Background

With funding from AGRA and in collaboration with Jesnoch International, Nasarawa State aims to strengthen its agricultural sector through effective and modern monitoring and evaluation of the farming and food system activities in the state.  To achieve this, a robust M&E application with dynamic capabilities is required to collect, track and manage data, therefore positioning the... state for data-driven decision making in the agricultural sector and attracting investments within the landscape.

Objective

The objective of this assignment is to design and develop a robust monitoring and evaluation application with an interactive real-time dashboard and a front-end website for the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture. The application will inform data-driven decision making, monitor progress in the agriculture sectors, coordinate the results of agriculture projects, and showcase the reality and potential of the agricultural and food system in Nasarawa State. Specifically, the M&E dashboard and application will collect farmers and other value chain actors’ data, including input providers, processors, agric service providers, other project partners and ensure effective management of information and efficient use of data to drive agricultural improvements and investments in the state. 

Scope of Work

The scope of work for this assignment covers the development of a web-based and mobile application-powered M&E dashboard and application for the Nasarawa Ministry of Agriculture to collect, store, analyze and report agricultural data. The consultant will develop an M&E application framework through consultative engagements with relevant stakeholders in the state to inform the application system’s design to meet the intent and goal, and aspirations of the Ministry of Agriculture. Specifically, the consultant will:


Conduct stakeholder analysis and requirement gathering session with NADP, MOA and other private and public stakeholders and document the software requirement.
Design a mobile app that will allow users such as ADP field officers, agribusiness firms and other partners contributing to the state food system to collect data offline and online using mobile devices.
Design the overall system architecture, including the wireframes, and create user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. 
Develop the M&E web and mobile application using PHP + Laravel framework and relevant programming languages and tools for the front-end and backend, and implement data collection, storage, analysis and reporting functionalities, including all integration with tools such as data collection apps and GIS systems and other supporting systems using required APIs
Develop a comprehensive testing plan and conduct unit testing, integration testing and general system testing to ensure full functionality
Deploy the M&E application to a production environment on a cloud server, provide training and support for the end-users, including public and private stakeholders and carry out regular system maintenance, updates and backups for 12 months after deployment. 


Overview of the Application Requirement

Data Collection and Management

The application will have the ability to collect data online and offline through forms, surveys and assessment tools.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The data collected will be stored in a robust database on a cloud server. The application should ensure data validation, including data completeness and an algorithm in place to automatically remove duplicate data. The application will have an interactive dashboard powered by Microsoft Power BI for data visualization to inform data analysis and interpretation for decision making. The application will allow data collection using the mobile app version running on mobile devices. The mobile app will be integrated into the online database for easy data transmission.

Data Monitoring features

The application will allow the MOA to set key performance indicators, targets and milestones for different agriculture-related projects in the state. It will also allow for real-time tracking of the progress made against the targets and milestones. 

Security and Compliance features

Data encryption for secure data storage and transmission will be required

The application will guarantee role-based user access and permission levels to access data on the application. An audit trail functionality will be included in the application design for tracking user activity and data changes. The security of the application must comply with relevant data protection and security regulations in Nigeria and internationally. 

Communication

The application allows for SMS communication to the farmers, partners and other categories of profiles stored in the database.

Geospatial Analysis

The platform integrates Geo-spatial data, allowing users to view farmers, partners, stakeholders and project locations in the state using Geo-coordinates.

Front-end website: 

The application will have a front-end website mirroring the dashboard that will be accessed by public users using a unique URL or domain. The website will display the potential and reality of the agriculture and food system landscape of the state, which is primarily driven by data to attract agricultural investments into the state. Users can easily search for agricultural value chain actors, public and private partners. The database will hold the database of farmers, agric-led projects, agriculture stakeholders in the state and agric-led NGOs with detailed information on their projects and outcomes. 

Application settings:

This will allow the IT to perform basic tasks, for example, adding/removal of users, changing user roles, uploading data, etc. 

Agricultural-Specific Requirements:


Crop, Aquaculture, and Livestock Tracking: Ability to track crop yields, aquaculture production, livestock populations, and other agricultural metrics.
Geospatial Analysis: Ability to integrate with GIS systems and perform spatial analysis.
Weather and Climate Data Integration: Ability to integrate with weather and climate data sources.
Supply Chain Management: Ability to track and manage supply chain data (e.g., input usage, output sales).
Decision Support Systems: Ability to provide decision support tools for farmers, extension agents, and other stakeholders


Other Requirements:


Offline Capability: Ability to collect and store data offline, with synchronization when internet connectivity is available.
Multi-Language Support: Ability to support multiple languages to accommodate diverse user groups.
Training and Support: Availability of training and technical support to ensure successful software adoption.
Interoperability: Ability to interoperate with other systems, tools, and platforms to ensure seamless data exchange.
Data Collection: Ability to collect data through various methods (e.g., surveys, forms, sensors).
Data Management: Ability to store, manage, and analyze large datasets.
Indicator Tracking: Ability to track and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics.
Reporting and Visualization: Ability to generate reports, dashboards, and visualizations to facilitate decision-making.
Mobile Compatibility: Ability to collect and access data through mobile devices.


Methodology


Planning: Define the project's scope, goals, and deliverables, while identifying the needs of MOA. A detailed project plan and timeline will be developed, including tasks, dependencies, and timelines, and identifying potential risks, assumptions, and constraints. Present the Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) and Gantt charts.
Requirements Gathering: Collecting and documenting software requirements from stakeholders and users. Defines both functional requirements (what the software should do) and non-functional requirements (how the software should behave). The key output of this stage is a comprehensive Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document, which serves as a blueprint for the software development.
Design: Create a detailed blueprint for the software. This includes developing architecture, components, and user interface designs that meet the requirements gathered earlier. Additionally, the database schema and data models are defined to ensure data integrity and efficiency. Develop a detailed prototype to visualize and test the design, gather feedback, and make necessary iterations before proceeding with development.
Implementation (Coding): Write the software code based on the detailed design specifications. This involves building software components, modules, and features that meet the required functionality. As the code is developed, unit testing and integration testing are conducted to ensure that individual components work correctly and integrate seamlessly with other parts of the software.
Implementation (Coding): Write the software code based on the detailed design specifications. This involves building software components, modules, and features that meet the required functionality. As the code is developed, unit testing and integration testing are conducted to ensure that individual components work correctly and integrate seamlessly with other parts of the software.
Testing and Quality Assurance: Conduct various types of testing, including functional, performance, and security testing, to ensure the software meets the required quality standards. Defects and bugs are identified and fixed, and user acceptance testing (UAT) is conducted to validate that the software meets the user's expectations and requirements. This stage ensures that the software is reliable, stable, and secure before it is deployed.
Deployment: Plan and execute the rollout of the software to the production environment. This will include setting up the necessary infrastructure, configuring the software for production, and conducting deployment testing to ensure a smooth transition. Once deployment is complete, the software is made available to end-users, and any necessary training or support is provided to ensure successful adoption
Maintenance and Support: Provide ongoing care for the software to ensure it continues to meet user needs and expectations. This includes fixing defects and bugs, implementing new features and enhancements, and providing technical support to users. Regular updates and patches are also applied to ensure the software remains secure, stable, and performance, and that it adapts to changing user requirements and technological advancements
Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive records of the software development process, including requirements gathering, design decisions, implementation details, testing procedures, deployment steps, and maintenance procedures. This ensures knowledge transfer, facilitates future maintenance and updates, and provides a valuable resource for stakeholders and users.


Deliverables


A fully functional M&E web and mobile application with a real-time dashboard
A dynamic website for the Ministry of Agriculture
Deploy application and website on a dynamic cloud server
Application documentation, including description document, user/training manual and source code
Final report detailing the entire process for the assignment. 


Timeline 

The LOE for this assignment is 5 months between April 25 and September 15, 2025. The consultant will submit a detailed work plan and timeline as part of the inception report.

Qualification of the firm

Technical Qualifications


Programming skills: Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or NET.
Database expertise: Experience with database management systems such as MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or PostgreSQL.
Data modeling: Knowledge of data modeling techniques and data warehouse design.
Cloud computing: Experience with cloud-based technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).


Business Qualifications


Relevant experience: Proven track record of developing database management systems for similar industries or clients.
Domain expertise: Knowledge of the industry or domain for which the database management system is being developed.
Project management: Experience with project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall.
Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, including technical and non-technical personnel.


Resource Qualifications


Resource allocation: Ability to allocate sufficient resources, including personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.
Scalability: Ability to scale up or down to meet changing project requirements.


Reputation and References


Client references: Positive references from previous clients or partners.
Industry reputation: Good standing within the industry, with a reputation for delivering quality solutions.
Awards and recognition: Recognition or awards for excellence in software development or database management.


Evaluation Criteria

The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on:


Technical Quality: The technical quality of the deliverables, including the inception report, draft report, final report, and policy brief.
Timeliness: The consultant's ability to meet the deadlines and timelines outlined in the work plan.
Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, farmers, private sector actors, and representatives from civil society.
Experience: The consultants' experience working or consulting for the government. 


Location of the assignment.

The consultancy will be carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State. more

Background

Nasarawa State aims to strengthen its agricultural sector through effective policymaking. To achieve this, a thorough understanding of the environment through political economy dynamics influencing agricultural policy decisions is essential.

Objective

The objective of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive political economy analysis of agricultural policy in Nasarawa... State. The analysis will identify the key stakeholders, their interests, and the power dynamics that shape agricultural policy decisions. In addition, it is important to understand the policy analysis process, institutional arrangement, and capacity of stakeholders to perform their statutory roles in support of policy formulation and implementation of agricultural programs in Nasarawa State.

Scope of Work

The consultant will conduct a political economy analysis (PEA), policy process analysis (PPA) and institutional and capacity assessment (ICA) that covers the following aspects:


Policy Economy Analysis: Identify key stakeholders influencing agricultural policy decisions in Nasarawa State, including government agencies, farmers' organizations, private sector actors, and civil society organizations. This will identify the interests and influence of different groups, including farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers; analyze areas of conflict and cooperation among stakeholders and their impact on agricultural policy decisions; and analyze the power relationships among stakeholders, including their interests, motivations, and levels of influence.
Policy Process Analysis: Examine the processes and institutions involved in agricultural policy-making in Nasarawa State, including the roles of different government agencies and stakeholders and identify areas of strengthening and improvement. Review policy frameworks and existing process of agricultural policy implementation the state while considering the roles of other non-government agricultural actors in the state in policy process
Institutional Analysis: Assess the strengths, weaknesses and barriers of institutions involved in agricultural policy-making, including their capacity, resources, governance structures and infrastructure.
Capacity Analysis: Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats vis-à-vis Ministry of Agriculture and Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Program (NADP). This will also analyze the organizations’ capacity to support policy and regulatory framework; advance partnership and collaborations; support advocacy and influence for policy implementation; and promote communication and visibility of its programs in the State.
Policy Recommendations: Based on the analysis, provide recommendations for strengthening the agricultural policy-making process in Nasarawa State.


Methodology

The consultant will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. These may include:


Literature Review: Review relevant documents, reports, and academic literature on agricultural policy, political economy, institutional analysis, etc.
Stakeholder Interviews: Conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, farmers, private sector actors, and civil society representatives to gather quantitative data on their interests, influence, and perceptions of the agricultural policy-making process.
Focus Group Discussions: Organize focus group discussions with farmers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders to gather information on their experiences, perceptions, and interests.


Deliverables

The consultant will submit the following deliverables:


Inception Report: A report outlining the methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.
Draft Report: A draft 10-15-page report each presenting the findings of the political economy analysis, policy process analysis, institutional analysis, capacity analysis, and policy recommendations.
Final Report: A final report incorporating feedback from stakeholders that informs agricultural policy decisions in Nasarawa State including the list and contact of all stakeholders engaged.
Policy Brief: A policy brief summarizing the key findings and recommendations to inform agricultural policy decisions in Nasarawa State.
A power presentation of the key findings and recommendations.


Timeline

The LOE for this assignment is 25 days between February 15 and March 15, 2025. The consultant will submit a detailed work plan and timeline as part of the inception report.

Consultant Profile

The consultant should have:


Advanced Degree: A master's degree or higher in a relevant field, such as economics, political science, sociology, or public policy.
At least 3 past experience in carrying our similar assignment especially for Government of Nigeria.
PEA Experience: Proven experience in conducting political economy analyses, preferably in the context of agricultural policy or rural development.
Strong Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collect and analyze complex data.
Effective Communication Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and communicate complex findings in a clear and concise manner.


Evaluation Criteria

The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on:


Technical Quality: The technical quality of the deliverables, including the inception report, draft report, final report, and policy brief.
Timeliness: The consultant's ability to meet the deadlines and timelines outlined in the work plan.
Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, farmers, private sector actors, and civil society representatives.
Experience: The consultants experience working or consulting for the government. 


Location of the assignment.

The consultancy will be carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State. more

Introduction

The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources in Nasarawa State is committed to improving its capacity in planning, budgeting, budget coordination, and implementation to ensure efficient use of resources and enhance agricultural productivity. This training aims to equip ministry staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively plan, manage, and implement budgets for... agricultural projects. Therefore, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources is looking for a dynamic Individual Consultant who will work directly with the State Ministry of Agriculture, to oversee and lead training on planning, coordination, budgeting, and implementation as detailed below. 

 Objective


To enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources staff in Nasarawa State in effective planning, coordination, budgeting processes, and implementation of agricultural programmes.
Enhance the understanding of planning, budgeting, budget coordination, and implementation processes among ministry staff.
Develop skills in financial management, budget planning, coordination and monitoring
Improve the capacity of staff to coordinate and implement agricultural projects within the allocated projects. 
Promote best practices in budget management, accountability and transparency. 


Duration: 15 Days

Target Audiences: Staff from the various departments within the ministry, Nasarawa Agriculture Development Program, Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency and other MDAs involved in the state value system. 

Specific Tasks for the Consultants


Conduct a needs assessment to identify the training requirements and current skill levels of the ministry staff.
Develop a comprehensive training curriculum covering planning, budgeting, budget coordination, financial management, and project implementation.
Facilitate training sessions for ministry staff, including both theoretical and practical components.
Provide training materials and resources to support learning.
Conduct pre and post-training evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the training and identify areas for improvement.


Duration: 15 days

Target Audience: Staff from various departments within the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), NASIDA and other government MDAs involved in the Nasarawa State food system. 

Specific Tasks for the Consultant


Conduct a needs assessment to identify the training requirements and current skill levels of the ministry staff.
Develop a comprehensive training curriculum covering planning, budgeting, budget coordination, financial management, and project implementation.
Facilitate training sessions for ministry staff, including both theoretical and practical components.
Provide training materials and resources to support learning.
Conduct pre and post-training evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the training and identify areas for improvement.


Deliverables


A detailed training curriculum tailored to the needs of the ministry staff.
Training materials, including manuals, handouts, and presentations.
Conducted training sessions with documented attendance and participation records.
Post-training evaluation report with recommendations for future training sessions to the Ministry of Agriculture, including updates on training preparations, attendance records, and post-training evaluations.


Training Modules


Module 1: Introduction to Planning and Budgeting


Overview of planning and budgeting in the public sector.
Importance of effective planning and budgeting.
Key concepts and terminology.


Module 2: Strategic Planning

Steps in strategic planning.
Setting goals and objectives.
SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).


Module 3: Budget Preparation and Coordination

The budgeting processes.
Types of budgets.
Developing budget proposals.


Module 4: Budget Execution and Monitoring

Implementing the budget.
Monitoring and evaluation techniques.
Managing budget variances.


Module 5: Financial Reporting and Accountability

Importance of financial reporting.
Types of financial reports.
Ensuring transparency and accountability.




Training Methodology


Workshops: Interactive sessions with practical exercises.
Case Studies: Real-life examples relevant to the agricultural sector.
Group Discussions: Facilitated discussions to encourage knowledge sharing.
Trainer: Industry experts to provide insights and best practices.
Assessment: Pre- and post-training assessments to measure knowledge acquisition.


Resources Needed – To be provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources


Materials: Printed training manuals, venue, workbooks, and reference materials.
Equipment: Projectors, computers, and internet access for online resources.


Expected Outcomes


Enhanced understanding of planning, coordination, and implementation of budgeting process and principles.
Improved ability to prepare, execute, and monitor budgets.
Increased transparency and accountability in financial reporting.
Strengthened capacity to make data-driven decisions.


Evaluation and Feedback


Feedback sessions to assess the effectiveness of the training.
Final evaluation report to summarize the outcomes and recommendations.


Required Qualifications:


Minimum of MSc in relevant Agricultural Economics, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or Political Science or related field and/or significant experience in the sector.
Excellent project training skills with the ability to apply principles, techniques, tools and methodologies to accomplish results-oriented outcomes
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present clear and structured arguments and strong stakeholder engagement abilities in motivating and mobilizing individuals within or outside your reporting line.
Excellent analytical, strategic, and technical competence in the areas of policy, advocacy, building of institutional capacities, food systems or closely related domains
Exhibit exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.


Location of the assignment.

The consultancy will be carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State. more