Call for expression interest

Transcription

1 Call for expression interest Recruitment of a consultant for the facilitation of the First Regional Productivity Workshop on Agricultural Productivity under the CAADP Opening of the call: 09 August 2012 Closing of the call: 23 August 2012 CEI N Country Investment Plans CAADP Regional Workshops on Agricultural Productivity Concept Notes Terms of reference of consultancy for the exercise cited above. 1. The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) is one of the four Sub Regional Organizations that constitute the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). It is working under the aegis of FARA which has been given the mandate by AU-NEPAD for ensuring the uptake and implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Pillar IV. 2. The objective of this request for expression of interest is to improve the CAADP Investment Plans developed by Countries in West Africa by taking into account the African Science Agenda (ASA), the national agricultural research priorities as well as the opportunities offered by the Consultative Group on the International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system. 3. The consultancy will consist (i) in assisting in the preparation of a regional workshop on agricultural productivity with the actors of the CAADP process of Burkina Faso, Cote d Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo) and (ii) in providing high standard facilitation of the workshop that brings together CAADP country teams to develop concept notes and action plans that enable to fill agricultural/extension gaps in NAIPs (according FAAP principles), and involve CGIAR centers in improving and implementing NAIPs. These tasks are detailed in the terms of reference annexed. 4. The Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD invites international or national consultants to express their interest in carrying out this scope of work. 5. Consultants interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas or evidence of knowledge and/or involvement in the 2 NAIP, RAIP and CAADP processes in West Africa, and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CV s, and other supplementary materials will not be included in the 10-page limit. 6. The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is ten (10) business days during the period from 20th August to 15th September,

2 7. The consultants will be selected based upon procedures defined in the Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January Interested consultants can obtain supplementary information and reference documents from the CORAF/WECARD Director of Programmes, Dr Aboubakar Njoya during the following hours: 8h00 to 14h00 and 15h00 to 17h00 GMT. Please find attached the Terms of Reference for further information on this opportunity. 9. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to and addressed to Dr Harold Roy-Macauley, Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD, 7 Avenue Bourguiba, Dakar, Senegal, no later than 19th August, 2012, at 17h00 GMT. Dr Harold Roy-Macauley Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD 2

3 ANNEX: Terms of references of the International/National Consultant Facilitation of regional workshop on agricultural productivity under the CAADP Terms of Reference and Scope of Work 1. Background The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) is one of the four Sub Regional Organizations (SROs) that constitute the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). CORAF/WECARD is currently composed of 22 National Agricultural Research Systems of West and Central Africa (WCA). On June 30 th and July 1 st 2011, leading donor agencies, the CGIAR Consortium and some of its centers, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), sub-regional organizations (SROs) implementing CAADP and other development partners met in Dublin, to define a way forward on how a science agenda for African agriculture could be supported. Among the issues discussed was the need to enhance the quality of country agricultural and food security investment plans (AFSIPs) developed by countries through aligning around a common agenda for African agriculture. To achieve this, participants agreed to support the development of a series of regional workshops on agricultural productivity in order to provide technical assistance and guidance (based on the Framework for African Agricultural Productivity or FAAP) to teams at the country and regional level to assist them in development of plans to prioritize, reform, and scale-up programs in agricultural research, extension and education. Following the signing of CAADP Compacts, medium-term plans and policy frameworks, also known as CAADP Investment Plans (IPs) are formulated as the basis for medium-term expenditure frameworks for the sector. Most of the West African have completed their IPs and convened Business Meetings to discuss these with stakeholders and development partners. The CAADP process has not benefited from the wealth of knowledge and expertise available within the CGIAR. On the other hand, CAADP represents a real opportunity and platform for the new CG programs to achieve the impact that is expected on the ground in Africa. The regional workshop is the beginning of a collective effort to integrate and align the CGIAR and CAADP agendas, where value addition can be created for both sides 3

4 The upcoming CAADP regional workshops will focus on providing support to planning teams in countries and regions that have completed CAADP Roundtables and have either completed their IPs. They will bring together country planning teams to work with specialists on strengthening and deepening the program and policy plans contained in their IPs. The workshops will also provide country teams with an opportunity to gauge progress made at the national and regional levels, identify gaps that exist and provide the catalytic change needed to further enhance agricultural productivity. Emphasis will be placed on learning from experience particularly focusing on the recommendations of the FAAP and its implications for program and policy design. By the conclusion of the workshop, country teams will create preliminary concept notes or action plans for an improved approach to integrating current and future research in line with productivity goals. The workshops will focus on smaller groups country teams comprised of eight to ten team members including key representatives of the relevant public sector ministries, the private sector, civil society (including farmers organizations), and locally-based development partners. Each team will identify within each country the gaps and opportunities that exist to strengthen the IPs and confront productivity issues from a research point of view. The workshops will include discussion of the role of research, extension and education and the development of input distribution systems in achieving growth and poverty reduction goals and also include discussion of the drivers of agricultural productivity at the country and regional level. 2. Objective of the assignment assist in the preparation of a regional workshop on agricultural productivity with the actors of the CAADP process of Burkina Faso, Cote d Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo) and provide a high standard facilitation of the workshop that brings together CAADP country teams to develop concept notes and action plans that enable to fill agricultural/extension gaps (according FAAP principles), and involve CGIAR centers in improving and implementing NAIPs. 3. Deliverables The facilitator is expected to moderate the workshop in such a way that ensures active discussions and participation. He/she is also expected to deliver: High standard moderation of plenary sessions and discussions A high standard, accurate and consistent report based on the outcomes of the workshop. 3. Tasks to be performed 3.1. Assist in the preparation of the workshop i.e. prepare and assemble working documents for the workshop. These will include but not limited to: Template for the concept notes and action plans to be formulated by country teams Template for aligning thematic areas of the CGRAI Consortium to gaps identified in country investment plans (guided by contents of background paper) Guidelines for country team working groups Handouts to be used by country teams in working group sessions 3.2. Provide high standard, accurate and consistent facilitation of the workshop in a way that leads to achievement of the desired results. In particular, that: Enables CAADP country teams to formulate preliminary concept notes and action plans for integrating current and future research in line with productivity goals to address 4

5 research, extension and education issues/gaps identified in each of the country investment plans. Allows resource persons from CGIAR centers to interphase with country teams to take on board and integrate relevant components, organized along specific thematic areas of the CRPs, in country investment plans. Gives CGIAR centers resource persons the opportunity to share experiences and results as well as demonstrate to CAADP country teams how the CRPs could contribute to the agricultural research, extension and education services of their investment plans Prepare a final workshop report that captures all the issues and discussions of the workshop and incorporates all the country concept notes and action plans including modalities for their implementation. 4. Methodology The methodology will include: An inception meeting of the facilitator with CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat to gain a common understanding of the objectives, tasks to be performed and expected deliverables; Preparation and assembling of workshop documents; Preparation of a synthesis review report; First draft of the workshop report to be submitted to the CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat for comments and the revised report completed by the facilitator following receipt of comments; Presentation of the final report. 5. Competencies and Experience The facilitator should have: A minimum of a Master s degree in agricultural or social sciences or communications. A senior expert with more than ten years experience in providing facilitation services at high level meetings for institutions and/or programmes engaged in agriculture and scientific research. At least 10 years of professional experience in agricultural or rural development Excellent communications and writing skills and a track record that shows ability to facilitate large workshops, conferences and seminars Good understanding of the CAADP agenda preferably with a record of having participated in the CAADP processes. Good understanding of the agricultural science community, the CGIAR system and familiarity with the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs). Good knowledge of the issues affecting African agriculture, agricultural research, education, science and technology. A good command of English and French languages. Ability to draft high standard workshop reports 5

6 6. Timeline The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 10 business days over the periods of 20th August to 15th September, Report The Consultant will submit a draft report to the Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD by 08th September, 2012 and a final report on the 15 th September, Workplan The Consultant in collaboration with the Executive Secretariat of CORAFWECARD will define a work plan with a timeframe for the realization of the tasks and delivery of outputs. 6