Baseline Study FEAST

Request for Expression of Interest

Yayasan Humanis dan Inovasi Sosial (hereinafter: Humanis), an affiliate organization of Hivos, is a Jakarta-based non-profit development organization that works across the Southeast Asia region. Humanis works with marginalized groups and frontrunners to exercise rights and freedoms, bring about changes, influence decisions and hold those in power to account. As the name itself suggests, Humanis envisions just and sustainable societies in Southeast Asia that fulfill and protect the rights of each individual, as well as respect differences and backgrounds. To achieve our vision, we focus on three impact areas: Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI), Civic Rights in the Digital Age (CRIDA), and Climate Justice. Currently, we have ongoing programs in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Vietnam

 

Humanis seeks qualified candidates for the position of:
Title                  :  Baseline Study FEAST

Duty Station      :  Remote

Report to          :  Project Manager FEAST

Duration           :  3 months (start in June 2025)

 

Background

The food insecurity crisis in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), particularly on Flores Island, has reached a critical point, exacerbated by extreme climate change. This island faces a unique set of challenges, making it a focal point for addressing food security1 through gender-inclusive agricultural practices.

While East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) reflects the diversity of Indonesia, Flores Island is uniquely showcasing this diversity, with its dry and semi-arid land in the east and wet, tropical regions in the west. This geographical and climatic variation presents both challenges and opportunities for achieving food security and sustainability.

FEAST! specifically addresses how can gender-inclusive agricultural knowledge, practices, and behavioural changes enhance food and nutrition security in Flores, support the underprivileged women farmers, in response to the extreme climate crisis.

FEAST! aims to achieve enhanced food security, long-term food sustainability, and overall physical health of the people in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This will be achieved through providing women and men farmers with sustainable farming practices and climate-smart agricultural technologies, supporting these farmers with capacity building on essential nutrition, alternative local crops, food preparation and processing, and access to local food marker, so that they will be able to increase crop yields, improve food availability and stability, and improve overall nutrition of themselves and their family member.

FEAST! targets 28,040 direct beneficiaries, which consists of 8,000 farmers (with the minimum of 50% women farmers) benefit from sustainable agriculture practices/CSA, GALS/FALS, diversified and nutritious food options, and financial literacy, 40 Village Champions benefit from training of trainers (sustainable agriculture practices/CSA, GALS/FALS, diversified and nutritious food options, and financial literacy), and 20,000 family members benefit from first-hand knowledge on diversified and nutritious food options.

Furthermore, 10,000 indirect beneficiaries of local community members and the public benefit from knowledge on diversified and nutritious food options

 

Objective

The primary objective of this assignment is to conduct a baseline study, focusing on collecting data and information for a set of performance indicators outlined in the FEAST! Project’s results framework.

As the primary users of this document, the FEAST! Project team will utilize this baseline study to establish initial benchmarks and serve as a foundation for the final evaluation. Additionally, it will assess the relevance of the set targets for project indicators and provide evidence-based recommendations for refinements, if necessary, as outlined in Table 1 below. The selected institution or team of consultants will also provide recommendations and monitoring & evaluation tools for project implementation based on inputs from Humanis and partners.

To ensure the project’s effectiveness, the consultant will conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis, identifying key actors—including government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector partners, and community groups—who influence or are affected by the FEAST! Project. This analysis will provide strategic insights into stakeholder roles, interests, and potential collaborations, ensuring the project aligns with local needs and maximizes its impact.

Specific Objectives of the Baseline Study:

• Develop a Baseline Analysis Report that provides solid and strategic recommendations to effectively achieve the project indicators.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors, their influence, and potential areas for collaboration in achieving food security and gender-inclusive agricultural practices.
• Establish operational mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Develop an operational manual to guide the implementation of monitoring and evaluation processes. 

Qualifications and Experiences :

Ideally, the team of consultant should consist at minimum of:

• Team Leader (Evaluation Expert). The Team Leader should be an evaluation expert with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in conducting evaluations for national-level programs. They are responsible for developing the Evaluation Plan, overseeing its effective implementation, and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality final report. While not required to be a technical expert in the specific sector or thematic area, they must effectively lead the evaluation team and leverage team expertise to achieve comprehensive and well-founded results.
• Socioeconomic, Market Access & Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert. Minimum 5 years of experience in rural development, food security, and climate-smart agriculture, with a strong understanding of local food markets, agricultural value chains, and financial inclusion. Expertise in farming systems in dryland and tropical regions, particularly in NTT, and experience supporting smallholder farmers, especially women, in adapting to climate change. Proven ability to work with farmer cooperatives and women-led enterprises, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, market access, and economic resilience.
• Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert. Minimum 5 years of experience in gender equality, social inclusion, and empowerment programs, particularly in agriculture, food security, or rural development. Strong expertise in intersectionality, inclusive development frameworks, and gender-sensitive policy analysis. Proficient in qualitative and participatory research methods to assess GESI impacts and provide evidence-based recommendations for inclusive agricultural practices. Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and community stakeholders, particularly women farmers and marginalized groups, to integrate GESI perspectives into project design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Nutrition & Public Health Expert. Minimum of 5 years of experience in nutrition, public health, or food security. Strong understanding of dietary diversity and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Experience working in rural communities, particularly with women and vulnerable groups.

For more detailed Term of Reference (ToR) information, please click the following link : https://link.humanis.foundation/BaselineStudyFEAST

 

ETHICS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The consultant shall comply with the principles stipulated in the Humanis Safeguarding Policy to ensure the assessment processes are promoting and protecting people’s health, well-being and human rights, and enabling them to live free of harm, exploitation and abuse. The Policy entails a wide range of policies, procedures and activities seeking to address the welfare of staff, partner organization(s) and those come in contact with such as children (under 18 years old) and (vulnerable) adults. Consent to participate in the assessment will be given freely, without coercion and influence from financial inducement, improper pressure, or any form of misrepresentation and applying research ethics that ensure and acknowledge respondents’ rights in taking part or to object involvement in the assessment, maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms.