Individual Consultant

The Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the premier institution leading community-driven development in Pakistan. Established as a not-for-profit company in February 1997 under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 (now the Companies Act 2017), PPAF is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the impoverished and fostering a more equitable and prosperous nation.

Operating across 150 districts in all four provinces and regions, PPAF supports communities by improving infrastructure, energy, health, education, livelihoods, and financial access, while also enhancing resilience to disasters. It focuses on the most vulnerable and marginalized rural households, offering a wide range of financial and non-financial services.

PPAF is committed to embedding its core values of social inclusion, participation, accountability, transparency, and stewardship into all its processes and programs.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.ppaf.org.pk.

2. About the Programme

The programme aims to empower communities, particularly women, by organising them into livestock producer groups for collective production and the establishment of community-led livestock markets. It also seeks to support women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises in developing value chains for sheep, goats, and poultry.

The programme will be implemented across 120 union councils in six (6) flood-affected districts of Balochistan including Loralai, Pishin, Zhob, Lasbela, Khuzdar and Jaffarabad.

The overall objective: contribute to post-2022 floods climate-resilient socioeconomic recovery in the most affected and poorest districts of Balochistan province.

The specific objective: improved value chains and market linkages in agriculture and livestock sectors of Balochistan.

Expected Result/Output 1: Strengthened capacities of target groups in improving value addition and compliance to food safety and sustainability standards.

Expected Result/Output 2: Increased livestock assets of target women and men farmers/entrepreneurs.

Expected Result/Output 3: Enhanced access of women and men farmers to finances for value addition of livestock and livestock products.

3. Rationale for Hiring of the Consultant

PPAF has recently entered into a grant agreement with the European Union (EU) for the implementation of the project titled “Post-Floods Resilient Recovery and Strengthening of the Livestock Sector in Balochistan.” One of the core activities under this initiative is to assess the feasibility of introducing livestock insurance to protect smallholder farmers and women-led livestock microenterprises from economic shocks due to livestock loss.

This study will assess the feasibility of such a mechanism by examining national and regional models, identifying enabling conditions, and recommending a viable approach for Balochistan.

4. Assignment Objectives

The main objective of this assignment is to conduct a feasibility study for introducing livestock insurance in Balochistan, with a focus on small-scale farmers and women-led livestock enterprises. The study should:

• Assess and evaluate existing livestock insurance models in Pakistan.
• Review regional/international best practices (e.g., India, Bangladesh, etc.).
• Identify government-supported mechanisms and incentives for livestock insurance.
• Recommend a viable model for Balochistan, including a list of potential insurance providers.

• Analyse current livestock insurance schemes in Pakistan (SECP, SBP, PPAF partners, private insurers).
• Review models in neighbouring countries (e.g., India, Nepal, Bangladesh).
• Study the role of government support in livestock insurance schemes.

Field Engagement

• Conduct consultations with:
  • Small livestock farmers (especially women)
  • Insurance companies
  • Livestock and Dairy Development Department (GoB)
  • Local NGOs, MFIs, community organisations
• Identify needs, perceptions, and willingness to participate.

Feasibility Analysis

• Assess demand, risks, and operational challenges.
• Evaluate infrastructure and delivery constraints.
• Recommend feasible model for Balochistan.

Recommendations

• Propose implementable insurance model for smallholder farmers.
• List potential insurance providers.
• Suggest enabling roles for GoB and development partners.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Present findings to Livestock and Dairy Development Department and partners.
• Ensure stakeholder feedback is reflected in final recommendations.

Deliverables

• Implementation arrangements for communities to assess effectiveness of insurance activities.
• Training session(s) for PPAF and co-applicant staff on insurance component.
• Final feasibility study report with all supporting materials submitted to PPAF.

6. Key Documents to be Shared by PPAF

PPAF will share the approved project proposal, logframe, workplan, and relevant documents with the consultant.

7. Qualifications and Competencies Required

• M.Phil/Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Risk Management, Insurance, Livestock Sciences, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record of feasibility studies and programme design in insurance/risk mitigation.
• Familiarity with livestock value chains and rural markets in Pakistan, especially Balochistan.
• Strong analytical, writing, and stakeholder consultation skills.
• Knowledge of local languages (Balochi, Pashto) is an asset.

8. Duration of Consultancy

The assignment will last for 30 workdays and must be completed within two months.

9. Selection Method

The individual consultant will be selected in accordance with PPAF’s procurement rules and guidelines.

10. Ethical Considerations

• The consultant must provide minutes from all key consultation meetings.
• All consultation data will remain PPAF’s property.
• Prior written approval is required for using any assignment data externally.