REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
                     (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Consulting Services: FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO ASSESS TRENDS AND
FUTURE OUTLOOK OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND RELEVANT ROLE OF FARA

Name of project:         FARA Multi-Donor Trust Fund (FARA-MDTF)

Grant No:                      FARA-MDTF TF095129

Project ID No.:              P112684

Ref: FARA/MDTF/CS/IC/2018/04
                                               
Date: August 9, 2018

This request for expressions of interest follows the general procurement notice for this project that appeared in dg Market, issue no. 4577029 of November 10, 2009.

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has received a grant from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) towards the ENGAGEMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO ASSESS TRENDS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND RELEVANT ROLE OF FARA.

A.INTRODUCTION :

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organization mandated to coordinate agricultural research and innovation in Africa and advocate for its effective deployment as a driver for agricultural growth. FARA also serves as the technical arm of the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) on matters concerning science, technology and innovation for agriculture. 

Since its formation, FARA has gone through three phases of strategic planning. The first
FARA Strategic Plan (FARA Strategy 2002-2012) had a Medium-Term Operational Plan (2002-2006). The second Strategic Plan (2007-2016) and Medium Term and Operational Plan (2008 –2012) focused on “Enhancing African Agricultural Innovation Capacity”. In
2012, FARA launched its third Medium Term Operational Plan (MTOP 2) 2014-2018.
MTOP 2 were based on a time horizon covering 2014-2018. Two years into the implementation of the Plan, a number of fundamental changes not anticipated by the Plan have taken place on the continent, including the launch of CAADP Phase II; the launch of the AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2024), which succeeded the Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action, 2006-2014 and the endorsement by African Heads of State and Government of the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A). These made the revision or a recast of the MTOP a necessity.
The aim of the recast MTOP is to reposition FARA to lead the science, technology and innovation (STI) movement in agriculture and put STI to work for agriculture in Africa. FARA’s operations during the MTOP2R period were driven by the following three Core Programmes, i) Knowledge Management and Decision Support, ii) Capacity Development for Implementation of the Science Agenda, iii) Innovation Systems and Partnerships.
FARA is in the process of developing a new Strategy (2019 – 2028) and as a new Medium-Term Operational Plan (MTOP 2018-2022). This will therefore require a thorough understanding of the future trends in the AR4D. In view of this, a foresight assessment of AR4D in Africa is required.

B.OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The overall goal of the assignment is to provide relevant and credible information on the basis of which FARA’s future programming and partnership strategies with the aim of increasing relevance and impact on its key stakeholders (including farmers, researchers, policy makers, private sector and the donor community).

Specifically, the foresight study will examine historical and emerging trends in the AR4D and derive possible areas of focus for FARA in the development and operationalization of its 2019 – 2028 Strategy and its Medium-Term Operational Plan (MTOP 3: 20182022).

Mainly the foresight should focus on the following broad areas;
Outlook of Challenges and Priorities for AR4D and positioning FARA - based on stakeholder expectation/demands/asks
Sustainable Financing models on AR4D
Science for delivery – Innovation to Impact Framework
Partnerships in AR4D
Required capacities and competencies important for delivery of AR4D
C.SCOPE OF WORK:

The foresight study should:
Use credible data and information, identify and assess mega trends in AR4D in Africa and provide a plausible scenario of the outlook for the next 10 - 15 years, including population growth, climate change, urbanization, food preferences etc.
Determine key AR4D gaps (e.g. in the areas of sustainable intensification, Knowledge based Bio-economy, policies, role of smallholders etc.) needed to enhance the impact of AR4D in Africa
Identify the major demands for research coordination, agenda setting and partnerships development and their outlook for the next 10 - 15 years
Analyze the current role of FARA, its comparative advantage vis-à-vis other institutions and provide plausible future roles and capabilities of FARA in the next 10 years.
Examine the future priorities of the donor community and sustainable financing models for AR4D in Africa
Identify and evaluate the nature of partnerships required to increase the benefits/impacts from AR4D in Africa
D.OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES AND MILESTONES:

The following key deliverables are expected: The Consultant will;
Submit an inception report detailing the methodology and instruments to executing the assignment one week after signing of contract and present the inception report to FARA.
Undertake relevant missions to key AR4D partners in Africa
Undertake data collection (mainly through secondary sources) and analysis
Submit a draft Foresight Study report and present the report one month after the inception report.
Submit a final Foresight Study report one week after the validation
E.DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT :
The duration of the assignment is 40man days between September and October 2018.

F.LOCATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT :

The Consultant is expected to present an inception report to FARA staff at the FARA secretariat in Ghana. Travel to selected countries in Africa, including S3A Tier one Countries, meetings with selected CGIAR centers, AUC-DREA and HRST and major donors in AR4D is also anticipated.

G.PERFORMANCE CRITERIA :

The Consultant is expected to undertake the services with the highest standard of professional and ethical competence and integrity. They should be able to deliver the listed assignments in Sections C and D in a most effective and efficient manner, within the period of the assignment stated in Section E.

H.REPORTING: 
The Consultant will report directly to the Director for Research and Innovation of FARA.

I.FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY FARA:

Where necessary, FARA will provide the following to the consultants:
Travel and accommodation while in Accra or anywhere else to attend stakeholders’ consultations
Any other logistical support, as may be agreed, to facilitate execution of the assignment
J.REQUIRED:
PhD degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Social Studies, Development Studies or closely related fields of education
Have 10 years of post-PhD experience
Be hands-on with qualitative and quantitative techniques of data analysis, simulations or scenario building 
Having access to and ability to organize and analyze complex multi-country data sets • Knowledge of international and Africa development policy agenda; CAADP, Agenda 2063 SDGs, S3A etc.
Have conducted similar review exercises in Africa or other countries (evidence of publications from similar studies or testimonials needed)
Have demonstrable ability to write concise technical papers and synthesis report
Excellent English writing and communication skills are required; French proficiency will be an advantage
K.APPLICATIONS:

Interested candidates should send their expression of interest and comprehensive curriculum vitae via email to the address below by close of business on Friday 31st August 2018.

Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo
Executive Director
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana
Telephone: +233 302 772823/744888
Email: recruitment@faraafrica.org

For      further      clarification,     you     may     contact     Dr.     Irene      Annor-Frempong      at:
ifrempong@faraafrica.org

FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Employment: there is no discrimination on the basis of gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability or health status.

Job Email id: recruitment(at)faraafrica.org