Consultant for an Environmental and Social Impact Analysis At Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada

WHO WE ARE

The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada) is an international development organization founded in 1947. Our mission is to improve lives and livelihoods by supporting the creation and growth of sustainable co-operative enterprises.

Working alongside our partners and guided by co-operative principles, we employ a research-based and data-driven approach to our projects. We aim to enhance knowledge, build capacity, and engage in dialogue with local governments to positively influence cooperative laws and regulations.

For over 75 years, we have used our insights, expertise, and financial acumen to help establish community-owned cooperatives, fostering prosperity and self-reliance in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Our international projects focus on bridging agriculture and financial access, addressing gender inequality, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing resilience and sustainability. Additionally, our work contributes to numerous UN Sustainable Development Goals, including clean economic growth and the promotion of health and rights for women and children.

PURPOSE & OBJECTIVE

The Integrating Aquaculture-Agriculture to Combat Food Insecurity in Malawi (IAAM Project) is a five (5) year, initiative funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The goal of the project is to increase the productivity and income of and access to markets by small-scale food producers, especially women, engaged in the integrated aquaculture-agriculture system (IAAS) comprising fish, crops, livestock, and agroforestry sub-systems to combat food insecurity.

The approach of the Project is focused on two aspects:

• Develop small-scale and low-cost integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems (IAAS) for small-scale producers, especially women and
• Strengthen the role of small-scale producers and small- and medium-sized enterprises, including co-operatives, in the value chains, especially women-led ones.

Reduction of food loss along food production chains will be a key feature by addressing harvest loss between beginning and completion of harvesting; loss between harvest and retail; and loss between retail consumption.

The Action Areas are:

• Co-operative & Value Chain Development: Strengthen the organization of smallholder farmers through market linkages between farmers and private sector actors (co-ops and MSMEs) in the aquaculture value chain.
• Climate Resilient Aquaculture & Agriculture Production: Increase knowledge among farmers on managing climate risks to support resilient aquaculture production.
• Agriculture Market Diversity: Increase agricultural market diversity and resilience to climate shocks.
• Women’s Rights & Gender Equality: Promote women’s participation in decision making both at household and community level.
• Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights: Improve SRHR for women, men, boys, and girls through social behaviour change communication and linkages to services.
• Forestry & Biodiversity Re-saturation: Improve the forest cover in communities through community woodlots.

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop an environmental strategy to guide the implementation of sustainable, environmentally friendly project activities and to reduce the vulnerability of communities and co-operatives/MSMEs to environmental and social impacts, in particular by managing water usage, preventing pollution, conserving biodiversity, and addressing soil degradation through reforestation.

The consultant will lead the process for conducting the environmental impact analysis and the development of an environmental strategy for the project in eight districts: Dowa, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Chitipa, Mzimba, Rumphi, Blantyre and Zomba Districts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT, DELIVERABLES & OUTCOMES

For a detailed explanation of the deliverables and outcomes, please review the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Consultant position (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD).

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience preparing ESIAs and ESMPs for international development projects in Malawi.
• At least 10 years of extensive experience in applying participatory methodologies for data collection and developing environmental strategies that address gender concerns within the food security sectors, possess strong professional knowledge in aquaculture, agriculture, environment, rural development, food security, gender, and co-operative development.
• Experience in the area of environmental, aquaculture, and agriculture with proof of activities carried out within the last 5 years.
• Good knowledge and understanding of alternative development in food security, aquaculture and agriculture.
• Good understanding of poverty, social and cultural issues.
• In-depth knowledge of environmental and climate change issues.
• Demonstrated high level of professionalism and an ability to work independently and in high pressure situations and under tight deadlines.
• Work experience in NGO’s, INGO’S, donor funded projects and other relevant institutions will be an added advantage,
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Willing to travel within Malawi
• Ability to write and communicate in English.Knowledge and understanding of the politics, economics, culture and society in Malawi

PROPOSAL PROCESS

Please submit the following documents to CDF Canada’s Application platform no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, August 30, 2024. Please note that consultants can apply for this position as an individual (1 person) or an organization (1 company). In the case of a company application, the company should present a set of documents below for each proposed consultant.

• Current resumé or company profile with a statement of experience. A minimum of 3 references should be provided.
• A technical proposal with a detailed response to the TOR, with a specific focus on the scope of work, expected outputs and deliverables, the methodology to be used, and key selection criteria for respondents (no more than 5 pages).
• Initial work plan and delivery timeframes.
• A financial proposal with an applicable daily professional fee and other modes of payment inclusive of all costs.

CDF Canada expresses gratitude for all proposal submissions; however, only those selected for the next stage of the recruitment process will be contacted.

CDF Canada is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, or age.