Terms of Reference

Background of BMMDP

Bangladesh, having an agriculture-based economy, is extremely susceptible to climate change. Extreme weather events (flood and cyclones) devastate agriculture production particularly in the Northern and Southern region of Bangladesh. With agriculture accounting for almost 48% of the employed labour and 21% of the GDP, climate change not only poses a threat to the economy but threatens the livelihoods of farmers. According to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2016, the poverty rate in rural areas is 26.4%, while urban poverty is 18.9 % with the overall extreme poverty rate at 12.9%. Smallholder farmers are especially vulnerable to shock induced poverty with their limited savings and coping strategy. Extreme weather events often force farmers to adopt negative coping strategies such as, reducing expenditure on food, borrowing at high interest rates or selling of productive assets, which further reduce the resilience of farmers to cope with future shocks. The limited coping strategies force farmers to adopt a low investment-low return policy to reduce their risks of crop loss and limit their capacity to specialize on income generating activities with a higher risk profile.

To foster rural poverty reduction, there is a need to stimulate growth in the agriculture and livestock sector by facilitating commercially-driven production. Building the capacity of farmers on specialized income generating activities also fosters commercialization. Along with the need for access to inputs, technology and information, there is a strong need for access to financial products that increase farmers’ investment capacity and minimize ex-post risks. The Bangladesh Microinsurance Market Development Project (BMMDP) mandated by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) envisions fostering inclusive growth in the agriculture and livestock sector in Bangladesh through agriculture and livestock insurance along with risk-reducing embedded extension services. In Phase 1, BMMDP will work with two partners to design, pilot and roll out affordable crop and livestock insurance products and identify distribution channels for rice, maize, potato and beef-fattening, reaching 733,000 insured farmers by 2021. Swisscontact is acting as the managing agent of the project and wants to engage an MRM consultant to help design the MRM system of the project.

Key tasks
The MRM consultant will undertake the following tasks:

  • Assist in designing the overall MRM system; this includes developing a practical manual outlining processes and procedures; this includes reviewing and improving the existing MRM strategy.
  • Develop the first result chains and associated monitoring tools, measurement plans with the respective implementors and the Managing Agent.
  • Work with BMMDP team and the implementers of the two components (crop insurance and livestock insurance) to define roles and responsibilities of the various agencies in the MRM system
    In line with the program design
  • Select suitable social impact indicators to measure intended changes in the most vulnerable segments of the client group,
  • Lead the development of an MIS to monitor real-time progress.
  • Orient the project team on the developed MRM system so that the team is acquainted with the MRM system
  • Advise on linking knowledge with the MRM system to develop relevant knowledge products for the relevant stakeholder such as case studies to share with the wider audience

Time Engagement
The MRM consultant will be engaged for a period of 15 days out of which one day will be utilized for orientating the project team.

Specific Deliverables:
The consultant is to submit the following deliverables:

  • An MRM manual including draft indicators
  • An MRM dashboard concept
  • Reporting framework and tools
  • Data Warehouse
  • A staff orientation training for BMMDP and Implementors

Profile of the consultant
The consultant should meet the following qualifications:

  • At least 5 years of relevant experience supporting monitoring and evaluation systems
  • At least 10 years of experience working on innovative Private Sector Development and/or Market Systems Development projects
  • Expert in the design and implementation of DCED-based MRM systems
  • Strong skills in working collaboratively using strong interpersonal skills
  • A Master’s degree in Development, Poverty Reduction, Finance, Economics, International Relations or similar studies
  • Demonstrated experience in the monitoring and evaluation of financial investment/inclusion mechanisms
  • Strong report writing skills

Contracting Arrangements
The consultant will report to Swisscontact Bangladesh for any contractual matter. The fee rate for the consultant shall be negotiated with Swisscontact Bangladesh and dependent on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. The ToR is subject to modifications as per project need. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and called for interview.

Reporting
The consultant will work collaboratively with the MRM coordinator and will report to the Team Leader of BMMDP team of Swisscontact Bangladesh.

Recruitment Schedule
Closing Date: 04th June 2019

How to Apply
To apply, please send your detailed CV along with a covering letter to the following email address raju.gomes@swisscontact.org by 04th June 2019. Please mark in the subject line ‘Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) Consultant- BMMDP.