Job Description

Introduction and Background 

Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder, rain-fed production systems that face persistent challenges of declining soil fertility, limited access to soil diagnostic services, and increasing climate variability. These constraints directly affect crop productivity, household food availability, and nutrition outcomes, particularly in rural districts such as Port Loko and Pujehun. Improving soil health and fertility management is a stated national priority under the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP), particularly Pillar 1: Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience and Pillar 2: Agricultural Productivity and Commercialization, as well as under the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), notably Cluster 2: Economic Diversification and Job Creation and Cluster 4: Human Capital Development.

The Strong Foundation Project operationalizes these policy commitments and contributes to Sierra Leone’s Food Systems Pathway by promoting nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture practices grounded in evidence and local context. This Terms of Reference sets out the framework for the procurement of soil testing kits and the engagement of soil testing services to generate reliable, field-level soil fertility data and actionable recommendations. The outputs will guide crop selection, fertilizer application, and sustainable land management practices, strengthen farmer knowledge and extension support, and contribute to resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-focused food systems in line with national development priorities.

• PART-A: Development of Soil Testing Kit Specification

• Background and Context

The Strong Foundation Project is a Church-funded, CARE-led development initiative implemented in Port Loko and Pujehun Districts, Sierra Leone (January–December 2026), in partnership with ABC Development and MoPAD-SL. The project aims to improve maternal, newborn, and child nutrition outcomes through integrated nutrition, health, agriculture, and WASH interventions, with a strong emphasis on sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and community-level capacity building.

As part of its nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture programming, the project promotes improved soil health management to increase productivity, crop diversity, and household access to nutritious foods. To support evidence-based agronomic decision-making at community and field levels, CARE intends to procure portable soil testing kits for use by farmers, extension workers, and project staff.

1.2. Objectives

The objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Provide practical, field-appropriate specifications for soil testing kits that support soil fertility assessment and nutrition-sensitive agricultural planning.
2. Ensure that recommended specifications are suitable for rural and low-resource field conditions, enabling accurate and reliable soil testing by project staff and partners.
3. Deliver a clear and actionable specification report to guide CARE in procuring soil testing kits for the Strong Foundation Project.

1.3. Scope of Work

The Consultant shall be responsible for developing recommended specifications for soil testing kits to support soil fertility assessments under the Strong Foundation Project in Port Loko and Pujehun Districts. These specifications will guide CARE and project partners in procuring kits suitable for field-based soil testing.

1.4. Key Responsibilities

The Consultant will:

• Review project objectives, field conditions, and agronomic requirements to inform specifications.
• Prepare clear, practical, and technically appropriate specifications for soil testing kits suitable for community-level and field use.
• Ensure the specifications cover essential soil fertility assessment needs, including parameters required for agronomic decision-making.
• Submit a finalized Soil Testing Kit Specification Report to CARE within the agreed timeline.

The Consultant is not responsible for the procurement, provision, or use of soil testing kits. Procurement and deployment will be undertaken separately by CARE in accordance with its organizational procedures.

1.5. Methodology

To develop the soil testing kit specifications, the Consultant shall adopt the following approach:

1. Desk Review and Literature Scan
   • Review project documents, field conditions, and crop production requirements in Port Loko and Pujehun districts.
   • Examine best practices and international standards for soil testing kits suitable for smallholder and low-resource contexts.
2. Needs Assessment
   • Identify key soil parameters required for agronomic decisions (e.g., pH, NPK) and nutrition-sensitive agriculture planning.
   • Consider practical factors such as portability, durability, ease of use, and suitability for rural settings.
3. Consultation with Stakeholders
   • Engage project staff, agricultural extension officers, and partners to gather input on functional needs and field realities.
4. Specification Drafting
   • Define recommended specifications covering functionality, essential parameters, usability, and environmental suitability.
   • Ensure recommendations are practical for procurement and field use by project staff.
5. Validation and Finalization
   • Submit a draft specification report to CARE for review and feedback.
   • Incorporate feedback and prepare the final Soil Testing Kit Specification Report.

1.6. Deliverables

1. Draft Soil Testing Kit Specifications for review by CARE.
2. Final Soil Testing Kit Specification Report, incorporating feedback, suitable for guiding procurement and field use.

• PART B: CONSULTANCY FOR SOIL TESTING SERVICES

• Background

Soil fertility decline and climate variability continue to constrain agricultural productivity and nutrition outcomes in Sierra Leone. Under the Strong Foundation Project, CARE seeks to engage a qualified consultant or firm to conduct soil sampling, laboratory analysis, and interpretation in selected communities in Port Loko and Pujehun Districts. The consultancy will generate practical, location-specific soil fertility recommendations to guide project-supported farmers and extension services.

• Purpose of the Consultancy

To generate reliable soil fertility data and actionable recommendations that inform crop selection, fertilizer use, and sustainable soil management practices at community and district levels.

• Objectives

The consultancy will:

• Collect representative soil samples in targeted communities.
• Analyze key soil fertility parameters.
• Develop community and district soil fertility profiles.
• Identify key soil constraints and nutrient gaps.
• Provide practical soil and crop management recommendations.
• Support basic capacity strengthening on soil health among farmers and field staff.

• Scope of Work

The assignment will cover 40 communities (20 per district).

Key tasks include:

1. Inception and Planning 

• Inception meeting with CARE and partners.
• Review of project documents.
• Finalization of sampling design and methodology.
• Submission of an Inception Report and work plan.

• Field Soil Sampling 

• Soil sampling in all 40 communities.
• Sampling of agreed number of representative plots per community. 
• Application of standard soil sampling protocols.
• Proper labeling, storage, and transport of samples.
• Engagement of community representatives and extension staff.

• Laboratory Analysis

•  Analysis through accredited laboratories.
•  Testing for: pH, organic matter/carbon, N, P, K, and soil texture (where feasible).

• Data Analysis and Interpretation

•  Cleaning and validation of datasets.
•  Community- and district-level analysis.
•  Identification of fertility constraints and trends.
• Translation of findings into agronomic recommendations.

• Reporting and Dissemination

•  Comprehensive technical report.
•  Farmer-friendly summary of recommendations.
•  Presentation to CARE and stakeholders.
•  Submission of datasets and materials.

• Methodology

The technical proposal must clearly outline:

• Sampling strategy and sample size.
• Field and laboratory protocols.
• QA/QC procedures. 
• Data analysis and reporting approach.

• Deliverables

• Inception Report and work plan.
• Field sampling report.
• Laboratory results (raw and cleaned datasets);
• Draft and final soil testing report.
• Stakeholder presentation. 

1. Consultancy Assignment Details and Requirements

3.1Duration
The assignment, including field soil testing and development of the soil testing kit specification, is expected to be completed within 5–7 weeks of contract signing.

3.2Consultant Qualifications
The consultant should possess:

• Advanced degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience.
• Proven experience in field soil surveys, laboratory analysis, and development of soil testing kits.
• Access to accredited laboratory facilities.
• Experience working with development projects and smallholder farmers.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and technical documentation skills.

3.3. Management and Reporting
The consultant will report to the CARE Project Manager. All deliverables, including soil testing results and the soil testing kit specification, will be submitted to CARE Sierra Leone, with regular progress updates.

3.4. Payment Schedule

• 30% upon approval of Inception Report.
• 40% upon development of soil testing kit specification and completion of fieldwork, laboratory analysis,
• 30% upon approval of final report and finalized soil testing kit specification.

3.5. Proposal Submission
Proposals must include:

• Technical proposal detailing methodology for field soil testing and soil testing kit specification development.
• Financial proposal (detailed budget);
• Company/consultant profile with three (3) references.

3.6. Evaluation Criteria

• Technical quality and methodology, including approach for soil testing and kit specification.
• Relevant experience and capacity.
• Laboratory access.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Proposed timeline.

3.7. Data Ownership and Confidentiality
All outputs, including soil testing results and soil testing kit specifications, remain the property of CARE Sierra Leone. No data may be disclosed without written consent.

3.8. Submission Details:

How to Apply:

Send a “Sealed Envelope” including a cover letter, a detailed technical and financial proposals with the names of at least three references who must be present or past clients to:

The Admin and Supply Chain Manager

CARE Sierra Leone

11th Old Railway Line

Wilberforce

Freetown, Sierra Leone

The sealed envelope should be clearly marked: “CONSULTANCY FOR SOIL TESTING AND SOIL FERTILITY ASSESSMENT – Strong Foundation Project – RFP/CARESFP/2026/002” and submitted No later than Tuesday February 24th, 2026 at 14:00 hours GMT.