TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Hiring of Master Trainer for Capacity Building on Kitchen Gardening and Household Nutrition

1. Background

Community Development Foundation (CDF) is implementing a nutrition-sensitive livelihood intervention aimed at improving household food diversity and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable families in Tehsil Jacobabad, District Jacobabad. Recurrent droughts, extreme temperatures exceeding 45°C, water scarcity, and declining agricultural productivity have significantly affected household food security and increased the risk of malnutrition, particularly among women and children.

Women-headed households are among the most vulnerable groups and often face additional challenges, including limited access to productive resources and increased household responsibilities. To promote nutritional self-sufficiency and climate-adaptive food production, CDF will support 500 women with kitchen gardening inputs and practical training on sustainable vegetable production.

The intervention will adopt a demonstration plot approach and community-based training model to provide hands-on learning opportunities. Through these practical sessions, participants will learn improved cultivation techniques for heat-tolerant vegetable varieties and efficient use of water resources. To facilitate the implementation of these activities, CDF intends to engage a qualified Master Trainer with expertise in horticulture, kitchen gardening, and climate-resilient agriculture.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified Master Trainer to provide practical and community-based training on kitchen gardening and household nutrition to 500 women beneficiaries, enabling them to improve household food diversity and strengthen their resilience against climate-related shocks.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The specific objectives are to:

• Improve household food diversity and access to nutritious foods.
• Enhance women's knowledge and practical skills on kitchen gardening.
• Promote climate-resilient and water-efficient vegetable production techniques.
• Strengthen household nutrition and dietary diversity.
• Encourage sustainable food production practices suitable for drought-prone areas.
• Build the capacity of women to effectively utilize the tools and seed packages provided under the project.

4. Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Master Trainer will:

a) Preparation of Training Materials

• Coordinate with the Agriculture Extension Department and project team to review and finalize training materials.
• Develop practical training modules and demonstration materials.
• Ensure that all training content aligns with provincial agricultural recommendations and local climatic conditions.

b) Conduct Community-Based Training Sessions

• The assignment will include Training of 500 beneficiaries in 20 days, comprised of 25 participants in each session beneficiaries.
• Organize participants into groups to facilitate effective learning.
• Deliver training sessions directly within villages to maximize accessibility and participation.
• Use demonstration plots as the primary learning approach.

c) Practical Demonstrations

The Master Trainer shall provide practical guidance on:

• Site selection and preparation for kitchen gardens.
• Seasonal crop planning and sowing schedules.
• Cultivation and management of heat-tolerant vegetables including:
• Okra
• Bitter Gourd
• Bottle Gourd
• Sponge Gourd
• Water-efficient irrigation methods.
• Soil moisture conservation through mulching.
• Organic compost preparation.
• Organic pest and disease management techniques.
• Safe harvesting and post-harvest handling.
• Efficient utilization and maintenance of kitchen gardening tools.

5. Training Topics

The training curriculum shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Kitchen Gardening and Vegetable Production

• Introduction to kitchen gardening.

• Importance of household food diversity.
• Selection of suitable vegetable varieties, plot size, specifically focusing on space-saving methods like rooftop, vertical, and hanging gardens.
• Provide a simplified, foundational overview of basic vegetable preservation and drying techniques
• Seed sowing techniques and crop management.
• Seasonal planting calendars.
• Nursery establishment and transplanting methods.

Climate-Adaptive Practices

• Climate change impacts on household food production.
• Heat-tolerant vegetable varieties.
• Water-efficient irrigation techniques.
• Soil moisture retention through mulching.
• Compost preparation and organic fertilization.
• Organic pest and disease management.
• Water conservation practices.

Nutrition and Dietary Diversity

A brief nutrition session shall cover:

• Importance of dietary diversity.
• Household nutrition and food groups.
• Maternal nutrition.
• Infant and young child feeding practices.
• Utilization of vegetables for improved family nutrition.

6. Training Methodology

The Master Trainer shall employ participatory and practical learning approaches, including:

• Demonstration plots.
• Field-based practical sessions.
• Interactive presentations.
• Group discussions.
• Experience sharing.
• Hands-on exercises.
• Question-and-answer sessions.

7. Target Participants

The training will target:

• 500 women beneficiaries.
• Women-headed households.

• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Households with young children.
• Vulnerable households affected by drought and livelihood losses.

8. Duration and Location

The assignment will be carried out during July 2026 in Tehsil Jacobabad, District Jacobabad. The assignment will include Training of 500 beneficiaries in 20 days, comprised of 25 participants in each session.

Training sessions will be conducted at village level to ensure maximum participation and accessibility for women beneficiaries. Demonstration plots will serve as the primary instructional method.

9. Deliverables

The Master Trainer shall provide:

• Training agenda and session plans.
• Training modules and handouts.
• Demonstration plot plans and practical exercises.
• Attendance sheets for all participants.
• Photographic documentation.
• Pre- and post-training assessment tools.
• Documentation of practical demonstrations.
• One consolidated training report containing:
• Number of participants trained.
• Methodology
• Key topics covered.
• Challenges encountered.
• Lessons learned.
• Recommendations for future interventions.

10. Required Qualifications and Experience

The Master Trainer should possess:

• At least a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Agronomy, Rural Development, or a related field. A Master's degree will be preferred.
• Minimum three years of experience in kitchen gardening, horticulture, climate-smart agriculture, and community-based training.
• Experience working with women farmers and vulnerable communities.

• Demonstrated experience in participatory learning and demonstration plot approaches.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Sindhi and Urdu.
• Experience working with government agriculture departments and development organizations will be an added advantage.

11. Reporting and Supervision

The Master Trainer will work under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator and will coordinate closely with the Agriculture Extension Department, local government representatives, community leaders, DDMA, and PDMA to ensure that training activities are technically sound, culturally appropriate, and aligned with provincial guidelines and drought contingency measures.