Consultant to Undertake a Scoping Study for the Ukama Ustawi Learning Alliance

Request for Expression of Interest

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION

Assignment Title: Undertake a Scoping Study for the Ukama Ustawi Learning Alliance and validation for CCARDESA – Gaborone

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) has received financing from the International Management Water Institute equivalent to $20, 000 towards the cost of Diversification for Resilient Agrifood Systems in East and Southern Africa Project and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this grant towards eligible payments under this contract.

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (www.asareca.org) and Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research for Development in Eastern and Southern Africa (www.ccardesa.org) are participating in the implementation of the One CGIAR-led Ukama Ustawi (UU) initiative which aims to support climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods in 12 Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries comprising: Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Rwanda, Uganda South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

CCARDESA is a subsidiary organization of SADC and has the mandate of coordinating all matters of agricultural research and development in the SADC region. It facilitates the implementation of various projects, including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Ex Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4).

The overall objective of this consultancy is to undertake a scoping study and develop concrete recommendations to guide Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) around diversified maize farming systems in ESA.

The specific objectives of the assignment include:

1. Understand the existing gaps, especially capacity and knowledge gaps among the NAROs and other like-minded stakeholders, with regard to the implementation of the UULA and develop a policy Brief.
2. Establish mechanisms for effective sharing and exchange of knowledge between One CGIAR and National Agricultural Research Organizations (NAROs) and other partners.
3. Establish the status of Learning Alliances in the ESA region, their roles and services and propose a framework for collaboration with UULA that leverages on complementarity and harnessing synergies.
4. Evaluate the current state of innovation in agribusiness, policy, and scaling among the LA partners related to diversified maize-based farming systems
5. Propose an M&E framework for monitoring and tracking the success and impacts of the UULA

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested consultants should provide information (Comprehensive CVs that show description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions) demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

1. At least 5-10 years’ experience in knowledge management for agricultural development sector as well as capacity development, needs and capacity assessments, and monitoring and evaluation.
2. Ability to organize meetings, calls, and documents that may require the input of multiple sources.
3. Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
4. Experience in similar assignments (knowledge management assessments, capacity strengthening for organizations, partnerships strengthening).
5. Experience on survey design and data collection methodologies including online data collection techniques as well as development of survey tools.
6. Experience in working in Eastern and South African countries.
7. Knowledge of French would be an added advantage.
8. Experience in gender and youth mainstreaming would be an added advantage.

For Full details and TORs follow the link below: https://www.ccardesa.org/knowledge-products/terms-referencetors-undertake-scoping-study-ukama-ustawi-learning-alliance

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual Consultancy method set out in the CCARDESA Procurement Manual.

Application letters complete with detailed curriculum vitae must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) on or before 01^st March 2024 at 16:30hrs CAT. Applications should bear the name of the assignment in the subject field.

   The Executive Director

  Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Secretariat

  Ground Floor, Red Brick Building

  Plot 4701

  Station Exit Road

  Private Bag 00357

  Gaborone, Botswana

 E-mail: procurement@ccardesa.org ,Tel: 00267 391 4991/7