EOI - Agribusiness Research Analyst - AHAI 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 for Agribusiness Research Analyst - AHAI 

Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Department issuing the request: Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department
Consultant type: Individual Consultant
Duration of the assignment: 08 months
Tentative Date of commencement: 1 June 2023
Job family: Agriculture, Human and Social Development

Brief Description of the Assignment

• The African Development Bank is seeking to recruit a Research Analyst (Agribusiness Expert) to support the Agriculture and Agro-Industry (AHAI) Department in the Feed Africa Strategy initiatives and flagship programs. The Agribusiness Research Analyst will work specifically with management, flagship coordinators and designated staff.
• The objective of this assignment is to support the teams working on Feed Africa flagships and initiatives. In particular, the consultant will support the operations of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) the consultant will also support other flagships, namely:
• The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation in the Savannah (TAAT-S) program, the Blue Economy Flagship, the ENABLE Youth Flagship, the Post-Harvest Loss and Agro-processing (PHAP) flagship,and other flagships of the Feed Africa Strategy.

Introduction and Objectives

• The African Development Bank’s Agriculture and Agro-industry Department (AHAI) primary role is to contribute to the Bank’s vision of poverty reduction and addressing food security through building a sustainable and resilient agricultural system to increase production and productivity, developing robust marketing, fostering agricultural research and training and improve trade in its Regional Member Countries (RMCs) as embedded in its Feed Africa Strategy.
• The Feed Africa Strategy, which currently guides the work of AHAI, serves as the blueprint for the transformation of African Agriculture into a globally competitive, inclusive, and business-oriented sector that creates wealth, generates gainful employment, improves the quality of life, and secures the environment.
• This will be achieved through 7 mutually reinforcing enablers (Increased productivity, increased value addition, increased investment in hard and soft infrastructure, expanded agricultural finance, improved agribusiness environment, increased inclusivity, sustainability, and nutrition.
• Feed Africa focuses on promoting given agricultural commodity value chains along 8 priority investment areas:
  • Rice self-sufficiency
  • Cassava intensification
  • Freshwater resources management in Drylands
  • Food security in the Sahel
  • Transformation of the Savannah
  • Revitalization of tree plantation
  • Promote horticulture Wheat in Africa
  • Fish self-sufficiency
• The priority value chains will be rolled through the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department flagship programs and initiatives such as The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP),  the Technologies for  African Agriculture  Transformation in Savanah  (TAAT-S)initiative,the Blue Economy Flagship, theEnable youth Program and,  the Post-Harvest Loss and Agro-processing (PHAP) flagship. With an expansion of pipeline in the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department programs/initiatives. 
• The Bank wishes to recruit the services of an Agribusiness analyst to provide analytical support on the Bank’s interventions and impacts in its Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Particularly, to contribute towards the relevance of Agribusiness development in programs/projects, developing robust commodities and market analysis, with focus on holistic value chain approach, and sustainable growth.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Preferably a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Agribusiness, Agriculture Sciences, Agriculture Economics, Development Economics, Rural Development, or a related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant working experience with demonstrated ability to work on the design/implementation of agriculture value chain development projects and programs across African countries.
• Experience working within multicultural teams and international organizations or companies and proven working knowledge/analytical research on Africa’s agricultural and rural development.
• Experience in resource mobilization within the Multi Development sector 
• Having satisfactory analytical skills, working in teams, resourcefulness, and proven organizational/ planning proficiencies.
• Experience in program portfolio management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent understanding of Bank policies, programs and project cycle either within AfDB or with a similar development institution.
• Ability to communicate verbally and write in English and/or French, with a good working knowledge of the other. A bilingual will be an advantage.

Duration and Location:

• The duty station of the Consultant with be at the Bank Headquarters in Abidjan. The Consultancy is for Eight 08 months commencing on 1 June 2023, with possible extension based on the satisfactory performance of incumbent roles. 
• Consultants may also be required to join missions outside Cote d’Ivoire.

Reporting Requirements:

• The Consultant will report to the Director, Agriculture and Agro-Industry (AHAI.1).
• S/he will be directly supervised by the Lead Partnership and Coordination of the Agriculture and Agro-Industry department (AHAI).

Remuneration

• Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, in line with the AfDB compensation guidelines. In addition, for candidates who need to travel to take up this assignment, a round-trip economy class air-tickets with the shortest route will be provided. The candidate will be responsible for obtaining personal health insurance at his or her own cost. The coverage should 
• include all medical expenses, including those resulting from illness or injury incurred during the duration of the assignment

Application Closing Date
17th May, 2023, 17H00 (Abidjan Time).

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: Mr. Philip BOAHEN, [email protected] & Ms. Dorra Ben Niran, [email protected]