Request for Expressions of Interest for an Agro-Industry/ Value Chain Consultant


Consultant type: Individual Consultant
Consultant LocationAbidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Closing date04-Oct-2021

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
FOR
AGRO-INDUSTRY/ VALUE CHAIN CONSULTANT

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department (AHAI) 
Rue Joseph Anoma, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Cote d’Ivoire 
E-mail: m.eghan@afdb.org k.yameogo@afdb.org

The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: Agro-Industry/ Value Chain Consultant.

The broad objective of the assignment is to support the work on agriculture value chain development, interventions and impact in Regional member Countries (RMCs). In particular, 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 that recommendations from the IDEV study are being mainstreamed into the Bank’s Feed Africa interventions (flagships) and projects.

In addition, the Technical consultant is expected to support the work on the Bank-specific AVCD framework approach/policy which will include a common terminology; a consistent set of fundamentals, technical guidelines and toolkit to be used by operations staff provide value chain training at the division and complex levels and as required throughout the Bank. The senior consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Agribusiness Development Division Manager (AHAI.1).

Working from the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Headquarter in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the senior Consultant will support the teams working on Feed Africa initiatives and flagships namely: African Agricultural Value Chain Flagship (AAVC), Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, the SAPZ flagship of Feed Africa, the Post-Harvest Loss and Agro-Processing (PHAP) Flagship.

The Agribusiness Development Division invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.).

The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Procurement Policy and Procedure for Corporate Consultants Recruitment. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.

The estimated duration of services is Twelve (12) Months, and the estimated starting date is 15th October 2021.

Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: 08:00 -17:00 from Mondays to Fridays.

Expressions of interest must be received at the address below no later than 4th October 2021 at 17:00 Hrs local time and specifically mentioning Agro-Industry/ Value Chain Consultant. Please submit an updated Curriculum Vitae.

Establishment of the Short List

A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.

Level of education in general 20% Educational level compared to the field of mission 20% Years of experience in general 20% Number of years of experience relevant to the mission 40%

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: 12 months

Tentative Date of commencement: 15 October 2021

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

Deadline for applications: 4th October 2021

Applications to be submitted to: Mr. Mark EGHAN on m.eghan@afdb.org and copy Ms. Rufine
YAMEOGO on k.yameogo@afdb.org


 TERMS OF REFERENCE

AGRICULTURAL AND AGRO-INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT (AHAI)

1. Introduction

The African Development Bank approved the Feed Africa Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa (2016-2025) and its delivery which currently guides the work of the Agriculture and Agro Industry Department (AHAI) and Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department (AHFR). Feed Africa strategy is one of the Bank’s High 5s operational priorities, a blueprint for African countries to embark on a course of sustainable transformation.

The Bank, through the Feed Africa Strategy, has adopted a commodity value chain approach aimed to transforming the entire agriculture value chain through a targeted investment strategy involving an initial set of agricultural commodities (also referred to as a Priority Intervention Areas) and agro-ecological zones, identified as being initial lead areas for investment. The strategy, which aims to end hunger and rural poverty in the next decade through self-sufficiency and export leadership in 18 priority commodity value chains has identified a set of Priority Intervention Areas (PIAs), characterized by agricultural commodities and agro-ecological zones, and they include:

  • Achieve self-sufficiency in key staples (rice, wheat, fish);
  • Move up the value chain in key export orientated commodities (cocoa, coffee, cotton, cashew, cassava and horticulture);
  • Create a food secure Sahel (sorghum, millet, cowpea, livestock); and
  • Realize the potential of the Guinea Savannah (maize, soybean, livestock)

These will be achieved through 7 mutually reinforcing enablers that is: 

i) increased productivity, 
ii) increased value addition, 
iii) increased investment in hard and soft infrastructure, 
iv) expanded agricultural finance, v) improved agribusiness environment, 
vi) increased inclusivity, sustainability, nutrition, and 
vii) create opportunities for youths and women. 

The rational for the Agriculture Value Chain approach stems from the response to the Action Plan for Agricultural Transformation in Africa resulting from the Dakar High Level Conference which states need “To execute a bold plan to achieve rapid agricultural transformation across Africa through realizing the value of increased production though catalysing investments into activities to add and fully realize production value, coordinating investments into markets structures; inputs/agro-processing and storage market to drive overall competitiveness of value chains, support/create market governance mechanisms, reduce post-harvest waste and loss to raise level and cost effectiveness of production. The Agriculture Value Chain methodology is central to the Bank’s agricultural sector portfolio and the Feed Africa Strategy (2016-2025). Although most of the fundamentals for AVC development are evident to varying extent throughout the Bank’s interventions, the evaluation results from the Bank’s Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) department conducted over the period 2005-2016 revealed a substantial potential for strengthening the AVC approach within the Bank’s strategies and operations to achieve the intended outcomes of the Feed Africa Strategy. Realizing the objectives set forth in the strategy via an AVC methodology requires a public sector enabled and private sector driven approach to increase productivity; value addition; investment in infrastructure as well as promote an enabling agribusiness environment and increased capital flows for inclusive and sustainable food and nutrition security.

The Bank wishes to recruit the services of an individual consultant to support its work on agriculture value chain development, interventions and impact in Regional member Countries (RMCs). In particular, 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 that recommendations from the IDEV study are being mainstreamed into the Bank’s Feed Africa interventions (flagships) and projects.

1. Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to support the Agriculture and Agro-industry Department and liaise with other departments to facilitate a collaborative and unified approach to value chain management in the implementation of the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (TYS), the High5s agenda. The Consultant will work across the Bank teams on Feed Africa initiatives and flagships, including but not limited to: Agricultural Value Chain flagships (AAVC), Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, the SAPZ flagship of Feed Africa, the Post-Harvest Loss and Agro-Processing (PHAP) Flagship; etc

2. Scope of Work

The Consultant will be required to:
  • Support and interface with Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department in designing and implementing the Staple Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) flagship of Feed Africa in regional member countries.
  • Support the scoping assessment of the establishment of processing clusters and the feasibility for the establishment of wholesale markets that support the implementation of Feed Africa initiatives and projects.
  • Work across all the Flagships of the Feed Africa Flagship, with the purpose of integrating them to achieve its strategic objectives.
  • Support the Food Safety Initiatives of Feed Africa in its mainstreaming within value chain projects as well as supporting and developing studies, briefs and background papers, related thereto
  • Under the auspices of AHAI.1 Division, the consultant will support the Department’s/ Division’s staff to promote the development of innovative, sustainable, and inclusive agribusiness value chains that are public sector enabled and private sector driven within the Bank’s lending program.
  • Finalize the Agriculture Value Chain Development Support Concept Note and other supporting documents to leverage partnerships as well as mobilize resource through proposal, dialogues and presentation.
  • Identify, develop and submit proposals for financing under the Bank’s internal Trust Funds such as KOAFEC, TSF, and FAPA for at least 4 value chain opportunities in regional member countries that contribute to the objectives of the Feed Africa Strategy.
  • Assist in review of technical documents and papers, including preparing PowerPoint presentations around the role incumbent;
  • Undertake any other assignment as determined by Management and technically support Task Managers in project design;

3. Deliverables

The deliverables/ outputs of the assignment would include but not limited to the following:

  • A monthly report of activities and achievements
  • An approved Concept Note, PowerPoint presentation and Board information note on the Agriculture Value Chain Development Support initiative.
  • At least 4 proposals submitted to Trust Funds and 3 proposals financed for implementation on an agriculture value chain/ food safety initiatives or project.
  • A standardized checklist for the implementation of value chain related projects that are public sector enabled and private sector driven.
  • Feasibility analysis for the establishment of wholesale markets on specific value chains and countries.
  • Technical annexes on agribusiness landscape during project identification, preparation and Appraisal.
Qualifications and Experience
  • The consultant should have at least a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics or equivalent experience, Agribusiness Management, Land Use Management or any other tenable qualifications; with considerable knowledge and experience in issues of SAPZs, agro-processing, value chain development and management; including experience with private sector development.
  • The candidate must have at least 15 years’ experience working in his/her area of specialty; with previous experience working with multi-lateral development institutions and the private sector.
  • Working experience within multicultural teams and international organizations or 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;
  • Proven experience in identifying, designing and implementing solutions for enhancing productivity and commodity value addition in a Multilateral Development Bank. Excellent understanding of Bank policies, programs and projects either within AfDB or in a similar organization
  • S/he must have extensive knowledge and experience of in working in Africa;
  • The consultant must be conversant with the Bank’s project cycle activities;
  • S/he should have excellent communication skills and be proficient in both written and spoken English/French.
6. Duration of Assignment 
The assignment is expected to be carried out for 12 months beginning 15th October 2021, renewable subject to satisfactory performance.

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

8. Reporting Requirements
The Consultant will report to the Director of the Agriculture and Agro-Industries Department (AHAI). S/he will be directly supervised by the Manager of Agriculture and Agro-Industry (AHAI1).


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