Objectives
AGRA is seeking an expert in Burkina Faso for 6 months to assist The Ministry of Agriculture to design and start the implementation of a highly impactful government flagship. The assignment is to support the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant stakeholders in designing a feasible, evidence-based, and inclusive program aimed at enhancing the oilseed (groundnut, sesame and sunflower) value chains for economic growth, job creation, and food security in Burkina Faso.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will:
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current oilseed (groundnut, sesame and sunflower) value chain, including production, processing, storage, marketing, and export dynamics.
- Identify key constraints and opportunities along the value chain, including gender, youth, climate
resilience, and access to finance.
- Engage stakeholders (farmers, processors, traders, cooperatives, NGOs, development partners) through consultations and focus groups.
- Propose a program framework including components, activities, and implementation mechanisms.
- Develop a costed action plan, logical framework, and a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.
- Recommend financing and partnership models, including public-private partnerships (PPPs).
- Draft a detailed Program Document ready for submission to donors and development partners.
Responsibilities
The Consultant will be responsible for the following:
a) Program planning and design
Take the lead in designing a comprehensive and evidence-informed program aimed at strengthening the oilseed value chains, specifically focusing on groundnut, sesame, and sunflower. This includes integrating best practices, research findings, and stakeholder insights to ensure the program is contextually relevant and impactful.
Develop a well-structured program framework that clearly outlines the overarching goals, core components, targeted outcomes, and the modalities for implementation. This framework should serve as a strategic roadmap guiding all phases of the program.
Prepare a detailed, costed action plan that delineates specific activities, timelines, resource requirements, and responsible parties. Additionally, design a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework featuring SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)
indicators to effectively track progress, measure results, and inform adaptive management.
b) Desk review and contextual analysis
Undertake a comprehensive review of national strategies, policies, and previous initiatives related to the oilseed sector—specifically focusing on groundnut, sesame, and sunflower. This review should aim to build a detailed understanding of the policy and institutional landscape governing oilseed production, processing, and commercialization. To ensure depth and accuracy, the exercise should involve active collaboration with key national institutions such as INERA (Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles), ANVAR (Agence Nationale de la Valorisation des Résultats de la
Recherche), MAHA, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry responsible for Women and Employment, and the Ministry of Transport. This will help map the full scope of ongoing and past efforts, identify institutional linkages, and highlight critical policy or implementation gaps as well as potential
opportunities to strengthen the oilseeds value chain. In parallel, conduct a detailed analysis of existing data sources, technical reports, and value chain studies pertaining to groundnut, sesame,
and sunflower. This analysis should cover all key aspects of the value chain—from production and processing to trade and marketing—providing evidence-based insights into current performance, constraints, and untapped potential within the sector.
c) Field assessment and stakeholder engagement
- Design and execute field missions to major oilseed (groundnut, sesame and sunflower)-producing regions for primary data collection.
- Conduct interviews with farmers and cooperatives (especially women and youth), processors, traders, and exporters, government institutions and research bodies, NGOs and development partners
- Produce a comprehensive diagnostic report highlighting challenges, opportunities, and recommendations.
d) Reporting
- Prepare high-quality written reports in French (and optionally English), including the inception report, value chain diagnostic report, draft program document, final program document with annexes.
e) Quality assurance and timely delivery
- Ensure that all deliverables meet international quality standards and are delivered on time as per the agreed schedule.
- Respond to feedback from the Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders in a timely and constructive manner
Duration: 6 months
Qualifications and Experience- Advanced degree in Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in agricultural value chain development, particularly in Burkina Faso.
- Proven experience in program design for government or donor-funded agricultural development programs.
- Strong knowledge of oilseed (groundnut, sesame and sunflower) production systems and market dynamics in West Africa.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct stakeholder consultations.
- Excellent writing and communication skills in French (required) and English (desirable).
Deadline for submission of questions and clarifications: June 19, 2025
AGRA, General Procurement Email: Procurement@agra.org
Closing Date: June 26, 2025
