INVITATION FOR BIDS-consultancy to facilitate Formation and strengthening of Business and water users’ associations

Consultancy: Formation and strengthening of Business and water users’ associations to facilitate sustainable water use in the community

G-STIC Climate Action Programme in collaboration with Rikolto is implementing a three-years (01/02/2023 to 31/01/2026) project titled as ‘’ Water for Resilient Communities and Food Systems in Northern and Southern Highlands, Tanzania’’. The project is being piloted in Meru district (Arusha region) and Rungwe district (Mbeya region) as example districts for Northern and Southern Highlands respectively. The main objective of the project is to support Tanzania's climate change intervention strategies including the protecting and conserving of water resources by stimulating the adoption of irrigation systems that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable in smallholder farming communities in Meru and Rungwe districts and scale-up of this model into Northern and Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• To demonstrate how to reduce the impact of erratic water availability on the livelihoods of vegetable and fruit farmers in Meru and Rungwe districts and to strengthen their resilience against the effects of climate change through the adoption of integrated solar-powered drip irrigation systems.

• To reduce the environmental pressure of vegetable and fruit farming in Meru and Rungwe districts on water resources through more sustainable water management, including practices to increase rainwater harvesting and infiltration and to reduce water usage from natural water sources (wells, rivers, lakes) from vegetable and fruit farming by 70%.

• To scale up integrated solar-powered drip irrigation systems as a resilient water management solution, affordable for smallholder farmers, in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, and Songwe region by January 2026.

The program will operate through the establishment of 40 demonstration plots, the financial support and services for a minimum 700 early adopting farmers, the training of 9,000 farmers on sustainable water management (including efficient use of the solar-powered irrigation technology), and demonstration events hosting an estimated 16,000 farmers, the project aims to directly impact a minimum of 9,500 individual farmers, coming down to an average subsidy of 245 euro per farmer.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) model would be adopted to train the trainer (Service Provider) in coaching the beneficiaries in target areas. The aim is to establish a pool of 100 competent trainers who will be directly involved in training other farmers by conducting a series of workshops, mentorship, and coaching in group formation. Special criteria will be used to select farmers to be involved in the TOT model, taking into consideration women and youth participation. One TOT would further train and demonstrates knowledge to 8 - 12 farmers in their respective area. Rikolto will use a service provider to conduct the TOT training who will be recruited by using selection criteria (to be developed).

Capacity-building interventions target 9,500 farmers in Arusha, Kilimanjaro Mbeya, and Songwe regions. The interventions will focus on their areas: the objective of this activity is establishing or strengthening sustainable farmer-based organizations (FBOs) ie: at least 15 water associations capable of demanding relevant services for their members.

The consultant will conduct the following activities:

• Collaborate with the Project Intern and Program Coordinator by mapping, identifying, and mobilizing farmers into farmer-based organizations (FBOs) specifically water user associations.

• In collaboration with TOTs’, prepare all training schedules programs, and materials for particular subjects.

• Training primary FBO on their rights and responsibilities as strong FBO members.

• Support and coach FBOs in preparation of FBO constitutions to guide the management.

• Conduct capacity building for leaders and members of the FBOs in management.

• Improve the internal management of registered FBOs in Arusha, Kilimanjaro Mbeya and Songwe.

• Train, mentor, and coach FBOs on doing business collectively to ensure increased market and bargaining power of FBOs.

• Provision of mentorship and coaching to FBO leaders to ensure are aware of and execute their roles and responsibilities.

• Coach FBOs on water management including water reallocations and conflict resolutions

• Coach and mentor FBOs in the development of business plans.

• Whenever required, support registration of FBOs.

• Support in preparation of a 5-year strategic plan in place and started implementation.

• Through coaching and mentorship, ensure the increase of women leaders and young members of FBOs.

• At least 15 water user associations mapped and identified in the Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, and Songwe regions.
• At most 100 TOTs selected, recruited, trained, and mentored on group dynamics, best leadership, best record keeping, best business, and best water use practices.
• 9,500 farmers are mobilized into existing and/or supported to formalize new FBOs including preparation of constitution, facilitated to apply for registration etc.
• Through 100 TOTs, 9,500 farmers are trained, mentored, and coached on group dynamics, best leadership, best record keeping, best business, and best water use practices.
• 65% (6,175) of mobilized farmers are members of registered FBOs.
• 65% of all registered FBOs (above) have a 5-year strategic plan.
• 5% increase in women leaders and young members in targeted FBOs.

The proposed budget should be well delineated and rational including estimates for training required personnel and related operational costs. The proposed budget will form the basis for the negotiation of the final budget which will form part of the contract. The budget should be in Tanzanian shillings.

This assignment will be implemented in Arusha, Kilimanjaro Mbeya, and Songwe regions and has been allocated for 90 days working days on 20 demonstration plots redistributed 4 days per year for 2.5 years based on the developed and agreed work plan. The final submission of the report is due by the end of July 2025.

Qualified firms/candidates are invited to submit their Technical and Financial proposal, Methodology/approach, and CVs via email eastafrica.recruitment [at] rikolto.org by 27 November 2023 and should indicate the source of this advertisement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.