Provision of Capacity Development Services on Horticultural Solutions for Youth in Tomato Value Chain in Nakuru, Kenya

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Rome, Italy, hereby solicits proposals for the Provision of Capacity Development Services on Horticultural Solutions for Youth in Tomato Value Chain in Nakuru, Kenya.

In this context, the Contractor is expected to provide the following services to assist IFAD in achieving the above-mentioned outcomes of the SSTC project, through the below services:

1. Upgrade greenhouses and demonstrate innovative horticultural solutions in Nakuru County of Kenya and provide technical support to smallholder farmers and local agricultural service extension units, as an observable China-IFAD SSTC demonstration site in Kenya.
2. Facilitate business-to-business (B2B) linkages and opportunities for farmer organizations, tomato processors and exporters along the tomato value chain in Kenya.
3. Conduct knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and communication activities across the above two components.

The Contractor will:
1. Pilot an SSTC demonstration site on horticultural technologies and digital solutions, with necessary capacity training.
2. Develop the Public-Private-Producer Partnership (4P) value chain extension model and increase access to market and employment opportunities for smallholder tomato producers and their organizations, with necessary skill training and B2B linkage support.
3. Implement the project M&E, knowledge management and visibility plans.

General requirements:
• Legally registered entity with requisite professional experience and knowledge of horticulture and value chain development, in particular tomato.
• Provide knowledge of ability to introduce, demonstrate and promote innovative horticultural solutions in local communities in Nakuru that are fully documented, recorded and reported. Established SSTC partnerships in particular with China is desirable.
• Ability to identify and connect with relevant 4P partners in the tomato value chain to promote access to market and job opportunities for rural youth.
• Ability to manage the project in line with IFAD’s operational and financial requirements.
• Should lead or implement projects funded by government or international organization in the past 5 years. SSTC experience with China or other developing countries is desirable.