PlantwisePlus is a global programme, led by CABI, that contributes to improving the incomes and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by helping them apply sustainable approaches to crop production, leading to safer and higher-quality food in domestic markets. Interventions under PlantwisePlus contribute to three “impact pathways”: (i) pest preparedness, (ii) pesticide risk reduction and (iii) farmer advisory. The pesticide risk reduction impact pathway seeks to reduce pesticide risks to human health and the environment by increasing awareness of, access to and use of lower risk, affordable integrated pest management solutions. This should support smallholder farmers to increase uptake of lower-risk plant protection products and reduce use of pesticide products of concern, such as highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). CABI works with national and local government bodies, commercial companies, farmers and other partners to identify and support implementation of opportunities for pesticide risk reduction, with a focus on tomato. The pesticide risk reduction impact pathway also supports identification, development and implementation of classical and augmentative biocontrol solutions. Cross-cutting themes such as gender, youth, climate adaptation, One Health and digitalisation are integrated across the pesticide risk reduction impact pathway. 

The use of pesticides can be necessary as part of an integrated pest management approach, but farmers in Pakistan tend to rely on them heavily. In the last 20 years, the country has witnessed a 1169% increase in the application of pesticides with the number of sprays per crop reaching more than 10 per cropping cycle. To help reduce over-reliance on chemical pesticides and to introduce lower risk pest management options, CABI has supported the establishment of facilities to supply bio-control agents for field release, especially in Punjab. This work is part of a long-standing collaboration between CABI and federal and provincial departments of agriculture as well as other stakeholders to enhance food security by reducing crop losses caused by insect pests and diseases. The PlantwisePlus approach provides farmers with sustainable plant health management advice following the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)[1]. As part of the PlantwisePlus programme in Pakistan, the Department of Plant Protection, CABI and other stakeholders have sought to identify HHPs currently in use that are having an adverse impact on human health and the environment as well as viable, lower risk alternatives to these HHPs, including cultural controls, biocontrol methods and less hazardous chemical options with appropriate risk mitigation. 

Rationale

CAB International is seeking to reduce the risk of pesticides to human, livestock and ecosystem health by influencing the behaviour of actors involved in pesticide use including farmers, agro-traders (e.g. agrodealers, aggregators), community and agriculture extension workers, in the food value chain (with a particular focus on tomatoes, due to the high use of pesticides on this crop). Reducing risky behaviours in pesticide use by these actors will improve the safety of food and protect farmers as well as consumers and the environment. Efforts to achieve these goals are multi-faceted and include policy-level discussion and advocacy to provide an enabling environment for risk reduction. The programme also aims to support behaviour changes at the local level through Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).

 1.    Purpose of the consultancy

This call for consultancy is to support social and behaviour change communication activities at CABI Pakistan. It envisages SBCC-related work including, but not limited to, support for the development of a SBCC strategy and first stage of implementation for agriculture sector stakeholders with an aim to address pesticide risks, promote integrated pest management and gender inclusivity within the farming communities in Pakistan.

Scope of Work/ Description of Assignment

The consultant is expected to work in partnership with the CABI team, support SBCC activities, including the designing SBCC Strategy, key messages and implementation activity, in addition to other tasks.

Some of the key activities s include:

• Provide support for Social and Behaviour Change Communication-related activities at CABI Pakistan.
• Conduct a desk review of the existing reports to identify behavioural challenges to pesticide risk reduction. (A number of studies, trainings and other activities have been carried out in this regard and will be shared with the consultant for desk review which will contribute to developing SBCC activities, including the SBCC workshop and strategy).
• Support the DevCom team in the planning, design and delivery of a workshop with multiple stakeholders leading to the development of a SBCC strategy on PRR and key messages addressing harmful practices regarding pesticide use.
• Support field testing and revisions of the communication materials and key messages, leading to the designing of stakeholder-specific SBCC to address challenges identified in the strategy. 

 2.    Qualifications & Experience

The interested candidates with experience in SBCC Strategy development and leading capacity building activities, are invited to submit applications.

The required qualifications include:

-       Post-graduate degree in communications or behavioural sciences

-       At least 10 years of professional experience in SBCC strategy development and related work

-       Experience of developing strategies for farming communities is essential

-       Demonstrable, proven effectiveness of design and delivery of SBCC strategies

-       Robust communication, organizational, analytical and report writing skills

-       Thorough understanding of the socio-cultural context of Pakistan and experience working with development organisations

 3.    Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will be based at the CABI Regional Office Rawalpindi and work in partnership with CABI and provide regular progress updates and reports to the CABI Development Communication Manager for Asia and the PlantwisePlus Country Coordinator for Pakistan.

 4.    Travel & Fieldwork

The consultant must be able to travel within Pakistan during the contract period. The total days of travel are subject to the need but will not be more than 20 days in total.  

 5.    Evaluation Criteria

All received applications will be evaluated based on various indicators, including but not limited to: 

-       Relevance of educational qualifications and experience

-       Demonstrable experience of developing SBCC strategy and key messages for rural communities

-       Demonstrable experience of capacity building and report writing 

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for technical evaluation followed by a competency-based interview.

Remuneration

• PKR 1.8 million for six months, inclusive of all the taxes
• CABI will bear consultancy-related travel expenses