Background
AGRA is a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets. In short, AGRA’s mission is to transform the lives of smallholder farmers from that of a solitary struggle for survival to a business that thrives.
Since 2006, we have worked with our partners, governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and more; to deliver a set of proven solutions to smallholder farmers and indigenous African agricultural enterprises. We put smallholder farmers first on the agenda, recognizing that no country has moved from low income to middle income without agricultural transformation. For more information about AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.
AGRA, with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), has been working with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on a project titled, “Strengthening Coherence of Food Systems Indicators and Outcomes of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program Biennial Review Processes”. The overall goal of this project is to strengthen coherence in the food systems indicators and outcomes of the CAADP BR processes that are used by the 55 Member States for guiding decisions and measuring progress toward sustainable and resilient food systems. The objectives of the project include:
a) Strengthen the coherence of the CAADP BR reporting framework with focus on food systems and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
b) Harmonize UN Food Systems Summit priorities (as framed in the Africa Common Position), modalities, procedures, and guidelines for NDCs with the existing CAADP BR reporting framework.
c) Review and update the draft continental framework and guidelines for development and implementation of food systems transformation agenda for the continent.
d) Update the current CAADP BR reporting framework with a set of relevant indicators to track progress in food systems plans and investments.
The implementation of the project is in two phases. The first component of the project involved IFPRI leading the process of comprehensive mapping of food systems indicators, actors, and policies including implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) connected to CAADP and the Biennial Review (BR) process in Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Rwanda. The mapping of the food systems pathways to the CAADP biennial review reporting framework based on the African Common Position on Food Systems is completed in all 4 countries. Based on the results of this process, four policy briefs were also produced, which have helped shape the agenda and discussions during the CAADP Kampala Summit in January 2025. As part of the second phase of the assignment, AGRA is now working with ILRI to implement the findings and recommendations from frameworks, using Ethiopia as a case study. ILRI is leading the process of engagements with strategic national stakeholders and key institutions focused on nutrition, health and environmental outcomes of food systems to enrich the quality of indicators and reporting for the country. The project aims to support national level capacity building, with respect to strengthening coherence of the CAADP/Malabo food systems indicators and related outcomes.
To ensure knowledge is effectively captured and shared, we seek a Communication for Impact Specialist to lead the documentation and strategic communication of project progress, learnings, and impact stories, for the IDRC-funded project in Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia, while also drawing continental implications and recommendations than can be replicated in broader contexts in Africa. AGRA intends to use the outputs of this work as tools for internal learning, cross-country exchange, policy influence, and scaling to other African countries.
Objectives
The main objective of this assignment is to produce robust, learning-oriented documentation of the IDRC-funded food systems project’s activities, implementation processes, stakeholder engagement strategies, emerging results, and key lessons across the 4 focus countries (Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia). The documentation will also distill scalable insights and recommendations relevant for other African countries pursuing food systems transformation.
The main objectives of this assignment are:
a) To capture and communicate project activities, emerging results, lessons learned, and outcomes in a compelling and accessible manner.
b) To identify and document constraints and barriers and challenges to build an evidence base for what works and why. This includes documenting the innovations and how the challenges were overcome.
c) To develop knowledge and communication products tailored for different stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, implementing partners, and communities.
d) To develop a strategy for scaling and replication of the project based on experiences in the 4 countries (Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda), including recommendations on how to strengthen stakeholder engagement.
Qualifications and Experience
a. Academic Qualifications
b. Experience of the Consultant in Similar Assignments & Technical Skills
