Consultancy Opportunity - Expert Consultant On Nitrous Oxide Measurement

Project: Scaling Leaf Color Charts to reduce nitrous oxide emissions in crop production

Project Term: 12 months (part-time)

Location and Work Authorization: Remote
Posted on: 29 January 2024
Closing date: 19 February 2024, 5 pm EST (applications may be reviewed as they are submitted)

Project Context

In 2023, PxD began efforts to widely scale up distribution of Leaf Color Charts (LCCs), a decision support tool for site specific nutrient management, among cotton farmers in India. The objective of this funding is to lessen the environmental impact of the clothing industry by tackling the inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer in cotton farming, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions during cotton production. PxD seeks an expert consultant to develop measurement protocols of nitrous oxide emissions among cotton farmers in India to support the monitoring of this project, and support PxD in building a GHG emissions measurement framework for other primary value chains in India. The first phase of this project aims to distribute 10,000 LCCs to cotton farmers in the state of Maharashtra and monitor greenhouse gas emissions among a sub-sample of 1000 farmers. We aim to combine GHG estimates with productivity estimates to understand changes per unit of cotton produced.

Scope of Engagement, Timeline, and Deliverables

1. April-July 2024: Provide PxD's research team with a written review of the different Tier 2 and Tier 3 model-based and direct GHG measurement methods most appropriate for estimating GHG changes from interventions in cotton and other crop cultivation in India, including requirements for implementation. Lead and guide PxD's research team members in conducting in-depth due diligence into each methodology, including costs, research design, and timelines with the ultimate goal of shortlisting at least one Tier 2 and one Tier 3 measurement for implementation during the 2024 cotton season in Maharashtra, India with over 1,000 farms and potentially more in future seasons and in other states. For Tier 2 methodologies, identify and explore existing secondary data, both publicly available or available through existing partnerships, to assess availability of geographically-specific values and emission coefficients or any data gaps. A facet of this review will also include studies on carbon footprint and life cycle analysis (LCA) in cotton to understand agricultural activities within cotton cropping that are truly impacted by the Leaf Color Chart implementation. 

• Deliverable: A comprehensive list of the explored Tier 2 and Tier 3 GHG emissions calculation methodologies, the advantages and disadvantages of each with respect to estimation accuracy (including their relevance to the cotton value chain and others)  the operational logistics of implementing each (including cost estimates), the rationale behind the shortlisted measures.

2. Using example data, the expert will train PxD's research staff to understand how to convert raw survey and field level measurements data into the chosen Tier 2 and Tier 3 GHG emissions calculations to ensure PxD’s comprehension of the selected methodology through a series of learning workshops. 

• Deliverable: Training workshops for PxD’s research staff, including worked examples of the process of going from raw survey and field level data to GHG emissions estimates.

3. August 2024-January 2025: Provide technical assistance to PxD's research team in designing,  constructing, and piloting survey instruments and field sample collection, and ensuring the inclusion of the questions and answer options to collect the data necessary to operationalize the above-chosen Tier 2 or Tier 3 estimation methodologies and farm productivity. Relatedly, advise the research team to adapt the questions to fit project intervention context and improve farmers' comprehension of the survey questions and response options without compromising the data quality necessary to construct the chosen GHG measures and farm productivity. In scenarios when the questionnaire or field sample collection may become too long or complex, advise the research team on which could potentially be excluded and why and which are essential to keep. 

• Deliverable: All survey instruments and field collection needs that together collect all data necessary to construct the chosen Tier 2 or Tier 3 GHG emissions estimation methodology and farm productivity.

4. February-March 2025: Independently construct GHG emissions estimates using the raw survey and field sample data according to the chosen Tier 2 or Tier 3 emissions estimation methodology. PxD will also construct the GHG emissions estimates based on the training received, and then we will compare the consultant’s results to PxD’s estimates with the aim of exploring and resolving differences.

• Deliverable: cross-check PxD's research team's calculations of the GHG emissions estimates constructed with the collected data with the expert's calculations of the same. If the data does not match, the expert will work with PxD's research team to isolate factors that influence the differences.

How to apply 

To be considered for this consultancy opportunity, please visit the PxD website and use the online application form to submit;

• A CV, and a Cover Letter with a description of relevant experience of related projects;

• A writing sample that demonstrates knowledge of this field.

Please also state your preferred rates.

Submissions may be reviewed as they are received and so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

PxD is committed to building an inclusive and diverse organization. We don’t make decisions based on gender, gender identity, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristics that are unrelated to the role. We understand that everyone has different lifestyles and we accommodate flexible working to make sure you are as productive and happy as you can be.

We will use any personal data you provide for recruitment purposes only.

About PxD

Precision Development (PxD) is a global non-profit organization that harnesses technology, data science, and behavioral economics to build digital services that empower people to change their own lives. By providing actionable information to the right people, in the right way and at the right time, PxD empowers smallholder farmers to improve their productivity, increase their profitability, and advance environmental sustainability. PxD has worked in ten countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, reaching over 10 million users by the end of 2023.