Samoa Agriculture & Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project (SAFPROM) (острова Самоа - Тендер #55777482)

• Project ID

P165873

• Project Title

Samoa Agriculture & Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project (SAFPROM)

• Country

Samoa

• Notice No

OP00301609

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

WS-MAF-424138-CS-INDV

• Procurement Method

Individual Consultant Selection

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

Jul 23, 2024 09:00

• Published Date

Jul 22, 2024

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

• Name

Luaiufi Aiono

• Address

PO Box 1874 Apia

• City

• Province/State

Samoa

• Postal Code

• Country

Samoa

• Phone

22561

• Email

luaiufi.aiono@maf.gov.ws

• Website

http://www.maf.gov.ws/

Position Title: Matching Grants Program Manager

Position Code: AGP20001

Salary: A19/$82,025

Project: SAFPROM

Introduction

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) is looking for a dynamic and dedicated individual to join its team as the Matching Grants Program Manager, as part of the Agriculture Sector Coordination Division (ASCD). The MGP Manager will Monitor and Manage the daily operations of the Matching Grants Program implemented through the Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity & Marketing Project (SAFPROM).

SAFPROMs development objectives are to increase the productivity and access to markets by selected producers, to improve the management of targeted productive natural resources, and to provide an immediate response to an eligible crisis or emergency. The project activities focus on strengthening Samoa’s national institutions, strengthening the performance of selected value chains, and carrying out project management, communication and monitoring, and evaluation activities. SAFPROM is supported by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and builds on the work and results of the recently completed Samoa Agriculture Competitiveness Enhancement Project (SACEP) where crops and livestock farmers were able to access matching grants and training to increase their productivity and access to markets. The SAFPROM notably supports the MAF in establishing and operating the new ASCD that will coordinate the Government’s program and agriculture sector initiatives from all development partners including SAFPROM.

The SAFPROM MGP aims to assist subsistence/semi-subsistence farmers and fisher folk who are interested in becoming commercially oriented to invest in their fruit and vegetable, livestock, tree-crop farming and fishery operations. It supports both individuals and community business groups and micro, small agro-enterprises (MSMEs) as well as common interest groups (CIGs) through three windows of matching grants program. [1] [2] The MGP provides technical assistance and partial grant (50% of the investment defined in the beneficiaries’ business plan) to supports investments which aim to: (a) help the target farmers and other beneficiaries to increase their on-farm productivity and fishers to improve the management of their fishery resources; and/or (b) enhance market linkages and/or business relations for target beneficiaries with other value chain actors.

The MGP will be implemented through the procedures defined in the MGP Operational Manuals[1]. The beneficiaries will be recruited through a series of awareness raising workshops and supported through training sessions to develop their investment and business plan for the grant application. Once approved, the disbursement of the grant will be executed through e-vouchers based on the grant agreement. The investment execution will be closely monitored by MAF and the beneficiaries will receive necessary technical support. The success of all the MGP activities are dependent on the close collaboration between the MAF ASCD and implementing partners including MAF technical divisions, the Small Business Hub (SBH) (formerly known as the Small Business Enterprises Center), and the Development Bank of Samoa (DBS), CSSP, among others. The SAFPROM MGP plans to benefit about 700 individual farmers/fishers and about 20 groups and SMEs[3] [4] with 32 CIGs under Windows 3.

The MGP Manager is expected to lead the coordination and implementation of the SAFPROM MGP. This will be done in collaboration with the ACEO Agriculture Sector Coordinator/ SAFPROM Project Coordinator; ASCD Safeguards, Monitoring, Procurement and Finance units; Matching Grant Program Committee (MGPC); MAF Technical Divisions; CSSP, DBS and SBH and other institutions when the need arises.[5] [6]

Windows 1 is winding up with the disbursement of the remaining tranches for the approved beneficiaries. For Windows 2, the final verification visitations have been completed with shortlisted potential applicants, the focus is on business investment trainings on to the final stages of grant agreement and disbursement.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

The MGP Manager will work under the supervision and guidance of the ACEO, ASCD. The MGP Manager will have responsibility for the daily implementation and coordination of the SAFPROM MGP to ensure that all activities are carried out in line with the MGP annual workplan, Matching Grant Agreements, the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Matching Grants Operational Manuals and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). In addition, there will be other relevant duties and tasks as may be seen fit from time to time as directed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MAF.

Specifically, s/he will[7] [8] :

• Contribute to the development of the Management Information System and ensure information sharing among the implementing partners specific to the progress of the MGP work.
• Ensure the timely flow of draft work programs, budgets, and procurement documentation related to the MGP recipients and those suppliers involved with the use of the e-voucher system.
• Work in collaboration with the communication specialist to prepare information packages and carrying out awareness activities regarding MGP, targeting potential farmer organizations, and SMEs and in particular, focus on female-led farms, farmers, and fishers beneficiaries.
• Organize MGP-related Workshops and any other training or workshops required to ensure the successful implementation of the MGP, and guide the technical team in the implementation of the approved MGOM.
• Coordinate with the Samoa Business Hub (SBH) and MAF Technical Divisions and organize a series of Farm Enterprise Investment Workshops and trainings.
• Coordinate with SBH to assist the target beneficiaries in preparing grant and loan applications, business plans, disbursement plans, and grant agreements, etc for Windows 2 and with CSSP for Windows 3. Facilitate the grant approval by the MGPC.
• Work with the Principal Safeguards Officer and arrange for environmental and social screening of proposed prior to grant approvals.
• Identify farmer organizations and SMEs interested in the MGP. Facilitate technical support to strengthen their organizations and businesses for accessing grant as required.
• Coordinate with SBH and CSSP and support the ASCD M&E team with the conducting of regular monitoring and follow-up support to the beneficiaries to ensure that funds are being used in accordance with business plans in order to maximize returns from their new investments.
• With support from the Senior Financial Management Officer in Upolu and the Procurement/Finance Officer in Savaii, facilitate and monitor disbursements using the e-voucher system and ensure timely submission of progress reporting under each matching grant.
• Review requests related to grant disbursements and progress reports, and make recommendations to the MGPC.
• Coordinate with the e-voucher service provider and ensure smooth execution of the disbursements and procurements by the grant beneficiaries.
• Work in collaboration with the Principal M&E Officer to coordinate M&E activities relating to MGP, preparing regular briefing notes for the ACEO, ASCD and MGPC on the status of MGP implementation and corrective measures as required, and all other reporting tasks relating to MGP.
• Organize the MGPC meetings and act as secretariat during the meetings and provide the minutes of these meetings to the members at least one week after the meeting.
• Constantly review and improve the MGP process as required through close collaboration with SBH, DBS, CSSP and relevant stakeholders.
• Be responsible for leading the revision/adjustment, if any, of the MGP Manual during the course of the MGP implementation as relevant.

Duration

1.0 year [9] [10] (Probationary period of six months, annual performance review determines whether contract would be continued).

Deliverables

• MGP work programs and budgets.
• Organization of workshops and trainings related to the MGP.
• Signed grant agreements and grant project completion reports as per the MGP manual.
• Monthly MGP progress reports covering the progress of all MGP activities prepared for MGPSC (coordinated to be available for MGPSC bi-monthly meetings).
• Minutes for all MGPC meetings.
• Bi-annual and Annual reports for MGP covering all operational, financial and procurement aspects.

Reporting Arrangements

The MGP Manager will report to and work under the leadership and guidance of the ACEO, ASCD but will also have secondary reporting requirements to the MGPC. S/he will also be required to liaise closely with appropriate personnel in SBH, MOF, DBS and MAF technical and support units as well as the ASCD finance and procurements to ensure the smooth flow of the MGP execution and disbursements.

Required Experience and Qualification

The Specialist will have the following experience and qualifications:

• A degree in management, agribusiness, agricultural economics or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Government, NGO or the private sector at the management level.
• Previous experience in management and coordination position implementing national programs or projects.
• Experience with donor financed programs and demonstrated operational skills.
• Demonstrated team management and leadership skills.
• Experience with Government systems and procedures especially with SAFPROM and World Bank procedures and guidelines.
• Excellent communications and functional computer skills.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Ability to think critically and can work with minimum supervision.

Источник закупки

Импорт - Экспорт по стране острова Самоа