SNV/ Netherlands Development Organization is one of the foremost international organizations which has been active in Ghana since 1992. We specialize in providing high quality, professional advisory services. Our clients are organizations whose work is to help local communities improve the way they are governed, develop income generating capacity and to benefit from the natural resources surrounding them, while sustaining the environment for future generations.

Background
The Cocoa-Eco (Increased Cocoa Productivity for Improved Ecosystems Services) Program intends to introduce an approach that combines supporting local cocoa livelihoods for poverty alleviation and reducing ecosystem degradation in Ghana and Cameroon. This is expected to be achieved through actions that improve business development skills, increase cocoa productivity, enhance natural resources management, conserve biodiversity, and reduce emissions associated with smallholder cocoa farming systems. A key outcome and deliverable of this project is to create extra incentives for smallholder farmers who engage in actions that enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce organic cocoa.

Against this background, SNV Ghana seeks the services of a local organisation or consultant to assist in quantifying the baseline carbon stocks and sequestration potentials in smallholder cocoa farming systems in the Cocoa-eco program area in Ghana. The results of the study are expected to inform the establishment of a REDD+ project under the umbrella of the Cocoa-eco programme.

Tasks of the Local Organisation/Consultant

The tasks to be achieved by the selected are as follows:

•   Stratify existing smallholder cocoa production agroforestry systems into relevant and different agroforestry systems.
•   Suggest an appropriate piloting sample size following the stratification according to the respective (agroforestry) systems
•   Quantify baseline carbon stocks and sequestration rates across different smallholder cocoa systems.
•   Project future carbon sequestration rates and stocks relative to suggested REDD+ related interventions such as, shade tree species, farming techniques and other various factors.
•   Suggest any other interventions that increase carbon sequestration in smallholder cocoa farmers that might not be in the Cocoa-eco projects documents so far.
•   Review and assess practicability of implementation of interventions by smallholder cocoa farmers.
•   Analyse the appropriateness of using existing VCS methodologies relative to developing a smallholder cocoa agroforestry system, define any gaps relative to current agroforestry type cocoa plantations and introduce new methodological criteria with respect to most appropriate and practical interventions assessed or identified.
•   A separate chapter concerns certification. Focusing on Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade and UTZ certification, identify where certification ends and carbon assessment begins

Expected deliverables
It is expected that this assignment will culminate in the production of a report that scientifically details baseline and projected carbon stocks and sequestration rates in different smallholder cocoa farming agroforestry systems whilst providing advice on practical interventions that can be implemented by smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Geographical Location of the Assignment
The assignment will be conducted in 10 cocoa districts in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Western and Eastern regions of Ghana.

Time frame and reporting.
The assignment will be executed over a period of 30 working days between October 1, 2013 – November 18, 2013. The final report is expected on November 18, 2013.
The Organisation/Consultant will be supported by an SNV Adviser in carrying out the assignment, and will directly report to the Advisor.

Contracts and organization of the assignment.
This work will be undertaken as per this TOR or as per improved TOR discussed between SNV and the selected Organisation/Consultnt within 5 days of the start of the assignment. SNV contract guidelines will be followed for the management of this work.

Qualification Required & Experience

General requirements for position:
The position requires a result driven organization or team of experts that show a demonstrated track record of conducting scientific action research within smallholder cocoa or agroforestry farming systems in Ghana. In particular, the successful candidate will be expected to have:

•   Experience in conducting carbon assessments in Agriculture, Forestry and Land use sectors with specific reference to smallholder farming systems.
•   Strong analytical, scientific writing and verbal communication skills.
•   Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office, Statistical packages, GIS and remote sensing systems.
•   Must be able to manage multiple tasks and have excellent follow up skills both internally and externally.
•   Must be able to represent SNV to different stakeholders and clients with respect to this assignment.
•   The team leader should have a minimum of an M.Sc in Forestry Sciences or related qualifications and experience in using modern methodologies to quantify carbon stocks relative to the climate change mitigation agenda.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Application procedure
A proposal with the specific milestones, activities, delivery plan, budget and CVs can be sent to Arend van der Goes (avandergoes@snvworld.org), Coordinator REDD+ Energy & Agriculture Program West & Central Africa with CC to: Quirin  Laumans, SNV Ghana Agriculture Sector Leader (Email address: qlaumans@snvworld.org) or hand delivered to SNV Offices in Ghana.

Closing Date: 05 September, 2013