Terms of Reference

 1.   Introduction

The Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the premier institution leading community-driven development in Pakistan. Established as a not-for-profit company in February 1997 under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 (now the Companies Act 2017), PPAF is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the impoverished and fostering a more equitable and prosperous nation. Operating across 150 districts in all four provinces and regions, PPAF supports communities by improving infrastructure, energy, health, education, livelihoods, and financial access, while also enhancing resilience to disasters. It focuses on the most vulnerable and marginalized rural households, offering a wide range of financial and non-financial services. PPAF is committed to embedding its core values of social inclusion, participation, accountability, transparency, and stewardship into all its processes and programs. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.ppaf.org.pk.

 2.   About the programme

The programme aims to empower communities, particularly women, by organising them into livestock producer groups for collective production and the establishment of community-led livestock markets. It also seeks to support women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises in developing value chains for sheep, goats, and poultry. The programme will be implemented across 120 union councils in six (6) flood-affected districts of Balochistan.

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to post 2022 floods climate-resilient socioeconomic recovery in the most affected and poorest districts of Balochistan province. The specific objective is improved value chains and market linkages in agriculture and livestock sectors of Balochistan.

Expected Result/Output 1: Strengthened capacities of target groups in improving value addition and compliance to food safety and sustainability standards.

Expected Result/Output 2: Increased livestock assets of target women and men farmers/ entrepreneurs.

Expected Result/Output 3: Enhanced access of women and men farmers to finances for value addition of livestock and livestock products.

 3.   Rationale for the hiring of the consultant

PPAF has recently entered into a grant agreement with the European Union (EU) for the implementation of the project titled “Post-Floods Resilient Recovery and Strengthening of the Livestock Sector in Balochistan.” During the six-month inception phase, PPAF is required to undertake several critical tasks, including the development of a comprehensive Knowledge Management (KM) Strategy.

The KM Strategy is a foundational component of the project, aimed at ensuring effective documentation, dissemination, and utilisation of knowledge generated throughout the project lifecycle. This strategy will facilitate evidence-based decision-making, enhance learning, and promote the sustainability of project outcomes.

To ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of this key task, PPAF seeks to engage the services of an individual consultant with expertise in knowledge management and strategic planning. The consultant will be responsible for designing a robust KM framework tailored to the project’s objectives, which will guide the systematic capture, storage, and sharing of knowledge among stakeholders, including field-level staff, co-applicants, and beneficiaries.

By engaging a consultant, PPAF aims to complete this activity before the orientation and deployment of field-level staff, ensuring that the KM Strategy is in place to support the effective implementation of the project from its outset.

 4.    Scope of Work

The following is the scope of work for the individual consultant:

 a)       Thoroughly review the final version of the EU-approved project proposal and develop a detailed Knowledge Management (KM) Strategy, including data collection, recording, and reporting formats for each activity, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives and outcomes.

 b)      Collaborate closely with PPAF’s core and project teams, the co-applicant’s focal person(s), and key stakeholders (including government officials, if needed) to gather input and ensure the KM Strategy reflects their perspectives and aligns with broader sectoral priorities.

 c)       Coordinate with the United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO), which is implementing another component of the programme, to gather input, ensure alignment, and promote synergies between the KM Strategy and FAO’s similar arrangements.

 d)      Review existing knowledge management strategies developed by national and international NGOs and donors, government agencies, and other relevant organisations to identify and incorporate best practices and innovative approaches into the KM Strategy.

 e)      Organise and facilitate an online workshop with key staff from the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the co-applicant team to gather their input and feedback on the draft KM Strategy, ensuring it meets the needs of all stakeholders.

 f)        Finalize the KM Strategy by incorporating feedback from stakeholders, the PMU, and the co-applicant, and submit it to PPAF within the agreed timeline, along with a detailed implementation plan and monitoring framework.

 5.       Key document to be shared by PPAF

PPAF will share the approved version of the project proposal, logframe, workplan, and other key documents with the consultant.

 6.      Qualifications and Competencies Required

Candidate interested in this assignment should have the following qualifications and competencies: 

• M. Phil/master’s degree in social sciences, development studies, agriculture, animal sciences, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in rural development, livelihood, agriculture, and livestock development sector.
• Proven experience to develop project proposals, M&E frameworks, and KM strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong report writing, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with gender-sensitive approaches and experience in integrating gender into programme implementation approaches.

 7.    Supervision and Reporting

The consultant will report directly to PPAF’s Head Programmes and Special Initiative at PPAF Head Office Islamabad for this assignment. The consultant is responsible for keeping Head Programmes and Special Initiative and Project Director at PMU Quetta informed about progress and will seek necessary approvals for all key deliverables.

 8.    Duration of Consultancy

The assignment will last for 20 workdays, to be completed within two months.

 9.         Key Deliverables and Payment Schedule

The following are key deliverables and payments will be made upon submission of the approved version of deliverables:

 10.    Selection Method

The individual consultant will be selected in accordance with PPAF’s procurement rules and guidelines.

 11.    Ethical Considerations:

The consultant is required to provide minutes from the key consultation meetings along with the final versions of the KM strategy. PPAF will retain ownership of all consultation data and information collected for this assignment. The consultant is not permitted to use or quote any data or information from the assignment without obtaining prior written permission from PPAF’s senior management.