TERMS OF REFERENCE

Technical Assistance for Scaling the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Across Concern

Liberia Programmes in Grand Bassa, Rivercess and Lofa Counties

1. Background

Concern Worldwide Liberia is supporting the introduction and scaling of the System of Rice

Intensification (SRI) as a climate-smart approach to improving rice productivity, strengthening

food security and nutrition outcomes, and increasing returns to smallholder rice farmers.

Over the past year, Concern has supported a series of SRI-related activities in partnership with

SRI 2030 and local stakeholders, including the Community of Hope Agriculture Project (CHAP),

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) extension services, farmer groups, rice producer organisations

and private sector actors involved in rice value chains. Initial rounds of Training of Trainers

(ToT) and practical demonstrations have already been conducted in Lofa, Grand Bassa and

Rivercess Counties. These activities have established an emerging pool of trained extension

workers, lead farmers and local practitioners with practical exposure to SRI approaches.

Existing demonstration plots have also been established and now require continued technical

guidance, performance monitoring and support with data collection to generate credible

evidence on productivity gains and economic returns.

Concern’s next phase of investment seeks to move beyond initial awareness raising and pilot

activities towards creating a sustainable foundation for wider adoption. In particular, Concern

aims to support lead farmers that are showing initiative across all programme areas to adopt

and demonstrate SRI practices, strengthen the technical capacity of public extension systems,

and establish a cadre of national-level SRI expertise capable of supporting scale-up beyond

individual projects.

Concern recognises that successful scaling will require strong collaboration between public

and private sector actors. The programme therefore seeks to strengthen linkages between

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) extension services, farmer groups, rice mills, producer cooperatives and other market actors in order to increase rice production and productivity,

improve utilisation of existing swamp and lowland production systems, and create incentives

for sustainable adoption of SRI practices.

Concern has access to existing SRI training materials and technical resources developed

through previous initiatives and partnerships. Consequently, this consultancy is not expected

to develop new SRI curricula or duplicate existing training materials. Rather, the consultancy

will focus on technical mentoring, practical application, quality assurance, capacity

strengthening and implementation support using available training resources. Existing SRI

2030 training guides and materials should be utilised and adapted as necessary.

2. Overall Objective

To establish a sustainable and locally driven ecosystem for the adoption and scaling of the

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Liberia through strengthened technical capacity, effective

extension systems, and strategic value-chain partnerships

3. Specific Objectives

The consultant will:

• Strengthen the technical capacity of lead farmers, extension agents, programme staff

and partners to implement SRI method effectively across Concern programme areas.

We anticipate the training to support approximately fifty farmers showing leadership

in Grand Bassa District One, Rivercess Yarpah’s Town, Lofa Foya and Kolahun.

• Mentor and support a cadre of lead farmers capable of driving farmer-to-farmer

replication of SRI practices.

• Support the development and accreditation pathway of at least two National SRI

Master Trainers in accordance with SRI-2030 standards or an equivalent globally

recognised good practice standard.

• Provide technical support and quality assurance to existing demonstration plots in

Lofa, Rivercess and Grand Bassa, including guidance on implementation standards,

monitoring and performance assessment.

• Develop practical systems for reliable data collection, yield measurement, cost-benefit

analysis and documentation of results from demonstration sites.

• Strengthen collaboration between MOA extension services, rice mills, producer groups

and private sector actors to support sustainable adoption of SRI technologies.

• Produce recommendations for future expansion of SRI method across Concern

programmes and through national agricultural systems.

4. Scope of Work

Component 1: Technical Assessment and Inception

The consultant shall:• Review existing SRI initiatives, training materials and demonstration activities.

• Assess existing demonstration plots and related implementation plans.
• Identify technical support needs of programme teams, lead farmers and extension

personnel.

• Develop an inception report, workplan and mentoring strategy.

Component 2: Capacity Strengthening and Mentoring

The consultant shall:

• Deliver practical refresher training and field-based mentoring for previously trained

stakeholders.

• Support lead farmers across Concern programme areas to become effective SRI

practitioners and local resource persons on their farms.

• Provide coaching and mentoring to a selected cohort of potential National Master

Trainers.

• Support MOA extension agents and programme staff in effective farmer outreach and

technical support.

• Promote practical learning through field-based and demonstration-based approaches.

Component 3: Demonstration Site Technical Support

The consultant shall provide technical support to existing and future demonstration sites,

including:

• Seed nursery establishment, seedling management, transplanting techniques, plant

spacing water management, soil fertility management, weed management, harvesting

protocols, and yield measurement methodologies.

• Particular attention should be given to ensuring that demonstration sites generate

robust and credible data capable of informing farmer adoption decisions, programme

learning and future investment.

Component 4: Monitoring, Evidence Generation and Learning.

The consultant shall:

• Work with the Concern MEAL team, CHAP MEAL team and on the ground programme

staff to review and update or if needed develop simple field monitoring tools.

• Establish protocols for yield measurement and productivity assessment. Including a

calendar of key activities and a set of communication tools to ensure they are

supported and followed up effectively.• Support collection of agronomic, economic and adoption data.

• Document lessons learned and implementation challenges.
• Produce short technical advisory notes throughout implementation.

Component 5: Systems Strengthening and Market Linkages

The consultant shall:

• Support stronger operational links between farmer groups, extension services and rice

value chain actors including rice mill owners.

• Advise on practical mechanisms through which rice mills, aggregators and producer

organisations can support wider adoption of SRI practices.

• Identify opportunities for integrating SRI within existing rice production and

commercialisation systems.

• Develop recommendations for sustainable scaling through public and private sector

partnerships.

Component 6: Seasonality to maximise profitability

How the support is phased is important. Please outline a plan that includes wet season

establishment, a ratooning cycle and a dry season cycle as part of the proposal.

5. Required Components of the Proposal Submission:

All proposals must include the following:

1. Executive Summary – Brief overview of understanding, proposed approach, and

competencies.

1. Technical Proposal – Detailed methodology work plan and timeline.
2. Financial Proposal – Detailed, itemized budget and a proposed payment schedule. Note that

Concern will provide transport and accommodation cover and these do not need to be

factored into the proposal. d. Team Composition – Names, roles, and qualifications of proposed personnel (CV should be

annexed) if applicable

1. Experience – Summary of similar assignments conducted, sample of related work, and client

references (minimum two).

1. Legal Documentation – Company registration/license and tax information
2. Duration and Timeline

The assignment is expected to last up to forty days, commencing at key intervals in the rice

season, and concluding by mid November 2026. A more detailed timeline can be agreed upon

during final negotiations.

7. Requirement for Lead Consultant
8. Education

A Master’s degree (or higher) in any of the following, Agronomy/Agricultural Science,

Environmental Science/Climate Change, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Policy. A

combination of these disciplines will be an advantage.

1. Required Competencies and Experience

Technical Expertise

• Proven knowledge and field experience with System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

training

• Strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) frameworks, tools, and

indicators.

• Ability to conduct feasibility studies, including environmental, social, and economic

dimensions.

1. Analytical and Communication Skills

• Strong report-writing skills in English.
• Facilitation skills, especially with farming communities and local government.

1. Additional Assets

• Knowledge of Liberia’s rice production systems,
• Experience working with international development agencies, NGOs,

8. Evaluation criteria

Technical Evaluation (80%)

Financial Evaluation 20%

9. Submission Guidelines

All proposals must be submitted electronically in

PDF format to procurement.liberia@concern.net and deadline for submission is 1pm on 17th July 2026.

***Late submissions will not be considered***

10. Point of Contact for Clarifications – All inquiries related to this RFP should be directed in

writing to procurement.liberia@concern.net

11. Ethical Standards and Confidentiality

All information collected during the assignment must remain confidential and be used solely

for the purposes of this study. The final outputs will become the property of Concern

Worldwide Liberia. The consultant is expected to uphold ethical standards in engaging with

participants and reporting findings.

12. Disclaimer

Concern Worldwide Liberia reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, cancel

the solicitation process, and modify the scope of work or timeline as needed.

Important information:

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme

Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons

Policy and Concern’s supplier ethical code of conduct. These have been developed to ensure the

maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the

responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner

organizations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, suppliers have

a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their

work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any service provider or supplier

offered a contract or Purchase order with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the

Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies and Concern’s Supplier ethical code of

conduct as an appendix to their contract or Purchase order. By signing these policies, successful

bidders acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and Concern’s Supplier ethical code of conduct and agree

to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern

is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do

everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults

and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with

Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

During this consultancy application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern

takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying

with all relevant data protection legislation.