African Soil Health Consortium Project Initiation Document Project Executive: Dannie Romney Senior Users: Dannie Romney, Patricia Neenan Senior Suppliers: Morris Akiri, Andrea Powell Project Manager: To be recruited Date: November 2010 PID Version: November 2009 Part A – Background (1) Executive Summary The project will work to achieve the vision of success through delivery of 5 key objectives. Objective 1 and 2: Define and describe the ISFM framework and prepare generic core reference content (Level 1 content) that applies across different cropping systems as well as core cropping systems reference content (Level 2 content) that incorporates ISFM: • Inventorize and collate existing extension information on ISFM in multi-media formats available in the public domain; • Synthesize new knowledge on ISFM into formats that are meaningful and useful to stakeholders and integrate ISFM knowledge in generic extension materials for prioritized cropping systems; • Incorporate guidelines on approaches and processes that ensure decision-making processes take account of both biophysical, socioeconomic and gender factors. Objective 3: Build capacity of national product preparation teams to develop customized site specific material (Level 3 content) for on-going development initiatives in the identified cropping systems and contribute to impact on livelihoods: • Build capacity to develop and adapt information on ISFM into appropriate formats in country level institutions; • Work directly with currently funded initiatives including AGRA to contribute to delivery of impact through: developing information in customized formats for specific target audiences including different gender and socioeconomic groupings in order to support productivity improvements through soil health interventions including the efficient and effective use of fertilizers and; introduction of ISFM principles into curricula in educational institutions and organizations in SSA. Objective 4: Learn and share lessons related to the process of knowledge synthesis and communication and how this contributes to change: ● Evaluate the process of product development; how different user groups (differentiated by gender and other socioeconomic groupings) source and use knowledge and the value of different communication products for such diverse groups and; how attitudes and behavior change amongst those involved or impacted by debates on how to improve soil fertility and how ISFM is seen vis a vis alternative approaches as a result of the influence of project awareness raising activities; ● Support M&E activities implemented by collaborating projects (such as AGRA) to assess impact and the contribution of the project. Objective 5: Communication of mechanisms for application and use of ISFM framework and of the value of using ISFM: ● Contribute to long-term impact by: raising awareness of ISFM amongst stakeholders and providing information needed to improve decisionmaking by policy makers, extension workers, input suppliers and other supply chain actors that influence the implementation of ISFM and influencing curricula in educational institutions that will positively impact on the capacity of future graduates to promote state-of-the-art ISFM technologies in SSA. The project we will draw on expertise from a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), comprising individuals from organizations active in researching and implementing ISFM in SSA as well as representatives of private sector input suppliers and other key expertise such as gender, policy processes and development communication to synthesize up-to-date information on ISFM and use it to produce materials in a range of formats targeted at different stakeholders including policy makers, private sector actors, extension workers, farmers and university students. Part A – Background (1) Purpose and Objectives Purpose: To synthesize and disseminate up-to-date knowledge on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) to drive increased productivity in smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Objectives • To define and describe the ISFM framework and prepare generic core reference content (Level 1 content) that applies across different cropping systems • To prepare core cropping systems reference content (Level 2 content) that incorporates ISFM • To build capacity of National product preparation teams to develop customized site specific material (Level 3 content) designed to support ongoing development initiatives in the identified cropping systems • To learn and share lessons related to the process of knowledge synthesis and communication and how this contributes to change • To establish communication of mechanisms for application and use of ISFM framework and of the value of using ISFM Part A – Background (2) Key Stakeholders and Beneficiaries ● Stakeholders and Beneficiaries:● Donor(s): Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ● End-user(s): Direct: Change agents in on-going initiatives to introduce ISFM (incl. extension workers, agro dealers, NGOS, as well as media (print, TV, radio, web) and policy makers), agricultural institutions Indirect: Farmers working in AGRA-funded projects and other initiatives working towards improving productivity of Farming systems in SSA ● Partner(s): AGRA, Technical Advisory Board (including individuals from WUR, TSBF-CIAT, WARDA, CIRAD, AGRA, CIMMYT) IFDC, IPNI, ICT-KM Programme, Advanced Research Institutes/CG centres, ● CABI Centres/Departments: CABI Africa, Publishing Part B – Implementation (1) Proposed Organisation Structure ● Corporate Management: ● Project Board:● Project Executive: Dannie Romney ● Senior Users: Dannie Romney, Patricia Neenan ● Senior Suppliers: Morris Akiri, Andrea Powell ● Project Assurance: Patricia Neenan ● CABI Budget-holder: Project Manager Note that, if not the Project Executive, the CABI Budget-holder must have written confirmation from the Project Executive, and the Project Manager if required by Project Executive, prior to authorising payment. ● Project Manager: George Oduor ● Team Managers: Jane Frances Asaba, Negussie Efa, Chris Parker Part B – Implementation (2) Stages Stages Work Packages / Deliverables in Stage, unless indicated in Stage Name Stage Completion Date a) Business Plan Development (optional) Work Packages / Deliverables Inception report; Project Launched; Literature review completed; Operational linkages defined; Hand book completed; 2 Peer reviewed papers; ISFM tools developed; Website structure developed Period one (Jan-Dec 2011) Operational linkages with at least four projects; communication and knowledge products completed; 2 peer reviewed papers; ISFM tools tested; core reference materials in pocket guide format; site specific materials developed and tested; outcome mapping report; level 1 materials on website Period two (Jan-Dec 2012) Project working with identified initiatives; 2 peer reviewed papers; sit, specific materials developed and tested, prize winner chosen, lessons learned shared; outcome mapping report; Level 2 materials on website Period three (Jan-Dec 2013) Project working with identified initiatives; lessons learned and shared; outcome mapping final report; level 3 materials on website Period four (Jan-Dec 2014) Part B – Implementation (3) CABI Resource Requirements Staff Time Required on Project (and/or role on project) (Indicate whether time is in Days or Months) Dannie Romney 151 days Jane Frances Asaba 753 days Negussie Efa 377.5 days Project manager (George Oduor) 753 days Post doctorate-cropping systems 645 days Post doctorate-policy 645 days Chris Parker 56.5 days Tracy Head (could be others in publishing or marketing 80.5 days Administrative support: Florence Chege, Vincent Ndambuki, Mary Odhiambo 120; 190 & 45 days respectively 2 Journalist interns 1290 days Part B – Implementation (4) Customer Acceptance Criteria Acceptance Criteria Target Measures IFSM content of information materials is from credible sources Partners/End-users Engage respected experts in TAG/TWG/network with institutions involved in ISFM Copy rights of researchers /authors protected Researchers Observe copyrights; Ensure Fair use of materials (Noncommercial) use Quality and suitable delivery channels and formats of info. materials for different user groups Direct and indirect end-uses Consult with users and where necessary engage them in development of materials ISFM stakeholders in selected countries in SSA accessing and using info materials and applying relevant technologies B&MGF/AGRA/Govts. Work closely with existing projects /institutions involved in ISFM e.g. AGRA A Soil Health Consortium for Africa (SHCA) established & continues to operate after the project Donors/Partners Engage project partners; secure resources; build in sustainability. Part B – Implementation (5) Project Exclusions & Interfaces Exclusions ● ● ● ● Location of the project activities is limited to the 4 countries with on going ISFM initiatives to be identified by the AGRA the key project partner (most likely Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania) The direct target users of the ISFM information materials are: change agents linked to the AGRA soil health program; these will range from policy makers to university lecturers, extension workers, and input suppliers Indirect beneficiaries of the project outputs are farmers (men, women, young, old, participating in AGRA-funded projects and other initiatives involved in improved productivity projects in SSA The materials produced will be in three languages i.e. English, French and Portuguese Interfaces ● ● ● Project will interface with AGRA’s soil health project and other B&MGF funded projects Potentially could provide content for Plant Wise knowledge bank and Project may interface with other programmes/projects aiming to improve productivity in SSA e.g. Those run by IFDC and IPIN Part B – Implementation (6) Key Constraints & Assumptions Constraints ● ● ● ● No ISFM specialist – they will need to be recruited CABI does not have adequate in-house editorial skills for ISFM and media (audio/video) production - will outsource technical editor, media skills, etc. Project duration limited by scope & level of funding acceptable to the donors Content of info. materials will depend on participation of and willingness of relevant institutions/partners /(TAG/TWG) to contribute knowledge. Assumptions ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ISFM remains priority for governments and NGOs IARCs agree to contribute to project AGRA supports on-going development initiatives to work with the project All partners (TAG, AGRA, CABI etc.) well staffed and working harmoniously Suitable post-doctoral researcher recruited and producing required articles/papers and data Solutions exist for all knowledge gaps identified in AGRA and other projects Sufficient resources (funds and staff) allocated by on-going initiatives for the production and use of Level 3 materials Favorable climatic and political conditions existing in project countries Part C – Reasons for CABI (1) Key Business Benefits - Strategic ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Invited by Gates Foundation to lead consortium Potentially a stepping stone to additional Gates funding and a platform for discussions on other areas where CABI may contribute Potential for Publishing and ID units to work together May provide source of content for Plant Wise knowledge bank Open new engagements for CABI with countries where it has not worked before e.g. Mali; Strengthening CABI’s engagements with countries where it has been working e.g. Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania. Initiate new partnerships for CABI through working with organisations such as AGRA and a range of partners in the private and academic sectors working on ISFM Showcase CABI Africa’s capacity in managing projects on KFD/KM Opportunity to work in a “new” area of communication – production & dissemination of information resources for different user groups working at the interface of research and development Part C – Reasons for CABI (2) Key Business Benefits – Financial (Externally funded Projects only) Full Project Budget – Planned Comments Donor Currency: $US Exchange Rate to £: 1.6 (0.63) Overheads are a maximum of 15%, so have to bury some in the budget, hence extra tabs Overall Contract Value in £ (if known): £2,831,121 Costs Billed to Project Donor (£) Gross Revenue (Total Project Revenue): £2,831,121 Payments to External Collaborators: £137,500 Net Income: £2,693,621 CABI Implementation Costs (£) CABI Staff Costs: £958,913 Direct Costs: £1,328,236 (other direct costs, for example travel, etc) Net Profit/Loss (Project Contribution): £406,472 Net Project Contribution (%): 15.09% Note that the financials should match the information in the Project Financial Analysis (PFA) form. Staff costs billed to donor don’t match these figures since we had to use actuals See the tab ‘Real overheads to CABI £) Part D – Risks (1) Key Risks (for Collaborator, Security, Technical Risks, see next slides) Risk Owner Likelihood (L) (1=Low; 3=High) Impact (I) (1=Low; 3=High) Total (L x I) (1=Low; 9=High) Management Strategy Unfavourable climate and political conditions 1 2 2 Suspend or relocate activities Resources are not made available for the production and use of Level 3 materials 1 2 2 Prevention – engage all potential partners/collaborators to get their buy-in from project inception Solutions not found for some knowledge gaps identified in AGRA and other projects 2 2 4 Acceptance – propose further research /investigation to find solutions Project & partners not well staffed and lacking some skills required for project 1 3 3 Prevention – engage all partners; recruit people with relevant skills. (Choose from Prevention, Reduction, Contingency, Transference, Acceptance, and give brief description of how applied) Part D – Risks (2) Collaborator Risks Collaborator Name (to be paid by CABI) Has CABI worked with them before? (Yes / No) Assessment of Collaborator Risk Include, for example: • Their reputation; • Past experience of working with them (if appropriate). How much (£) in total is the Collaborator to be paid? TSBF-CIAT No Have a high reputation in area of soil health and hand picked by Gates To be defined during project WARDA No Have a high reputation in area of soil health and hand picked by Gates To be defined during project IFDC No Have a high reputation in area of soil health and hand picked by Gates To be defined during project IPNI No Have a high reputation in area of soil health and hand picked by Gates To be defined during project WUR No Have a high reputation in area of soil health and hand picked by Gates Nothing AGRA No Have a high reputation in area of soil health and hand picked by Gates Nothing Part D – Risks (3) Security Risks Location of Work Has CABI worked there before? (Yes / No) Is there a current, or likely, security risk in that location? (Yes / No) Is an alternative secure location eligible for project? (Yes / No) Africa, specific countries to be identified in early stage of project To be identified Unlikely to choose insecure countries Not applicable Part D – Risks (4) Technical Risks Technical Work (CABI Component) Has the Lead Centre previously undertaken this Technical work? (Yes / No) Has another area of CABI previously undertaken this Technical work? (Yes / No) Solutions not found for some knowledge gaps identified in AGRA and other projects (ISFM) No No Resources are not made available for the production and use of Level 3 materials Yes Yes Project & partners not well staffed and lacking some skills required for in the project Yes Yes Part E – Dissemination & Impact (1) Dissemination of Results Dissemination Method Target Results Measures Communication/Advocacy strategy developed and implemented Strategy developed and implemented by project partners and institutions interested in ISFM No of partners involved in development of strategy; No of partners using strategy to communicate/disseminate info materials Meetings/ consultation meetings of stakeholders; partner activities in the field Behavioral change partners who will get / use the information resources/materials; Change in KAP by farmers resulting from use knowledge disseminated (in 4 project countries and beyond) ; Attendance lists of meetings; M&E reports on impact on stakeholders Dissemination workshops/conferences involving project partners At least two presentations at regional/ international meetings No of participants attending workshops/ conferences; Workshop /conference reports Journal/Conference paper s Technical and scientific community (ISFM And Communication) Citations/request for reprints Case studies Case studies on approaches for communicating ISFM developed and shared with partners and through project website No. Case studies developed; No. of downloads from project website (what, how, etc) Part E – Dissemination & Impact (1) Dissemination of Results Dissemination Method Target Results Measures Training workshops for stakeholders At least one skills training production of information resources held in each project country. Attendance lists Newsletters 3 newsletters per year No of newsletters produced, no disseminates; No. of partners receiving newsletters Visits and presentations in Project countries 2 visits per country/year Back to office reports; M&E reports Technical Reports At least 2 reports per participating country /year disseminated to project partner and other relevant institutions & posted on project website Registered dispatch No. of reports on project website Project website Website to contain downloadable information resources developed under project (audio, video & print) No of visits to site, no of downloads /given period (what, how, etc) Part E - Dissemination & Impact (2) Impact of Project (Scientific, Technical, Commercial, Social, Environmental) Impact Target Measures Existing projects actively using info. materials to improve productivity in farming & cropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa Continuous M&E, technical reporting from project sites, ISFM incorporated in course curricula in universities and colleges in SSA Continuous M&E, technical reporting from universities Awareness of ISFM raised among stakeholders Continuous M&E, technical reporting; case studies Policy-makers, extension workers, input suppliers and other supply-chain actors using information to take /influence decisions on ISFM Continuous M&E, technical reporting; case studies Part F – Reporting and Sign-off (1) Reporting Information Provider Information Required Interested Parties Frequency a) Project Executive b) c) a) Project Inception report b) Mid –term evaluation report c) End of year report Corporate Management (CABI) a) Once b) Once/ c) Once/yr d) Once a) Project Manager b) c) a) b) c) Mid year report d) End of year report e) Final technical & financial reports Project Board (CABI), partners, donor a) b) c) Once/yr d) Once/yr e) Once a) Project Manager b) c) a) Case studies from projects b) c) Marketing (CABI) a) When published b) c) Part F – Reporting & Sign-off (2) Supporting Documentation As a minimum to accompany the completed PID: ● Project Financial Analysis Extra supporting documentation may be provided: ● Results Framework ● Any other documentation as appropriate Please note that projects with an Intellectual Property Right (IPR) component require the contract to be submitted to PMG prior to signature. Part F – Reporting & Sign-off (3) Authorisation Project Executive / EMT: …………………………………………… Date: ………………………………………………………….. PMG Sign-off (Level 1 Projects) ………………………………………….. Date: …………………………………………………………………………. Approval of: PID Development of Business Plan PMG Comments and/or Follow-on Actions: Appendix A – New Product / Initiative (1) Strategic Fit Customer Needs & Trends Market Attractiveness <£ per annum, size, strategic importance> What Problem Are We Trying to Solve? <Evidence from market research, in-market interviews> Market Growth & Trends <% CAGR, evidence> Purchasing Criteria <evidence> Profitability <High/Medium/Low, evidence> Purchasing Process <evidence> <Significant existing players, partner opportunities, quantified scale of competition> Preferred Pricing Models <evidence> Competition Appendix A – New Product / Initiative (2) Proposed Product / Initiative Specifications Product / Initiative Scope <Summary definition of product scope and objectives, Key selling points – how is this product better than the competition?> Workflow Integration <Explain how product fits into user’s workflow> Revenue Model <Subscription, purchased, sponsored> Sales & Marketing Strategy <Online marketing/conference attendance/direct mail/telesales, etc> Technology Strategy <In-house development or third party solution?> Financial Impact Revenue Opportunity <£ p.a. after 3 years, Gross/net revenue, Evidence, e.g.. no. of subscriptions @ £x, Annual growth rates, Total project revenue/contract value, etc> Total Investment Required <quantify, breakdown of expenditure (staff costs vs. direct costs), capex vs. P&L expenditure, payments to collaborators, etc> Return on Investment <profitability target, return on capital employed, pay-back period/break-even, net project contribution, etc>
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