collection both field in collaboration with key stakeholders, My Village Organization (MVI), Northeastern Rural Development (NRD) and Royal University of Agriculture (RUA).
3. Prepared a power-point presentation on summarise key comments and findings during report drafting stage to Oxfam and partners for comments and inputs.
4. Produced evaluation report (in English) that aligns with agreed template. The report should analyse key findings (no more than 20 pages -excluding annexes- responding to key questions). Structure of the report will be discussed and agreed with Oxfam and 3SPN. See the outline of the report as in the annex1 of these terms of reference.      

      REQUIREMENTS

      The qualified consultant (s) should have the following competencies and essential criteria:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, climate change or community development.
• Demonstrates at least eight (8) year-experiences in program design and impact and outcome evaluations.
• Has at least 10 year working experience in development works preferably related to sectors such agriculture, climate change, energy, environment and ecosystem protection and gender in Cambodia and lower Mekong region.
• Demonstrates a strong analytical and communication skills.
• Demonstrates high level proficiency in writing (English) with clear and concise analysis and in developing reports that include visual representation of data. 
• Understands the principles and practices of right based development approaches.
• Demonstrates understanding and experience on the ways of working NGOs and communities. 
• Understand social and political context of Cambodia and the lower Mekong context.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission deadline: Applications must reach Oxfam no later than December 20, 2024, 23:59 (GMT+7).

Submission instructions: Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent to soknak.por@oxfam.org, up to 5 days before the submission deadline in writing. The questions will be answered to all applicants.

Full TOR could be downloaded here: https://oxfam.box.com/s/xgx4t368vtn6l8ezdvp1nq5ob9szbkkg