About the Organization and Project Context
The opportunity is offered by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), a globally recognized research organization focused on reducing poverty and hunger through evidence-based policy research.
This project is supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP).
The assignment is part of a five-year initiative aimed at:
- Strengthening local food systems
- Reducing post-harvest losses
- Creating employment opportunities for youth
- Improving efficiency and sustainability in agriculture
The deadline to submit proposals is 9 March 2026 (submitted electronically via IFPRI website).
Understanding the Assignment in Simple Terms
What Is This Consultancy About?
IFPRI is conducting a follow-up (panel) survey among beans producers in Rwanda.
In 2023, a baseline survey interviewed 686 beans farmers across all five provinces. Now, two years later, IFPRI wants to:
- Revisit the same farmers
- Measure food losses again
- Compare results
- Understand changes over time
This is not individual employment. It is a contract for a consulting firm specializing in survey implementation.
What Are “Food Losses” and Why They Matter
Food losses refer to:
Food produced for human consumption that is never eaten.
For bean producers in Rwanda, losses can occur:
- Before harvest (weather damage, pests)
- During harvesting
- During drying
- During storage
- During transport
Reducing food loss:
- Improves farmer income
- Saves resources (land, water, inputs)
- Supports national food security
- Contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12.3)
In Rwanda, beans are a staple crop and major protein source. Measuring losses accurately helps policymakers design better agricultural strategies.
Scope of Work Explained Clearly
A. Sample Tracking and Management
The firm must locate the original 686 farmers surveyed in 2023.
What This Means in Practice:
- Call farmers multiple times
- Visit rural villages physically
- Document every attempt
- Only replace a farmer if tracking fails (with approval)
Real-Life Rwanda Scenario
Some farmers may have:
- Changed phone numbers
- Relocated
- Switched farming activities
Your firm must develop a systematic tracking protocol, not random replacement.
B. Survey Preparation & Data Collection
Your responsibilities include:
- Develop a fieldwork plan
- Translate the questionnaire into Kinyarwanda
- Program the survey into tablets
- Capture GPS coordinates
- Follow ethical approval procedures
This means your team must be comfortable with:
- Digital data collection tools
- Tablet-based survey software
- Consent procedures
- Field logistics in rural Rwanda
C. Data Quality Assurance
This is critical.
IFPRI expects:
- Daily data checks
- Supervisor spot checks
- Clean, labeled dataset
- Accurate GPS data
Poor-quality data can disqualify future contracts.
D. Deliverables
Your firm must submit:
- Fieldwork plan and timeline
- Clean dataset
- Technical report including:
- Tracking outcomes
- Completion rates
- Replacement rates
- Sampling deviations
- Summary tables
This requires strong documentation and reporting skills.
Required Qualifications Explained
Minimum Five Years Survey Experience
Your firm must demonstrate:
- Past household surveys
- Agricultural surveys
- Panel studies (preferable)
Experience letters and references strengthen your proposal.
Trust Building in Rural Communities
Survey success depends on:
- Community respect
- Clear communication
- Cultural sensitivity
In Rwanda, local engagement is essential.
Agricultural Sector Experience
Your team should understand:
- Crop cycles
- Post-harvest handling
- Farmer terminology
- Rural administrative structures
Without this knowledge, data quality suffers.
How to Prepare a Winning Technical Proposal
Your proposal should clearly explain:
1. Methodology
- Tracking strategy
- Field team composition
- Data collection tools
- Quality control system
2. Timeline
Break down:
- Preparation
- Training
- Fieldwork
- Cleaning
- Reporting
3. Risk Mitigation Plan
Address:
- Non-response
- Weather challenges
- Connectivity issues
Financial Proposal Strategy
Your budget should include:
- Enumerator salaries
- Supervisors
- Transport costs
- Tablet equipment
- Data cleaning
- Reporting
In Rwanda, daily enumerator rates typically range between:
- 15,000 – 30,000 RWF/day (depending on experience)
However, international-funded projects may offer higher rates.
Be competitive but realistic.
Real-Life Example: What Makes a Strong Firm?
Imagine two consulting firms:
Firm A:
- 3 years of experience
- Limited rural presence
- No panel survey experience
Firm B:
- 8 years of experience
- Worked in all five provinces
- Previous agricultural surveys
- Strong monitoring system
IFPRI will likely choose Firm B.
Experience + systems + documentation win contracts.
Rwanda-Specific Strategic Insights
Rwanda’s agricultural sector:
- Highly organized at the district level
- Strong extension system
- Active cooperatives
Your firm should leverage:
- Sector agronomists
- Cooperative leaders
- Local enumerators familiar with communities
Digital literacy is improving, but rural areas may still require in-person tracking.
Interview / Evaluation Preparation Tips
IFPRI may conduct clarifications.
Prepare to explain:
- How will you track missing respondents
- Your data validation process
- How do you prevent falsification
- Experience with GPS-enabled surveys
- Ethical approval support
Confidence and clarity matter.
Career Growth Opportunities
Winning IFPRI contracts can lead to:
- Long-term partnerships
- Regional assignments
- World Bank / FAO opportunities
- Increased credibility
Agricultural data collection is a high-growth field in Rwanda.
With the government's focus on food security and youth employment, research consultancies are expanding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting an incomplete proposal
- Weak methodology explanation
- Unrealistic budget
- Ignoring tracking complexity
- Poor documentation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can an individual apply?
No. This opportunity is for consulting firms.
2. Is prior Rwanda agricultural experience mandatory?
Yes, agricultural sector experience in Rwanda is required.
3. What is a panel study?
A survey that revisits the same respondents over time to measure change.
4. Is translation required?
Yes. The firm must translate the questionnaire into relevant local language(s), likely Kinyarwanda.
5. What software is required?
IFPRI-approved software will be used. The firm must provide tablets and program the survey accordingly.
6. Are replacement respondents allowed?
Yes, but only after documented tracking attempts and supervisor approval.
Final Advice for Consulting Firms
If your firm:
- Has 5+ years of survey experience
- Understands Rwanda's agriculture
- Can manage rural logistics
- Has strong data quality systems
Then this opportunity is highly strategic.
International research contracts strengthen:
- Reputation
- Revenue
- Long-term partnerships
Submit:
- Technical proposal
- Financial proposal
- CVs of authorized individuals
Before 9 March 2026 via the IFPRI website.
.jpg)
.jpg)
 – Complete Career & Bidding Guide){kind=link}
Follow Us