TERMS 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: Mr. Wissam Gallala [email protected] &

Mrs. Rufine Yameogo [email protected]

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY FOR A CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT DESIGN AND

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNOLOGIES FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURE TRANSFORMATION IN THE SAVANAH INITIATIVE (TAAT-S)

 

Brief description of the Assignment :

The broad objective of the assignment is for the consultant to assist the AfDB, and the governments of Regional Members Countries (RMCs) in particular Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire & Gabon, and other National Development Institutions in the process of building competitive commodity value chains, specifically :

  • Ensure the implementation of TAAT-S technology and policy recommendations, business plans, and all other recommendation from the consultants and implementing partners on competitive production of soya bean, maize and livestock commodity value chains in RMCs, with special focus on Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire & Gabon ;
  • Facilitate the TAAT-S private sector investment effort with respect to the identification and recruitment process for local and international agribusiness investors to develop a soy bean- maize agriculture production ecosystem within interested RMCs, with focus on Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire & Gabon ;
  • Document and share key lessons that would guide the implementation of similar initiatives in selected TAAT-S countries ;
  • Support the resource mobilization efforts for the TAAT-S initiatives, by developing concept notes and proposals to be submitted to various funds and donors.

Department issuing the request : Agribusiness Development Division (AHAI.1)

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 : 15 February 2021

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

Deadline for applications : 6 February 2021

Applications to be submitted to : Mr. Wissam Gallala [email protected] & Mrs. Rufine Yameogo [email protected]

ANNEX I

Terms of Reference for a Consultant to Support Design And Implementation of Transformation of The African Savannah Initiative (TAAT-S)

  1. Introduction :

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group wishes to recruit the services of an individual consultant, to support the implementation of The Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation in the Savannah Initiative (TAAT-S). The Consultant will report to the Manager of Agribusiness Development Division (AHAI.1) and be supervised by the Senior Agribusiness Officer.

  1. Background :

Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation in the Savannah Initiative (TAAT- seeks to transfer the experiences of Brazilian Cerrados experience and conservation agriculture to Africa to create a thriving food production sector in the vast African savannahs and to achieve the second major success of tropical agriculture in the world. TAAT-S will facilitate the introduction and adaptation of tropical crop and soil technologies, entry of commercial farmers and new private sector investments, and engagement of local farmers to achieve an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable global food powerhouse in the African savannahs. TAAT-S will begin in a first phase of eight countries, namely Ghana, Guinea, DRC, CAR, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Mozambique, before expanding to a second set of countries. TAAT-S seeks to pull together and implement the concept of innovation platforms – made up of technology providers, the best and local R&D institutions, commercial and small holder farmers, input suppliers, equipment manufacturers, policy makers, etc. as the primary vehicle unit for implementation of ‘frontier agriculture’ needed for the transformation of the savannahs;

The Bank’s Agriculture and Agro-industry department has a two-pronged approach to value chain development namely: increased and sustainable productivity, and agribusiness development. The flagship project of the increased and sustainable productivity is the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT); a bold plan to double African farm yields by expanding access to modern food production technologies of high-yield and nutritious crops, livestock, and aquaculture to millions of farmers, and tackling pests and disease epidemics.

Agribusiness development entails building competitive commodity value chains by linking increased productivity to increased value addition, downstream marketing, and policy reforms for an enabling environment to facilitate inflow of private capital, market linkages and demand led agricultural products. This is a market driven, agriculture-as-a-business agenda that encompasses the entire food system, not just agricultural production, and processes, and requires new skills, financing, and a thorough understanding of commodity value chains.

  1. Objective of the Assignment :

The purpose of this consultancy will be to assist the AfDB, and the governments of Regional Members Countries (RMCs) in particular Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire & Gabon, and other National Development Institutions in the process of building competitive commodity value chains, specifically :

  • Ensure the implementation of TAAT-S technology and policy recommendations, business plans, and all other recommendation from the consultants and implementing partners on competitive production of soya bean, maize and livestock commodity value chains in Regional Members Countries (RMCs) with particular focus to Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire & Gabon ;
  • Facilitate the TAAT-S private sector investment effort with respect to the identification and recruitment process for local and international agribusiness investors to develop a soybean – maize agriculture production ecosystem in RMCs ;
  • Document and share key lessons that would guide the implementation of similar initiatives in selected TAAT-S countries ;
  • Support the resource mobilization efforts for the TAAT-S initiatives, by developing concept notes and proposals to be submitted to various funds and donors.
  1. Tasks related to the assignment :
  • Support the set-up process of a Public Private Corporation to serve as coordinating entity for Agribusiness Value Chain development; the corporation will be responsible to provide an attractive incentive framework and a transparent, predictable and facilitating environment for private investments in the soya bean, maize and livestock commodity value chains in RMCs; the consultant will work side by side with AfDB, the Governments and other private-public entities ; 
  • As a result of TAAT-S studies related of soya bean, maize and livestock commodity value chains in the countries where TAAT-S will be deployed, and business plans prepared, facilitate the identification, engagement – including road shows, and recruitment of private sector investors as coordinating companies in the production hubs. Coordinating companies are defined as companies that coordinate the ecosystem of actors required for successful implementation of commercial production, including seed and assorted input providers (fertilizers, plant protection services), germplasm providers, agricultural equipment manufacturers, commercial farmers, domestic and international investors, Agri-processing companies, major integrated agribusiness conglomerates, etc ; 
  • Support the TAAT-S team in the follow up process relative to the implementation activities of TAAT-S projects. The consultant will work together with the selected stakeholders to agree on a tentative work-breakdown structure and a detailed schedule, listing the project milestones, activities, and deliverables relative to the Set-up process of Public Private Investment Promotion Mechanism for Agribusiness Value Chain and the TAAT-S investment promotion activities ;
  • Prepare detailed annual reports, including interim quarterly reports, for submission to the Governments having TAAT-S projects and to the Bank. The annual report should include a section on a Knowledge Management (KM) on how best practices are being shared between the hubs and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of project KPIs ; 
  • Compile and review project documents (reports produced internally among the clients or by third-party consultants), including internal reports, but also reports and publications that will be shared with other stakeholders, such as presentations, investment guides, investment promotion plans, etc. ; 
  • Support the resource mobilization efforts for the TAAT-S initiatives, by drafting and developing concept notes and proposals to be submitted by the bank to various funds and donors. These proposals should be primarily oriented towards developing studies for TAAT-S projects within interested RMC countries, launching of new pilot TAAT-S projects, developing Agribusiness actors capacities for conservation agriculture techniques, or any other actions that can lead to new TAAT-S projects in African Savannahs.
  1. Qualification and Experience :

Academic : An advanced degree to Master of Science level (MSc.).

Work Experience:

  • At least 10-years relevant work experience in project development, business development, agriculture and agribusiness project modeling, leadership of technical and economic feasibility studies on the African continent, including previous experience in one of these countries: Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire or Gabon ;
  • Demonstrated track record in managing third-party consultants, coordinating among diverse stakeholders, etc.; 
  • Previous work experience with the Bank or other multi-lateral development banks and institutions in the same field will be an advantage ; 
  • Demonstrated track record in mobilizing private sector entities (commercial farmers, agri-processing conglomerates, impact investors, venture capital/private equity fund managers) towards investment opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness in Africa ; 
  • Knowledge experience of the Flagship “Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation in the Savannah” (TAAT-S) will be an advantage ; 
  • Fluent in English and French, and good working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
  1. Duration :

The duration of the assignment will be Six (06) Months commencing on 15 February 2021.

  1. Reporting Requirements :

Under the general guidance of the AHAI.1 Division Manager, the Consultant shall report to Mr. Wissam GALLALA, the Senior Agribusiness Officer.

  • An activity report on activities carried out and achievements should be prepared on a monthly basis;
  • At the end of the contract provide a full completion report.

Typical outputs and deliverables shall include:

  • A functioning Public Private Investment Promotion corporation to coordinate development of the Soy and Maize Value Chain in interested RMCs Is settled.
  • At least three coordinating companies identified and recruited for the commercial production of soya bean, maize and livestock commodity value chains on at least 20,000 to 25,000 hectares in interested RMC with special focus on Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire & Gabon.
  • Reports of implementation of TAAT-S in countries where TAAT-s is deployed are submitted to the Government (of the country) and the Bank.
  • Visually compelling publications/presentations/reports intended for investors/stakeholders, such as investment guides, etc. are prepared.
  • Facilitate the development of a network of the various conglomeration of service providers, which will be linked to the commercial hubs under TAAT-S in the implementing countries.
  • At least 3 proposals/requests for funding are prepared and submitted.

Please attach an updated Curriculum Vitae using the template below :

MODEL CURRICULUM VITAE – AFDB BAD PDF