Tonderayi Brian MAKUMIRE
Summary
Independent Consultant: Rural Development, Resilience and M&E. 5 months. Educational background with BSc in Agriculture Economics, MSc and PhD in Agriculture; More than 20 years of experience in the international development sector, actively designing and managing projects and programmes that focused on improved rural livelihoods through increased agricultural production, value chain and market development; Extensive experience leading M&E of rural livelihoods and development projects, including designing M&E systems and providing coaching and mentoring of key staff and partners; Undertaken several programme reviews and evaluations for rural development projects in a consultancy and advisory manner, designing robust M&E systems for rural development projects under implementation, including coaching of partners and stakeholders in M&E and data collection processes using participatory approaches and promotion of best practices, including knowledge management; Knowledge and understanding of EU contact procedures through direct reporting to the EU on EU funded rural development projects whilst working at AESA Agriconsulting; Knowledge and experience in project cycle management (PCM) and have provided coaching to NGOs and staff on the same; Fully familiar with industry best practice, and methodological approaches for value chain analysis/development, and PSD as practised by multilateral and bilateral donors; Managed technical coordination of dozens of value-chain analyses following a participatory approach and/or public-private partnership model involving a diverse group of stakeholders, donors/development partners, government officials, NGOs, farmers groups/CBOs, CSOs and smallholder producers; Several long-term assignments in conflict affected countries in the Africa region, including engaging with weak institutions at both central and local level; Extensive experience with private sector development approaches, including programme competitiveness enhancing, through consulting experiences with key donors such as EU, DFID, DANIDA, WORLD Bank, FAO, SIDA, SDC and a wide range of INGOs; Fully familiar with the South Sudan Context and Key Actors in the Agricultural Development Sectors; Proven experience in report writing and ability to engage at all levels, including with key line Ministries and Counterparts.
Professional leader ready to drive team success and exceed objectives. Proven track record in team collaboration, strategic planning, and problem-solving. Known for strong communication skills, adaptability, and reliability. Equipped to foster productive and positive work environment while meeting changing demands.
Overview
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Certification
28
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years of professional experience
Work History
Team Leader and Project Design Lead Writer
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Lilongwe, Malawi
10.2025 - 08.2026
- Led the design and drafting of the Malawi AgriCatalyst Project: An EU-IFAD EUR 35 million investment aimed at accelerating inclusive, climate-resilient and market-oriented agricultural transformation in Malawi. The programme will strengthen value chains, agroecology, access to finance, private sector engagement and smallholder livelihoods with a focus on 3 specific value chains – coffee, soya and rice.
- Provided overall technical and managerial leadership to the design mission and ensure a coherent, internally consistent Project Design Document (PDD).
- Coordinated mission activities, planned work schedules, and allocated tasks among experts to ensure project alignment.
- Led key stakeholder consultations with Government counterparts, co-financiers and the Country Programme team and work with the team towards elaboration of the implementation & governance arrangements.
- Consolidated expert contributions into a cohesive PDD main report, ensuring clarity and consistency.
- Facilitated stakeholder consultations with government counterparts, co-financiers, and Country Programme team to develop implementation and governance arrangements.
- Ensure consistency between the PDD narrative, Logframe, costing and annexes prior to submission.
Evaluation Consultant (Policy and Regulatory Frameworks)
FAO Regional Office for Evaluation
Juba South Sudan, Remote
02.2026 - 04.2026
- Conducted final evaluation of USD98 million World Bank funded Rural Agriculture Livelihoods Project, implemented by FAO for Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, assessing performance in fragile and conflict-affected context through combined farmer-level interventions and capacity strengthening.
- The assignment assessed the project’s performance at completion, focusing on:
- Effectiveness and resilience of results;
- Institutional capacity and sustainability; and
- Inclusivity and accountability mechanisms.
- Utilized mixed-methods approach, integrating documentary review, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and field-based data collection to provide comprehensive insights.
- World Bank
Team Leader (Project Monitoring Mission)
IFAD
Lilongwe, Malawi
08.2025 - 10.2025
- Supervision and monitoring mission for the IFAD funded (USD 53 million) Sustainable Agriculture Production and Productivity Project, whose overall goal is to sustainably increase the incomes and climate resilience of smallholder farmers through enhanced productivity, commercialization, and institutional capacity strengthening. The programme aims to empower rural communities—particularly women, youth, women-headed households, and persons with disabilities—by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving market linkages, and supporting inclusive value chains.
- Consulted with stakeholders and project partners to evaluate project progress against workplans and budgets, identifying areas for improvement.
- Coordinated sessions with Government counterparts, target groups, and implementing partners to address gaps and implement corrective actions.
- Drafted mission report and liaised with IFAD HQ and technical teams to ensure timely, high-quality submission of project documents for internal quality assurance and final approval.
Team Leader (Key Expert KE1)
European Union Agriconsulting Europe
Juba, South Sudan
09.2023 - 05.2025
- Technical Assistance to the Green and Resilient Economy Programme in South Sudan, with a focus on three components: (i) To increase productive capacity and productivity of smallholders while ensuring food security and resilience to shocks (ii) To promote more competitive, sustainable, and modern value chains with empowered women and youth, and (iii) To enhance protection and sustainable management of the natural resources base of the economy and agricultural livelihoods.
- Outlined key responsibilities for the program.
- Overall leadership and strategic management of the EU Green and Resilient Economy portfolio and all funding decisions.
- Strategic management of all EU funded projects to ensure achievement of results.
- Conducted periodic monitoring of individual EU funded projects and provided recommendations and corrective measures to address gaps.
- Facilitated commissioning of projects reviews, evaluations, and knowledge management across the Green and Resilient Economy Portfolio.
- Coordinated activities among agencies and stakeholders to promote best practices and harmonization of approaches.
- Provided relevant training and capacity building to implementing partners’ staff to address capacity gaps in PCM.
- Supported key line ministries of agriculture, livestock, environment, and wildlife in developing and updating regulatory frameworks and policies to unlock potential in the agriculture sector and targeted value chains.
- Supported the EU Delegation as co-chair of the South Sudan Natural Resources Sector Working Group, including providing support to the Secretariat of the South Sudan Natural Resources Sector Working Group.
- Delivered quality reporting and confirmed all contractual obligations were met by the Technical Assistance team and EU implementing partners, including interim, annual, and financial reports.
- Managed oversight of all experts contracted under the Green and Resilient Economy Programme, including both long- and short-term experts.
- Led the review of FAO/WFP/ITC and GIZ/SNV Proposal Documents (with a total envelope of EUR 45 million) the EU Delegation in South Sudan, ensuring the proposal dossiers align with the Rules and Procedures of the EU as well as the Green and Resilient Economy Action Document.
- Provided support to dozens of INGO partners to develop their Concepts Notes in readiness for EU funding under the Green and Resilient Economy Programme.
Lead Project Design and Proposal Writer
IFAD
Malawi
04.2023 - 06.2023
- Technical Leadership in the design and development of IFAD’s Sustainable Agriculture Production and Productivity (Phase II) Programme in Malawi (USD 50 million total budget) and with a focus on key agro-value chains.
- Led technical design and development of multi-annual programme aimed at commercialising agriculture production and enhancing resilience and productivity of smallholder farming systems for rural men, women, and youth in selected districts of Malawi by 2030.
- Lead the formulation of the key programme components, (i) Increased smallholder productivity and climate resilience (ii) Commercialisation of smallholder farming systems (iii) Strengthened institutional capacity of key line Ministries, including support with policy reforms and development.
- Led the selection and prioritization of key value chains (crops, livestock, and horticulture sectors) as part of programme formulation.
- Facilitated development of strategic partnerships for programme delivery with agribusinesses, off takers, financial institutions, and business development service providers.
- Designed and developed programme M&E framework to monitor and evaluate project outcomes and impacts.
- Commercialization of smallholder farming systems, with a focus on transforming smallholder rural agriculture farming systems through the production of diverse, competitive, and high-value niche commodities.(3) Designing a rural financial inclusion component (Farmer Challenge Fund) that will catalyze financial inclusion for those at the bottom of the pyramid, providing financial resources to implement upgraded agricultural production systems by local farmer groups by women, men and youth and offering various financial products including Matching Grants
- Country Director- Mukonyora Bernadette b.mukonyora@ifad.org
Livelihoods Market Systems Lead Consultant
USAID International Rescue Committee
South Sudan
01.2023 - 02.2023
- Study to assess the challenges that hinder women and youth access to gainful livelihood opportunities in the 3 targeted urban centres of South Sudan and provide recommendations to inform the design and development of market-based livelihood interventions to unlock potential:
- Analysed skills and labour market supply, identifying gaps and opportunities for women and youth.
- Identified sectors with high potential for employment and self-employment for women and youth.
- Reviewed existing existing formal employment opportunities by the sectors identified.
- Identified challenges and bottlenecks affecting women and youth in formal and self-employment sectors.
- Documented emerging and declining sectors in the local economy, market related challenges and solutions.
- Reviewed of existing formal employment opportunities by the sectors identified.
- Cosmas Ayella (Programme Director) Cosmas.Ayella@rescue.org
Long-Term Expert (Team Leader KE1)
European Union AEA Consulting Europe
South Sudan
07.2019 - 12.2022
- Team Leader to EU Rural Development Programme: Technical Assistance to increase production and productivity of smallholders in South Sudan.
- Key responsibilities include:
- Providing leadership in strategic management, and implementation of the EU funded Rural Development Programme in South Sudan (Euro 150 million plus), with a special focus on improving smallholders’ productivity, support to key value chains and market access.
- Providing leadership in the management and coordination of the TA (including both long-term and short term technical experts as well as Non Key Experts.
- Providing leadership in monitoring overall programme implementation and performance, including coordinating projects day to day monitoring and review missions by internationally deployed experts (TOM) as well as experts within the Programme Management Unit (PMU) to ensure individual IP projects were on course to meet programme objectives, reporting on both technical and financial performance.
- Providing technical inputs in sector working groups, including the Agriculture Donor Working Group as well as Food Security Cluster.
- Capacity building, coaching and mentoring of IPs staff in Monitoring and Evaluation with a focus on Outcomes Monitoring.
- Technical support to the EUD in formulation of new funding decisions and development of new Action Documents.
- Responsible for reporting on all aspects of the projects funded by the EU, including technical and financials.
- Coordinating harmonisation of approaches and best practices across implementing partners (FAO, WFP, UNOPS, UNIDO and 9 international NGOs) and stakeholders (in the areas of private sector engagement and participation, value chain development, financial inclusion and market integration for smallholder farming households.
- Technical support to EU implementing partners and stakeholders in Project Cycle Management, including undertaking of needs assessments, project designs, implementation, monitoring and evaluations, learning and reporting.
- Coaching and mentoring of EU implementing partners and grantees to ensure adherence and conformity with EU EDF rules and procedures, as per contractual requirements.
- Alessandro PAOLONI Head of Africa Region A.Paoloni@easgroup.eu
Lead Rural Development and Market Access
Swiss Development Cooperation (Sdc) GRM International Masimba Nyamandi
Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland
11.2017 - 02.2019
- Technical Assistance towards the Rural Development: Improving rural livelihoods through the Seeds and Markets Smallholder farmers’ Programme –
- Documented key bottle necks facing smallholder seed producers in the three countries, including weak extension support systems; weak access to finance and credit, weak rural infrastructure (roads and market infrastructure);
- Reviewed the regulatory policies and business climate with regards to seed trading in the target countries and implications on rural development, rural livelihoods and agricultural production;
- Mapped existing pro-poor financial products and institutions in the target countries and facilitated smallholder farmers’ access to finance through support in development of business plans and use of groups and cooperatives as social capital in the absence of collateral.
- Facilitated synergies between the Seeds and Market Programme with other on-going rural development projects in the target districts (funded by the EU, UN and World bank in each of the target countries, leading to increased agricultural production).
- Facilitated formation of apex and smallholder farmer led enterprises that gave the smallholder farmers a voice at the market, both input and output markets;
- Masimba Nyamandi (Senior Advisor) masimba@grm.co.zw
Market Systems and Value Chain Development Lead Consultant
World Bank Food World Programme
Zimbabwe
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Facilitating rural development through integration of smallholder farmers with WFP commodity supply chains:
- Through field visits, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with smallholder farmers the key challenges affecting rural livelihoods and agricultural production were identified as weak extension support systems, high cost of inputs and lack of financing, long distance to markets, competition from cheap imports, poor infrastructure including roads and aggregation facilities.
- Undertook consultations with key commodities buyers and agribusinesses in Zimbabwe, documenting their conditions of doing business and opportunities for acting as a conduit for smallholder farmers to access the WFP market.
- Broadened win-win partnerships bringing together the smallholder farmers, financing institutions, agribusiness companies, WFP and donors and local authorities (who were responsible for local infrastructure upgrading), leading to increased agricultural production, incomes and enhanced rural livelihoods.
- Tawanda Magorimbo (Supply Chain Manager) Tawanda.magorimbo@wfp.org
Team Leader / Senior Livelihoods Officer
World Bank and Ikea Foundation UNHCR Ethiopia
Ethiopia/Somalia Border Region
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Use of market-based approaches to promote rural development through increased production and productivity for smallholder refugee and host community producers in the Horn of Africa
- Provided strategic leadership in the design, development and management of a USD10 million rural development programme supporting Somali refugee and host Ethiopian smallholder farming communities using private sector driven approaches;
- Managed 6 rural development projects as part of programme implementation.
- Undertook participatory capacity assessment of Ethiopian Government Ministry of Agriculture and related Departments in providing sound extension support services to target groups;
- Undertook technical coordination of value chain analysis and development, bring together a diverse range of stakeholders and market actors, including donors and development agencies, government officials, civil society leaders, community leaders, input suppliers, business development service providers, agro-dealers, transporters, brokers, aggregators, financial institutions and smallholder producers;
- Provided strategic leadership in the development of key value chains (including livestock, cereals, horticulture and aquaculture), with a special focus on increasing production volumes and competitiveness of the target groups and value chain actors;
- Ensured the different programme components (which focused on increased production and productivity (both livestock and crops), rural infrastructure development- irrigation, roads and livestock market infrastructure, financial inclusion and market access were closely integrated;
- Designed and implemented the programme Monitoring and Evaluation System with key indicators to track performance and development outcomes.
- Coached and mentored staff and NGO implementing partners in Monitoring and Evaluation methodologies, including use of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria as well as use of quantitative, qualitative ‘approaches and statistical tools for data analysis and reporting.
- Coached and mentored dozens of UNHCR implementing partners (both local and international NGOs in project cycle management and result oriented monitoring (ROM) to ensure rural development objectives were met.
- Facilitated formation of out-grower schemes that saw smallholder refugee and host community farming households sign forward contracts with key agribusinesses (off-takers and aggregators) and integrated in their commodities supply chains with the Ministry of Industry and Trade providing an enabling environment for trade and business growth;
- Took charge of a team of 2 national and international staff, including international consultants;
- Took responsibility for recruitment of consultants and experts to support programme implementation, including developing their Terms of Reference (TORs);
- Kept abreast of security developments in the Somali region of Ethiopia and constantly reviewed risk mitigatory measures to ensure smooth programme implementation.
- Facilitated timely collation of information and relevant data from implementing partners and stakeholders to ensure drafting and submission of high-quality reports to donors and stakeholders.
- Managed to increase agricultural production to meet market expectations, leading to increased incomes for the smallholder farmers and enhanced rural livelihoods
- Philippe Creppe (Head of Sub-Office) creppe@unhcr.org
Team Leader - Livelihoods Consultant
European Commission and the World Bank. UNHCR Zambia
Zambia
02.2014 - 12.2014
- Design and implementation of a rural development and rural livelihoods programme to promote recovery and local integration of former refugees and displaced persons from Angola and Rwanda;
- Took overall responsibility for implementation and management of a multi-component rural development programme (focusing on education, health, roads infrastructure and rural livelihoods, aimed at economically empowering at least 10,000 former refugee smallholder farmers and host Zambian farming households;
- Managed 2 rural development projects as part of programme implementation
- Facilitated partnerships development, bringing together a diverse range of market actors and stakeholders (including input suppliers, business development service providers, financial service providers, agribusinesses, transporters and brokers, key line Ministries and Government Departments as well as development partners) leading to enhanced production and productivity by the smallholder producers and enhanced efficiency in the targeted value chains;
- Applied the market systems and value chain approach to support partners (Zambia Ministry of Agriculture and Civil society actors) to work closely with private sector leading to increased incomes and employment for target groups;
- Chaired the Livelihoods Working Group that brought together key UN agencies, private sector and key Government line Ministries to ensure coherence in country level related programmes;
- Led implementation of the rural development programme, including capacity building of partners and stakeholders in project cycle management, reporting and compliance with EU and World Bank contract procedures.
- Took charge of coordination of programme implementation processes and knowledge management to promote best practices in market-oriented smallholder production.
- Took responsibility to ensure EU contract procedures were being adhered to by UNHCR sub-grantees and implementing partners, working closely with UNHCR Finance and Procurement Teams.
- Developed and operationalised implementation of a robust M&E system to track programme performance, including on-going coaching of field staff and NGO partners
- Managed a robust team of 15 staff and 3 livelihoods implementing partners (all international NGOs);
- Lenny Cottan (HR Manager) Cottan@unhcr.org
Agro-Retail Market Study Lead Consultant
DANIDA SNV Zambia
Zambia
09.2013 - 10.2013
- Import substitution study to foster rural development through increased smallholder farmers’ participation in the supply chains of large agro-retail chains in Zambia.
- Undertook context analysis and review of national development strategy documents to understand key development constraints and challenges facing the smallholder farming communities in Zambia.
- Led the mapping of key stakeholders, existing initiatives and rural development programmes that were being implemented in the target districts with a view to fostering synergies.
- Undertook key informant interviews, document review and surveys to assess the competitiveness of the agribusiness landscape and opportunities for smallholder farmers and SMEs to tap into the supply chains of major agro-retail chains in the country, targeting key agro-value chains;
- Assessed the key constraints faced by smallholder farmers in engaging with the markets, including but not limited to extension support services, poor infrastructure, and un-supportive policy environment as part of the analysis to unlock their potential;
- Led participatory design of a rural development strategy focused on enhancing rural livelihoods through increased agricultural production of smallholder farmers and access to retail markets, whilst creating an enabling environment that addressed issues related to poor infrastructure, access to inputs/credit and inputs.
- Claire Van der Kleij (Agriculture Coordinator) CvanderKleij@snvworld.org
Team Leader Programme Evaluator
European Commission Hivos Regional Office for Southern Africa
Malawi
05.2013 - 06.2013
- Final Evaluation of HIVOS Rural Development Programme: Support to Smallholder Horticulture Producers in Targeted Districts of Malawi.
- Assessed programme relevance through secondary literature, official documents, and key informants, evaluating design components against challenges faced by target populations and alignment with European Commission’s rural development objectives in Malawi.
- Applied impact assessments and storytelling methodologies to assess the effectiveness of the programme, including extent to which incomes of smallholder rural producers had been increased and how this had contributed to the wider goal of rural development in Malawi.
- Undertook key informant interviews with stakeholders and development partners to assess the extent to which the programme was integrated with other on-going initiatives in the target districts, including rural feeder roads expansion, environment and climate change, input subsidies and HIV/AIDS.
- Evaluated programme effectiveness using case studies and surveys, identifying how challenges in key value chains were addressed, contributing to increased production, productivity, and market linkages.
- Recommended support needs for targeted populations and stakeholders based on focus group discussions, key informants, and direct observations, aiming to achieve long-term poverty reduction goals and sustainable integration of smallholder producers with markets in Malawi, focusing on input and output markets and enabling policies.
- Provided recommendations to address observed gaps in project cycle management by the implementing partner and reporting systems, especially with regards compliance with the EU contract Procedures.
- Regional Coordinator Soenni Ncube: soneni@hivos.co.zw
Value Chain Expert
Swedish International Development Agency Swedish Cooperative Centre Roseline Masunungure
Zimbabwe
03.2013 - 04.2013
- Design of a rural development programme aimed at creating 75,000 jobs in 8 districts of Zimbabwe;
- Facilitated workshops that led to the identification of key value chains (2 per each district) that had potential to support rural livelihoods of large numbers of smallholder farming households in 8 districts of Zimbabwe;
- Facilitated value chain analysis workshops that brought together smallholder farmers’ representatives, Ministry of Agriculture officials, civil society actors, key donors, private sector and producer associations, identifying key bottlenecks and strategic interventions to unlock potential;
- Facilitated development of a rural development programme based on based on subsector value chain analysis, with special emphasis on increasing agriculture production and competitiveness of smallholder farmers as well as access to niche markets;
- Designed an M&E system for effective monitoring and evaluation of the programme using the Results Chain and as recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);
- Baseline masunungure@sccroza.org
Food security Evaluation Lead Consultant
European Commission FAO Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
02.2013 - 03.2013
- Final evaluation of the rural development project: improving smallholder farmers’ incomes and rural livelihoods through better coordination of agricultural activities in Zimbabwe, bringing together donors, NGOs, farmer unions and private sector.
- Assessed overall project performance using participatory evaluation methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative methods, including questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and storytelling.
- Assessed the extent to which the programme had enhanced close collaboration between the different value chain and market actors (including input manufacturers, agro-dealers, Government and private sector extension service providers, aggregators and buyers of commodities) to foster increased smallholder production and competitiveness and hence increase their incomes.
- Held key informant interviews with smallholder farmers to assess the extent to which FAO had enhanced partners’ capacity (including Zimbabwe Ministry of Agriculture and Civil Society actors) to implement rural development projects focusing on improving agriculture production and rural livelihoods targeting smallholder farmers.
- Undertook field visits and surveys with smallholder farmers to assess the extent to which the rural development project had increased access to extension support and agriculture production.
- Reviewed the extent to which the project implementation partners and teams had adhered to the EU contract procedures and provided recommendations to address gaps.
- Brighton Nhau (Evaluation Manager) brighton.nhau@fao.org
Food Security Programme Design Consultant
European Commission Action Against Hunger - USA Nippin Gangadharan
Uganda
01.2013 - 02.2013
- Mission to design a Rural development programme: Food Security through Improved Skills for Market Oriented Agriculture”, targeting youth and women smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda (Karamoja Regions);
- Used participatory assessment methodologies, including Rapid Rural Appraisals, Stakeholder Analysis and Strength Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis to identify and document key constraints affecting agricultural production in the target rural population as well as identify possible opportunities.
- Assessed key value chain bottle necks that hindered participation of target groups in national and regional agribusiness supply chains;
- Developed a strategy to enhance market linkages and private sector participation to boost production and productivity by smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda, including linkages to aid market opportunities with smallholders’ extension support gaps and inputs needs;
- Designed a capacity building strategy targeting stakeholders and implementing partners focusing on project cycle management, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
- Rural Livelihoods Director Nippin Gangadharan:ngangadharan@actionagainsthunger.org
Team Leader and Evaluation Advisor
DANIDA SNV Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
01.2013 - 01.2013
- Mid-term evaluation of the Rural Development Programme facilitating financial institutions and agri-business intermediaries to deliver products and services to small farmers through a credit facility supporting input and output marketing;
- Documented the programme achievements and gaps, with a special focus on the full project cycle, including programme design and planning stages, effectiveness of implementation processes and monitoring of results by implementing partners and programme staff.
- Used surveys and key informant interviews with smallholder farmers, community leaders and representatives, agro-dealers, government ministries and departments, public sector agencies, agro-processors contract farming companies and finance institutions to assess the extent to which challenges facing the value chains were on course to be addressed by the programme.
- Used impact assessments to explore the extent to which the programme had enhanced the competitiveness of the smallholder farmers as well as strengthening of public-producer-private partnership and provided key recommendations for addressing gaps.
- Lawrence Attipoe (Country Director) lattipoe@snvworld.org
Programme Annual Review Consultant
DFID DFID Zimbabwe Sam Cope
Zimbabwe
10.2012 - 10.2012
- Annual review of the rural development Programme: Sustainable rural livelihoods through inclusive agribusiness models, increased access to business support services and finance for smallholder farmers.
- Documented the programme performance using a wide range of evaluation approaches, including Social Return on Investment (SROI), triangulations, beneficiary surveys.
- Used case studies and formative assessments to document extent to which programme components were contributing to increased agriculture production and rural development through support to SMEs, smallholder producers and rural businesses.
- Assessed DFID implementing partners’ capacities for project implementation and provided coaching and mentoring in project cycle management, including redesigning logframes as well as monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Sam Cope (Programme Manager) s-coope@dfid.gov.uk
Consultant Rural Livelihoods and Market Access Expert
Swiss Development Cooperation GRM International Alex Carr
Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland
07.2012 - 07.2012
- Mid-term review of SDC-funded regional rural development project: ‘Seeds and Markets Project’ (SAMP), using a Market Systems approach to improve seed security.
- Used rapid appraisal techniques (including mini-surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions) to assess changes in smallholder farmers’ incomes and hence improvements in rural livelihoods
- Used key informant interviews and case studies to identify best practices in how smallholder farmers can work closely with market actors, including input suppliers, agro-dealers, transporters, commodity buyers and development actors to increase agricultural production, incomes and secure rural livelihoods.
- Provided recommendations to enhance financial inclusion (including use of warehouse receipting system-WRS) of targeted smallholder producers as a strategy to boost agricultural production and interface more closely with markets;
- Alex Carr (Team Leader) alex.carr@grm.co.zw
Principal Advisor - Agriculture Value Chains
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
Kenya
05.2012 - 06.2012
- Participatory value chain selection and development of key value chains as a strategy to promote rural development across Kenya.
- Facilitated a series of workshops that brought together smallholder farmers stakeholders, value chain actors, development partners and donors, to identify priority value chains that had potential to improve rural livelihoods and incomes for smallholder farmers
- Facilitated participatory value chain analysis sessions to identify key constraints and bottlenecks facing the value chains.
- Facilitated surveys with representative smallholder farmers to identify key challenges affecting agricultural production within the selected value chains.
- Held consultations with policy makers, business leaders and academia to assess the challenges facing the agribusiness sector in Kenya, including regional trade policy issues that at the time stifled the growth of the food commodities market;
- Undertook document review to identify key value chains in the country, categorised by agro-ecological region.
- Developed a rural development strategy document for unlocking potential of key value chains and adoption by key market actors, including key line ministries, donors and the private sector.
- Adam Smith International Harry Davies (Project Manager) Harry.Davies@adamsmithinternational.com
Lead Agriculture Consultant
Swiss Development Cooperation GRM International Alex Carr
Swaziland
02.2012 - 04.2012
- Study to assess the functioning of commodities markets in Swaziland and identify ways to stimulate agricultural production and participation of local smallholder farmers in the agro-food market systems to reduce dependency on food imports from South Africa;
- Reviewed the competitiveness of the smallholder production sector in Swaziland, focusing on key challenges facing agriculture production.
- Identified ways to stimulate local agriculture production (including increased access to finance and credit, investments in extension support services and marketing infrastructure such as aggregation facilities).
- Recommendations to improve the capacity of key line ministries to create an enabling food commodities policy environment were provided.
- Alex Carr (Team Leader) alex.carr@grm.co.zw
Mid-term Review Consultant
European Commission
Zimbabwe
11.2011 - 12.2011
- Mid-term review of the rural development project: Rural livelihoods through improved nutrition and agricultural production in Zimbabwe.
- Undertook direct field observations and key informant interviews to assess smallholder farmers’ agricultural production levels vis a vis market requirements;
- Provided recommendations on linking the smallholder farmers to sustainable markets as well as strategy to achieve rural development objectives.
Livestock Market Access Consultant
European Commission SNV Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
04.2011 - 05.2011
- Smallholder Livestock Sector Competitiveness Study: Improving Rural Development and rural livelihoods through investments in the beef and goat value chains.
- Undertook rapid rural appraisals to map and document key constraints and challenges hindering rural development and growth amongst the target livestock producing communities (including poor extension support in livestock disease and control, weak livestock marketing infrastructure, long distance to markets, poor road network, drought and lack of pasture and feed)
- Through key informant interviews and surveys, identified the opportunities presented by meat buyers and abattoirs, transporters, agro-dealers, financing institutions and business development service providers;
- Engaged with the Department of Water Development to explore opportunities to drill productive water points in the target regions (for livestock watering and human consumption);
- Developed a rural development strategy document to unlock the potential of the smallholder livestock producers in the region, complete with potential partners, private sector actors and stakeholders, articulating roles and responsibilities, with an M&E system to track delivery of outputs and development outcomes.
- Lawrence Attipoe (Country Director) lattipoe@snvworld.org
Private Sector Development Consultant
DANIDA Danish Embassy
Zimbabwe
03.2011 - 03.2011
- Study of possible areas for support to agribusiness sector in Zimbabwe as a strategy to stimulate rural development.
- Reviewed official reports and documents to assess the state of the Zimbabwe Economy following the long period of hyperinflation (2000 to 2008).
- Undertook key informant interviews and consultations with key business leaders, associations and representatives to understand and document key challenges in the agribusiness sector and opportunities for inclusive business models, targeting rural smallholder farmers.
- Analysed private sector led rural development support programmes in the country as well as gaps for further developments;
- Assessed Zimbabwe’s agribusiness sector institutional setting and key stakeholders, government policies, strategies and plans, main challenges, risks and investment opportunities;
- Developed rural development strategy document highlighting opportunities for rural focused private sector investments and inclusive business models with potential to create jobs and promote rural growth.
- Peter Jus (Rural Development Advisor) peju@um.dk
Programme Lead Evaluator
European Commission Heifer Nederland International Felix Tete
Zimbabwe
08.2010 - 09.2010
- Mid-term evaluation of the rural development programme: Increasing incomes and rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers through increased agricultural production and access to markets.
- Used participatory evaluation methodologies (surveys, focus group discussions, storytelling) and key informant interviews to assess project achievements vis a vis the European Commission’s rural development objectives and goals in Zimbabwe, increased agricultural production and incomes for rural smallholders.
- Assessed the capacity of the implementing partner in managing the rural development project and provided recommendations to address gaps in managing for results, risk mitigation and ability to project with other development initiatives in the target districts.
- Coached and mentored field staff in project cycle management with special focus on monitoring and evaluation.
- Provided recommendations to improve the implementing partner’s compliance with the EU contract procedures.
- Felix.Tete@heifer.org
Agriculture Markets Advisor
DFID & AUSAID GRM
Zimbabwe
09.2009 - 01.2010
- Study to assess the recovery and functioning of agricultural markets in Zimbabwe (following the decade long economic meltdown and hyperinflationary macro-economic environment) as a strategy to design and develop tailored rural development projects.
- Undertook participatory assessments, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews and surveys to assess the state of agricultural production in rural Zimbabwe vis a vis market demands.
- Assessed opportunities for rural development financing opportunities in Zimbabwe, including microfinance and donor programmes;
- Assessed opportunities for private sector development in the agro-sector of Zimbabwe, including provision of extension support services, inputs and markets through inclusive business models such as out grower and contract farming arrangements.
- Identified opportunities available to smallholder farmers and agro-SMEs (including linkages to markets as well as financial inclusion;
- Provided key recommendations to improve rural infrastructure (including key roads, and availability of aggregation facilities as a strategy to enhance market access for the smallholder farmers and promote agricultural production and rural development.
- International Terry Quinlan (Director) tq@grm.co.zw
Chain Evaluation Advisor.
Capacity Development Cooperation Netherlands
Kenya
05.2009 - 06.2009
- Undertook participatory assessment of the challenges facing the pastoralist smallholder livestock producers in Northern Kenya, including issues related to livestock and agricultural production, poor livestock marketing infrastructure conflict and insecurity, drought and climate change, shortage of pastures and pressure on grazing lands, weak access to niche markets for livestock, issues of diseases control and poor extension support services;
- Assessed the extent to which the rural development project had enhanced incomes and food security of the target communities
- Provided key recommendations to unlock potential in the pastoralist livestock value chain in Kenya, with an emphasis on increasing agricultural production, local market infrastructure (abattoirs and livestock auction centres) and export markets in the Middle East;
- Provided key recommendations to improve partners capacity in monitoring and evaluation as well as managing rural development projects.
- Jan Brouwers (Director) jb@developomenttraining.org
Resilience Expert
DFID Africa Research Institute
Kenya
05.2009 - 06.2009
- Study to promote rural development in Tharaka District of Kenya through contract farming arrangements between the Beer Brewery Industry players and local smallholder farmers.
- Undertook rapid rural appraisal and surveys to articulate the key constraints faced by smallholder sorghum and millet farmers in the targeted district (including absence of extension support services, poor infrastructure, distance to markets and unavailability of inputs, including seeds and fertilizers).
- Undertook key informants with key Brewery Industry actors in Nairobi to understand their conditions of doing business, concerns when engaging with rural suppliers of production raw materials as well as opportunities presented by them.
- Facilitated a workshop that brought together local authorities, brewery industry players and the smallholder producers, leading to signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and contract farming arrangements between the brewery industry actors and smallholder producers.
- Developed a capacity building programme strategy articulating key investments needed to be undertaken by Governments, donors, stakeholders and private sector to ensure contract farming becomes a sustainable business model to foster rural development in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa in general.
- Mark Ashurst (Director) mark@africaresearchinstitute.org
Rural Development and M&E Advisor
DFID and DANIDA, ADB and IFAD KPMG
Kenya, but working across sub-Saharan Africa
08.2008 - 05.2009
- Fund Management of the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund: The AECF was a multi-million-dollar Fund capitalised by donors to catalyse rural development in Sub Saharan Africa through support to pro-poor private sector investments in agriculture value chains and other business initiatives.
- Took a lead in scoping potential sectors and value chains for investment in support of weak and fragile Sub-Saharan States (including Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- Worked with multi-national and national agribusinesses and the AECF Investment Committee to ensure projects that had the biggest potential to promote rural development across Sub-Saharan Africa were designed and implemented.
- Responsible for technical coordination and market systems development working with a diverse group of stakeholders, including donor/development organizations, government officials, civil society leaders, community leaders, and project beneficiaries;
- Commissioned studies and assessments (including recruitment of consultants) to undertake value chain analysis and provide inputs in rural development projects design.
- Took responsibility for developing competitiveness of smallholder rural producers, SMEs and agribusinesses in target countries with a focus on increased incomes and improved employment opportunities at local levels
- Designed the M&E system for the Fund to monitor Return on Investments and overall impact of the Fund, with a focus on number of jobs created, increases in incomes and SROI.
- Development Advisory Hugh Scott (Director) hugh.scott@aecafrica.org
Senior Programmes Advisor (Rural Enterprises)
European Commission, DFID, TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS
Oxford, UK, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia
01.2001 - 12.2005
- Use of enterprising solutions to promote rural development in Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Responsible for the design of new projects and programmes targeting smallholder rural producers, including facilitation of feasibility studies, rural appraisals, context and situational analysis, stakeholder analysis, risk analysis and formulation of interventions, recruitment of consultants and project partners.
- Provided technical leadership in the implementation of Market Development Programmes, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, including Governments, smallholder farmers, financial institutions, market actors (including agro-processors);
- Provided on-going coaching and mentoring in project cycle management to country teams and ensuring timely and efficient deployment of resources to achieve results.
- Responsible for timely reporting to donors, including compliance with EU contract procedures.
- Africa Now Ushar Karr (Country Director) Ushar@africanow.org
Principal Agricultural Officer (Rural Markets)
EU, World Bank, UNDP and Diplomatic Missions Ministry of Agriculture-Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
05.1998 - 10.2001
- Government of Zimbabwe support to rural development through investments smallholder farming;
- Mapped and assessed the key constraints stifling growth and rural development, with a special focus on infrastructure (energy, roads and marketing infrastructure), drought and climate change, HIV/AIDS, long distances to markets, access to inputs as well as financial exclusion for smallholder farmers.
- Participated in drafting of national Poverty Strategy Reduction Policy Documents and engagement with donors.
- Designed and implemented and managed rural development projects across key value chains, including livestock, cereals and horticulture, focusing on increased agriculture production and targeting local, national and export markets.
- Designed and implemented project M&E systems to enhance accountability to smallholder farmers, stakeholders and donors;
- Took responsibility for timely donor reporting, including compliance with EU contract procedures.
- Coordinated research to improve production and productivity for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe;
- Facilitated partnerships bringing together donors and private sector to address capacity gaps in the Ministry;
- Supported the line Ministry of Agriculture in rural development policy formulation, and coordination of rural development initiatives across the country.
- Emmanuel Chikwari (Director) chikema@yahoo.co.uk
Education
PhD - Agriculture
University of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe01-2008
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United Nations Department of Safety and Security
11-2022
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United Nations Department of Safety and Security
10-2016
MSc - Agriculture
University of Nairobi
Kenya01-1997
BSc - Agriculture (Hons)
University of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe01-1994
Skills
- English
- Reading: 1
- Speaking: 1
- Writing: 1
- Full computer literacy including in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Excellent communication and reporting skills; Diplomatic flair and ability to engage at all levels, with proven negotiation and communication skills; Highly organised and proven ability to meet tight deadlines whilst producing reports of high quality
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Team motivation
- Team supervision
- Coaching and mentoring
- Documentation and reporting
- Analytical thinking
- Complex Problem-solving
- Goal setting
- Overseeing daily activities
- Daily workflow improvement
- Mentoring
- Leading team meetings
- Safety
- Relationship building
Affiliations
- Peer-Agriprofocus Zambia-National Association of Agro-SMEs working to enhance Competitiveness
- UK Evaluation Society
Certification
2015: Academy on Sustainable Enterprise Development: ILO International Training Centre, Lusaka, Zambia, 2015: Market Systems Facilitation Course: ILO International Training Centre, Turin, Italy, 2014: Practical Guidelines to EU Contract Procedures and Guidelines-Budapest;, 2009: Project budgeting and Financial Management for Development Practitioners (BOND-UK), 2008: Making Markets Work for the Poor (M+P): Springfield Centre for Development (Mombasa, Kenya), 2006: Leadership Development and Teambuilding for Institutional Change (Skill path Training-UK), 2004: Project cycle management and Log frame matrix development course (European Commission, Europe Aid Co-operation Office, and Help Desk for Project Cycle Management, Sector Programmes and Budgetary Aid), 2005: Technical writing course: Focusing on synthesising key messages from complex information and documents and communicating it to tailored audiences (Oxford UK), 2004: Monitoring and evaluation of projects using participatory methodologies and focusing on learning outcomes (British Overseas Network for Development-UK), 2004: Project Management using the Logical Framework Approach (Bond, UK)
Specific Country Experience
- South Sudan - 2026
- Malawi - 2025-2026
- South Sudan - 2023-2025
- Nigeria - 2023
- Malawi - 2023
- South Sudan - 2023
- South Sudan - 2019-2022
- Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland - 2017-2019
- Zimbabwe - 1998-present
- Ethiopia/Somalia Border Region - 2015-2016
- Zambia - 2014
- Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen - 2013
- Uganda - 2013
- Malawi - 2012
- Zimbabwe, RSA, Lesotho, Swaziland - 2012
- Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia - 2011
- Namibia - 2010
- Uganda, Tanzania - 2010
- Zambia - 2010, 2013, 2014
- Kenya - 2008-2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
- Northern Kenya and Northern Uganda - 2006-2008
- Oxford (UK) Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia - 01/2002 - 12/2005
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 1971-09-19
- Nationality: Zimbabwe and British Passports
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Evaluation Consultant (Policy and Regulatory Frameworks)
FAO Regional Office for Evaluation
02.2026 - 04.2026
Team Leader and Project Design Lead Writer
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
10.2025 - 08.2026
Team Leader (Project Monitoring Mission)
IFAD
08.2025 - 10.2025
Team Leader (Key Expert KE1)
European Union Agriconsulting Europe
09.2023 - 05.2025
Lead Project Design and Proposal Writer
IFAD
04.2023 - 06.2023
Livelihoods Market Systems Lead Consultant
USAID International Rescue Committee
01.2023 - 02.2023
Long-Term Expert (Team Leader KE1)
European Union AEA Consulting Europe
07.2019 - 12.2022
Lead Rural Development and Market Access
Swiss Development Cooperation (Sdc) GRM International Masimba Nyamandi
11.2017 - 02.2019
Market Systems and Value Chain Development Lead Consultant
World Bank Food World Programme
06.2017 - 08.2017
Team Leader / Senior Livelihoods Officer
World Bank and Ikea Foundation UNHCR Ethiopia
01.2015 - 12.2016
Team Leader - Livelihoods Consultant
European Commission and the World Bank. UNHCR Zambia
02.2014 - 12.2014
Agro-Retail Market Study Lead Consultant
DANIDA SNV Zambia
09.2013 - 10.2013
Team Leader Programme Evaluator
European Commission Hivos Regional Office for Southern Africa
05.2013 - 06.2013
Value Chain Expert
Swedish International Development Agency Swedish Cooperative Centre Roseline Masunungure
03.2013 - 04.2013
Food security Evaluation Lead Consultant
European Commission FAO Zimbabwe
02.2013 - 03.2013
Food Security Programme Design Consultant
European Commission Action Against Hunger - USA Nippin Gangadharan
01.2013 - 02.2013
Team Leader and Evaluation Advisor
DANIDA SNV Zimbabwe
01.2013 - 01.2013
Programme Annual Review Consultant
DFID DFID Zimbabwe Sam Cope
10.2012 - 10.2012
Consultant Rural Livelihoods and Market Access Expert
Swiss Development Cooperation GRM International Alex Carr
07.2012 - 07.2012
Principal Advisor - Agriculture Value Chains
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
05.2012 - 06.2012
Lead Agriculture Consultant
Swiss Development Cooperation GRM International Alex Carr
02.2012 - 04.2012
Mid-term Review Consultant
European Commission
11.2011 - 12.2011
Livestock Market Access Consultant
European Commission SNV Zimbabwe
04.2011 - 05.2011
Private Sector Development Consultant
DANIDA Danish Embassy
03.2011 - 03.2011
Programme Lead Evaluator
European Commission Heifer Nederland International Felix Tete
08.2010 - 09.2010
Agriculture Markets Advisor
DFID & AUSAID GRM
09.2009 - 01.2010
Chain Evaluation Advisor.
Capacity Development Cooperation Netherlands
05.2009 - 06.2009
Resilience Expert
DFID Africa Research Institute
05.2009 - 06.2009
Rural Development and M&E Advisor
DFID and DANIDA, ADB and IFAD KPMG
08.2008 - 05.2009
Senior Programmes Advisor (Rural Enterprises)
European Commission, DFID, TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS
01.2001 - 12.2005
Principal Agricultural Officer (Rural Markets)
EU, World Bank, UNDP and Diplomatic Missions Ministry of Agriculture-Zimbabwe
05.1998 - 10.2001
BSc - Agriculture (Hons)
University of Zimbabwe
MSc - Agriculture
University of Nairobi
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United Nations Department of Safety and Security
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United Nations Department of Safety and Security
PhD - Agriculture
University of Zimbabwe