Livelihoods Resource Centre Framework Contract

2007 to 2010

Multi-million pound project

Department for International Development (DFID)

220 staff months of expertise in programme and project management; knowledge management and dissemination; event management; livelihoods and rural development support; quality control and IT.

The Livelihoods Resource Centre (LRC) was a brand new service made available to DFID Advisers, whether they are based in country offices, the UK or seconded elsewhere.  Any adviser can contact the LRC for support.  The LRC is a demand-led and responsive service.  Building on the success of the Programme of Advisory and Support Services, the LRC is committed to being a responsive, flexible and intelligent resource.

The LRC has been designed to complement DFID systems and plug resource gaps, providing a menu of technical and support services that enable DFID teams to manage their work programmes more effectively.

Website: www.livelihoodsrc.org

There are two strands to the LRC contract which is managed by HTSPE:

The Core Services can be accessed through a web portal and our head office. A range of tailor-made services are provided that facilitate knowledge-sharing within DFID and externally among the development community. Via the web information can be sourced from a unique search facility linking to livelihoods databases and document retrieval systems.  The portal also houses up-to-date information about events and organisations that are working to improve livelihoods around the world.

Commissioned Services: a bespoke framework agreement for DFID, enabling the LRC to respond to direct requests for expertise or to undertake specific assignments, research or other activities that support knowledge sharing and enhance learning.

HTSPE and their UK partners provide five main services:

1. Sourcing Consultants: identifying appropriate expertise and, where relevant, managing a competitive tendering process for selection.  For contracts under the EU competitive threshold, advisers can source consultants for the LRC to subcontract.
2. Managing Studies: contracting, mobilising and paying consultants or companies and institutions to undertake specific studies with a livelihoods or rural development theme.  We offer a full suite of services, including travel arrangements, and are committed to ensuring that contractual obligations, such as reporting, are met.
3. Event and Conference Management: the LRC management team is fully experienced in event and conference management having organised numerous advisory retreats and workshops on behalf of DFID during the past five years.  Our service includes: identifying and booking venues, organising accommodation and travel, contracting speakers, and overseeing general and special management arrangements.
4. Professional Development: based on DFID’s competency framework we developed, through PASS, The Professional Development for Livelihoods Advisers Website (PLOW) and plan to continue this service through the LRC. HTSPE has also identified other new and innovative tailor-made professional services in support of our commitment to shared learning.
5. Dissemination of bespoke pieces of work commissioned by Heads of Profession or individuals. Examples might include, lunchtime sessions to promote findings of key research, management of the livelihoods group inSight or TeamSite pages and the LRC monthly e-bulletin.

LRC core services are available for any adviser and cover the following themes:

• agriculture, livestock and fisheries;
• natural resources, including forestry;
• non farm income and employment;
• markets and value chains;
• trade;
• livelihoods services (business services);
• technology, knowledge and innovation;
• property rights, especially land;
• food security and vulnerability; and
• governance.

The LRC is also able to provide support with cross-cutting themes such as climate change and working in fragile states.