REQUEST FOR APPLICATION
Consultancy Service to conduct Maize and Sorghum Value chains Analysis in Sahelo-Saharan zone of Africa
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development (SAFGRAD) is one of the specialized technical offices of the African Union Commission in the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA). As a technical office, the strategic mandate is to lead, coordinate and facilitate the formulation of appropriate policies and programmes that build resilience of rural livelihoods in semi-arid Africa. To achieve this, SAFGRAD activities include strengthening 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. SAFGRAD vision falls within the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development (CAADP) framework which is at the heart of efforts by African governments to accelerate growth and eliminate poverty across the continent. SAFGRAD adopts regional and strategic group approach in its research activities to explore complementarity advantage in promoting collaboration and partnership across regional and economic blocks.
In furtherance of its activities in strategic commodity development, AU-SAFGRAD intends to engage the service of consultants to conduct maize and sorghum value chains analysis in the Sahelo-Saharan zone of Africa. The Commission invites applicants, who are citizens of Member States, for the consultancy service.
The study will be conducted in the following countries: Algeria, Burkina-Faso, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan.
1. Post
Post title: Consultants (one per country)
Post level: Consultant
Duty Station: Countries listed above.
Immediate Supervisor: Coordinator, AU-SAFGRAD
2. Major duties and responsibilities (Scope of work)
. Conduct a desk review of the maize and sorghum economy in the country:
– review of the production and marketing trends and condition
– review of existing laws, policies, programmes and institutional frameworks put in place to encourage investments in the commodity chain
- Conduct the maize and sorghum value chains mapping in each country. This will involve:
– Identifying the main actors and the flows of products, money and information along the commodity chain.
– Map key policies and institutions that influence the functioning of the value chain at the national and regional level,
- Conduct focus group interviews with the major stakeholders at each section of the value chain so as to identify constraints and opportunities to reduce transaction cost and improve market access of the commodities
- Identify and analyze any institutional arrangements, public-private partnerships and formal linkages between chain actors in the value chain.
- Conduct a gender and youth analysis of value adding activities so as to highlight the power relations along the chain
- Facilitate and present the final report at a national stakeholders’ workshop to be organized by AU-SAFGRAD in the country of study, if required
- Present the final report at a regional workshop to be organized by AU-SAFGRAD in Ouagadougou, Burkina.
- Finalize the study document and submit to AU-SAFGRAD within the time allotted.
3. Educational Qualifications:
An advanced University degree (Masters Level or PhD) in agricultural Science, agricultural economics, development and investment sciences, social economics or any related discipline.
4. Work Experience:
The consultant shall have the following minimum qualifications:
- At least 10 years of experience working in the agriculture or rural sector in developing countries
- Previous experience in value chain or commodity assessment, agribusiness studies, market or trade development studies, farm surveys and group analysis in Africa.
5. Other relevant skills
- Computer literacy and expertise in use of presentations software
- Excellent report drafting and reporting skills.
- Good planning and organizational skills in conducting field surveys and interviews.
- Conscientious and efficient in observing deadlines and achieving results.
- Takes accountability for goals and challenges.
- Effective and distinct communication ability with excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Ability to understand, defend and explain with tact the findings of study.
- Ability to work under pressure and collaboratively with and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues
6. Language requirement:
Proficiency; both verbal and written, in any one of AU’ working languages. Ability to write reports in English languages would be added advantage.
7. Tenure of Appointment:
The consultancy is planned for a maximum period of 3 months, starting from July 2015.
8. Gender Mainstreaming:
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
9. Expected Outputs
Inception report: The consultant will prepare an inception report including the methodology of the study and detailed work plan in consultation with AU-SAFGRAD.
Draft report: the consultant will submit a draft report for review by AU-SAFGRAD team and other key stakeholders within and outside SAFGRAD. The report will be submitted in electronic copy.
Final report: The final report will be submitted in both hard and soft copies to AU-SAFGRAD
10. Remuneration
The remuneration is a lump sum of Six thousand dollars (USD 6000) to be released as follow:
40% at contract signing and receipt of inception report
– 30% at submission of an approved draft report
– 30% after validation and submission of the final report
In addition, AU-SAFGRAD will sponsor selected consultants to the methodology and regional workshops in Ouagadougou.
11. Application: To apply, please submit the following:
- a.A letter of intent and
- b.A detailed, updated CV
The applications must be received on or before 10th of May 2015, and should be addressed to:
Africa Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
P.O. Box 3243
Fax: +251-1-5525840/5510430
E-mail: au-recruits@africa-union.org
