Tenders Are Invited For End-Of-Project Evaluation Of Sheep Phase Ii

Tenders are invited for End-of-Project Evaluation of Sheep Phase Ii PROJECT BACKGROUND The SHEEP Phase II project seeks to strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of vulnerable smallholder farming households through sustainable agricultural production, livelihood diversification, economic strengthening, and improved household food and nutrition security. The project responds to the effects of recurrent conflict, food insecurity, economic challenges, climatic shocks, and limited livelihood opportunities affecting vulnerable communities in Yei and Kajo-Keji Counties. The project targeted 1,000 households, representing an estimated 6,000 individuals, through interventions designed to: Page 2 of 20 1. Increase resilient livelihood opportunities through enhanced agricultural productivity and improved availability, access to, and consumption of diversified foods; and 2. Improve the contribution to and influence of conflict-affected smallholder women farmers over household income and decision-making. Building on Phase I, the project organized beneficiaries into 40 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the two counties. Each group consisted of approximately 2535 members with broadly similar livelihood characteristics. The project provided beneficiaries with technical and entrepreneurship skills to strengthen their ability to manage agricultural and income-generating activities. Household-level, risk-informed business planning was undertaken, taking into consideration risks associated with drought, seasonal flooding, conflict, and other contextual factors. The project worked closely with relevant government line ministries, county agricultural authorities, cooperatives, rural development officials, extension workers, and other stakeholders to provide technical support and strengthen linkages between beneficiaries, extension services, markets, and other relevant actors. The project promoted climate-smart agricultural practices, including early land preparation, use of locally adapted and resilient crop varieties, improved vegetable production, and simple irrigation approaches appropriate to the prevailing climatic conditions. Following training and business planning, beneficiaries received productive assets and inputs based on their existing skills, experience, needs, and preferences. These included: Food crop seeds and agricultural tools; Vegetable seeds and simple irrigation kits, particularly for women-headed households; and Cash support to eligible GSLA members to strengthen income-generating activities. The project also facilitated cross-learning visits among SHGs and individual farmers and encouraged the sharing of lessons through regular SHG meetings. SHGs were linked with agricultural extension providers and market actors to strengthen access to technical services, markets, networks, and fair prices. 3. PROJECT GOAL AND OUTCOMES 3.1 Overall Goal Vulnerable farming households increase food production, adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, and rebuild agricultural livelihoods, resulting in more stable and diversified sources of food and income. 3.2 Project Outcomes Outcome 1: Enhanced livelihood resilience among conflict-affected and food-insecure smallholder farmers through increased agricultural productivity and improved availability and consumption of diversified and nutritious foods. Outcome 2: Improved contribution to and influence of conflict-affected smallholder women farmers over household income and decision-making Tender Link : https://comms.southsudanngoforum.org/c/tenders