Individual Consultant: Flagship Coordinator for the Zambia Agriculture Investment Program

Job Description

Background

AGRA is a not-for-profit organization working with African governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and African farmers to improve the productivity and incomes of resource-poor smallholder farmers significantly and sustainably. AGRA’s overall goal is to catalyze and sustain an inclusive food systems transformation in Africa, increasing incomes and improving food security for at least 30 million smallholder farming households. As part of this work, AGRA partners with African countries in the design of transformational food system centered programs and subsequently supports their financing and implementation. National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPS) and Flagships constitute the majority of AGRA supported programs that aim to catalyze food system transformation.

Over the past decade, Zambia’s economy grew by an average of 3.28% overperforming the sub-Saharan average growth rate of 2.5% for the same period. This growth performance was primarily driven by expansions in trade, ICT and construction sectors. The contribution of critical sectors like agriculture and mining to economic growth has been muted despite accounting for over half of the entire labor force. This indicates that economic growth has not led to inclusive improvement of living conditions for a wide section of society with poverty still at 60%. Moreover, the economy still suffers from high levels of income inequality, high unemployment (12%) and low productivity with GDP per capita of USD 1300 as measured in 2023.

The agriculture sector in Zambia contributes to 2.8% of GDP and 51% of labor force. The Zambian agriculture sector comprises crops, livestock, and fisheries. Maize, wheat, sorghum and soyabeans are the major production crops while cattle, goats and chickens (broiler and layer) are the major livestock products. The sector is dominated by small-scale farmers who account for approximately 90% of agricultural producers, most of whom are involved in the production of staple foods, particularly maize. These farmers, however, face several obstacles, including limited access to inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, inadequate market access, low productivity, inefficient input and commodity marketing, limited value addition and processing, vulnerability to climate and market shocks and constrained policy and sector governance. The government encourages investment in commercial farming and has identified and established farm blocks to facilitate investments in commercial farming and has identified and established farm blocks to facilitate investments in agriculture.

The government of Zambia seeks to transform the sector to leverage comparative advantages by focusing on prioritized value chains for end-to-end support. To this end, it has adopted the Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Program (CATSP) as its Second National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP II). The program outlines Zambia’s aspirations for agriculture and food-systems for the period 2024-2033 and is fully aligned to the eighth national development plan. The overall objective of the CATSP is to invest up to USD 5 billion in the sector financed by internally generated resources, financial markets and development partners. Investments will be driven by the establishment of an Agricultural Trust Fund that will establish financing and insurance facilities that are critical for channeling the above resources. These financing facilities will be directed to drive private sector-led investment and production systems across the priority value chains.

To drive private sector participation within the CATSP framework, the government of Zambia is also launching the Zambia Agriculture Investment Progam (ZAIP); a flagship program focused on 6 priority value chains with a plan to attract USD 950 million of private sector investments by leveraging the above-mentioned facilities. The flagship program will be critical to achieve the targets set out in the CATSP of increasing production of Maize from 3 million tons to 10 million tons annually ; increase soyabean production from 700 thousand tons to 1 million tons annually and increasing wheat production from 480 thousand tons to 1 million tons annually by 2028. ZAIP aims to establish Zambia as one of the top agricultural producers and exporters of maize, wheat, soybeans, poultry and aquaculture in East and Southern Africa by 2030. Achieving this vision will require increased private sector investments supported by a conducive business enabling environment and targeted incentives.

AGRA has been working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and other stakeholders to push the implementation of the CATSP as well as to design and roll out ZAIP. This was mainly done through the support we provided for key government officials from ZDA and Ministry of Agriculture to present business cases on the prioritized value chains at the Africa Food Systems forum in Kigali. We continue to work with the GRZ to design and roll out the flagship program (ZAIP) that will facilitate private sector investment in the sector. However, the proper implementation of the flagship requires the development of a sound implementation plan, coordination framework, data collection and M&E systems. Consequently, AGRA plans to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to create the necessary capabilities and readiness to implement the flagship program. This will be implemented by an embedded advisor who will serve as a flagship coordination expert and coordinator.

These Terms of Reference aims at recruiting a Zambian qualified expert to be seconded to the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to enhance ministry’s capacity for the planning, actors coordination, M&E and bring more focus to ZAIP implementation especially around the prioritized value chains within the flagship program. Moreover, the technical expert will work with key officials to build institutional capacity to ensure a youth inclusive approach to flagship program implementation.

Objectives

The objective of the assignment is to support the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in implementing a comprehensive approach to planning and prioritization, coordination, implementation, resource mobilization, results tracking and partner engagement to maximize flagship impact. Moreover, the flagship coordination expert will be responsible for building institutional capacity by strengthening existing systems, operational guidelines, and capacities as well as providing training and mentorship to government staff involved in the implementation of flagship.

Specific objectives include:

• Providing technical support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for flagship implementation.
• Driving partnership with development partners to raise the required resources and working with Zambia Development Agency to create effective private sector partnerships
• Build institutional capacity within Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to enhance planning, coordination, program management and M&E

Scope of Work

The Technical assistant will be embedded within the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to enhance the planning, flagship coordination, M&E and bring more focus to the agriculture sector and the prioritized value chains within the flagship program. Moreover, the technical expert will work with key officials to build institutional capacity and coordinate relevant actors to ensure a sustained focus for flagship program implementation.

The specific scope of work for the expert are outlined as follows:

• Flagship Program Management: the expert will be responsible for driving the development/deployment and implementation of prioritized plan, a coordination framework, results framework and an M&E system. Moreover, the expert will be responsible to roll-out the prepared frameworks based on the guidance of MoA officials. He/she will provide technical support to monitoring, evaluation and learning aspect of ZAIP implementation. The expert will also be responsible for enhancing the collection of quality data and information and preparation of reports that can guide discussion in steering and technical committee meetings and decision making by officials within the Ministry. The expert will also collaborate and have regular check-in with AGRA to prepare regular reports progress of flagship implementation for submission to the government, AGRA and the project financiers.
• Partnership Building: the expert will be responsible for mapping and building partnerships with the private sector and development partners. This will be critical to align the multitude of projects being undertaken by development partners to leverage more resources and technical expertise. Moreover, the expert will work with the ZDA to drive collaboration and exchange of information between the private sector and policy makers. This will be done in conjunction with the Investment Mobilization expert that AGRA embeds within the ZDA. Take lead in designing and implementing frameworks for public-private partnerships that facilitate investment and innovation in the agricultural value chains prioritized by the flagship programme in collaboration with the Investment Mobilization Expert. This will entail, Identifying, assessing, and recommending potential partnership opportunities by public sector, development partners and the private sector in implementing the flagship programme. Develop and implement outreach and communication strategies to reach the youth, private sector, development partners and other agriculture stakeholders. This shall involve preparation of communication materials such as news articles. Facilitate the systematic and continuous engagement of various current and potential partners to secure their buy-in and commitment to provide technical and financial support for the implementation of the flagship. Specific emphasis will be placed on increasing private sector engagement to strengthen government private sector partnerships and access private sector funding for flagship investments. Provide technical support the Zambian Ministry of agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for the design, formalization, and management of innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) around the flagship programme. Work with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to drive collaboration and exchange of information between the private sector and policy makers. This will be done in conjunction with the Investment Mobilization expert that AGRA embeds within the ZDA.
• Resource mobilization: Provide fundraising support as the main counterpart and focal point for developing proposals and initiatives designed to build private sector mobilization and mobilize resource into a programmatic business line for the flagship. Provide technical inputs on formulating concept notes, programme and project documents for Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock intervention areas. Guide the development of full resource mobilization proposals for government-led initiatives and flagships, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and feasibility of implementation.
• Communication, Knowledge Management and M&E: the expert will prepare presentations and reports as requested by Senior Management of the Ministry, prepare knowledge Products on the flagship such as policy briefs, technical briefs, online blogs and newspaper articles. Moreover he/she will prepare power point presentations, speeches and facilitation various flagship related events such as steering committee meetings, engagement with the government leadership, engagement with AGRA and stakeholder or partner engagement fora and maintain a database of investments in the agriculture flagship in Zambia. He/she will create a policy reform matrix and regular engagement platforms with private sector to discuss status of policy reform and private sector response. Assess the progress in the implementation of activities, in accordance with the established timetables, and timely proposes measures to overcome any delays or problems detected; Develop regular status reports on the level of execution of activities for which he/she is directly responsible; Participates in writing progress reports; Participates in the implementation of the flagship monitoring and evaluation system; Participates, whenever pertinent, in the meetings of technical committees and the flagship’s internal advisory council, as well as in institutional representation meetings with a clear technical character;

Location and nature of the assignment

The consultant shall undertake the assignment from Zambia, Lusaka as well as by travelling to provinces, districts and other international destinations.

Duration

The consultancy will take approximately 260 working days (12 months) to complete. The consultancy may be extended depending on performance evaluation and availability of funds.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant must have at least 10 years of experience in food systems with a focus on managing key programs in partnership with governments and development partners. Moreover, a deep understanding of key continental, regional and national food system frameworks, agricultural investment plans and flagship programs is critical.

Specific requirements are summarized as follows:

Academic qualifications

• Advanced degree in Agricultural Economics, agribusiness, Management, Project Management or Business Administration (MBA) or any other related fields

Experience of the consultant in similar assignments

• At least 10 years of experience working in agrifood systems with a focus on agricultural investment programs and flagship programs.
• Experience working with government, private sector and development partners

Consultant’s understanding of the assignment

• A deep understanding of the food system’s landscape, global, continental, regional and national food system frameworks

Relevant experience in the region

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in at least one local language in Zambia.

Evaluation Criteria

Mandatory Requirements:

• Cover letter for expression of interest and understanding of the assignment. 
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae includes at least 3 referees. 
• Copy of academic certificate(s)

Proposal Submission Instructions

Proposals shall be submitted electronically through our oracle system by the deadline indicated in the system.

• Bidders shall use the financial proposal submission form that has been provided under Annex 1.
• The proposals shall be submitted via oracle system by the deadline indicated on the oracle system.
• The Proposals shall be prepared in English.
• Late submissions will not be accepted, as the system is configured to automatically reject proposals after the deadline. To avoid any issues, especially for new users, bidders are strongly encouraged to submit proposals at least one day before the deadline.
• AGRA assures bidders that we can’t access proposals before the deadline provided by the system.
• VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for a period of 90 days from the date of bid closure. 
• All communications regarding the RFP should be directed to procurement@agra.org.

DEADLINE: October 13, 2025 5:00 pm

About the Organization

AGRA works to achieve a food secure and prosperous Africa through the promotion of rapid, sustainable agricultural growth based on smallholder farmers. Smallholders--the majority women--produce most of Africa's food, and do so with minimal resources and little government support. AGRA aims to ensure that smallholders have what they need to succeed: good seeds and healthy soils; access to markets, information, financing, storage and transport; and policies that provide them with comprehensive support. Through developing Africa's high-potential breadbasket areas, while also boosting farm productivity across more challenging environments, AGRA works to transform smallholder agriculture into a highly productive, efficient, sustainable and competitive system, and do so while protecting the environment.