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) 12th August 2022.

The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Phase II and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this grant to payments under the contract for TAAT Soybean Compact Coordinator who will be based in one of the TAAT and Soybean priority countries in Sub-Sahara Africa (Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Madagascar, Zimbabwe).

Similar Jobs in Zambia
Learn more about International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA)
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA) jobs in Zambia

The Consultant will lead the Soybean Compact and his/her duties will include the provision of effective technical and managerial leadership in all aspects of the Soybean Compact activities, overseeing the work of implementing partners, and ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of the Soybean project activities. Specifically, the consultant will be required to carry out the following services; establish and operationalize Innovation Platforms for partnership and scaling soybean technologies in target countries; identify country-level soybean program activities and establish how the AEFPF intervention can fit in; identify and establish critical gaps between soybean seed demand and supply in each of the AEFPF country; assist in the Development of soybean seed system and seed production roadmap in the RMCs; provide technical assistance to the Policy Compact for e-registration of Farmers; support policy reforms that allow the deployment of modern soybean yield-enhancing and seed processing technologies to farmers; catalyze scaling-up of proven soybean varieties with integrated GAP at selected IPs in the target countries; provide support to the NARES through the demonstration of proven technologies; encourage and support NARES and private out-growers, including youth and women on Foundation seed production and processing; organize and strengthen existing CBO seed out-growers into clusters for certified seed production; provide Technical supports on production and distribution (delivery) of inputs- including certified soybean seed of climate-smart soybean varieties, P-fertilizer and Inoculant to farmers; develop and support multi-disciplinary networks to link private seed companies, Women, Youth Agripreneurs and NARES and smallholder farmers to markets and market information on input supply; provide support and resources to NARES to accelerate the production of EGS; build capacity of Private Sector on soybean certified seed production through GAP and use of ICT for last mile delivery of input to farmers; train seed actors, seed out-growers including Women and Youth on Agribusiness in the soybean value chain; organize national and local field days and outreach for technology promotion at strategic IP sites; demonstrate and promote mechanized equipment for soybean production and post-harvest processing within the Ips; enhance farmers’ access to small-scale mechanized seed production and soya oil processing technologies and equipment; identify existing Medium and Large-scale Soya oil processing Enterprises and provide supports for upgrade and establishment of new ones; facilitate linkages of Medium and Large-scale Soya oil processing Enterprises with seed out growers, farmers, NGOs to market and to the source of grains for soya oil production.

The selected consultants should possess an advanced degree, preferably at the Ph.D. level in a relevant field (such as Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Plant Breeding, International Development, Business Management); at least ten (10) years of extensive experience post-advanced degree, related to Agriculture, Project Management, or business development, preferably in developing countries; proven experience in rural development project management and donor funding by multilateral and bilateral institutions in developing countries especially in Africa; program Management Experience and proven skills in successful project coordination and management including oversight of any risks and issues that may arise; demonstrated strong analytical and organizing capacity as well as communication skills and capacity to present convincingly, discuss and negotiate with high-level country officials; work experience in international or national agricultural centers on the African continent; proficient in using Microsoft Office packages (including Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other project management tools and software (MIS, MS Project, etc.); solid knowledge of financial planning, management, and reporting; demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in multicultural environments; experience in resource mobilization will be an advantage and fluency in English and working knowledge of the French language will be an advantage.

IITA 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 and letter of motivation detailing past related experience similar to this assignment.).

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (0800-1630hrs).

Eligibility criteria, the establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement policy framework, October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/new-procurement-policy

Expressions of interest should be delivered to the address below on or before 11th August 2023.

Attn: Chrysantus Akem; PhD

TAAT Program Coordinator | Program Management Unit

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, www.iita.org

Headquarters & West Africa Hub

PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria

International Mailing Address: IITA, Carolyn House, 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon, CR9 3EE, UK

Tel: +234 2 7517472 | USA Tel: +1 201 6336094 | Fax: +44 208 7113785 | Mobile No: +234 8169020531

Email: C.Akem@cgiar.org

Copy: m.a.bakare@cgiar.org