SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. In Uganda SNV operates through a decentralised approach with a country office in Kampala and regional offices in Fort Portal, Lira, Jinja and Rukungiri. SNV implements donor-funded activities across more than 100 districts in Uganda, ensuring broad and diverse impact.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030. For more information on our operations in Uganda and SNV visit our website: www.snv.org.

About The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD)

The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is a €400 million fund (up from Euro 160m in DFCD 1.0) managed by a pioneering consortium led by the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), Climate Fund Managers (CFM), Worldwide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL) and SNV Netherlands Development Organization (SNV). The fund is aimed at increasing the resilience of communities and ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, by enabling private sector investment in projects aimed at climate adaptation in developing countries.

SNV takes upon a crucial role as a partner in the management of the Origination Facility (OF) under the DFCD. The primary objective within this facility is to source and develop projects until they reach the level of ‘bankability’. This phase is crucial as it paves the way for FMO and CFM to secure private sector funding necessary for the implementation of impactful, climate-resilient projects. The OF is uniquely dedicated to identifying promising business ideas or projects and conducting preliminary feasibility studies, all with a specific focus on various thematic subsectors encompassed by the DFCD. The DFCD is currently supporting Nile Fresh Produce, a company in Uganda, to become bankable by undertaking various targeted origination activities.

About Nile Fresh Produce International Limited (NFP)

NFP is a private limited liability company incorporated in December 2010 and headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. The company specializes in the agricultural value chain, engaging in large-scale farming, aggregation, agro-processing, and trading of crops such as maize, rice, soybeans, sesame, and sunflower, with medium-to-long term plans to expand into wheat and avocado production.

NFP operates through a network of regional offices in Gulu (Northern Uganda) and Mbale (Eastern Uganda), overseeing 40 districts. The company collaborates with over 600,000 smallholder farmers under an out-grower scheme, providing seed loans, tractor hire services, and extension support to enhance productivity.

With a vision to alleviate rural poverty through market-driven agriculture, NFP emphasizes ethical business practices, environmental conservation, and gender inclusivity, targeting 50% female participation in its programs. The company’s growth strategy aligns with Uganda’s national development goals, focusing on food security, export promotion, and import substitution.

Objective of the Consultancy

NFP seeks the services of a consultant or firm (“a Consultant”) to assist in farmer recruitment and capacity building strategy development. This consultancy will ensure that NFP has systems and structures in place to continuously onboard farmers, provide capacity building services, and engage effectively with multiple stakeholders. Further, this consultant will ensure that NFP is compliant with DFCD requirements for transitioning from the Origination Facility to the Land Use Facility.

The consultant will support the design and implementation of an effective farmer recruitment, onboarding, and capacity-building program to scale up the out-grower network to 1 million farmers while ensuring compliance with sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices.

Description of the Project

NFP seeks to strengthen its supply chain by building a reliable, scalable, and sustainable network of smallholder farmers. This initiative aims to improve productivity, quality, and market alignment of agricultural produce while enhancing farmer resilience and livelihoods through the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices.

To achieve this, the NFP seeks the services of a qualified Consultant to support the strengthening the processes within NFP in the recruitment and capacity-building of smallholder farmers, as well as ensuring an increased adoption climate smart agricultural practises by the smallholders.

Job Description

Scope of Work and Tasks

The selected consultant will conduct the following key tasks:

1. 1. Developing a structured farmer and field staff recruitment strategy, including multistakeholder engagement plans, outreach workshops, and hiring programs for field assistants, agro-inputs dealers and village agents. This should include review of all existing material with NFP and improve on the same.
   2. Establishing a code of conduct for employees and partners, emphasizing anti-bribery, ethical practices, and compliance with organizational policies.
   3. Designing and delivering training programs on climate-smart agriculture, including sustainable farming methods, agroforestry, safe chemical/fertilizer use, water efficiency, and environmental protection.
   4. Strengthening post-harvest management systems, including training on harvesting, storage (aflatoxin control), transportation, traceability, financial literacy, and organic certification.

The consultant will ensure that all activities align with NFP’s expansion goals while promoting productivity, sustainability, and resilience among smallholder farmers.

Qualifications

Team

The assignment must be carried out by a suitably qualified farmer services provider expert or firm, with appropriate background and experience working with agriculture enterprises in the sector and region

The ideal consultant should have:

• • Experience in agribusiness development, agriculture value chain linkages or related field.
  • Proven experience in farmer recruitment, training, and extension services.
  • Strong knowledge of climate-smart agriculture and post-harvest handling.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage community-level actors and working with farmer groups.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and reporting skills.

Additional Information

Reporting and Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for producing the following key reports and deliverables based on the assigned tasks:

Farmer and Field Staff Recruitment Strategy

• • Recruitment Strategy Document: A detailed, structured plan outlining the approach for recruiting farmers and field staff, including timelines, roles, and responsibilities.
  • Multistakeholder Engagement Plan: A framework for engaging government agencies, NGOs, community leaders, and private sector partners in recruitment efforts.
  • Outreach Workshop Reports: Documentation of workshops conducted, including participant lists, feedback, and key outcomes.
  • Hiring Program Guidelines: Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for hiring field assistants and village agents, including selection criteria and onboarding processes.

Code of Conduct for Employees and Partners

• Code of Conduct (CoC) Document: A finalized policy outlining ethical practices, anti-bribery measures, and compliance requirements for all staff and partners.
• Compliance Training Materials: Presentations, handouts, or e-learning modules to educate employees and partners on the CoC.
• Implementation Report: A summary of how the CoC will be enforced, including monitoring mechanisms and disciplinary measures.

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Training Programs

• CSA Training Curriculum: A structured training manual covering sustainable farming, agroforestry, safe chemical/fertilizer use, water efficiency, and environmental protection.
• Training Delivery Reports: Documentation of training sessions conducted, including attendance records, pre- and post-assessments, and participant feedback.
• Impact Assessment Report: An evaluation of the effectiveness of the training programs, including farmer adoption rates and productivity improvements.

Post-Harvest Management Systems Strengthening

• Post-Harvest Training Manual: A guide covering best practices in harvesting, storage (aflatoxin control), transportation, traceability, and financial literacy.
• Organic Certification Guidelines: A step-by-step process for farmers to achieve organic certification, including compliance requirements.

Final Deliverable

• Comprehensive Final Report: A consolidated document summarizing all activities, outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future interventions

Timeline

Below is an indicative timeline for delivery of the consultancy assignment between 20th August-15th November 2025.

Task                                                                                                   Timeline

Kick off meeting                                                                                 Within week 1 of contract signing

Inception Report (including methodology)                                         Week 2

Farmer and Field Staff Recruitment Strategy                                    Week 5

Code of Conduct documents                                                             Week 7

Post harvest management systems strengthening                           Week 9

Final Report                                                                                      Week 10

Proposal

The proposal should contain the sections listed below:

Scope of Work:

The scope of work should include a description of the specific activities that will be performed to accomplish the required tasks identified in Section 4.  This should include any proposed site visits/reconnaissance, documents to be reviewed, interviews, etc.  If the consultant feels that additional tasks or components within a required task are suggested or warranted, these should be stated and delineated as “Optional Tasks”.

Project team and qualifications:

This should include the name of the principal staff members and any sub-contractors and a brief description of their role within the project team. Qualifications of staff should include relevant technical capabilities, specific previous project experience similar to this Project, specific in-country experience and knowledge, etc.

Budget and Payment Schedule: 

The total cost of the contract should include all fees, travel and logistic expenses, cost of workshops and trainings / training materials, and applicable taxes. Payments will be made to the consultant based on satisfactory completion of milestones, e.g. (to be confirmed at the contract negotiation stage):

• Payment 1: 20% on contract signing

• Payment 2: 40% on completion of first set of activities/deliverables (e.g., farmer and field staff recruitment strategy reports)

• Payment 3: 40% on completion of final deliverables (i.e., stakeholder workshop, and final report.)