BACKGROUND
African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is a Continental body that brings National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) stakeholders under one umbrella. The AFAAS’ goal is to enhance the utilization of improved knowledge and innovations by agricultural value chain actors for improving productivity oriented towards their individual and national development objectives. The AFAAS 2018-2027 strategy focuses on three pillars namely: (i) strengthening and expanding network and knowledge management capacities. (ii) developing capacities for scaling out technologies and innovations. (iii) facilitating the advancement of AEAS.
AFAAS is currently hosting the Eastern Africa Field Schools (FS) Hub. The mandate of the FS hub is to provide a platform for the institutionalization and oversight on quality implementation of the FS approach in the region. The FSH vision is to see “Farmers and agro-pastoralists transforming their livelihoods’’. While the mission is to be a leading regional centre of excellence for quality FS implementation” in the Eastern Africa Region. AFAAS with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other donors is facilitating FS networking and technical support to FS initiatives in 11 countries namely Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The envisaged support is targeted on enhancing quality assurance for FS implementation and knowledge sharing on FS good practices and innovations.
A number of large food security and livelihood investment programmes have been initiated in the Eastern Africa region by the Governments and funded by the World Bank, IFAD and other International Development Partners. These programmes are using various approaches. A lot of upstream policy work has been undertaken in all the countries in the region in order to pave way for participatory extension and advisory approaches like the Farmer Field Schools methodology. Whilst most countries in the region have institutionalised the FS approach in government extension service and institutions of higher learning, it is noted that there is little coordination and support mechanisms and frameworks in the field to ensure quality FS implementation. AFAAS works with FAO country focal points, Government FFS coordination units, AFAAS country focal points and other actors involved in AEAS delivery.
AFAAS with FAO Investment division has identified and prioritised the following large investment FS intervention programmes for capacity support?
IFAD financed programmes
- Uganda: Project for the Restoration of Livelihoods in the Northern Region (PRELNOR)
- Kenya: Aquaculture Business Development Programme
- Burundi: Agricultural Production Intensification and Vulnerability Reduction Project (PIPRV-B)
- World Bank-financed programmes
- Kenya: National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive project (NARGIP)
- Uganda: Irrigation for resilience project
- Tanzania: Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (REGROW)
- Adaptation fund programmes, managed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- Agriculture Climate Resilience Enhancement Initiative (ACREI) in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
Cognizant of a large number of organizations with different motivations and interests active in extension service delivery in different value chains, but currently with no mechanism for effective coordination and regulation of extension services and providers. Therefore, capacity and quality of extension service delivery can be increased by ensuring enabling policy environment for operation and investment. AFAAS, therefore, is seeking services of Policy and Investment Strategy consultant to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a strategy for the scale-up of FS through policy and investment support.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The main objective of the assignment is to provide technical support in the preparation of a strategy for the scale-up of FS through policy and investment support
- SCOPE OF WORK;
The FS Hub Policy -Investment Strategy consultant t is expected to provide the following services and tasks:
- Lead in the preparation of a strategy for the scale-up of FS through policy and investment support. The strategy will draw on experiences from six or so countries in Eastern Africa, mentioned above. The emphasize shall be on particular opportunities, barriers, current situational status, and lessons learnt in relation to the FS institutionalization, policies and investments.
- Leverage FS-Hub platforms for policy dialogue on emerging issues in agri-food systems and agriculture investment initiatives and document lessons for devising platforms for engagement.
- Support to organise and contribute to policy dialogues and carry out sensitization on FS among governments and regional bodies.
- Explore and support strategic partnerships with FS communities and private sector/agribusiness actors. Engage through faculty discussions/mission on FS curriculum development and institutionalization in institutions of higher learning (Training institutions- colleges and universities).
- Scan for related platforms where FFS approach can be presented
- Prepare a policy brief on FFS Engagement in EA region, for presentation to EAC and IGAD
- DELIVERABLES
- Inception report within one week upon signing the contract (including travel and work plans);
- strategy for the scale-up of FS through policy and investment support Profile of the private sector actors using FFS, especially Farmer Business Schools;
- Summary report of emerging issues in agri-food systems and agriculture investment initiatives and document lessons for devising platforms for engagement
- Policy brief
- A final report detailing outputs, recommendations and suggestions on Field Schools and general AEAS policy environment with a focus to FFS.
- REPORTING
The FS-Hub Agribusiness Specialist shall report to the AFAAS Executive Director through AFAAS Partnership, Planning and Learning Specialist/ FSH Coordinator; and work closely with FS SH Capacity Assessment, Communication and MEL documentation consultants.
- DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The assignment shall be for initially 20 working days in the period of September to December 2020.
- COMPENSATION
The consultant shall be paid in two instalments (upon submission of inception and final assignment report) AFAAS through the FS project shall cover any travel and communications costs, with prior recommendation by the supervisor/ contract manager and approval by AFAAS Executive Director.
- WORK STATION
The consultant shall work at the designated project implementation area(s) and through the virtual FS hub support network. Where feasible face to face interactions shall be arranged, depending on Covid-19 situation.
- QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
The consultant is expected to have the following set of competencies and academic qualifications which will form the basis for selection of the consultant:
- A university degree in Agricultural discipline (Economics, Agribusiness, Extension, Rural Development), or development related field, Policy and Planning
- At least 10 years of professional experience in the field agricultural development, Planning, Research Small-holder/agro-pastoral development sector.
- Excellent Knowledge of current African Frameworks – CAADP, EAC food security policy, NAIPs, DP policy priorities – Farm to Fork Policy among others
- Evidence of policy research, formulation and engagement
- Experience and knowledge on FS programming and technical backstopping.
- Competence in Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation processes;
- Excellent writing and documentation skills, proven skills on conducting virtual training and information sharing sessions.
10. APPLICATIONS
Interested qualified and experienced individuals should send their expression of interest (via e-mail) and comprehensive curriculum vitae, proof of similar experience, together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers of three referees and clearly indicating the expression of interest addressed to:
Executive Director, AFAAS;
Dr. Silim Nahdy;
P.O. BOX 34624 Kampala;
Email: secretariat@afaas-africa.org;
Tel: +256-312313400;
Copying the AFAAS Procurement Specialist, Paddy Grace Wanzala, and email: pwanzala@afaas-africa.org. Further information may be obtained from Mr Max Olupot – PPLS/ FSH Coordinator; email: molupot@afaas-africa.org;
- CLOSING DATE: The deadline for submission of applications will be Monday 5th October 2020. Only shortlisted applicants shall be contacted
Download the Call for Expression of interest and the ToR here:
