TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR).                                                                 HYDROPONICS TECHNICAL TRAINER & SYSTEMS CONSULTANT FOR WOMEN-LED GROUP

Project: Establishment of Climate-Resilient Hydroponics Farming Units in Dollow
Implementing Agency: Lifeline Gedo (LLG)
Donor: GIZ -- Climate-Resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) Programme
Government Counterpart: Jubbaland Ministry of Agriculture
Duty Station: Dollow District, Gedo Region, Somalia
Type of Assignment: Short-term technical consultancy (field-based)
Reporting Line: Project Coordinator – Lifeline Gedo
Technical Coordination: Jubbaland Ministry of Agriculture (District Level)

1. Background and Context                                                                                                 Lifeline Gedo (LLG), in partnership with the Jubbaland Ministry of Agriculture and with financial support from GIZ under the Climate-Resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) Programme, is implementing a climate-resilient food security and livelihoods initiative in Dollow District, Gedo Region. The intervention aims to strengthen household food production, nutrition, and adaptive capacity among vulnerable women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnee communities through water-efficient farming systems.

Dollow District is a climate-exposed riverine and agro-pastoral area affected by recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall, and seasonal flooding from the Juba River. These shocks have undermined conventional agriculture and increased pressure on limited water resources.

In response, the project introduces small-scale hydroponics systems as a water-efficient, climate-resilient food production approach suitable for fragile environments. The systems are designed to support year-round vegetable production using simple, low-cost, and locally appropriate technologies that can be managed by women-led groups.

To ensure that these systems are correctly designed, established, operated, and sustained, Lifeline Gedo seeks to engage a Hydroponics Technical Trainer & Systems Consultant.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to design, establish, and provide hands-on technical training and support for hydroponics systems that can be effectively operated and maintained by women-led groups.

The consultant will ensure that beneficiaries are able to run the entire system independently, from planting to harvesting and routine operation.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The specific objectives of this assignment are to:

• Design low-cost, water-efficient hydroponics systems suitable for the Dollow context.
• Guide the installation and commissioning of hydroponics farming units.
• Build practical skills of women farmers in operating and maintaining hydroponics systems.
• Ensure proper crop production, harvesting, and continuous production cycles.
• Promote efficient water and nutrient management.
• Support technical sustainability and replication of the systems.
•  

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

A. Technical Assessment and System Design

• Review project documents, implementation plans, and proposed sites.
• Assess water availability, space, materials, and environmental risks.
• Design appropriate hydroponics systems suitable for low-resource settings, using locally available materials where possible.

B. System Installation and Commissioning

• Prepare technical specifications and material lists for hydroponics systems.
• Guide or supervise system installation and setup.
• Commission systems and confirm they are fully operational.

C. Practical Training on System Operation and Crop Production

• Deliver hands-on training covering:

ü  Seed selection, seedling preparation, and transplanting

ü  Crop spacing, growth monitoring, and production cycles

ü  Preparation and management of nutrient solutions

ü  Efficient water use and system hygiene

ü  Daily and weekly system operation and routine maintenance

ü  Identification and correction of common technical problems

ü  Basic pest and disease prevention using safe, low-cost methods

D. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling

• Train groups on correct harvesting times and cutting techniques to allow regrowth.
• Guide safe handling, storage, and household use of harvested produce.
• Support planning for continuous harvesting and production.

E. Technical Backstopping and Mentoring

• Provide on-site technical support during initial production cycles.
• Mentor selected lead farmers on system operation, troubleshooting, and simple record-keeping.
• Develop simple user guidance or visual aids for ongoing reference.

F. Coordination with Community Structures

• Coordinate closely with the Community & Cooperative Development Consultant and project staff.
• Align technical activities with group governance arrangements and implementation schedules.

5. Key Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• Hydroponics system design and assessment note.
• Technical specifications and material lists.
• Installed and functioning hydroponics farming units.
• Practical training sessions delivered to women-led groups.
• Simple technical user guides or visual aids.
• A completion report summarizing:

ü  Systems established

ü  Training delivered

ü  Technical challenges encountered

ü  Recommendations for sustainability and scaling

6. Duration

The assignment will cover system design, installation, training, and initial operation support. The exact number of working days will be agreed with Lifeline Gedo based on technical complexity and field conditions.

7. Management and Coordination

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Lifeline Gedo Project Coordinator and in close coordination with:

• Community & Cooperative Development Consultant
• Field Officer
• Agronomists
• MEL Officer
• District-level representatives of the Jubbaland Ministry of Agriculture

8. Ethical Standards and Conduct

The consultant is expected to:

• Respect local customs and gender sensitivities.
• Promote inclusive participation and knowledge sharing.
• Uphold safeguarding, accountability, and do-no-harm principles.
• Avoid introducing technologies that create long-term dependency.

9. Application Requirements

Interested consultants shall submit the following:

A. Cover Letter

A brief cover letter expressing interest in the assignment and summarizing relevant experience in hydroponics system design, installation, and hands-on farmer training, particularly in fragile or low-resource settings.

B. Technical Proposal (Maximum  Pages)

The Technical Proposal must include:

• Consultant profile and relevant experience.
• Understanding of the assignment and local context.
• Clear approach and methodology for system design, installation, training, and support.
• Detailed work plan with timelines and deliverables.
• Summary of similar assignments implemented.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the consultant.

C. Financial Proposal

The Financial Proposal shall:

• Be submitted in USD
• Clearly itemize the following cost components for all project sites in Dollow District, covering four  hydroponic units serving a total of two hundred (200) farmers:

ü  Daily consultancy fees

ü  Transport costs

ü  Accommodation and living costs

ü  Training materials and supplies

All costs shall be clearly justified and presented in a detailed cost breakdown.

10. Consultant Qualifications and Key Requirements

The consultant must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
  A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in hydroponics or water-efficient agricultural systems.
• Proven hands-on experience in designing, installing, operating, and maintaining hydroponics systems.
• Demonstrated experience delivering practical, field-based training to farmers or community groups.
• Experience working with women-led groups and promoting inclusive participation.
• Ability to work effectively in fragile and low-resource settings.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Fluency in English and Somali.

11. Selection Criteria

Selection will be based on:

• Technical competence and relevant experience.
• Quality and clarity of the Technical Proposal.
• Practical understanding of hydroponics systems and training approach.
• Cost-effectiveness of the Financial Proposal

Applications for this consultancy should be made through the following link: https://app.lifelineorganisation.org/careers no later than 26 February 2026