Consultancy) Development of analytical briefs and survey reports on capacity needed for agricultural innovation in Africa

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA Multi Donor Trust Fund for Support to the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) MDTF Grant No.: TF095129 Project ID No.: P112684 Title: Development of analytical briefs and survey reports on capacity needed for agricultural innovation in Africa: Consultancy to Review the Adoption of Recommendations of the NARS Assessment Report of 2006 Assignment Reference Number: NSF4/4.1.1/P/IT Background This request for expressions of interest follows the general procurement notice for this project that appeared in dg Market, issue no. 4577029 of November 10, 2009. The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has received a grant from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) in the amount of US$ 17,244,320 equivalent toward the cost of implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) Pillar IV strategy of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU-NEPAD), for revitalizing, expanding and reforming Africa’s agricultural research, and technology dissemination and adoption efforts and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the following consultant services : Development of analytical briefs and survey reports on capacity needed for agricultural innovation in Africa: Consultancy to Review the Adoption of Recommendations of the NARS Assessment Report of 2006 The concept of the NARS1 was initiated in the 1990s as a knowledge framework and operational tool for guiding national investments in agricultural technology development and economic growth. Indeed, as FARA came into being at the turn of the Millennium, the NARS was the predominant construct for functional engagement of stakeholders in the agricultural sector at country level. Thus, in 2005, FARA commissioned an assessment of the sub-Sahara African NARS to identify and understand their strengths and weaknesses in certain broad operational areas. The findings of the study were to constitute a basis on how FARA, in keeping with its mandate, could effectively render support to its key stakeholders towards improving Africa’s agricultural research performance and delivery. 1 Jain, H. K. (1990). Organization and Management of Agricultural Research in sub-Saharan Africa: Recent Experience and Future Direction. Working Paper No. 33. The Hague: International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR). The NARS assessment was predicated on four broad areas for creating a strong NARS identified during a FARA-SRO retreat in 2003, viz.: improving governance, strengthening financial position, ensuring scientific capacity and management and ensuring collaboration. The ensuing Report came forth with a number of recommendations for improving the NARS performance based on these four broad categories. These recommendations were to serve as springboards for intervention measures to be implemented either singularly at the FARA level or in collaborative engagements with SROs and the NARS. An outstanding example of an intervention that emanated from the recommendations of the NARS Assessment Report2 is FARA’s programme on Strengthening Capacity for Agricultural Research and Development in Africa (SCARDA). This was a three-year programme funded by DFID, coordinated by FARA and implemented in 12 focal institutions (NARIs and universities) in 10 countries of sub-Saharan Africa by the three SROs. A number of other key functional and programmatic initiatives both in FARA and the SROs are believed to have been inspired by the recommendations of the NARS Assessment Report. 2 Mukiibi, J. and Youdeowei, A. (2006). Agricultural Research Delivery in Africa: An Assessment of the Requirements for Efficient, Effective and Productive African NARS – Final Report. FARA, Accra, Ghana. OBJECTIVES FARA seeks the services of a consultant to undertake a thorough review of the extent to which the recommendations of the NARS Assessment Report have been adopted by FARA, the SROs, agro-focused networks and the NARS. The findings of the review exercise are expected to inform the need for an updated NARS assessment, taking cognizance of contemporary developments in agricultural knowledge frameworks with increasing emphasis on private sector and farmer engagement in national agricultural development strategies. Scope OF WORK The consultant will undertake desk review and, where necessary, conduct virtual and field key informant surveys – using appropriately designed instruments – with representative stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, the consultant will: 1. Review the context and strategic import of each of the recommendations of the NARS Assessment Report of 2006 2. Determine the extent to which each of the recommendations had been adopted by the stakeholders 3. Make appropriate recommendations on future assessments based on current agricultural knowledge frameworks e.g. the agricultural innovation systems perspective. OUTPUTS OR Deliverables The deliverables will include: 1. A methodology to undertake the review by a date to be agreed on during negotiations.; 2. An analytical review report by a date to be agreed on during negotiations 3. Presentation of the review report to a FARA-constituted panel by a date to be agreed on during negotiations DURATION ON THE ASSIGNMENT For 10 days. LOCATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT The consultant will be based at the FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, but with possible travel to SROs, higher education networks and/or NARS in selected countries. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY FARA FARA will avail relevant documents to the consultants and facilitate logistical arrangements for field surveys. The validated report will be edited, printed and disseminated by FARA as part of the knowledge hub activities of the Networking Support Function 4 on Capacity Strengthening. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The consultant should have the following qualifications: * Higher degree, preferably a PhD, in agricultural sciences, management sciences, social sciences or related disciplines. * Familiarity with African agricultural research and development issues. * Demonstrable experience of at least 10 years in analysis of agricultural research and/or advisory services, institutional reforms, agricultural value chains, or agricultural knowledge frameworks * Demonstrable ability to write technical reports, position papers or policy papers * Fluency (written and spoken) in English and functionality in French. The FARA now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested individual consultants (NOT FIRMS) must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services with an application and CV. A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Selection and Employment of Consultants by the World Bank Borrowers, January 1997, (Revised September 1997, January 1999, May 2002, May 2004, October 2006 May 2010. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours. 0900 to 1500 hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by September 29, 2011. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa Attn: Dr. Monty Jones, Executive Director PMB CT 173, Cantonment-Accra, Ghana Tel.: +233 0302 772823 Fax.: +233 0302 773676 Email: ed@fara-africa.org Consultants are advised to quote the Assignment Reference Number (NSF4/4.1.1/P/IT ) in the application.