TORS & CALL FOR EXPRESSION: PROGRAMME SUPPORT CONSULTANT- JUNIOR OFFICER

 

1. 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 utilization of improved knowledge and innovations by agricultural value chain actors for improving productivity oriented towards their individual and national development objectives. AFAAS desires to ensure enhanced competency of AEAS providers to enable them better address the increasing needs and demands of various value chain actors. 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 advancement of AEAS. Notably, Agricultural extension is a key component of the innovation system, plays a pivotal role in promoting productivity, increasing food security, strengthening rural communities, and underpinning agriculture as the engine of pro-poor economic growth and one of the key pillars for transforming rural livelihoods and contributing to Africa’s agenda 2063.

 

The EU initiative on the Development of Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) intends to boost the transformation of innovation in agriculture and food systems in partner countries and make them to be more resilient to climate change and better respond to development demands. This specific Action will support the African continental and sub-regional organizations (SROs) for agricultural research and innovation, namely: FARA, AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA and CORAF. The direct beneficiaries of this action are the national agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (NAKIS) in African countries and in AFAAS context the Country Fora (CFs) and their members; while the ultimate beneficiaries of the transformation of these agricultural knowledge and innovation systems are the rural poor comprising smallholder farmers, women and youth agri-preneurs and pastoralists, as well as marginalized communities.

 

The goal of the project is to contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030. While the objective is to enable agricultural research and innovation, including extension services, to contribute effectively to food and nutrition security; economic development and climate mitigation in Africa. This will be achieved by improving the capacity, effectiveness and positioning of the Regional and Sub regional Agriculture research and extension organizations as well as National-Agriculture-Research-Systems (NARS), and by promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among the organizations. Specifically, the project shall (i) strengthen the operational capacity of AFAAS and its sub regional partner organizations; (ii) improve collaboration within and among the national, sub regional and continental agriculture research and extension organizations; (iii) promote policy enhancement in agricultural research and innovation; (iv) create climate-relevant innovations; (v) promote investments and market linkages; and (vi) enhance knowledge generation and dissemination in support of decision making, advocacy and innovation sharing.

 

Two of the key expected outcomes of the Action are: Enhanced partnerships among the multi-stakeholders across sectors, geographies and agricultural value chains to act collectively on climate relevant innovation in agriculture and food systems; and Planning, coordination, MEL and reporting

 

AFAAS Secretariat had engaged volunteers in 2020, to support ‎Program‎ unit, with focus to partnerships, planning, Leaning, and Morning and evaluation under the CAADP-XP4 project. The services of the volunteers were very valuable technically. Considering the program activities detailed in the Annual Workplan 2021, these services are more critical to augment program team’s effort for operationalization of planned activities. Therefore, AFAAS Secretariat is desirous to engage the services of the Program Support Assistant as consultant for 10 months during the year ending 31^st December, 2021 to enable the organizations perform on its mandate and achieve its goals and set objectives. This will complement efforts of AFAAS lean secretariat.

 

2. Objective of the Assignment:

The main objective of this consultancy is to identify areas for effective partnerships & strategic management and support monitoring of programs implementation at operational level including CFs.

 

3. Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the AFAAS Executive Director and the direct supervision and guidance of the Partnerships, Planning and Learning Specialist. Specifically, the volunteer performs the following duties:

1. Provide support to PPLS to ensure partnership agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures included in the framework for implementing with partners.
2. Support the development of effective partnerships and working relationships with AFAAS network partners including UN agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, CSOs and the private sector

• Increase and deepen strategic engagement with private and public sector partners in issues of AEAS.

1. Support in the preparations of Africa Wide Agricultural Extension Week 2021
2. Support the drafting of Memorandum of understanding and Letter of Agreement with existing and potential partners for effective implementation of the agreed thematic areas of focus with AFAAS and its network.
3. Regularly review project status and tolerances, as well as monitor performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality.

• Monitoring the situation of AEAS with national partners and keep updated with the information of the quality research that address issues and challenges affecting smaller holder farmers.
• Contributes to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner.

1. Support the M & E unit to develop tools for quantitative and qualitative data collection.
2. Maintain good communication with the program partners as well as other key stakeholders in AEAS
3. Facilitate regular meetings in the program areas for knowledge sharing among the organizations involved in implementing AFAAS projects.

• Support specific evaluations, mappings, studies and/or reviews, including preparation of terms of reference, participation in consultant selection and technical feedback on evaluations.
• Contribute in tracking program results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
• Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.

 

4. Deliverables

The Program Support Assistant -Consultant will be required to provide the following outputs during the execution of the assignment

1. Inception report with workplan for implementing the assignment
2. Summary monthly updates on activities carried out.
3. Update summary of Partnerships and collaborations supported
4. Submit Final report at the end of the year

 

5. Reporting and Liaison

The Program Support Consultant shall report to AFAAS Executive Director, through Partnerships Planning and Learning Specialist, and work closely with Monitoring Evaluation Consultant and other program staff

 

6. Duty Station:

The duty shall be located at AFAAS Secretariat in Ntinda, Kampala, Uganda.

 

7. Duration of the Assignment

The Program Support Consultant shall be based at AFAAS Secretariat, with 60% of time input. The period of engagement shall be from April to December 2021.This engagement may be renewed based on the need, performance and availability of funds.

 

8. COMPENSATION

Payments shall be made upon signing of the contract and subsequent submission of agreed deliverables for the period. The ceiling for this consultancy (Junior Officer) is $5,000. AFAAS shall cover any other reimbursable costs based on AFAAS policy.

9. Qualification Requirements

The following set of competencies and qualifications will form the basis for selection of the Program support consultant

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Social Sciences or similar qualifications. Master Degree in a related field will be an added advantage
• Experience in working with EU, WB, IFAD funded projects at regional and national level
• Practical work experience in program support including planning, organizing meetings, reporting, tracking progress
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual thinking skills; able to understand complex issues and translate them into simple, workable actions and plans
• Practical computer knowledge with command on MS Excel, SPSS, MS Access, etc.
• Ability to think strategically, work creatively, effectively and in an innovative manner
• Excellent knowledge of AFAAS and its network and key partners
• Flexibility in time schedules

 

10. Applications

Please send (via e-mail) a cover letter expressing interest, a detailed curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of three referees to:

Dr. Silim M. Nahdy

Executive Director, AFAAS,

Email msnahdy@afaas-africa.org; copy secretariat@afaas-africa.org; Tel: +256-312313400.

Further information may be obtained from AFAAS procurement Unit: email pwanzala@afaas-africa.org;

Download TORs & Call for Expression of interest here