Consultant - Baseline Survey Research

The Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications from consultants or consulting firms for a Baseline Survey of the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-food Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) project, across 9 targeted communities in Nigeria. To learn more about MEDA and our work, please visit
www.meda.org**.**

Background
Nigeria’s economy and workforce are significantly rooted in agriculture, with vast potential for enhanced economic value through increased production and improved market access for key crops such as maize, rice, soyabean, and groundnuts. These crops are vital for both domestic food security and regional trade integration. Despite this potential, challenges such as low productivity, limited access to climate-resilient technologies, and gaps in market systems remain major constraints to sectoral growth.

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) is a non-profit organization which brings hope, opportunity and economic well-being to low-income people around the world, through a business-oriented approach to development. MEDA has received new funding from the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to implement a five (5) year project aimed at supporting Nigeria’s four crops sector. The project will support the productivity through climate adaptive solutions for women and youth in the maize, soyabean, rice, and groundnuts value chains.

Resilient and Inclusive Agri-food Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) is a $ 20 million CAD, that will improve the functioning of four value chains within the agri food system such as maize, rice, groundnuts, and soyabean in select regions of Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kano to improve yield & nutrition, increase incomes, and create jobs for women and youth SHF and SMEs. RISE builds on lessons learned from a recently concluded GAC-funded, MEDA initiative in Bauchi known as Nigeria WAY (WAY), which tackled constraints at the farmer, business, community, and institutional levels to make the targeted value chains more productive, more inclusive of women and more sustainable.

RISE has been co-created and will be delivered in partnership with Sahel Consulting, a local consulting firm with implementation and coordination capabilities in Nigeria and an extensive network in the soyabean agri-food systems value. Rice, maize, groundnut and soyabean were selected due to their importance in Nigeria's food security, the potential for increased production and integration with other value chains such as poultry (animal feed), high-income potential through value addition, and the opportunity to involve women and youth in various stages of the value chain.

Other complementing partners include market systems actors such as Africa Exchange (AFEX) and Extension Africa, women’s associations Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Women in Business Forum (WIBFO), Business Development Services (BDS) partner Emeraid Capital and microfinance institution Development Exchange Center (DEC).

RISE will target 12,500 Smallholder farmers (SHF) organized in 250 SHF cooperatives. Of these SHF, at least 50% or 6,250 are expected to be adult women and 20% or 2,500 are expected to be youth (both young men and women) between the ages of 15 and 29. 37,500 household members of SHF are expected to indirectly benefit from the initiative interventions. RISE will create and/or sustain jobs for 8,000 individuals, of which 70% or 5,600 will be women and 30% or 2,400 will be youth (both young men and women). 450 agribusinesses will also be targeted. These different targets of the project are summarized as follows:

• Smallholder Farmers (SHF): 12,500 total
  • Adult women: 6,250
  • Youth (men and women): 2,500
  • Other: 3,750
• SHF Cooperatives: 250
• Household Members of SHF: 37,500
• Agribusinesses: 450 total
  • Entrepreneurs (ENs)
  • Small Scale Businesses (SSBs)
  • Medium Enterprises (MEs)
• Jobs to be created/sustained: 8,000 total
  • Adult women: 5,600
  • Youth (men and women): 2,400

In pursuit of the above, MEDA intends to conduct a baseline study to collect data on its maize, rice, groundnuts, soyabean farmer clients, as well as other actors in these value chains with reference to its performance management framework (PMF). The data collected in the baseline is to serve as a reference to which data collected later on from a representative sample will be compared to determine the extent to which project activities have produced the needed results. To do this, MEDA requires the services of a qualified research consultant to gather data from potential project clients, keys stockholders and conduct analysis and write a comprehensive report.

Study Purpose
The purpose of the baseline study is to understand the current situation and gaps related to project results outlined in the PMF. The baseline study will measure the status of all PMF indicators to understand the starting point of key elements of RISE project against which later progress will be assessed. The study will also enable the project team to set indicator targets and track progress on an ongoing basis. Additionally, baseline data will also be helpful for undertaking impact evaluation at later stage of the project.

Scope of the Study
The baseline study will gather data from potential project clients and partners, including women and men farmers in maize, rice, groundnuts, and soyabean sectors and Business clients. The geographic locations to be covered by the baseline are the 9 targeted communities (In Kano: Garun-Mallam, Kura, and Doguwa. In Kaduna: Kaduna North, Igabi, and Lere. In Bauchi: Toro, Dass, and Warji) in the project's three intervention regions (Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna). The study will also gather perspective of potential partners and stakeholders.

Study Approach and Methodology
The researcher will work with an Advisory Committee that will guide the study process, including approval of key deliverables. The study will involve gather data from potential clients and partners using qualitative and quantitative instruments. The sampling methodology utilized by the consultant should ensure equitable representation of diverse men, women, young men and young women across the project’s target geography and sectors.

Researcher’s Tasks and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Advisory Committee, the Researcher will prepare a detailed work plan that provides information on the study to be carried with timelines of each activity. At minimum, the work plan should include the following:

• •    Research methodology, including sampling strategy that is representative of project objectives and indicators identified in the PMF. 
  •    Data gathering tools (e.g., survey)
  •    Training of enumerators
  •    Protection of collected data
  •    Data analysis and reporting
  •    Study schedule/timeline

Technical Oversight 
An Advisory Committee will be formed, comprising key project stakeholders, to provide technical guidance to ensure alignment with industry, GAC and MEDA’s standards. The Advisory Committee will be available as needed for technical guidance.

Deliverables
The following products will be produced as part of the study.
•    Research work plan, including matrix. The research matrix is a framework that includes study criteria, questions, indicators, any existing data and / or targets, data sources, instruments, sampling considerations, and analysis.
•    Draft research report, including raw data
•    Final research (survey) report

Logistical Arrangements 
The researcher will be responsible for making logistical arrangements for field visit and scheduling interviews with stakeholders. Implementing partner will facilitate appointments with partners and stakeholders.

Time frame
All activities will be conducted during the following timeframe.

• Selection of consultant                                        : June 4, 2025 
  Inception Meeting/Kick Off meeting                   : June 6, 2025
  Field data, collection analysis and reporting      : June 7 – June 30, 2025
  Draft report submitted                                          : July 2, 2025
  Final report submitted                                          : July 6, 2025

Budget 
The budget for the baseline study will cover professional fees, travel, accommodation, data collection, and other related costs. The researcher should submit a detailed budget proposal along with the application.

Required competencies

• i.    Strong work ethic and ability to carry out duties at a high professional standard.
  ii.    Communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and written. 
  iii.    Strong organization and time management skills.
  iv.    Ability to deliver timely reports.
  v.    Good listener of both verbal and non-verbal communications.
  vi.    Be persistent and thorough.
  vii.    Exercise confidentiality, professionalism, and diplomacy.
  viii.    Practice critical thinking and ability to problem solve individually or in a team.
  ix.    Advanced computer skills, including internet, smartphone technology, email, spreadsheet and word processing software.

Experience and qualification

• i.    University degree with extended training or study in a research or an M&E related discipline
  ii.    At least ten (10) years of proven working experience leading field research, data collection and analysis programs.
  iii.    Strong familiarity with Nigeria context, in particular in the project's future intervention zone. 
  iv.    Advanced knowledge and skill with known data analysis tools like Excel, Stata, SPSS etc.
  v.    Proven track record facilitating trainings 
  vi.    Data analysis, data quality assurance and related tasks
  vii.    Excellent management and organizational skills suitable for a complex environment with multiple competing priorities, short deadlines, and performance pressure.

How to apply
Interested candidates/firm should email their application to riseprocurement@meda.org.

E-mail subject: RISE Baseline study.

For clarification, please email: riseprocurement@meda.org

The application package should include: 
a) technical proposal; 
b) financial proposal; 
c) experience of individuals who will be involved; 
d) past written examples

Application deadline: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

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