Invitation to tender: Nigeria SJRP Prisons Horticultural & Agricultural (Technical Consultant)
Bidders are expected to submit their applications on or before 4pm (WAT) Thursday 25th May, 2017.
Documents
Details
Background
The CSSF funded Nigeria Security & Justice Reform Programme is made up of four interlinked components:
- A more coherent Nigerian national security architecture that enables better cross-agency coordination of decision-making and delivery, with a particular but not exclusive focus on the North-East.
- Improved Nigerian Police Force delivery of safety and security in target states, backed by stronger NPF accountability mechanisms, through strategic assistance provided to the NPF.
- Improved conditions for prisoners and a reduction in the number of awaiting-trial prisoners (ATPs) in selected prisons, catalysing broader penal reform measures in the medium/long term.
- Improved accountability and effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) through institutional development and commencing longer-term defence reform.
Selection of each of the above work-strands followed sector-level scoping exercises, containing detailed analysis of the context and challenges faced in putting into place reform focused programmes to benefit the individual sectors and also improve synergies across the Nigerian security and justice architecture.
Work on component 3, prison reform, is now underway and focuses on three separate but mutually reliant strands of activity:
- Reducing the number of awaiting trial prisoners (ATPs) held on remand in custody.
- Initiating reforms to NPS horticultural & agricultural activities with a focus on low-technology inputs, providing new skills for inmates and increasing the quality and quantity of prison rations.
- Strengthening the strategic financial planning and management at the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) headquarters.
The Nigeria Prison has for many years faced challenges surrounding weak internal capacity, poor financial allocations/budgeting, variable policy and strategic direction and inadequate external oversight. As with other Nigerian security and justice providers, allegations of human rights abuses, corruption, unaccountability and lack of strategic direction have commonly been recorded.
The fabric of the prison’s estate is poor and insufficient GoN annual funding together with weak NPS financial management has resulted in chronic infrastructural deficiencies. Many of the buildings are unfit for purpose - unhygienic cooking facilities, poor sanitation and lack of adequate healthcare are common features to be found in many prisons. Prisons focus on detention as opposed to rehabilitation and vocational training is rarely delivered, an issue the JHRP have noted and wish to engage with.
Overcrowding is a common feature across all prisons, with many facilities holding in excess of 300% of their approved ‘rate’ (NPS term to describe the maximum permitted numbers to be held in any named facility) e.g. in Enugu Maximum Security prison the approved ‘rate’ is 638 but inmates held number 1,960. The primary cause of prison overcrowding is the very large number of prisoners being held awaiting trial. In most developed countries the number of awaiting trial prisoners (ATPs) would not exceed 25% of the overall prison population, yet in Nigeria the ATP figure is in excess of 70%.
There is a need for two properly qualified and experienced consultants (a project manager and technical adviser) to support the prison gardens/farms work. These TORs specifically relate to the technical adviser role.
Objectives
The objectives of this piece of work are to:
- Ensure that low-technology inputs result in substantial economic and environmental savings in crop and produce production.
- Maximisation of land productivity and crop rotational processes.
- Deliver on-the-job training and mentoring to prison staff and inmates.
Scope of Work
Activities to be conducted will span the design, inception and implementation phases of the horticultural and agricultural work, and will include:
- Engaging with the NPS trainers and inmates to ensure the adoption of low-technology inputs to enhancing rehabilitative skills and improved dietary provision.
- Assisting in the assessment of the current NPS farms organisation and agriculture projects (visiting sites as required).
- Assessing the capacity of prison officers involved in horticultural and agricultural training and the availability of low-technology tools and equipment.
- Deliver hands-on-training to staff and inmates in the use of low-cost approaches to sustainable farming methodologies.
- Demonstrate and thereafter supervise the use of low-technology approaches to crop production and harvesting, maximising cost-efficiencies whilst ensuring environmentally sound production methodologies e.g. water saving and low-level phosphate approaches.
- In conjunction with NPS, make initial recommendations on possible location/s of pilot gardens/farms sites, together with relevant training needs.
- Support innovative crop rotational cycles and introduce new crop varieties to maximise nutrient and nourishment levels in rations.
- Be available to attend programme management meetings, as required.
Methodology
The H&A technical consultant will work at the selected prison garden and farm sites, supporting the training of prison staff and inmates. He/she will advise the officer in charge on seed and seedling purchase, supervise the pilot garden/farm sites and advise on harvesting times/methods. This is a hands-on role, requiring active engagement with the NPS and its charges.
Deliverables
The key deliverables required will be:
- Seed and seedling purchasing plans and utilisation of low-technology and environmentally friendly growing aids. Crop rotation and harvesting plans.
- Delivery of high-quality training, in line with requirements of the project.
- Provision of further technical advice, as required. It is envisaged that there will be a requirement to visit Nigeria throughout the lifetime of the programme.
Key Technical Requirements
The individual selected for this task will be required to demonstrate the following expertise and experience:
- Extensive previous experience of delivering prison farms programmes in sub-Sahara Africa. A minimum of ten years working in the sector.
- Professional knowledge of low-technology methodologies supporting horticultural and agricultural programmes. Including issues surrounding procurement, budgeting, financial management and record keeping.
- An ability to work in difficult contexts whilst maintaining first-class professional relationships.
- Possession of first-class inter-personal skills and the ability to work alongside prison officials and inmates.
- Previous experience of working in support of UK funded development programmes.
- Possession of relevant horticultural and/or agricultural academic qualifications.
Timing and Duration
It is anticipated that the scope/design element will be conducted in June/July 2017, with implementation commencing shortly thereafter. There will be a need for periodic technical support to be delivered to the programme through the period of its existence (currently due to close in March 2019).
Reporting
In the first instance the H&A Technical Consultant will report to the CSSF Nigeria Security & Justice Adviser, based in the BHC Abuja.
Administration
Support to the H&A Technical consultant will be provided by the UK CSSF team based in the BHC Abuja.
Schedule of Prices and Productive Days
The consultant contract will be of a call-down nature, for a maximum period of 120 productive days over the lifetime of the programme. The daily rate will be £400.
Duty of Care
The implementer is responsible to cover all required duty of care arrangements for this project.