AGA KHAN FOUNDATION

(Pakistan)

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.

AKF(P) is seeking high caliber Consultancy firm for its Satpara Development Project (SDP) being implemented in Skardu-GB by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP).

“Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Agriculture and Livestock Policy Development”

1. Scope of Work

While the detailed tasks are given below, the Consultancy firm should ensure the following:

1. The policy should provide an insight into challenges faced by the farmers of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as well as the specific needs of various agro-ecological zones.
2. The policy must be aligned with other policy documents of the other sub sectors such as livestock, food, forestry and fisheries. 
3. The policy must also be aligned with the Government of GB’s objective of obtaining maximum food security and enhancing the participation of private sector to create income and employment opportunities particularly for youth. The policy should address questions like future framework for promoting youth participation in agriculture.
4. The policy formulation process should include review of regulatory issues and suggest areas where legislation is required and also suggest measures to reduce unnecessary regulatory restrictions. 
5. The policy formulation should also include a thorough institutional review to assess if the present institutional structure is well positioned to achieve the policy objectives of the Government.
6. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provides a major growth opportunity for Gilgit-Baltistan and the agriculture policy should address the question of how the agriculture and livestock sector can benefit from it and the future agriculture interventions can be synergized with China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
7. Agriculture Department of GB would establish an advisory board of independent experts, who should guide and refine the process of policy formulation and this advisory board will provide technical oversight.

Under the above-mentioned imperatives, the Consultancy firm would need to undertake the following tasks:

A) Desk Research and Inception Findings

The Consultancy firm should develop a detailed process outline/plan during the inception phase on how it will proceed. The inception report should cover the proposed stakeholder consultations’ plan, detailed research methodology for undertaking on-ground research. The inception report should also include a detailed secondary review of available documents and international research. These documents may include Agricultural strategies for the first decade of new millennium released in June 2000; MTDF (2005-10); Draft National Agriculture Policy – 2010; Draft National Agricultural and Food Security Policy – 2013; and National Vision 2025. The Consultancy firm will also be required to review the agriculture support initiatives in the recent past at the federal and provincial level. The Consultancy firm will also be required to give a presentation to Agriculture Department on inception findings. The Department must formally approve the inception report before commencement of any further work.

B) Institutional & Regulatory Review

The Consultancy firm should conduct detailed regulatory and institutional review of the agriculture and livestock sectors in Gilgit-Baltistan. The regulatory review should not only cover all existing regulations and laws impacting the sector but should also identify any gaps in the regulatory regime. The institutional review should cover various actors in the sector and how they interact with each other. In particular, the review should cover how Agriculture and Livestock Department is organized and if the present structure can deliver the desired policy objectives.

C)  SWOT Analysis

Conduct problem analysis and analysis of stakeholders using SWOT technique and;

• Identify the entities for policy analysis (Physical resources and infrastructure, supply chain, and institutional resources)
• Identify agriculture development objectives by translating SWOT into objectives
• Select the core objectives
• Develop development strategies

D) Policy Formulation

The Consultancy firm will develop separate drafts each for agriculture and livestock based on deliberation on strategic options for key priorities of the government and recommending best possible policy course. Specifically, the Consultancy firm will:

• Undertake data collection and analysis of various technical issues raised by stakeholders and taskforce members to support selection of appropriate policy choices
• Identify key issues to be addressed in the proposed agriculture policy
• Review strategic options and policy choices for each issue and how they are likely to impact agriculture sector’s future in the province
• Formulate an initial brief paper and presentation on basic principles of policy and strategic options.

2. Deliverables

The Consultancy firm shall deliver to AKF(P) as per the following details.

Deliverable No. 1: Inception Report

The Inception Report shall have a detailed process outlines to be adopted during  the course of this assignment by  the Consultancy firm. The inception report shall also cover the proposed stakeholder consultations as well as the plan for undertaking on-ground research. It  will follow the standard Table of Contents which will be provided by SDP-AKRSP/AKF(P). The Consultancy Firm will be required to give a presentation to SDP-AKRSP/AKF(P) and Agriculture Department of GB on inception findings. The Agriculture Department of GB, USAID and AKF(P)  shall formally approve the inception report before commencement of any further work.

Deliverable No. 2: Secondary Review Report

The Secondary Review Report should be submitted within seven days of submitting inception report and should include a detailed secondary review of available documents and international research. These documents shall include but will not be limited to, a) Agricultural strategies for the first decade of new millennium released in June 2000; e) MTDF (2005-10); b) Draft National Agriculture Policy – 2010; c) Draft National Agricultural and Food Security Policy – 2013; d) National Vision 2025. e)  draft horticulture policy of GB. The Consultancy firm will also be required to review on-going agriculture support initiatives and initiatives in the recent past at the provincial level by various development actors.

Deliverable No. 3: Reports for various events, workshops and stakeholder sessions

The Consultancy firm will be required to deliver a brief report on salient discussions and key findings thereof of major consultative events, workshops and sessions on an agreed table of contents. Each of such report will be 300-500 words (one to two page of typed content).

Deliverable No. 4: Draft agriculture and livestock policy and presentation along with Communication plan

The Consultancy firm will deliver a draft agriculture policy document as per a Table of Content (TOC) and template agreed during the inception period.. The Consultancy firm will also help the Department for pre and post policy orientation workshop with all the relevant stakeholders in the GB Specifically, the Consultancy firm will develop contents for communication pack and a communication plan to provide targeted messaging to inform the wider public about the agriculture policy and what it means for the GB Province.

Deliverable No. 5:Final agriculture policy and presentation

The Consultancy firm will deliver final agriculture policy document and presentation after incorporating comments received on the draft policy document. SDP-AKRSP and AKF(P) and the Department of Agriculture GB-through provincial head,  shall formally approve the final report before release of final payment to the Consultancy firm.

Deliverables Schedule

The Consultancy firm shall submit the deliverables described above in accordance with the following deliverables schedule,

1. Submission of Inception Report after 15 Days of contract signing
2. Desk Review of related documents and submission of secondary report after 30 Days of contract signing.
3. Reports of various events, workshops and stakeholder sessions conducted during the assignment will be shared with AKF(P) for review and comments.
4. Briefs and presentations on strategic policy options for the task force as required.
5. Draft agriculture policy and presentation along with Communication plan till 90 Days after contract signing
6. Final agriculture policy and presentation within 20 days after completion of the deliverable # 4

Qualifications

The Consultancy firm should submit a: Firm’s Profile, b: detailed CVs of the proposed team having the following minimum or equivalent qualifications:

1. Policy Expert

1. Master’s degree in Policy Development, Sustainable Agriculture, Market development and Rural Development; Research and Development or related area from a reputable and recognized Institute.
2. Knowledge of facilitation, participatory methodology and stakeholder engagement
3. Knowledge of the agricultural development issues of Gilgit-Baltistan
4. At least 15 years proven experience conducting similar assignments in the similar context.

2. Agriculture Development Expert

1. Master’s degree in Agriculture Economics, Agronomy or Horticulture from a reputable and recognized Institute.
2. Knowledge of assessing agriculture development projects/ programmes in mountainous areas.
3. At least 15 years’ experience of developing and implementing robust market led agriculture development projects in mountain context preferably in Gilgit-Baltistan.

3. Livestock Development Expert

1. Master’s degree in Animal Husbandry or Veterinary Sciences.
2. Knowledge of assessing livestock development projects / programmes in mountainous areas.
3. At least 15 years’ experience of developing and implementing livestock development projects in mountain context preferably in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Implementation Schedule/Timeline

Preparation and sharing of draft report                   30^th July, 2017

Feedback on draft report                                     20th August, 2017

Presentation to Chief Secretary of GB                    1^st September, 2017

Sent to Cabinet for Discussion & Approval              15^th September, 2017

AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer - females are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interested Firms should forward their applications by April 9^th, 2017.  Firms will also be required to produce Concept Note and the detailed methodology (If Shortlisted)

Please note that only online applications will be entertained.

For more information about AKDN, please visit www.akdn.org