REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department (AHAI) Rue Joseph Anoma, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Cote d’Ivoire

E-mail : [email protected] & [email protected]

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY

Terms of Reference Recruitment for an Agriculture Research Analyst

 

 

 

Brief description of the Assignment : The Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department wishes to recruit the services of an analyst to provide analytical support on the Bank’s interventions and impacts in its Regional member Countries (RMCs). Working from the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Headquarter in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the Research Analyst will provide analytical and technical support to the Agribusiness Development Division (AHAI.1), and Agriculture Research, Production and Sustainability (AHAI.2) under the Agriculture and Agro-industry Department on agriculture value chain development, interventions and impact in Regional member Countries (RMCs).

The broad objective of the assignment is to support the work of the coordinators/ teams with the implementation of the Feed Africa initiatives and flagships namely: African Agricultural Value Chain Flagship (AAVC), Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation in Savanah (TAAT-S), the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and the Post-Harvest Loss and Agro-Processing (PHAP) Flagship. Particularly, to increase relevance, greater focus could be given to generating a clear approach and guidance on how to incorporate AVCD features in project design, particularly in applying value chain analysis, focusing on responsiveness to markets, and profitability while supporting sustainability. The consultant will ensure to mobilise resources as well as monitor progress towards achieving the objectives of the Feed Africa Strategy.

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Agribusiness Development Division Manager (AHAI.1).

Department issuing the request : Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department

Place of assignment : The Consultant will be based at the Bank’s Headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire for the duration of the contract.

Duration of the assignment : 6 months

Tentative Date of commencement : 1st March 2021

Detailed Terms of reference for the assignment : [TORs below]

Deadline for applications : 15th February 2021

Applications to be submitted to : Ms. Rebecca DADZIE on [email protected] and Ms.

Rufine YAMEOGO on [email protected]

TERMS OF REFERENCE

AGRICULTURAL AND AGRO-INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT (AHAI)

Introduction and Objectives :

The primary role of the African Development Bank’s Agriculture and Agro-industry Department (AHAI) is to contribute to the Bank’s vision of poverty reduction through increased sustainably agricultural production, productivity, building resilience of agricultural systems, marketing, and trade in its regional Member Countries (RMCs), thereby increasing farm incomes; environmental protection and the resilience and welfare of rural populations in general. The Department is also charged with the responsibility of developing the Bank’s capacity in agro-industry, as well as fostering greater support for African agricultural research and training.

In June 2016, The Board of Directors approved the Feed Africa Strategy (2016-25) for African Agricultural Transformation, which currently guides the work of AHAI. Feed Africa is one of the Bank’s High 5s operational priorities, a blueprint for African countries to embark on a course of sustainable transformation. The others are: Light up and Power Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. The principal lending activities of the Department centre on the identification, preparation and appraisal of programmes and projects and their subsequent monitoring and supervision including project completion reviews to ascertain development outcomes. The principal non-lending activities of the Department involve economic and sector work to foster greater understanding of the constraints, challenges and opportunities that obtain in the agricultural and rural development milieu of the respective RMCs and/or region(s).

The Vision of the Feed Africa Strategy is to transform African Agriculture into a competitive and inclusive agribusiness sector that creates wealth, improves lives and secures the environment. Feed Africa aims to transform African Agriculture into a globally competitive, inclusive and business-oriented sector that creates wealth, generates gainful employment, improves quality of life and secures the environment.

Feed Africa focuses on promoting given agricultural commodity value chains along 8 priority investment areas :

  • Rice self-sufficiency ;
  • Cassava intensification ;
  • Freshwater resources management in drylands ;
  • Food security in the Sahel ;
  • Transformation of the savannah ;
  • Revitalization of tree plantation ;
  • Promote horticulture Wheat in Africa ;
  • Fish self-sufficiency.

This will be achieved through 7 mutually reinforcing enablers (Increased productivity, increased value addition, increased investment in hard and soft infrastructure, expanded agricultural finance, improved agribusiness environment, increased inclusivity, sustainability, nutrition.

The Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department is currently undergoing an expansion of its pipeline programs/initiatives such as the Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation in Savanah (TAAT-S), the Livestock Flagship, The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and Food Safety Initiative. The Bank wishes to recruit the services of an analyst to provide analytical support on the Bank’s interventions and impacts in its Regional member Countries (RMCs). Particularly, to increase relevance, greater focus on Agriculture Value Chain development in programmes/project design, particularly in applying value chain analysis, focusing on responsiveness to markets, and sustainable growth.

Objectives, major duties and responsibilities of the Research Analyst (Consultant) :

Objectives of the assignment :

The objective of the assignment is to provide analytical and technical support to the the Agribusiness Development Division (AHAI.1), and Agriculture Research, Production and Sustainability (AHAI.2) under the Agriculture and Agro-industry Department. The analyst will provide analytical and operational support on specific programs including the PIDACC Program, the Climate Smart Agriculture program, the Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation in Savanah (TAAT-S), the Livestock Flagship, the Food Safety Initiative and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP). He/she will support resource mobilization and partnership building as well as to monitor progress towards achieving the objectives of the Feed Africa Strategy.

Major Duties and Responsibilities of the Research Analyst (Consultant) :

  • Develop sensitization webinar for task managers and government officials in preparation for GAFSP 6th call for proposals to get additional countries under the Bank’s GAFSP portfolio ;
  • Support AHAI in implementing its key Flagships, including but not limited to: Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), GAFSP, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT-S), Agriculture Value Chain Development Projects, Agricultural Policy and Advocacy Support ;
  • Provide technical, policy and strategic input for periodic reports prepared by the Bank for TAAT-Savannah for integrated poultry, livestock, maize and soybean value chains, PHAP flagship, Livestock Flagship and/or other Flagships, as need be ;
  • Develop proposals for resource mobilization under the GEF, KOAFEC and FAPA Trust Funds for projects and special programs that contribute to the objectives of the Feed Africa Strategy ;
  • Support various activities within the Department’s ENABLE Youth flagship program, especially in mainstreaming youth components in lending program, and organizing youth advocacy events such as the annual AYAF-Agripitch ;
  • Support the GAFSP, TAAT, and TAAT-S coordinators to deploy proven technologies/practices including good agronomic practices to millions of smallholder farmers within the shortest possible time by identifying responsible actors, key deliverables, prepare performance management contracts and financing mechanisms to ensure delivery of low-cost proven technological options to farmers across Africa ;
  • Support the PIDACC Program Team on portfolio management of the 9 national components and 1 regional component ;
  • Support the planning and coordination of the Technologies and Good Practices for Resilience Forum in the Sahel region. Additionally, support the work program of the Agriculture working group of the Alliance Sahel led by the Department of Agriculture and agro-industry ;
  • Develop technical briefs and reports commissioned by the Department to support design of investment projects in RMC ;
  • Support the Department and Division to plan and organize high-level international meetings and workshops through proposal and concept design, identifying viable partners and logistics support ;
  • Support the economic and sector work (ESW) and studies of the Department; leading to pipeline build-up ;
  • Undertake any other assignment as determined by AHAI.1 management in conjunction with AHAI.2 Task Managers, to assist with PowerPoint presentations, preparing brief and background papers.

Deliverables :

  • A monthly report of activities and achievements ;
  • A periodic monitoring and evaluation reports on the GAFSP project portfolio, including a general project progress and implementation tracker ;
  • Review of quarterly and biennial reports submitted by the countries before onward transmission to GAFSP steering committee ;
  • A sensitization webinar for task managers and government officials in preparation for GAFSP 6th call for proposals ;
  • The approval of the Food Safety and Climate Smart Projects (PCN, PAR and other supporting documents) ;
  • Am implementable portfolio tracker for Enable youth and GAFSP projects, including support in troubleshooting problematic country programs and organizing supervision workshops ;
  • An updated GAFSP, TAAT-S, and ENABLE YOUTH communication tools including flyers, policy briefs, PowerPoint presentation, posters ;
  • At least 2 approved resource mobilisation proposals for implementation under the Bank’s internal trust funds.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience :

  • Preferably a Master’s degree or equivalent in Agriculture Sciences, Agriculture Economics, Development Economics, Rural Development, Finance or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience and demonstrated ability to efficiently manage and perform multiple tasks ;
  • Working experience within multicultural teams and international organizations or companies and highly knowledgeable of Africa’s social, agricultural and rural development and economic development issues, questions and challenges ;
  • Experience in partnership coordination and resource mobilization ;
  • Satisfactory analytical skills and proven organizational and planning proficiencies ;
  • Ability to work in teams, resourcefulness, attention to detail, client and result orientation and good decision-making ability ;
  • Experience in working with agripreneurs and smallholder farmers ;
  • Experience in program portfolio management, monitoring and evaluation ;
  • Excellent understanding of Bank policies, programs and projects cycle either within AfDB or with a similar development institution ;
  • Ability to communicate verbally and write in English and/or French, with a good working knowledge of the other. A bilingual will be an advantage.

Duration and Location : The duty station of the Consultant with be at the Bank Headquarters’ in Abidjan. The Consultancy is for six (6) months commencing in 1st March 2021, with possible extension based on satisfactory performance.

Reporting Requirements : The Consultant will report to the Manager of Agriculture and Agro-Industry (AHAI1). S/he will be directly supervised by an assigned Senior Agribusiness Officer of Agriculture and Agro-Industry (AHAI1).

Remuneration :

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, in line with the AfDB compensation guidelines. In addition, for candidates who need to travel to take up this assignment, a round trip economy class air-tickets with the shortest route will be provided. The candidate will be responsible for obtaining personal health insurance at his or her own cost. The coverage should include all medical expenses, including those resulting from illness or injury incurred during the duration of the assignment.

Please send a one page Motivation letter and an updated Curriculum Vitae (see AfDB Personal

History Form (PHF) available at https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Generic-

Documents/CONSULTANT_JOB_APPLICATION_FORM.docx