Individual Consultant to Support the Agricultural Portfolio Management in Liberia (EOI) at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Expression of Interest (EOI) - Individual Consultant to Support the Agricultural Portfolio Management in Liberia - AHFR

Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Consultant type: Individual Consultant

Introduction and Background

• Established in 1964, the African Development Bank (the “Bank”) is the premier Pan-African development institution promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent.
• There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
• In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten-Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s) have been identified for scaling up, namely; light up and power Africa, feed Africa, industrialize Africa, integrate Africa and improve the quality of life for Africans.
• The Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department works closely with the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department and the Regional Directorates to provide support for the delivery of the Feed Africa Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, 2016- 2025.
• The core mandate of the Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department is to develop the strategy of the Bank related to agricultural and rural finance and rural development, execute sovereign and non-sovereign operations for the transformation of value chains, represent the Bank with external stakeholders, provide sector expertise to the regions by gathering experts who can be consulted by operations and closing the financing gap for private sector-led development of agricultural value chains.
• The Department is to mobilize and deploy the required expertise and provide support for the design and implementation of agricultural finance and rural development operations for key commodity value chains.
• The Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department is structured into two divisions: (i) Agriculture and Rural Finance Division; and (ii) Rural Infrastructure Development Division.

The Rural Infrastructure Development Division has the following deliverables:

• High-quality and Innovative Instruments for Rural Infrastructure Integrated into Projects
• Practical Implementation Arrangements with Key Implementing Partners
• Knowledge Management of Rural Infrastructure Best Practices
• Enabling Environment and Alliances with Key Stakeholders
• Monitoring of Performance and Recommendations for Corrective Actions.

Objective of the Consultancy

• The AfDB wishes to recruit the services of a medium-term consultant to support the agricultural portfolio management in Liberia. The specific objective of the consultancy is to support the project Task Manager (“TM”) in the overall management of the agricultural portfolio, and specifically the Liberia Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone (thereafter “Liberia SAPZ” or “Project”).
• The Liberia SAPZ was approved in October 2021 with the overall objective of promoting inclusive agricultural growth that creates jobs and reduces imports through incentive measures for private investment in key areas. An Additional Financing was approved in October 2022 for the same project over the same period. The SAPZ’s development goal is to contribute to (i) inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development in Liberia, and (ii) reduction of staple food imports, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
• The Project’s objectives are to i) create a better business environment for increased investment in the agro industrial sector, ii) create opportunities for private sector investments at the industrial level and coordinate the integration of small holder farms, and agro processing industry into sustained agro value chains and, iii) improve capacities and skills to benefit from new agribusiness employment and value chain opportunities.
• The Project is structured around three related components; including:
  • Strengthen Institutional Capacity and Enabling Climate-resilient Infrastructure for Agro Industrial Development,
  • Enable climate-smart agricultural value chain and skills development and strengthen farmer coordination, and
  • Project Coordination & Management.

Scope of the Work

• Under the overall guidance of the Division Manager, and the direct supervision of the Task Manager, the Consultant shall undertake the following tasks:
• Support the TM in reviewing and processing requests sent for Bank’s clearance to ensure timely response and feedback.
• Review and advise on the general performance of the project including implementation of the project against the defined objectives and outputs.
• Review project implementation progress in line with the Bank’s results management framework of the approved Project.
• Assist the task manager in reviewing monitoring reports from the Project Implementation Unit.
• Support the Project Implementation Unit in addressing any capacity related challenges.
• Review project implementation timeframe.
• Review the status of recommendations and action plans made in Bank’s supervision missions.
• Discuss challenges and constraints in project implementation.
• Review and address the procurement plans and pending issues.
• Review all contracts in the projects in terms of their disbursement levels, delivery of their targets, and any issues relating to quality and timeliness in completion.
• Undertake similar assignments in other RMCs countries as may be required.

Qualification and Experience

• The consultant should have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Economics, Agro-industry, Agricultural Sciences, Development Economics or related fields.
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, (including in multilateral development institutions) in project cycle management, as Agricultural Expert.
• Proven experience working in project development and implementation in agriculture and agribusiness.
• Ability to work in a team spirit to achieve defined objectives in international multicultural contexts.
• Portfolio management experience working in Africa is a must.
• The consultant will be based in Cote D’Ivoire (Abidjan) and must have excellent communication skills with good knowledge of English language. A good working knowledge of French is an advantage.
• Competences in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• A national of the Bank’s Member Country.

Duration:

• The duration of the assignment is six (6) months renewables depending on the needs and implementation performance.
• The AHFR department invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services.
• Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications, experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.) and his/her references.
• The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Rules and Procedure for the Selection of Corporate Consultants.

Application Closing Date
8th March, 2023 (17:00 GMT).

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Expressions of interest to "For the attention of Ms. Flora Foto", via: f.foto@afdb.org with copy to Mr. Chukwuma Ezedinma, Email : c.ezedinma@afdb.org

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Click here for the Job Description (PDF)

Note: That interest expressed by a consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.