Consultant - Gendered Market Study on Hybrid Maize in Nigeria at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is an international not-for-profit organization that facilitates, and promotes public/private partnerships to access, develop, adapt and deliver appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, NGOs, seed companies and African farmers to identify and access technologies that will address farmers’ key problems and enhance their productivity. AATF is a registered charity under the laws of England and Wales and has host country status with the Government of Kenya. The Foundation depends on the ongoing support and collaboration of different partners and investors to meet its objectives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant - Gendered Market Study on Hybrid Maize in Nigeria

Location: Nigeria

Introduction

• AATF is an international not-for-profit organization that is empowering smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa with a wide choice of agricultural innovations that contribute to food and nutrition security to generate health and wealth for their families and communities.
• Established in 2003 as an African-led entity, AATF works with public and private partners across the full food value chain to access, develop, deliver, and commercialize innovative technologies that bring meaningful change to Africa’s agriculture.
• To foster its contribution in meeting the CAADP expectations for a continent free of hunger and poverty, AATF institutionalized a robust gender strategy aimed at ensuring equitable access to innovative agricultural technologies, resources, opportunities and benefits for women and men, youths and vulnerable groups in SSA.
• The AATF’s value proposition for agricultural transformation in SSA is anchored on advancing gender equity and women’s empowerment in each of the AATF strategic objectives as outlined in the 2018-2022 Business Plan.
• The proposition includes the creation of opportunities for women, men, youths, disadvantaged and marginalized people, and communities so they can participate in, and benefit from agricultural development.
• It is this inclusive growth and social cohesion that will lead to vibrant and sustainable agricultural development and rural transformation in Africa.
• AATF is coordinating a multiple-partner collaboration on a seed sector development initiative to enhance availability, accessibility and adoption of improved hybrid maize varieties in Nigeria.

Project Scope

• This project is a scalable seed systems development initiative that will enhance availability, accessibility and adoption of a range of modern varieties proven to be well-adapted, high-yielding and market appropriate in Nigeria.
• Recently, AATF in partnership with the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria released two high-yielding climate-smart drought-tolerant hybrids known as DroughtTEGO, SAMMAZ 62 (WE5229) and SAMMAZ 63 (WE5202) under the TELA Maize Project.
• Several other high-yielding, drought-tolerant and insect-resistant hybrids are in the product development pipeline and are expected to be released for commercialisation in the next couple of years.

The Gendered Market Study

• To facilitate the successful commercialisation of these products and ensure that they are demand-driven and market preferred, a gendered market study that ensures the project meets its objective inclusive of gender equality considerations will be factored in.
• This assignment will inform the project’s adaptation, with specific indicators to ensure that it explicitly addresses any identified gender disparities.
• The Market study will aim to map out the market potential and ensure that better products are developed to fit into the needs of identified value chain actors.

Specifically, the Terms of Reference for this assignment are:

• Assess data and information on hybrid maize value chain with respect to production, marketing, distribution, and utilisation in Nigeria with a gender perspective.
• Assess the market sizes and the effect of trade policies on the distribution of hybrid maize seeds and grains.
• Map out target market segments for commercialisation of maize in Nigeria to understand where to focus efforts and social marketing activities.
• Map out any gender barriers along the hybrid maize value chain and the underlying causes that may hinder equitable access to the opportunities and benefits associated with hybrid maize adoption. Assess the ability and willingness to pay for hybrid maize varieties by smallholder farmers in Nigeria segregated by gender.
• Identifying possible market and product-specific entry barriers and opportunities.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned about working with women, men and youth in the production and distribution of maize products (seed, grain, feed, flour, starch) along the value chains.
• Access young people’s greater access to decent agricultural productivity, productive employment and business opportunities emerging from the maize value chain
• Propose interventions that would support the integration of gender and youth issues in TELA program.

Expected Outputs:

• A gendered market report incorporating all the laid-out terms of references requirements.

Qualifications

• The Consultant should have experience in conducting gender analysis and possess a minimum of Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics and/or Master's in gender-related fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge of maize seed systems, agricultural markets, and value chains in Nigeria.
• Experience in working in the maize value chain is an added advantage.
• Extensive experience in carrying out agricultural market surveys.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection analysis using statistical software.
• High degree of independence, flexibility and ability to meet strict deadlines.

Timeline:

• The time period to complete this assessment begins in July 2021 and ends in September 2021.

Terms and Conditions of the Proposal

• AATF reserves the right to request new or additional information regarding each service provider and any individual or other persons associated with its project proposal.
• AATF reserves the right not to make any appointment from the proposals submitted. Service providers shall not make available or disclose details pertaining to their Project proposal with anyone not specifically involved unless authorized to do so by AATF. Service providers shall not issue any press release or other public announcement pertaining to details of their project proposal without prior written approval.
• AATF Service providers are required to declare any conflict of interest they may have in the transaction for which the tender is submitted or any potential conflict of interest.
• AATF reserves the right not to consider further any proposal where such a conflict of interest exists or where such a potential conflict of interest may arise.

Confidentiality Statement:

• All data and information received from AATF for the purpose of this assignment are to be treated confidential and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference.
• All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to AATF.

Application Closing Date
18th June, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Applications to the "AATF Procurement Officer" at: [email protected] with the subject head "Gendered Market Study for Hybrid Maize in Nigeria".

Note: Proposals should clearly indicate how the consultant fits the qualifications and experience, and how the terms of reference will be achieved, and budget estimates.