Category: Uncategorized

We are hiring a business planner.

Job Description

A business plan provides strategic direction by creating or methodically pressure-testing and refining a company’s business plan for an agriculture enterprise, using an understanding of the company’s core operations, competitive advantages, and goals to provide direction on how to structure, run, and grow the business with building on solid financial assumptions. The business plan consultant is based in Morogoro at SAT HQ and will visit clients all over Tanzania, including foreign travellers to research technologies and applicable approaches.

The ideal candidate will have preferably experience in running or advising early-stage businesses, combining the analytical abilities of financial planning with the broad vision of a CEO to provide a roadmap to growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop an understanding of the existing business (including products/services, customers, competitors, the overall market and trends) through careful research and analysis
• Understand how major stakeholders are thinking about near-term growth, generally and in reference to specific growth initiatives, through interviews with these stakeholders
• Build a detailed financial analysis showing all of the assumptions, drivers, and financial statements for the next 3 – 5 years, accounting for a conservative, base, and aggressive case
• Conduct a total addressable market analysis for the business’s core market, assess major industry trends affecting the business, and describe what impact these trends may have on the business
• Review research reports and conduct primary research to explore ideal buyer type and assess customer demand for the company’s existing products and services
• Map out direct and indirect competitors, including potential future competitors, for existing and potential revenue channels
• Define a go-to-market strategy, including testing out potential marketing channels (if applicable)
• Review compensation plans and organizational structure to align incentives and ensure the health of the organization in the long run

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, research, statistics, math, economics, or related analytical discipline preferred
• Financial management experience with planning, forecasting, and business analysis; prior experience as an advisor to or executive at an early-stage company a plus
• Preferably experience with agriculture projects
• Advanced Excel proficiency. 3+ years of practical experience using Excel for building and maintaining financial models
• Proficiency with analytical and presentation tools
• Experience within consulting
• A natural curiosity and a “big picture” mentality
• Experience conducting market research, including analyzing and synthesizing research reports and conducting primary research
• An understanding of marketing channels and go-to-market strategies
• Excellent spoken and written communication; comfort reaching out to and interviewing the company’s management, employees, and customer base

Applications must be done online. Remember to attach a CV including the current contacts of three references, copies of relevant certificates, transcripts, application letter, a self-written business plan, and current and expected remuneration all to be submitted before 19^th March 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

The village of Ibongoya B, located in the Misungwi District of the Mwanza region in Tanzania, is facing numerous challenges resulting from climate change. This area’s main economic activities are agriculture and pastoralism, but the crops are withering, houses are being damaged, and farms are being destroyed by water, as well as removal of house roofs. Initially, this society had little knowledge about the causes of these impacts. Community members were not actively participating in identifying and evaluating methods to deal with those impacts.

After facilitation of PACDR tool, communities become more aware of the climate change concept and actively involved in identifying hazards, to prioritize hazards, challenges posed by climate change and their ability to respond to these challenges and to develop the strategies necessary to respond effectively to the hazards.

As part of the PACDR backstopping, SAT worked with MRHP staff and field officers on:

• Reviewing the facilitation work which was done earlier at the community level and identifying existing gaps
• General overview of the PACDR tool
• Practical skills in facilitation of the PACDR tool based on the identifying gaps
• Facilitation skills package.

The outcome of this backstopping was that:

• Work plan for the facilitation of the remaining modules was developed
• Activities in the action plan which merge with project activities were identified and harmonized
• Climate change knowledge obtained by MRHP staff has improved their confidence in facilitating the PACDR tool in project areas.

MRHP were able to facilitate the community members of Ibongoya B with the PACDR tool in raising and finding solutions to their climate change challenges by themselves and in collaboration with other stakeholders. The community members now realize the power they have in dealing with the impacts of climate change hazards. The tool has facilitated community members to prioritize hazards, and evaluate coping methods and strategies based on the resources available in their village.

The project has helped the community to prepare a five-year adaptation action plan on how to deal with the impacts of the three major hazards of strong winds, droughts, and floods that affect their lives the most. The adaptation action plan specifies the responsibilities of individuals and society as a whole in dealing with these impacts. After starting the implementation of the adaptation action plan, community members have seen the opportunity for income-generating activities, such as the establishment of tree nurseries and the sale of seedlings.

Two groups with 52 members have already established nurseries of wood and fruits trees with the aim of distributing it to fellow villagers and others to sell it within the village. This will enable them to find employment (income source) in the near future, improve their lives and increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change hazards.

The Ibongoya B case shows that community engagement can be an effective way to tackle climate change. By engaging the community using the PACDR tool, the organization has been able to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices, while also developing a comprehensive climate adaptation action plan that is tailored to the specific needs of the village. This approach not only helped mitigate the impacts of climate change but also, it’s helping improve the community’s overall quality of life.

The key players in this project are the Mwanza Rural Housing Programme Organization (MRHP) and Bread for the World (BftW) organization of Germany. These organizations have collaborated to implement the project and provide the necessary resources and support to make it a success.

In conclusion, this project has had a significant impact on the community of Ibongoya B, since the community members have been empowered to act and find solutions to the impacts of climate change hazards. PACDR tool has facilitated the community to be actively involved in identifying and evaluating methods to deal with these challenges.

The Project is kindly supported by Bread for the World

FOR TRAINER(S) OR COACH(ES) TO PROVIDE TRAINING ON SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING TO WARDENS AND MATRONS FROM AGRICULTURE TRAINING INSTITUTES

Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) is seeking to hire a Trainer(s) or Coach(es) to conduct Social Psychology and counselling training for wardens and matrons from Agriculture Training Institutes. Interested Trainer(s) or Coach(es) are free to propose the methodology and tools that will be used in the training. These Terms of Reference (ToR) serve as a request for technical and financial proposals from individual consultants/firms interested in conducting this training.

The objective of the assignment 

This assignment aims for wardens and matrons to improve their skills, knowledge, and confidence in providing psychology and counselling to students. The wardens and matrons will be capacitated in social and educational psychology as well as counselling so as to be able to support students in areas of learning, participation, dealing with academic and social challenges, mental health, and overall academic performance to be able to improve according to expectations and career guidance.  58 matrons, patrons, wardens etc, are expected to attend and training will take place at SAT Farmer Training Centre (FTC) in Vianzi, Lubungo Ward, Mvomero District.

Expected deliverables. 

The following deliverables are expected from the facilitator/trainer.

1. Technical proposal indicating the detailed training methodology, training contents, sources, Five-days training program and training materials that will be discussed, modified and approved by SAT before training starts.
2. Carry out face-to-face training to participants for 5 days.
3. Comprehensive training report of the training assignment
4. Deliver notes which will be shared in soft or hard copy materials.
5. An electronic copy of all training materials and contents, including presentations, videos, and another resource of relevant materials on social psychology and counselling.

Application and Documentation

Interested qualified trainers or coaches are invited to submit their applications. Trainers who meet the requirements should submit the following: application letter (EOI), Curriculum Vitae of the trainers or coaches (individual or consortium), technical proposal showing how you intend to achieve the stated objectives, previous experience (sample work and references), proposed five days training program and budget for undertaking the assignment. Please send your application electronically via consultancy@kilimo.org by 5^th March 2023 with the subject line of the email Social Psychology and Counselling Training. Award giving of the assignment to the selected consultant/firm will be on 10th March 2023. NB: The deadline for submission of EOI will be on 5^th March 2023 at 1700hrs East African Time. Late EOIs and portions of EOI shall not be accepted for evaluation, irrespective of the circumstances. Only awarded consultant(s) will be contacted.

For more information about the scope of work, please download the Terms of Reference below:

Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) is seeking to hire a contractor who will construct 13 greenhouses and purchase of equipment/tools for Backyard gardens to 13 agricultural training institutes. These Terms of Reference (ToR) serve as a request for proposals from contractor interested in construction of greenhouses. Qualifying firms are hereby invited to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) for the assignment as per activities description.

Specifications of greenhouses, Equipment and Services

The following specifications of quality should be complied with by the applying consulting firm.

1. Greenhouses should bear a gutter height ranging from 2.5-3.0 meters, depending on sites.
2. All Greenhouses should be fitted with first grade nets on all the sites with a polythene wrapping on their top roofs in order to control water during rain seasons
3. All the Greenhouses should have changing rooms with doors that are lockable
4. The polls to be used in the construction of greenhouses should be aluminum-coted (galvanized)
5. Water tanks should not be below the capacity of 3000lts and should come from a good durable brand such as SIMTANK or KIBOKO
6. The water tank towers can be made of bricks with concrete but must be strong enough to carry a weight above 7000lts (not less than height of 3M)
7. The drip kits to be purchased should be a complete set with filters, gate valve, connectors and the main pipe.

Locations of Sites

The sites are located in different regions and districts in Tanzania Mainland as follows:

• 1 site is located in Dodoma City
• 1 site are located in Mbalizi, Mbeya
• 2 sites are located in Kilolo and Ilula, Iringa region
• 2 sites are located in Ilala and Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam region
• 2 sites are located in Muleba and Karagwe, Kagera Region
• 1 site is located in Songea, Ruvuma Region
• 1 site is located in Sumbawanga, Rukwa Region
• 1 site is located in Pwani Region
• 1 site is located in Himo, Kilimanjaro Region and
• 1 site is located in Wanging’ombe, Njombe Region

Prerequisites for the Consultancy Firm

• At least 3 references of clients to whom the contractor offered similar services.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in greenhouses construction.
• Thorough knowledge and experience field layout and landscaping.
• First-hand knowledge on installation of irrigation systems.

Time Frame, Terms, Conditions and Logistics

It is expected that the commencement of the assignment with be on the week of 23^rd March 2023 and will continue until 31^st June 2023.

Coordination and assistance for the assignment will be provided by SAT management. The winning contractor will use their own working equipment. Any special requirements may be made available upon request and availability.

Procedures for submission of EOI

Interested innovative and qualified contractors are invited to submit their applications, which include: (1) a cover letter of expression of interest, (2) résumé/CV, (3) a brief proposal explaining how to carry out the task, including availability (4) References of clients you offered service to and (5) Financial budget detailing the costs for undertaking the assignment.  Please send your application electronically to consultancy@kilimo.org  Review of proposals starts on 13^rd April to 17^th March 2023. Award-giving of the assignment to a suitable contractor will be on the 23^rd of March 2023. Deadline for submission will be on 10^th March 2023 at 1700hrs of the East African Time. Late EOIs and portions of EOI, shall not be accepted for evaluation irrespective of the circumstances.

For more information about the project and application process please read the Terms of Reference (ToR) below.

Why planting trees is one of the strategies to face the challenges and effects of climate change and how the community of Mkindo, in the north of Morogoro region, is doing it.

Drought and hot temperatures on the one side, erratic rainfalls and floods on the other are typical characteristics of the Mvomero District in the north of the Morogoro region. The primary victims of these extreme weather events and climate conditions are rural households with farms, cattle, and pasturelands, which form the majority of the population of this area. But the people of Mkindo, where the main economic activities include farming different crops such as rice, corn, cassava, peas, vegetables, and bananas, as well as livestock farming, do not want to accept the situation. Especially as drought, floods, and unpredictable rainfalls lead to soil erosion, crop devastation, and the loss of cattle, and therefore have a substantial impact on the community’s living conditions in Mkindo.

There have been several attempts by the Government and some stakeholders to regulate it. But because the process lacked the community’s support, efforts have stopped, and as a result of the combined consequences, the situation worsened every year. With the kind support of Bread for the World, a global development agency of the protestant churches in Germany, Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), started to implement the Participatory Climate Risk Assessment Hub (PCRAH) Project to deal with the effects of climate change. By the beginning of 2022, SAT began to carry out the project activities in close cooperation with the communities at Mkindo village using the Participatory Assessment of Climate and Disaster Risks (PACDR) tool  – a tool that intends to help communities raise awareness, assess their climate change and disaster risks and finally develop adaptation strategies.

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Climate change and human activities

SAT conducted field facilitation at the community level with Mkindo 26 village representatives on the PACDR process as the initial stage; through this process, it became clear that temperature increases, drought, heavy rainfalls, and floods are hazards brought on by climate change that significantly impact the socioeconomic development of the village and region. Through the facilitation of the 9 PACDR exercises, the community could develop an action plan comprising suitable climate change adaptation strategies based on their local environment.

SAT trained community representatives at Farmer Training Centre (FTC) on tree nurseries establishment and pasture farms establishment as two suitable adaptation strategies from the action plan that are crucial now for the Mkindo community.

Some of the community members also have started to deduce environmentally unfriendly human activities out of the knowledge they got, such as cutting down trees to burn charcoal and wood, conducting agricultural activities in forest reserves, and mining minerals close to water sources.

“Climate change is real and is affecting us,” says Shabani Juma, a small-scale farmer in Mkindo village. He sums up, “Change in weather patterns, unpredictable rainfalls, high temperatures, and drought are vivid at Mkindo, but with small steps like restricting the cutting of trees, avoiding human activities near water sources, and planting trees, we can fight it.”

Shabani Juma was one of the farmers from Mkindo village who received training at the Farmer Training Centre (FTC) on suitable climate change adaptation strategies. He has helped in facilitating his fellow farmers at Mkindo village about suitable climate change adaptation strategies.

One of the ideas is to plant environmentally appropriate trees for pasture areas and mixed farming. For that, the community has established a tree nursery with 10,039 seedlings. So now species like Afzelia quanzensis-Mkongo, Khaya Anthotheca-Mkangazi, Faidherbia Albida-Mgunga, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius-Mti kivuli, Cedrella Odorata-Msedelea, and Gliricidia Seplum-Grilicidia are propagated, cultivated and raised until they are ready to be permanently planted.

The PACDR tool helps to facilitate the assessment of climate change hazards, and it is effective since it involves the community. This is essential, as many challenges concerning climate change and its effect can only be solved at a community level through the strategies identified.

The Project is kindly supported by Bread for the World

Introduction

Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) seeks for the services of a skilled consultant to undertake an impact assessment for the Farmers and Pastoralists Collaboration (FPC) Project. The project is supported by Biovision Foundation and Liechtenstein Development Service (LED). The project is in its 6^th year and has been implemented in two phases. Phase I of the project started in Jan. 2017 and marked its end in Dec. 2019. Phase II of the project started in Jan. 2020, and it marked its end in Dec. 2022.

The overall goal of the project was to enhance sustainable livelihood of farmers and pastoralists through agroecological practices and ensure that the practice of agroecology by farmers and pastoralists creates mutual benefits for both parties which are increased income, strengthened food security, balanced nutrition, reduced conflicts and climate resilience. The project covered the districts of Mvomero, and Kilosa in Morogoro region, Same district in Kilimanjaro region and Hanang’ district in Manyara region. Since the project start in 2017 the project has reached about 3,536 farmers and pastoralist directly.

In 2019 the project had its first external evaluation which provided inputs for the designing of phase II and in July 2022 a team of experts conducted a learning journey in the project areas. The report of the learning journey not only provided inputs for designing FPC phase III but also provided inputs of areas of focus on impact assessment.

Focus and scope of the impact assessment

The impact assessment is intended to document intended and unintended impact registered based on the outcomes and lessons learned over the project period in terms of the project design, implementation, and sustainability among other basic assessment components in a table. The assessment shall focus on:

1. Assessing the impact registered by the project over the course of implementation (what did it really change for the life of the participants?), is it different for non-project participants?
2. Attributing the impact of the project (does the impact registered really reflect the impact of the project interventions?)
3. Identifying unintended impact/side effects (negative and positive)
4. Assessing the sustainability of replication and scale out of the project activities (what results are likely to be sustained beyond the project duration? Which activities and outcomes are self-sustaining or self-replicating? What kind of structures are needed to assure sustainability, how will they be financed, how will they be accessible?)
5. Assessing which activities show (greatest) impact and why did change happen or did not happen, what are the contributing or hindering factors? What prerequisites were necessary to achieve the desired impact?

Prerequisites for the Consultant

1. Post-graduate degree in social sciences, impact studies, development studies, conflict resolution and peace studies, health-related applied research & development projects or related fields.
2. Proven experience of minimum 5 years in carrying out impact assessments.
3. First-hand knowledge of the socio-cultural and policy context in Tanzania.
4. Ability to produce well written, analytical reports in English essential.
5. Knowledge of impact assessment of capacity building activities and familiarity with the theory of change technique.
6. Familiar with quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

Application

This consulting assignment is expected to begin by 13th March 2023 and to be completed no later than May 15th, 2023. The final version of the report as approved is to be submitted at the latest by May 20^th, 2023. Technical and financial proposal should be sent by email to consultancy@kilimo.org no later than Friday, February 10^th, 2023 at 05:00 pm.

We are open to receive questions for clarifications if any, through consultancy@kilimo.org until 23^rd January 2023 after which no further questions will be received. No in-person or phone follow up is accepted.

For more information about the scope of work please download the Terms of Reference here

Animal Welfare Action Days at the Farmer Training Centre (December 5th-9th, 2022)

Animals are living beings that can feel and therefore also suffer. Whether pets or farm animals, animals living in the wild or strays, they all deserve to be treated respectfully and in an animal-friendly manner. But what do animals need to be well? And what should be avoided? These and other pertinent questions were the focus of the Animal Welfare Action Days, which SAT held for the first time at the Farmer Training Center in early December 2022. Speakers included two top experts, Andrew Crump, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Officer at the London School of Economics and Political Science, working on the Foundations of Animal Sentience project (ASENT), and Dr. Paul Ssuna, MSc in Applied Animal Behavior and Animal Welfare, a veterinarian at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and project manager for the World Animal Protection Society’s Veterinarians Worldwide program.

While the first day was spent in the fields with farmers and livestock owners, on the second and third days, some 65 SAT employees, as well as representatives of the organic umbrella organizations Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement and Kenya Organic Agriculture Network, and journalists listened intently to the speakers’ presentations, provided their input in group work, and finally even laid hands on the animals themselves.

SAT is already pursuing numerous practices for the benefit of the animals. But they are not written down anywhere. Not least, for this reason, the last two days were devoted to drafting SAT’s animal welfare guidelines and developing a curriculum so that animal welfare can be taught regularly at the FTC in the future. “On the one hand, this is important because animals are particularly close to our hearts,” emphasizes Alex Wostry, CEO of Operations SAT. “On the other hand, our goal is to become the first certified organic dairy in East Africa. That is why we are very pleased that representatives of the organic umbrella organizations also took part in the animal welfare action days. Together we will do our utmost to expand the East African organic products standard to include certification of dairy operations.”

It should be emphasized that animal welfare is not only an ethical or moral responsibility but even a legal obligation. For example, Tanzania has for many years had one of the best animal welfare laws compared to other African countries, if not considered globally. The problem, however, is that on the one hand, the population lacks the necessary awareness of the needs of animals, and on the other hand, the police, who are responsible for control in this country, are not trained in it.

Fundamentals of animal welfare

The fact is: Animal welfare starts with people. Whether due to ignorance, carelessness, or simply economic constraints – animals suffer due to human misconduct, lack of basic veterinary care, and lack of implementation of existing protection regulations.

SAT has therefore made its business to change this situation and to live active animal welfare. One of the crucial foundations for this is the internationally recognized “Five Freedoms”, which the participants at the Animal Welfare Action Days dealt with in detail:

1. Freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition

2. Freedom from discomfort

3. Freedom from fear and suffering

4. Freedom from pain, injury, and disease

5. Freedom to act out normal behaviour

In addition, topics such as animal husbandry, transportation, slaughter, and pain management were addressed. In every respect, the focus should be on preventing or at least minimizing stress, pain, injury, and physical and psychological suffering. In the group work, the practical exercises, and the respective group discussions afterwards, it became clear which areas are already well implemented at SAT, but also where there is a need for improvement. Thus, in the end, it was clear that there was a need for action, especially regarding the awareness and knowledge of farmers and livestock keepers. The participants – especially those who work directly with the farmers – agreed that in the future everything would be done to pass on the knowledge learned during the Animal Welfare Action Days and to push compliance with the new SAT animal welfare guidelines.

To be continued

Another unexpected result, if you will, was that on the fringes of the workshops, the idea was born to set up an independent laboratory for blood and stool analyses – based at the organic dairy. This project, budgeted at around 15,000 euros, should enable livestock farmers to offer high-quality organic milk at fair prices from 2023. “In the context of animal welfare guidelines, the laboratory represents a win-win situation,” Alex Wostry is convinced. “If the animals are better off, they give more milk. This, in turn, allows the Maasai to produce more organic milk at better prices.”

At any rate, at the end of the week, it was clear: These were not the last animal protection action days. Rather, concrete plans have already been made for three-day workshops that will start in 2023. After all, animal welfare benefits not only the animals but each one of us. With this in mind, here’s to a world in which humans and animals live in harmony with each other and in which animals are treated with respect and in a manner appropriate to their species.

The workshop is kindly supported by the Biovision Foundation

Our 2021 Progress Report!

We are excited to present our 10 Years of Impact progress report. In 2021 our organization marked ten years since registration making it our 10th anniversary as a local, national non-governmental organization in Tanzania.

In the 2021 Annual Report of SAT, you can learn more about how we pursue our track and what we have achieved so far. It is, therefore, a progress report over 10 Years of Impact – you can find the link below. Enjoy the read

My stay at the Farmer Training Centre (FTC) – during my time as a volunteer at SAT, I spent a few nights there, and it was terrific. I loved how excellent and friendly the staff was (and, of course, still is 😉 ). Everybody showed me around, helped me out and wanted to make my stay memorable. Not forgetting the excellent food which two wonderful mamas cooked. Angelina, one of the staff working at the farm, gave me a brief tour of the water cycle, although her time was limited.

The water, which was used for washing hands and showering, is collected in a little basin. This basin has rocks and grass on it, which separates rubbish from water. The next basin has elephant grass, which filters some chemicals, like heavy metals, out of the water. Now the water is fully filtered and can be used to water the plants and trees on the farm. I was impressed by this simple system of reusing water.

At the FTC, I attended the course Natural Medicine, held by Dr Feleshi. He is a Tanzanian Ambassador for ANAMED (Action for Natural Medicine in the Tropics). This international Christian Organisation promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible health and nutrition.

Dr Feleshi is an inspiring person and shared a lot of experiences and stories with the participants. The practical part was done by the participants and as a team. This engaging learning method was very useful in strengthening the learned theory and removing the inhibition of trying it alone at home. He explained the topics and tasks very well and had no problem telling them over and over again until everybody understood.

In my free time, I loved to stroll through the various demonstration plots and gardens, where I tried to identify the multiple species planted next to each other for a positive interplay.

The two newly bought cows still needed a name, so one cow was named after me. As you can imagine, I had to visit my cow buddy multiple times a day. On my way to her, I checked on the other animals as well: goats, chickens, cattle and donkeys, as well as pigs.

I only realized how many people live at the FTC when it is time to eat or when a soccer game is on. Then they all gathered in front of the TV for a game, and as soon as the match was over, they scattered around the FTC again. This little community lives as one big family. Everyone smiles, greets and is helpful, regardless of co-worker or participant. For me, the place is magic. It is calm and, at the same time, alive, it is quiet, but you always find somebody to chat with; it is peaceful and inspiring. I will never forget my time at the FTC. Thank you, Angelina, for making it possible.

This is a featured post by Marie Louise, a volunteer at SAT.