Scope of Work and Tasks
This assignment falls under AGRA’s Centre of Excellence in Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) and will generally contribute to achieving AGRA’s goal of reaching 30 million smallholder farmers through various interventions including business development support to African Seed Companies. The assignment targets 3 seed companies from Sieria Leone. The consultant will be required, to provide the following services:
1. Assess the capacity building needs in consultation with seed companies informed by SeedSAT recommendations and other emerging issues.
2. Develop a capacity building plan for potential implementation partners and intermediaries based off an assessment of the existing capabilities of seed companies in old and new AGRA focus countries.
3. Train AGRA partner seed company staff in specific areas of need along the value chain based on SeedSAT recommendations.
4. Conduct seminars and workshops to seed company management teams on selected, specific subject matters of importance to the survival and growth of the company.
5. Conduct on-site assessments and address these though capacity building that include improving the effectiveness of financial management, management of parental materials, certified seed production, management of out-grower contracts, seed processing, packaging, warehousing, and marketing.
6. Assist SME seed companies with:
i. Strategies for raising investment capital, including the development of business plans.
ii. Advise SME seed companies in forging beneficial partnerships.
iii. Advise SME seed companies in sourcing and possible purchase of various seed equipment, software, and other resources within reach and achievable within the time scope of this consultancy.
Key qualifications and experience
We seek to engage an individual consultant who has a combination of these areas of expertise to deliver on this task.
a. The Consultant is expected to have a minimum of a BSc degree in Agriculture, or a related discipline.
b. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in seed Company development and management, agribusiness, or a related field.
c. At least a MSc Agriculture, Agribusiness management, or related fields.
d. Familiar and experience with externally financed projects.
e. Excellent communication skills, including email management.
f. Excellent word processing skills (MS Word, MS Excel).
g. Written and spoken fluency in the English language is highly preferred, fluency in French is required.
h. Experience in providing advisory and technical support to upcoming seed companies.
i. Practical experience in managing a seed business is strongly preferred.
j. Requires good knowledge of the seed marketplace.
k. Previous or current work in seed related activities in developing countries.
l. Knowledge of local culture and working experience in Sierra Leone
Guidelines For Preparations and Submission of Proposals
a. The Proposals shall be prepared in English Language.
b. The proposals SHALL be submitted via oracle system by the deadline indicated in the system.
c. The technical proposal shall not exceed 10 pages. CVs, certificates, and other supporting documents should be added under annexes.
d. The proposal and ALL Attachments submitted via oracle system SHALL NOT exceed 10MB.
e. VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for a period of 90 days from the date of bid closure.
f. The detailed financial proposal (professional fees, reimbursements if applicable, and applicable taxes) for the entire assignment shall be uploaded under lines section.
Submission Deadline
14th May 2024, 5:00PM, East African Time.
