CONSULTANT - IKM FIELD ASSOCIATE

The Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for the IKM Field Associate position. The consultant will support the implementation of the Project’s annual monitoring and data collection activities, particularly the collection, validation, and documentation of quantitative and qualitative information from RIISA-supported Smallholder Farmers (SHFs), Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and other project clients and partners, as applicable.

BACKGROUND

With support from the Government of Canada, MEDA is implementing the Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) Project in the Philippines. RIISA seeks to strengthen inclusive economic opportunities in rural communities in Mindanao, particularly within the cacao sector.

The Project works to improve the productivity, income, resilience, and economic participation of cacao smallholder farmers and enterprises, particularly women and other groups that may experience barriers to participation in economic opportunities. RIISA also promotes gender equality and social inclusion, environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient practices, responsible investment, and stronger market systems in communities vulnerable to economic, climate, and conflict-related risks.

RIISA responds to multiple challenges within the Philippine cacao sector and draws on MEDA’s experience in market systems development, Gender Lens Investing (GLI), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Human Rights (HR), Environment and Climate Change (ECC), and market systems resilience (MSR).

The Project addresses the socio-economic challenges faced by cacao smallholder farmers while strengthening the resilience and inclusiveness of the cacao market system through the following strategies:

• Mobilizing gender-responsive ESG investments by facilitating Environment, Social and Governance (ESG)-focused financing and investment opportunities for cacao-sector SMEs and financial intermediaries.
• Strengthening local capacity on GESI, HR, and ECC by enhancing the capacity of business service providers and other market actors to provide more inclusive, gender-responsive, environmentally sustainable, and relevant services to cacao SMEs, cooperatives, and farmers.
• Strengthening cacao cooperatives and smallholder farmers by supporting the adoption of environmentally sustainable, inclusive, climate-resilient, and commercially viable farming and business practices.
• Improving the enabling environment by increasing awareness, capacity, and adoption of gender-responsive ESG approaches among key actors within the cacao value chain and broader market system.
• Promoting systemic learning and influence by generating, documenting, and disseminating evidence and lessons through the Project’s Strategic Learning Agenda and knowledge management activities.

Through these interventions, RIISA is expected to directly benefit more than 6,850 smallholder farmers, at least 40% of whom are women, while indirectly reaching at least 30,000 individuals, including farming household members, cooperative members, SME employees, and other market system actors. Please visit our website at www.meda.org.

CONTEXT OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The RIISA IKM Unit employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative monitoring approaches to track project performance and understand changes among project clients and partners throughout the life of the Project.

Monitoring activities include periodic data collection from SHFs, cooperatives, SMEs, financial intermediaries, and other relevant stakeholders to measure progress against the Project’s PMF indicators and other monitoring requirements.

Quantitative data are complemented, where appropriate, by qualitative information gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, observations, case documentation, and other participatory methods. These approaches are used to validate, contextualize, and triangulate quantitative findings and to deepen the Project’s understanding of changes, results, challenges, and lessons emerging from implementation.

For the FY6 Annual Survey and related monitoring activities, field data collection and associated data management activities are expected to take place from 9 November 2026 to March 31 2027, subject to the approved survey and monitoring schedule.

SCOPE OF WORK and KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the IKM Manager, the IKM Field Associate – Consultant will undertake the following:

• Preparation for Data Collection
• Field Data Collection
• Documentation and Knowledge Management Support
• Coordination and Administrative Requirements

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs, subject to the approved data collection plan and assignments issued by the IKM Unit:

Detailed Deliverables

1. Completed key client interviews and monitoring records, including Annual Survey Data for assigned respondents, meeting the required completeness and data quality standards. (26 days) November 2026 to March 2027
2. Validated and corrected Annual Survey Data records, including timely resolution of data quality queries raised by the IKM Unit. (12 days) January to March 2027
3. Updated field monitoring and respondent tracking records, including documentation of completed, pending, unavailable, or rescheduled respondents. (5 days) January to March 2027
4. Qualitative interview or field documentation, where assigned, including interview notes, field observations, case documentation, and supporting evidence. (20 days) November 2026 to March 2027
5. Periodic field accomplishment reports summarizing completed assignments, key observations, data collection challenges, and outstanding actions. (10 days) November 2026 to March 2027
6. Properly organized and submitted supporting documentation relating to the assigned data collection activities. (10 days) November 2026 to March 2027
7. Summarizing the consultant’s completed assignments, field coverage, significant observations, outstanding data concerns, and recommendations arising from the engagement. (March 2027)

PERIOD OF ENGAGEMENT - 9 November 2026 to March 31, 2027

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant post-secondary education in agriculture, development studies, social sciences, statistics, economics, business, information management, or another related discipline.
• Previous experience in field surveys, qualitative data collection, monitoring and evaluation, research, community-based data collection, or similar assignments is preferred.
• Experience working with farmers, cooperatives, SMEs, rural communities, or development projects is an advantage.
• Excellent skills in narrative writing presenting information from data collected.
• Ability to administer structured questionnaires and conduct basic qualitative interviews.
• Ability to use digital data collection platforms such as KoboToolboxor similar applications is an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and quality.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Filipino; proficiency in Cebuano/Bisaya and relevant local languages within project areas is highly desirable.
• Ability and willingness to travel to RIISA project areas and undertake field assignments as required.
• Ability to work independently, in hybrid work arrangement, while maintaining close coordination with the IKM team.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and respect for respondents.
• Understanding of gender equality, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and ethical data collection principles is an advantage.

DUTY STATION AND FIELD TRAVEL

The Consultant will be primarily field-based within RIISA-supported locations in Mindanao, particularly within project areas in the Davao Region and other approved implementation locations.

Travel requirements will depend on assigned respondents and the approved annual survey and monitoring schedule. Field travel, transportation, accommodation, and other reimbursable expenses, where applicable, will be governed by the terms of the consultancy agreement and MEDA policies.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13 October 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis when received. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

MEDA welcomes and encourages applications from all genders, backgrounds, religions, cultures, nationalities and abilities. Accommodation is available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in the selection process.