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The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), together with the Sub-Regional Agricultural Research Organizations (SROs) offer a strategic platform that fosters continental and global networking to strengthen the innovation capacities of Africa’s agricultural research system. FARA also has a mandate from the AUC to serve as its technical arm in advancing the Science Agenda in Africa’s Agriculture.

FARA has identified an increasing need for deeper collaboration among Agricultural Research for Development practitioners and private sector partners in Africa to achieve transformation in the agricultural sector. FARA has therefore embarked on an inclusive process together with the Sub Regional Organizations (ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF) and AFAAS to develop a new vision of collaboration and operationalization with private sector partners. This is being done through the European Union (EU) FUNDS under the Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) initiative. The initiative aims to implement a 4-year project in Africa called CAADP Ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4).

Recent indication recommends that the export of agro-processed and other value-added goods made in Africa is greater in regional markets than in external markets, typically dominated by mostly low-value raw material exports. The 2013 World Bank estimates show that Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness market value could expand to USD 1 trillion by 2030. However, this growth is likely to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 shock.

Lessons learned from the pandemic crisis include maintaining open trade channels safely, policy coordination and transparency between member states and protecting essential workers from ensuring that public health and food systems continue to operate.

Overall progress on achieving the Malabo Declaration commitments by 2025 and on regional integration, in general, has been slow due to country disparities in the levels of development, inconsistent and conflicting regulations and standards, as well as infrastructure and connectivity problems at the border and behind the border that add to the cost of doing business in Africa (Benin, 2020).

There is, therefore, the need to assess existing sub-regional trade mechanisms and develop a framework to support cross-border trade on the continent. To support Africa to better feed Africa, an enhanced framework on agricultural food and trade is needed. It seems that regional integration processes can be the key to this development, and this makes the role of continental organizations such as the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) important. Such organizations need to assess the trade in agricultural inputs and commodities to improve the implementation of existing trade policies to support cross-border trade among African countries.

Scope of Work

The overall aim of this assignment is to conduct regional reviews of trade in agricultural inputs and commodities to improve the implementation of existing trade policies to support cross-border trade in Africa. This is aimed at enhancing cross-border or intra-continental trade among African countries.

This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a consultant to carry out the following functions:

a) Conduct studies aimed at assessing existing sub-regional agricultural trade mechanisms that influence cross-border agricultural commodities and inputs.

b) Develop a framework that supports cross-border trade for agricultural inputs and commodities.

The detailed terms of reference are in the link below:

https://faraafrica.org/2021/07/19/consultancy-service-conduct-regional-reviews-of-trade-in-agricultural-inputs-and-commodities-to-improve-the-implementation-of-existing-trade-policies-to-support-cross-border-trade-in-africa/

Consultants interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted shall not be accounted for as part of the 10-page limit.

The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 35 person-days spread over two months. The work shall be carried out from 12th August 2021 to 12th October 2021.

The individual consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.

Interested consultants may obtain further information from FARA’s Policy Officer, Dr. Kwaku Antwi kantwi@faraafrica.org , and copy the Procurement Expert, Mr. Callistus Achaab cachaab@faraafrica.org , during the following hours: 9h00 to 15h00 GMT.


Please download the Terms of Reference below for further information on this opportunity.

https://faraafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Terms-of-Reference-Conduct-Regional-Reviews-of-Trade-in-Agricultural-Inputs-and-Commodities-to-Improve-the-implementation-of-existing-Trade-Policies.pdf

Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of FARA, No 9 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Friday, 30th July 2021, at 14h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888

FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender, race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.