Individual Consultant to Undertake Scoping Studies and Develop Inclusive Business Model to Strengthen Agricultural Innovation Platforms – FARA Africa

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (IITA) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IN COUNTRIES IN TRANSITION (TSF III) CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGY OUTREACH (CDTO) COMPACT FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA (FARA) REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SERVICES SECTOR : Agriculture CONSULTANCY SERVICES :  Individual Consultant to Undertake Scoping Studies and Develop Inclusive Business Model to Strengthen Agricultural Innovation Platforms Grant No .: 5900155017251 Project ID No .: P-Z1-AZO-016 ______________________________________________________________________ This request for expression of interest (REOI) follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared on the African Development Bank Group’s Internet Website (www.afdb.org) 1 st August 2022. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the Technical Assistance for Agricultural Transformation in Countries in Transition (TSF III) and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this grant to payments under the contract for the Individual Consultants to undertake scoping studies and develop inclusive business model to strengthen Agricultural Innovation Platforms. IITA signed a sub-agreement with Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) as implementing partner for CDTO Compact. The assignment is to engage an individual consultant to undertake scoping studies and develop inclusive business model to strengthen Agricultural Innovation Platforms. The objective of this assignment is to strengthen Innovation Platforms (IPs) by undertaking assessments, collecting data, and developing an inclusive business model for establishing and operationalizing Agribusiness Learning Alliances to support Innovation Platforms for five value chains in Burundi, DRC, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Togo, and Zimbabwe. Specifically, the consultant will, among others: conduct assessment of IPs in Burundi, DRC, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Togo, and Zimbabwe; collect up-to-date data about the platforms; develop an inclusive business model for establishing and operationalizing Agribusiness Learning Alliances; participate in field assessments for Innovation Platforms when needed; support the establishment of agribusiness learning alliances by facilitating the application of the business model developed; support the implementation of the business model to enhance market access and profits for the innovation platform members and service providers (SMEs). The consultant will also facilitate a 2-day interactive seminar with innovation platforms, business service providers, and extensionists from target countries on establishing and operationalizing agribusiness learning alliances. The duration of the assignment is 15-man days, and would commence in April 2024. Selected consultant will report to the CDTO Compact Coordinator. The selected consultant should possess an advanced university degree in agriculture economics, business and administration, development studies, or any other related disciplines. The ideal candidate should be highly knowledgeable in agribusiness development in Africa, with demonstrated experience working on innovation systems approaches and innovation platforms in particular; experience in the development, testing, and operationalization of business models in the African context, and should have adequate knowledge and skills to undertake assignments remotely such as conducting studies virtually. The consultant should have a track record in conducting field-based studies, with demonstrated capacity to facilitate international workshops on agricultural development issues in Africa, and strong writing skills with experience in donor reporting. S/he must possess fluency in either English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language. FARA now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (including their detailed CV, Workplan and financial proposal). Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Framework, October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/new-procurement-policy Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (0800-1630hrs). Expressions of interest should be completed and submitted at [email protected], and [email protected], on or before 2 nd April, 2024 .