Tree Nursery Training Consultant
United Mission for Relief & Development
Consulting & Strategy
Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven consultant to develop and deliver a comprehensive training program for tree nursery operators. This consultancy will focus on conducting a detailed training needs assessment, creating customized training materials, and facilitating interactive sessions designed to improve operational practices and enhance skills within the tree nursery sector. The consultant will also evaluate the effectiveness of the training, providing key insights and recommendations for future training efforts. The ideal candidate will have proven expertise in training program development, instructional design, and experience working with community-based organizations or smallholder farmers. This role requires strong documentation, reporting, and presentation skills to ensure successful knowledge transfer and sustainability of training outcomes.
- Minimum Qualification : Bachelors
- Experience Level : Mid level
- Experience Length : 5 years
Job Description/Requirements
TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A TRAINING OF TRAINERS (TOT) FOR TREE NURSERY OPERATORS UNDER THE GUM ARABIC VALUE CHAIN IN NORTHERN KENYA
1. Background
Gums and resins are among commodities from the drylands of Africa, especially the Sahel and Horn of Africa, that have been articles of commerce for millennia and continue to contribute to livelihoods of the communities and broader economy of the countries. Key commodities include gum arabic, gum karaya, myrrh, frankincense, and opoponax. They are produced by tree species in the genus Acacia (now reclassified into sub-genus Senegalia and Vachellia), Sterculia, Boswellia, and Commiphora.
These tree resources have proved useful as windbreaks and shelter belts against desert encroachment and hence desertification. Their canopies intercept raindrops while the root systems are effective in reducing soil erosion, thereby stabilizing soils. Species in the sub-genus Senegalia and Vachellia improve soil fertility due to their ability to fix nitrogen. The foliage and pods are valuable dry season fodder, especially for goats, while the stems have wide applications in fencing, wood energy, and construction.
The environmental benefits of these plants are numerous, including contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the African dryland ecosystems. However, the above benefits of the tree resources to the environment and the potential of the commodities in the economic development of the producing countries and improvement of rural livelihoods have not been exploited to the full. Instead, the drylands of Africa are experiencing severe desertification and associated challenges aggravated by climate change, with concomitant results in declining agricultural and rangeland productivity. This is affecting livelihoods of rural farming and pastoral communities in these areas, which are traditionally centered on dry-land resources and commodities.
1.1 The Project
United Missions for Relief and Development, Horn of Africa Office, is implementing a project aimed at “Bridging Conservation Gaps: Empowering Women and Enhancing Competitiveness of Gum Arabic Enterprises” in collaboration with GIZ, Acacia EPZ, and the Cherry Blair Foundation. The primary target group of this project is women and youth from pastoralist communities residing in Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo, West Pokot, Wajir, Garissa, and Kitui counties in Kenya in the first year, with the possibility of additional counties in the second and subsequent years of intervention.
Under this project, UMR seeks to train Tree Nursery Operators on tree nursery preparation and management, rainwater harvesting, and environmental restoration through tree planting, especially raising and planting Gum Arabic trees (Acacia Senegal). This consultancy will focus on empowering these Tree Nursery Operators (especially women and youth) by training selected members of these groups as Trainers of Trainers (ToT) to cascade the training on tree nursery management to their peers. This approach will build the women’s capacity and provide a pool of resource persons who will provide continuous capacity building to the community on tree nursery management and environmental conservation. These resource persons will also act as environmental ambassadors to sensitize their communities, encouraging them to plant trees in their compounds and public institutions, thus contributing to environmental restoration and climate action.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The overall objective of the consultancy is to design and deliver a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Tree Nursery Management and Rainwater Harvesting for 50 Nursery Operations in selected Counties of operation.
2.1 Specific objectives include:
- Designing and delivering tailored training programs that are culturally relevant to enhance stakeholders' understanding of tree environmental conservation and management, including the project’s objectives, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes.
- Facilitating culturally and gender-sensitive workshops and capacity-building sessions aimed at equipping communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage meaningfully in the project.
- Providing ongoing support and guidance to participants, addressing any questions or concerns they may have regarding the project and their participation.
- Evaluating in collaboration with the UMR HoA team the effectiveness of training initiatives and identifying areas for improvement to ensure continuous learning and capacity building.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
- Conduct a desk review of the prevailing situation in the selected project areas, including initiatives and practices related to small environmental restoration and Nature-based solutions practiced by local communities.
- Provide an inception report with a detailed work plan, methodology, expected challenges, and mitigation measures.
- Conduct a training needs assessment of the nursery operators to identify their training requirements, especially regarding tree nursery management, prosopis harvesting, and rainwater harvesting.
- Develop customized training modules/materials tailored to the needs of Tree Nursery Operators as identified in the training needs assessment.
- Deliver interactive training sessions, workshops, and capacity-building activities both in person and virtually, as required.
- Train and equip selected groups and ToTs with the skills and tools necessary to cascade the training to their peers and the larger community on environmental restoration, tree growing, and rainwater harvesting.
- Provide one-on-one coaching and support to individual stakeholders and community members, addressing any knowledge gaps or challenges they may encounter.
- Identify rainwater harvesting technologies suitable for the project areas and develop a framework for adoption.
- Develop a post-training mentorship and support framework to ensure sustainability and continued growth of peer support networks.
- Maintain close collaboration with other project partners and, where necessary, participate in other partners' organized events for cross-learning.
- In close collaboration and support from UMR HoA M&E and program staff, conduct continuous monitoring and evaluation of the impact of training initiatives, soliciting feedback from participants, and making adjustments as necessary to optimize effectiveness.
4. DELIVERABLES
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- An inception report with a detailed work plan, methodology, expected challenges, and mitigation measures.
- A training needs assessment report outlining the identified training requirements and priorities of stakeholders and Somali communities.
- Customized training modules and materials developed according to identified needs and priorities.
- Documentation of training sessions, including agendas, presentations, and participant feedback.
- An evaluation report assessing the impact and effectiveness of training initiatives, along with recommendations for future improvements.
- A final comprehensive report summarizing the entire consultancy process, including the training needs assessment, development and delivery of training modules, documentation of training sessions, evaluation findings, and recommendations.
- A lessons learned report and how they can be applied or improved, considering the replicability of the training.
5. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The consultant will provide an inception report that outlines their approach, methodology, and timeline for conducting the training needs assessment and developing customized training modules and materials. This will include a detailed work plan, methodology, identification of potential challenges, and mitigation measures for these challenges. The inception report is due two weeks after the signing of the contract, with 5% of payment allocated at this stage.
The training needs assessment will result in a comprehensive report that outlines the identified training requirements and priorities for tree nursery operators. This report is due six weeks from the start date, with 10% of payment allocated at this stage.
Customized training modules and materials will be developed to address the identified needs and priorities of stakeholders and communities. These materials should be completed seven weeks from the start date, with 20% of payment allocated at this stage.
Documentation of the training sessions will include agendas, presentations, participant feedback, and any other relevant materials. This will be an ongoing task throughout the program, with final documentation due one month before the end of the consultancy, and 35% of payment allocated at this stage.
An evaluation report will assess the impact and effectiveness of the training initiatives, along with recommendations for future improvements. This is due one month before the end of the consultancy, with 10% of payment allocated at this stage.
A final comprehensive report will summarize the entire consultancy process, including the training needs assessment, development and delivery of training modules, documentation of training sessions, evaluation findings, and recommendations. This final report is due at the end of the consultancy, with 10% of payment allocated at this stage.
Finally, the consultant will provide lessons learned, including how they can be applied or improved, considering the replicability of the training. This is also due at the end of the consultancy, with 10% of payment allocated at this stage.
6. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The consultant(s) should meet the following qualifications:
- A degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, or Forestry.
- At least 5 years of experience conducting training programs, particularly in conflict-affected settings, marginalized groups, or women-led or youth-led groups.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering environmental training programs. Experience with ecological restoration programs will be an added advantage.
- Strong facilitation and communication skills with a focus on participatory and community-based approaches.
- Knowledge of pastoralist areas’ cultural and social dynamics in Northern Kenya and other marginalized regions.
- Fluency in English and Swahili, with knowledge of local dialects being an added advantage.
7. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA (70 POINTS)
7.1. Technical Evaluation Criteria
S/N: Area of Score Max Obtainable Points
Overall Response Total: 10
1.1 Completeness of Response: Assessment of the comprehensiveness of the proposal in addressing the requirements outlined in the TOR for developing a consultation framework (5 points).
1.2 Concordance with TOR: Evaluation of the alignment between the proposal and the objectives, scope, and needs specified in the TOR for developing a consultation framework (5 points).Technical Experience: 30
2.1 Demonstrated Experience: Evaluation of the consultant's past experience in designing and delivering training programs, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in humanitarian assistance and social development contexts (8 points).
2.2 Previous Involvement: Assessment of the consultant's involvement in similar projects and evidence of successful outcomes (8 points).
2.3 Adequacy of Proposed Team: Evaluation of the expertise and qualifications of the proposed team members (7 points).
2.4 Experience in Community Level Training or Working with Marginalized Communities: Particularly in Northern and Northeastern Kenya (7 points).Proposed Methodology and Approach: 30
3.1 Clarity and Coherence of the Proposed Methodology: Including data collection tools and quality assurance measures (8 points).
3.2 Feasibility of the Proposed Approach: Within the given timeframe and budget (8 points).
3.3 Description of Logistical Arrangements for Data Collection Activities (7 points).
3.4 Detailed Project Management and Monitoring Plan: To ensure the quality and timeliness of deliverables (7 points).
TOTAL POINTS: 70
8. TOTAL SCORE
Score Area:
- Total Technical Score: 70 Points
- Total Financial Score: 30 Points
Summary of Technical and Financial Score:
- Total: 100 Points
9. APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit the following:
• A technical proposal detailing their approach to the assignment and the methodology they intend to use.
• A financial proposal outlining the consultancy fees and any other related costs.
• A CV or resume highlighting relevant experience and at least two references from similar assignments.
10. REPORTING
The consultant will report to the Program Manager, UMR HoA Office and will work closely with the project consortium members in delivering the project in different Counties of operation. Regular updates and a final report are expected after the consultancy.
Submission Deadline
Applications should be submitted by 28 February 2025 to aismail@umrelief.org and couma@umrelief.org with the subject line: “Consultant for ToT Training for Tree Nursery Operators under the Gum Arabic Value chain in Northern Kenya.”
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