Opportunities

The International Livestock Research Institute - Accelerated Value Chains Development Program (AVCD) on behalf of USAID Kenya would like to engage a consultant to conduct a rapid needs assessment and provide recommendations for engaging youth in the AVCD program.

The AVCD Program being implemented by three CGIAR centres i.e. ILRI, ICRISAT and CIP, seeks to harness the wealth of knowledge,  technologies and innovations within the research system ‘to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger in the Feed the Future Zones of Influence in Kenya’. The development objective is ‘Increased inclusive agricultural growth and improved nutrition status of participants in the targeted value chains in the Feed the Future zones of influence in Kenya’. The value chains included in this program were selected from Feed the Future Strategy for Kenya to cover a range of ecosystems, including those that have been affected by severe drought over the years and resource poor farming communities.  These value chains are livestock, dairy, and staple crops (root crops and, drought tolerant)

The International Livestock Research Institute - Accelerated Value Chains Development Program (AVCD) on behalf of USAID Kenya would like to engage a consultant to conduct a rapid needs assessment and provide recommendations for engaging youth in the AVCD program.

The AVCD Program being implemented by three CGIAR centres i.e. ILRI, ICRISAT and CIP, seeks to harness the wealth of knowledge,  technologies and innovations within the research system ‘to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger in the Feed the Future Zones of Influence in Kenya’. The development objective is ‘Increased inclusive agricultural growth and improved nutrition status of participants in the targeted value chains in the Feed the Future zones of influence in Kenya’. The value chains included in this program were selected from Feed the Future Strategy for Kenya to cover a range of ecosystems, including those that have been affected by severe drought over the years and resource poor farming communities.  These value chains are livestock, dairy, and staple crops (root crops and, drought tolerant)

Youth who for purposes of the AVCD program are defined as 15-29 years represent a big proportion of Kenya’s total population. Kenya is a very youthful country. The median age is estimated at 19 years, and about 80 percent of Kenya’s population is below 35 years. The youth have the potential to be at the forefront of positive change socially and economically; yet they have historically been excluded from decision-making processes, as well as programs intended to address their needs and improve the quality of life such as the AVCD. 

Rural youth are the future of food security. Yet around the world, few young people see a future for themselves in agriculture or rural areas. Rural youth face many hurdles in trying to earn a livelihood. Pressure on arable land is high in many parts of the world, making it difficult to start a farm. Youth often also lack access to credit, and many other productive resources necessary for agriculture. They too suffer from certain micronutrient deficiencies. Evidence has shown that rates of iron deficiency tend to be higher in adolescents (10-19years of age) –youth- from low income households due to poor dietary diversity. While acknowledging the relationship between good nutrition and increased agricultural productivity, there are no nutrition programs that target the youth, even with basic nutrition education. This coupled with their limited involvement in agriculture where they would nutritionally benefit from either the production or income pathway, further marginalizes the youth predisposing them to poverty and malnutrition.  But even if such hurdles can be overcome, isn’t urban life much cooler? Perhaps, but not if you cannot make a living there. Particularly in developing countries, rural youth find themselves in such a bind. While most of the world’s food is produced by (ageing) smallholder farmers in developing countries, older farmers are less likely to adopt the new technologies needed to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, and ultimately feed the growing world population while protecting the environment. Hence, we need to re-engage youth in agriculture.

There are recognized barriers to youth participation in agriculture such as: the negative perception of the sector by youth, access to information and agricultural education; access to land; access to engagement and participation in policy dialogue; access to credit; and access to markets. In the zones where AVCD operates, it is imperative that a ground trothed needs assessment is undertaken to establish the specific situation and make practical recommendations.

The findings from the rapid needs assessment will provide a basis for a framework for guiding all the AVCD value chain interventions on how to ensure youth participation and the activities to be undertaken. 

Scope of Work

1. Understand the perceptions and potential roles of youth in the specific value chains
2. Using a gender lens undertake a situation analysis to identify gaps (including knowledge and skills) and bottlenecks in youth participation in the AVCD value chains.
3. Review studies that have been undertaken concerning youth participation in agriculture.
4. Establish strategies/models that have been employed to ensure youth participation in agriculture by different players in the sector and to the extent possible provide lessons learned.
5. Establish the level of understanding of nutrition in relation to the AVCD program value chains among the youth
6. Identify the opportunities for youth engagement within the AVCD program value chains 
7. Identify key partnerships required for implementing projects supported by AVCD and also enable areas that AVCD cannot directly address are covered.
8. Recommend sustainability aspects that would support the involvement of youth the AVCD processes including a framework for monitoring and evaluation of youth participation in AVCD
9. Facilitate an AVCD team meeting to validate draft findings

Methodology/ Approach

The consultant is expected to undertake:

• Literature review of studies, strategies and other reports that have been produced with regard to youth engagement in agriculture.
• Focus group discussions with youth and key informant interviews with selected stakeholders involved in agricultural programs for youth. 

Key Deliverables

• Inception Report outlining work plan, draft instruments for focus groups and key informant interviews
• A draft analytical report which provides a situation analysis and includes all findings and 
• recommendations that could be integrated in ACVD projects
• Final validated report that highlights findings and recommendations on youth participation in AVCD.

Consultant Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in Rural development, Agriculture, social sciences or related area
• Knowledge of participatory methodology and youth issues especially related to agriculture
• Working knowledge of the Kenya country context
• Experience conducting similar assignments

Reporting

The consultant will report to the AVCD Program Manager/Chief of Party 

Application

• A proposal should be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 20^th January 2017 indicating:
• Curriculum vitae of the consultant
• Summary of similar assignments conducted and a sample of at least  two 
• Description of the proposed activities and timeline for their implementation in accomplishing the tasks in the scope of work.
• Financial proposal- fees and budget for undertaking the tasks