Sustainable Management for Improved livelihood and Environment (SMILE)
Terms of Reference
Pasture Management for the ‘Sustainable Management for Improved livelihood and Environment
Phase II’ (SMILE) project, Takhar Province, Afghanistan, Co-funded by European Commission
1. Background
Concern Worldwide is an international, non-governmental, humanitarian organization dedicated to the
reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s
poorest countries. Concern has been working in Afghanistan since 1998, when we initiated an emergency
response programme to an earthquake in Takhar Province. Concern later moved into long-term
development programming in the provinces of Takhar, Badakshan and Kabul.
The project titled ‘Sustainable Management for Improved livelihood and Environment Phase II (SMILE II) is
being implemented by Concern Worldwide. The project was initiated in 2011 and is part of the larger
programme ‘Social Management of Water in Afghanistan - Panj Amu River Basin Programme (PARBP) which
is supported by EC.
The project is implemented in close collaboration with local government (Ministry of Energy and Water,
Ministry of Agriculture and livestock and Governor Office) and PARBP-Technical Assistant Team.
The overall objective of the project is ‘To contribute to the improvement of rural livelihoods (food security
and farm incomes) and thus to the overall economic recovery of Afghanistan, while respecting the natural
resource base.’ while the specific objective is that ‘Water and land resources are better managed for
increased reliability of resources' distribution and use efficiency, are sustainably protected, and
precipitation run-off reduced..
The project is implemented in 26 focus communities, comprising six catchments in Rustaq district, northern
Takhar Province, Afghanistan. The estimated number of direct beneficiaries is 34404 women and men.
The project log frame results are as below:
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ER 1: Existing natural resources - use, opportunities and threats are better understood.
ER 2: Capacity of community organisations is increased especially in decision making and improved
NRM by training and coaching in management, protection and conservation of natural resources
(water, grazing and rainfed crop lands and vegetation)
ER 3: Water is more efficiently and equitably distributed, vegetation re-established dependence on
vegetation for fuel reduced and erosion reduced across each target catchment.
ER 4: Agricultural production in targeted catchments is increased.
The planned activities include the establishment of NRM committees; Initiation of intra- and inter-village
agreements on NRM and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR); Training for key community representatives and
district authorities in project management, proposal writing, advocacy and conflict resolution; training on
NRM and DRR; Training on soil and water conservation measures, improved cropping systems for soil
management, production of saplings/nurseries; Demonstration sites for rangeland rehabilitation ; Exchange
visits; Participatory monitoring and evaluation; Participatory technology development; Construction of check
dams, gabion walls and retaining walls; nursery establishment; tree plantations; small scale irrigation;
Livelihoods options for widows, disabled and the most vulnerable people
Concern Worldwide Afghanistan
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Sustainable Management for Improved livelihood and Environment (SMILE)
The first phase of the project saw the achievement of objectives through the creation of 13 Natural Resource
Management Committees, 8 Water User Group Committees, 5 Catchment Management Association;
capacity building in agriculture and NRM; 8 forestry demonstration sites; direct sowing demonstrations, over
400 farm ponds, in excess of 1300 ha land treated with contour bunds and trenches, more than 74,000
saplings of fruit and non-fruit trees planted in agroforestry and on community lands; 98 private nurseries; 22
women Self Help Groups; over 1000 vulnerable and poor, including women headed families supported with
income generation opportunities and through active participation of community members in learning and
dissemination events.
As part of the overall improvement in sustainable land management in agreed catchment areas, Concern
with the support of the EC is looking to develop a pasture management strategy specific to select microcatchments in Rustaq district. This will include developing an understanding of current pasture management
practices, the establishment of Pasture Management Working Groups and the identification and
implementation of improved pasture practices in targeted micro-catchments. For this purpose Concern is
recruiting a consultant to provide consistent technical support in the area of rangeland and pasture
management.
2. Briefing about P4
Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4) which have been
developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify
the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and
the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context Concern staff, consultant, partners, etc. have a
responsibility to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace
in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a consultancy with Concern
Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy as an appendix to their
contract. By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy candidates acknowledge that they have
understood the contents of the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in
accordance with the provisions of this document.
3. Objectives and focus
The overall objective is to develop a pasture management strategy for select catchments in Rustaq district
and to provide training, services and on-going technical support to Concern staff and beneficiaries.
Specifically the consultancy will achieve:
1. Development of a strategy for participatory pasture management
2. Implement action research on fodder species in coordination with Concern staff
3. Provision of technical support (at least 3 field trips), training (at least 1) and technical guidance (when
required) on the development and implementation of fodder and forage improvement systems,
including species trials training of staff and beneficiaries
4. Provision of technical support, training (at least 2) and direct guidance on the establishment of
Pasture Management Working Groups – including the Concern staff and beneficiaries – in
coordination with community representatives, Concern and District authorities
5. Development of a strategy and specific activities for the inclusion of the poorest and most vulnerable
(including women, disabled, child headed families and widows) in pasture management and access
to rangeland resources.
Concern Worldwide Afghanistan
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Sustainable Management for Improved livelihood and Environment (SMILE)
4. Methodology
 Training, workshops, exposure visits
 Participator Variety Selection (PVS)
 Field visits and meetings with Water User Associations and Natural Resource Management
Committees and concerned local (District) government representatives
 Discussion / meetings / workshops with the project staff
 Coordination with PARBP-TA / EC representatives
 Debriefing with the Country Director, Assistant Country Director Programmes and key project team
members
5. Duration
The consultant will complete the work over a period of twelve (12) months and will be expected to spend at
least 40 days in the field. The consultancy is to be part-time, with 90-days work over the 12 month period.
For the participator Variety Selection (PVS), the consultant (by training and providing on-going technical
support to Concern staff) will facilitate the establishment of PVS trials in the 1st season for a wide range of
“best bet” fodder varieties (30+). Fodder varieties will be evaluated by beneficiary farmers during the season
and refined down to approximately 10 varieties for the next season.
6. Deliverables
 In accordance with agreed standards, the consultancy will prepare a pasture management strategy
document. This strategy will be prepared in English, submitted in both hard and soft forms. The main
text of report (excluding appendices) should not be more than 30 pages single spaced, font 10 Arial.
The contents of the report will include at a minimum:
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Executive Summary (max 4 pages)
Context & Introduction
Strategy Development methodology
Findings regarding
o Current pasture use and management systems
o Training and input needs for herders
Maps of target areas and proposed interventions
Conclusions
Implementation plan for social institutes (PMC/A)
NRMC/CMA/WUA/Local Government
and
how
they
link
with
A draft Pasture Management Strategy will be submitted for review by Concern 1 year after beginning
of the consultancy
20% increase in fodder production
At least 3 new varieties of improved fodder species adapted by target communities
% increase in spring vegetative cover (to be defined after baseline)
7. Reporting Line
The Consultancy will provide monthly progress reports to the Assistant Country Director Programme and
liaise closely with Programme Coordinator and other key programme staff. Monthly timesheet will also
have to be completed and presented.
Concern Worldwide Afghanistan
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Sustainable Management for Improved livelihood and Environment (SMILE)
8. Consultancy Expertise
 At least 10 years’ experience working on pasture related issues
 Previous work experience, particularly in community based NRM and development programmes is
essential.
 Experience and significant coverage of northern Afghanistan is desirable.
 Familiarity with NSP, NRM, livelihood & food security related issues & knowledge of financial and
economic analysis.
 Experience in developing gender sensitive methodologies;
 Good knowledge and experience of conducting surveys and statistical data analysis
 Familiarity with EC guidelines
 Experience in the use of participatory methodologies
 Access to significant implementation resources
 A willingness to engage a longer-term partnership if required
9. Submission of Expression of Interest
Consultants/agencies that meet the requirements should submit an expression of interest, including the
following:
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Cover letter including the consultant’s/firm’s suitability for the assignment and current contact
information.
CV, including detailed work experience, education; where more than one consultant will be involved,
clearly indicates the overall lead consultant and responsible persons & includes CVs
A technical proposal containing experience, examples of previous work, understanding of the ToR,
proposed work plan and methodology, etc.
A financial proposal with rates per day charged. The applications received will be assessed through a
tendering process.
Deadline to submit the expression of interest is 1st of December 2011.
All applications clearly marked as ‘Consultancy for Pasture Management for SMILE II’ should be sent via
email or by post to:
Peter Doyle
Desk Officer Afghanistan
Peter.doyle@concern.net
Concern Worldide
52/55 Lower Camden Street,
Dublin 2, Ireland
Concern Worldwide Afghanistan
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