1.Background
The Semi-Arid Food Grains Research and Development (SAFGRAD) is one of the Specialized Technical Offices of the African Union Commission under its Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment. In Maputo 2003 , The mandate of AU-SAFGRAD was to contribute to the achievement of agricultural research, technology transfer and marketing as well as the management of natural resources by facilitating and coordinating the use of the scientific talents of National Agriculture Research Centers(NARCs) , International Agriculture Research Centers(IARCs)and Scientific Research Organizations (SROs) to enhance food security , promote sustainable agriculture , development of irrigation agriculture both in rural and urban areas of the semi-arid zones of Africa. Moreover, to respond to the request of the Conference of African Ministers of Agriculture (CAMA) in 2010 and the Decision of the African Heads of States and Government in 2014 as well as 2014 Malabo Declaration , AU-SAFGRAD drafted its new strategic plan 2014-2017 and elaborated its mandate as follow “To lead, coordinate and facilitate the formulation of appropriate policies and programmes that would build resilience of rural livelihoods in semi-arid Africa through strengthening of institutional capacities aimed at advancing agricultural research, technology transfer and adoption; enhancement of value chains; management of natural resources; and mitigation and adaptation to climate change and combating desertification”. AU-SAFGRAD developed its strategic plan 2019-2023 in alignment with the above-mentioned mandate and requests. In the light of both new emerging thematic priorities and changes occurring in the agricultural development space, and, in order to align its activity to the Continental development agenda as enunciated in the 10 years Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), Kampala (2026-2035) Strategy and Action Plan, AU-SAFGRAD plans to develop its new strategic and Action plan (2026-2035) to respond to the issues highlighted above. AU-SAFGRAD invites applicants to apply for a consultancy services to develop the strategy in alignment with Kampala Declaration and other relevant decisions.
2.Educational Qualifications and work Experience
The consultant must possess the following:
• At least a Master level university degree in a field related to agricultural Programme Planning or other relevant discipline
• At least 10 years relevant work experience in strategic planning and development
• Excellent and proven analytical skills
• Excellent and proven English/French writing skills
• Relevant experience in related or similar assignments
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, ability to prioritize and work with minimum supervision.
• Good Understanding of the continental and international development agendas which include the Agenda 2063 of the African Union Commission, the CAADP Kampala Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be used as reference documents.
3. Scope of Work
The consultant will be required to develop the strategic and operational plan for AU-SAFGRAD. The strategic and operational plan must address the situation of dry lands rural livelihood challenges within the context of the Continental and international development agenda. The consultancy is expected to draw from any best practices within this area.
Based on the above, the consultant will prepare and complete the strategic and operational plan. This will entail, among other things the following:
- Evaluate and Assess AU-SAFAGRAD 2019-2023 Strategic Plan
The consultant must first present analytical and thorough evaluation and assessment of the previous strategic plan. This will require consultations with internal staff.
ii. Draft the new strategic and operational plan to ensure that the office actions and programmes are strategic and responsive to the need of member states. The plan shall align all the office activities to agenda 2063, 2025 Kampala CAADP and other relevant Heads of States and Government’s decisions and recommendations. The plan will be focused but not limited to the following:
• A situational analysis of dry land areas of Africa
• Key Issues affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods in dry land zones
• Prioritized areas of intervention, strategic goals, programmes and activities
• Current relevant policy frameworks, approaches and implementation plans
• Stakeholders’ analysis
• Cost estimation for the implementation of the Strategic Plan and recommended ways of mobilizing resources
• Log frame for the implementation of the Strategic Plan
• Time-frame for the delivery of the different milestones
4. Deliverables:
A well written document addressing all the various tasks listed in the scope of the work in a logical sequence determined by the consultants. The document shall be submitted in appropriate software and appropriate hard copy.
5. Completion Date
The activities under this TOR, with the exception of presentation at the experts’ workshop and review, shall be completed within 4 weeks starting from the date of the signatures affixed to the letter of contract (The inception report including the methodology should be submitted within 1 weeks starting from the date of the signatures affixed to the letter of contract and the draft report should be submitted after 2weeks from the inception report). The final report must be submitted to the coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD electronically (ElmekassA@africa-union.org) within one week after the experts’ workshop is held if any. A hard copy shall be sent to AU-SAFGRAD 01 BP 1783 Ouagadougou 01 Burkina Faso. Tel: 226 25306071, Fax: 226 25311586.
6. Remuneration
1. The Consultant will be paid honorarium of USD eight thousand dollars (USD 8,000,.00) only. The payment will be carried out in three installments as follows: 30% after submission of the inception report and approved by the Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD, 40% after submission the draft report and Approved by the Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD and 30% after submission of the final Report and approved by the Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD. AU-SAFGRAD will also pay for any mission or meeting (economy ticket and DSA) that may be need and authorized by AU- SAFGRAD.
7. Application
Qualified Consultants are invited to show interest and send their CVs at least on 10 April 2025 by getting in touch with AU SAFGRAD Office at the following address:
261, Rue de la culture
BP 1783, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
E-mail: SayahE@africa-union.org
Tel: +22625306071
If delivered by courier, the envelope must be clearly marked with the title of the assignment.
Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.
Download the ToR below:
