FARA

Communication & Public Awareness Specialist

FARA seeks to recruit a Communication and Public Awareness Specialist who will be based at the FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana.Working under FARA’s Networking Support Function 2 and reporting to the Director, Access to Knowledge and Technologies (NSF2), the successful candidate shall perform inter alia the following duties:

• Update and implement FARA’s communication strategy i.e. produce and disseminate public awareness materials such as case studies, policy papers targeted at development partners and policy makers
• Build on the FARA communication strategy to develop a specific strategy to target the media i.e. relate with the International and African Press Agencies in preparation for major FARA events such as the FARA General Assembly held triennially; drafting press releases, and opinion pieces on agricultural research issues in Africa and other related to the activities of the FARA secretariat and FARA forum
• Support to the national RAILS teams to relate with their local media and capture local press stories on agricultural research for development
• Contribute to the regular updates of FARA information and communication tools relevant for FARA and its network.
• Edit communication materials released by FARA Secretariat
• Monitor events or developments at the Global level, FARA Programme sites, SROs and NARS level and identify agricultural research opportunities to inform relevant FARA’s policies, programmes and advocacy functions
• Coordinate FARA’s response to requests for information in a timely, cost effective and appropriate manner on various issues raised by FARA Stakeholders
• Any other duties as that might be assigned by NSF2 Director or FARA management

Compensation
This is a full-time internationally recruited staff position (categorized as Professional Staff within FARA
Secretariat). FARA offers competitive terms of employment.

Applications
Please send (via e-mail) comprehensive curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of three referees to:
Dr. Monty P. Jones, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana; Email: ed@faraafrica.org ; Fax: +233 21 773676. Applications will be accepted up to 28th January 2010.  More information

 

Consultant- CAADP Pillar IV Technical Assistant

Networking Support Function-1 is responsible for advocacy and resource mobilization on behalf of the Forum’s stakeholders and coordinates the Secretariat’s lead role in the implementation of CAADP Pillar IV. The unit supports the integration of FAAP principles and the inclusion of Pillar IV issues in agriculture sector investment programmes developed within the CAADP framework as well as assisting with the evolution and reform of national agricultural research systems at sub-regional and national levels. NSF-1 leads the process to promote the awareness of key players in Pillar IV implementation.

FARA is seeking to recruit a Consultant for six-months to provide technical support to assist with the expected increased activity in Pillar IV implementation in 2010.
The consultant will work with the Director, Networking Support Function 1 and the NSF1 team in achieving the goals of the Pillar IV process.
More information   Terms for reference

Call for Expression of Interest (Auditing Firm)

Audit: Ref. Comp2.4/AUD

Background
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization for agricultural research for development in Africa. As the lead institution for NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) pillar IV, which encompasses agricultural research and technology dissemination and adoption, FARA seeks to build the capacity for agricultural innovation and to make agriculture the continent’s engine for economic growth. FARA works closely with sub-regional organisations (SROs) and national agricultural research and extension systems to ensure effective implementation of CAADP activities. FARA’s mission is to create broad-based improvements in agricultural productivity, competitiveness and markets by supporting Africa’s sub-regional organisations in strengthening capacity for agricultural innovation. FARA’s activities are undertaken through its Networking Support Functions.

In order to provide support to FARA in a harmonized and programmatic manner, FARA’s group of development partners proposed and established a recipient-executed Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) at the World Bank to facilitate joint-financing and to assist the further institutional development of FARA. The Trust Fund will provide substantial funding for activities in FARA’s MTOP. In order to ensure that the funds are used properly for the purpose for which they are intended and accounted for in accordance with the World Bank procedures, it is mandatory for the accounts to be audited by an independent Auditing Firm.

FARA is therefore calling for proposals to engage the services of an Auditing Firm for the provision of independent external audit services of its annual operations.

Objective
To audit the FARA Financial Statements in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(b) of the Standard Conditions of the World Bank. Each such audit of the financial statements shall cover the period of one fiscal year (January to December). The audited Financial Statements for each such period should be furnished to the World Bank not later than six months after the end of the period. In this regard, therefore, FARA is calling for proposals.

Scope of the Assignment
The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) as published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), with special reference to ISA 800 (Auditor’s Report on Special Purpose Audit Engagements) and to relevant World Bank guidelines. In conducting the project audit, special attention should be paid to the following:
a) Funds have been used in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the financing was provided;
b) Counterpart funds (if any) have been provided and used in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, and only for the purposes for which they were provided;
c) Goods and services financed have been procured in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter;
d) Necessary supporting documents, records, and accounts have been kept in respect of all Project ventures including expenditures reported via Summary Report (or Interim Un-audited Financial Reports (Interim Reports)) if used as the basis of disbursement), or Designated Accounts (DAs). Clear linkages should exist between the accounting records and the financial reports presented to the Bank.
e) Where Designated Accounts have been used, they have been maintained in accordance with the provisions of the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter.
f) The PFS have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices and relevant World Bank guidelines, and give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Project as at financial year-end and of the resources and expenditures for the fiscal year then ending.
g) Review the compliance on each of the financial covenants as per the TF Agreement especially to ensure compliance for the conditions under which the tranches were released.

Audit Reports
The auditors will issue an audit opinion on the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Project Financial Statements
In addition to the audit opinion, the auditor will prepare a "management letter," in which the auditor will:
a) give comments and observations on the accounting records, systems, and controls that were examined during the course of the audit;
b) identify specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls and make recommendation for their improvement;
c) report on the lack of compliance of each financial covenant in the relevant financing agreement;
d) communicate matters that have come to their attention during the audit which might have a significant impact on the implementation of the project;
e) bring to the borrower's attention any other matters that the auditor considers pertinent; and
f) include management's comments in the final management letter.
Deliverable and time schedule:
The firm shall submit Draft Final Report in hard copy and an electronic version within seven (7) days upon completion of assignment to the Executive Director
The Final Report, in five (5) hard copies and an electronic version shall be submitted to the Executive Director within seven (7) days on receipt of FARA’s comments.

Duration of Assignment:
The contract will cover 3 financial years and each financial year’s audit will be for Ten (10) Man-Days with possibility of extension.
Location of Assignment:
The assignment will be carried out at the FARA Secretariat, 12 Anmeda Street, Roman Ridge, Accra, Ghana.

Requirements
The Lead Consultant should be an internationally qualified auditor (CPA or its equivalent) with experience in public accounting and financial management and should have a minimum of five years experience in the field with experience in statutory and project auditing. The Firm should have strong knowledge and experience (minimum of 10 years) in public account auditing. The firm should have Specific experience in World Bank Accounts auditing.

Applications
Please send (via e-mail) expression of interest, Proposals (both technical and financial), and comprehensive curriculum vitae of the audit team members, to: Dr. Monty P. Jones, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana; Email: ed@fara-africa.org; Fax: +233 21 773676. Applications will be accepted up to 28th February 2010.

(Download as PDF file)

 

Financial Audit (TOR)

Ref. Comp2.4/AUD

 

Background
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex body for Africa’s agricultural research for development. It is a continent-wide umbrella organization bringing together and forming coalitions of major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa. The FARA Secretariat was created in 2002 and is based in Accra, Ghana. FARA complements the activities of national, international and sub-regional institutions to deliver more responsive and effective services to its stakeholders. It plays advocacy and coordination roles for agricultural research for development (which includes the activities of agricultural research per se, but also, inter alia, agricultural advisory services, agricultural training, and education institutions). Its mission is the creation of broad-based improvements in agricultural productivity, competitiveness and markets by supporting Africa’s sub-regional organizations in strengthening capacity for agricultural innovation.
In order to provide support to FARA in a harmonized and programmatic manner, FARA’s group of development partners proposed and established a recipient-executed Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) at the World Bank to facilitate joint-financing and to assist the further institutional development of FARA. The initial funding to the MDTF is provided by Canada through CIDA, European Commission and United Kingdom through DfID. The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other donors such as JICA, USAID, etc. may also join the group as soon as their respective internal decision making process permits. The Strategic Plan, the Medium Term Operational Plan (MTOP) 2008 – 2012 and annual plans will be the basis for which coordinated support will be provided by all donors. The Trust Fund will provide substantial funding for activities in the MTOP of FARA.
In order to ensure that the funds are used properly for the purpose for which they are intended and accounted for in accordance with the World Bank procedures, it is mandatory for the accounts to be audited by an independent Auditing Firm. FARA is seeking to engage the services of an Auditing Firm to audit the accounts which are being kept and operated for the implementation program.

Objective
According to the MDTF Grant Agreement, FARA is expected to appoint an external auditor with the terms of reference, qualifications, and experience satisfactory to the World Bank. FARA shall have its Financial Statements audited in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(b) of the Standard Conditions of the World Bank. Each such audit of the financial statements shall cover the period of one fiscal year (January to December). The audited Financial Statements for each such period should be furnished to the World Bank not later than six months after the end of such period.
The Scope of the Assignment
The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) as published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), with special reference to ISA 800 (Auditor’s Report on Special Purpose Audit Engagements) and to relevant World Bank guidelines. In conducting the project audit, special attention should be paid to the following:
a) Funds have been used in accordance with the conditions of the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the financing was provided;
b) Counterpart funds (if any) have been provided and used in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, and only for the purposes for which they were provided;
c) Goods and services financed have been procured in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter;
d) Necessary supporting documents, records, and accounts have been kept in respect of all Project ventures including expenditures reported via Summary Report (or Interim Un-audited Financial Reports (Interim Reports)) if used as the basis of disbursement), or Designated Accounts (DAs). Clear linkages should exist between the accounting records and the financial reports presented to the Bank.
e) Where Designated Accounts have been used, they have been maintained in accordance with the provisions of the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter.
f) The PFS have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices and relevant World Bank guidelines, and give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Project as at financial year-end and of the resources and expenditures for the fiscal year then ending.
g) Review the compliance on each of the financial covenants as per the TF Agreement especially to ensure compliance for the conditions under which the tranches were released.

Project Financial Statements
. The Project Financial Statements should include:
a) the cash receipts and payments of the project during the 3years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 showing the World Bank, project funds from other donors, and counterpart funds separately (if applicable),
b) a Summary of Summary Reports used as the basis for the submission of withdrawal applications in the notes, as appropriate;
c) A Statement of Designated Account in the notes, as appropriate; and
d) a Balance Sheet showing Accumulated Funds of the Project, bank balances, other assets of the Project, and liabilities, if any.
As part of the audit of the PFS, the auditor is required to audit all Summary Reports and Interim Un-audited Financial Reports (Interim Reports) used as the basis for the submission of withdrawal applications as per the relevant sections of the Trust Fund Agreement.

Designated Accounts
In conjunction with the audit of the Project Financial Statements, the auditor is also required to audit the activities of the Designated Accounts associated with the Project. The Designated Accounts usually comprise:
a) deposits (tranche releases) and replenishments received from the Bank;
b) payments substantiated by withdrawal applications;
c) interest that may be earned from the balances and which belong to the borrower; and
d) the remaining balances at the end of each fiscal year.
The auditor should pay particular attention to the compliance with the Bank's procedures and the balances of the Designated Accounts at the end of the fiscal year (or period). The auditor should examine the eligibility of financial transactions during the period under examination and fund balances at the end of such a period; the operation and use of the DAs in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, and the adequacy of internal controls for this type of disbursement mechanism.

Audit Reports
The auditors will issue an audit opinion on the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Project Financial Statements (refer to the “Project Financial Statements” paragraph above for a definition of the statements included therein).
In addition to the audit opinion, the auditor will prepare a "management letter," in which the auditor will:
a) give comments and observations on the accounting records, systems, and controls that were examined during the course of the audit;
b) identify specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls and make recommendation for their improvement;
c) report on the lack of compliance of each financial covenant in the relevant financing agreement;
d) communicate matters that have come to their attention during the audit which might have a significant impact on the implementation of the project;
e) bring to the borrower's attention any other matters that the auditor considers pertinent; and
f) include management's comments in the final management letter.
General
The responsibility for the preparation of financial statements including adequate disclosure is that of the Executive Board and management of FARA. This includes the maintenance of adequate accounting records and internal controls, the selection and application of accounting policies, and the safeguarding of the assets of the entity. As part of the audit process, the auditor will request from management written confirmation concerning representations made to the auditor in connection with the audit.
FARA will co-operate fully with the auditor and will make available to the auditor whatever records, documentation and other information is requested by the auditor in connection with the audit. The auditor should be given access to all legal documents, correspondence, and any other information associated with the project and deemed necessary by the auditor. Confirmation should also be obtained of amounts disbursed and outstanding at the Bank and of amounts disbursed under TF Agreement.
It is highly desirable that the auditor become familiar with the relevant World Bank guidelines, which explain the Bank's financial reporting and auditing requirements. These guidelines include:
• Operational Policy 10.02 and Bank Procedure 10.02, Financial Management
• Financial Management Practices in World Bank Financed Investment Operations, dated November 2005
• World Bank Disbursement Guidelines for Projects dated May 2006
Deliverable and reporting time schedule:
The firm shall submit Draft Final Report in hard copy and an electronic version within seven (7) days upon completion of assignment to the Executive Director
The Final Report, in five (5) hard copies and an electronic version shall be submitted to the Executive Director within seven (7) days on receipt of FARA’s comments.
Duration of Assignment:
The contract will cover 3 financial years and each financial year’s audit will be for Ten (10) Man-Days with possibility of extension.
Location of Assignment:
The assignment will be carried out at the FARA Secretariat, 12 Anmeda Street, Roman Ridge, Accra, Ghana.

Requirements
The Lead Consultant should be an internationally qualified auditor (CPA or its equivalent) with experience in public accounting and financial management and should have a minimum of five years experience in the field with experience in statutory and project auditing. The Firm should have strong knowledge and experience (minimum of 10 years) in public account auditing. The firm should have Specific experience in World Bank Accounts auditing.

Applications
Please send (via e-mail) expression of interest, Proposals (both technical and financial), and comprehensive curriculum vitae of the audit team members, to: Dr. Monty P. Jones, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana; Email: ed@fara-africa.org; Fax: +233 21 773676. Applications will be accepted up to 28th February 2010.

(Download as PDF)

 

 

Consultant: Development of FARA’s Capacity Strengthening Strategy in Agriculture and Natural Resources for Africa.

FARA is seeking to engage consultants for the following;

A: Undertake targeted Key Informant Interviews and coordinate the development of a continental strategy for Capacity Strengthening for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Africa and: Ref. No. NSF4/4.5.1.3

B: Undertake E-consultation for the development of a continental strategy for Capacity Strengthening for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Africa:  Ref.  No. NSF4/4.5.1.2

1.    Background

FARA is developing strategy for Capacity Strengthening for Agriculture & Natural Resources.
As a stakeholder organisation FARA’s mandate is to catalyse, facilitate and support networking amongst its stakeholders so that they will collectively have greater impact.  A first step in fulfilling these networking support functions is for FARA’s NSF4 to be knowledgeable about who is doing what capacity strengthening, where, with whom and how as a basis for determining where and how to add value to the overall investment in African agricultural capacity strengthening.
Budgetary constraints and the after effect of the structural adjustment programmes which curtailed recruitment in many countries resulted in serious capacity deficiencies in both management and science of African agricultural research and capacity strengthening institutions. These effects are preventing institutions from properly fulfilling their mandates. Human and institutional capacity weaknesses pervade all aspects of the agricultural innovation system and a major problem facing agricultural development in Africa.
The process for developing FARA’s NSF 4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy for Agriculture & Natural Resources, will therefore adopt a fully participatory model involving the major FARA partners and capacity strengthening project implementing entities in Africa.

The process will consist of the following key components

i. Preparation of a Concept Note outlining the process and the financial implications for approval by the Executive Director of FARA
ii. Management of an E-Consultation, and in consultation with the SROs, and involving targeted capacity strengthening experts throughout Africa,
iii. Analysis of the output of the E-Consultation, preparation for a briefing and planning meeting to carefully define the next steps for the  NSF4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy development process
iv. Identification of Key  informants with considerable experience in capacity strengthening activities and field work on Key Informants Interviews
v. Collation, analysis and preparation of a draft NSF 4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy Document
vi. Validation of the Capacity Strengthening Strategy by a small expert group in a 3 day workshop.
vii. Revision and production of the final draft of the Continental Capacity Strengthening Strategy Document for endorsement and approval by the FARA Executive Board
viii. Publication and distribution of the strategy document.
ix. Development of implementation plan

2. Objectives
The purpose of developing the NSF4 strategy is to establish how FARA as a Forum can add value to Africa’s investment in strengthening Africa’s capacity for innovation in agriculture and related industries
The objectives are to validate the following priorities for the Forum, facilitated by the Secretariat and determine how best to address them:
i. To be a centre of knowledge on African agricultural capacity strengthening
ii. To apply a continental perspective to strengthening the capacity of agricultural research and capacity strengthening institutions
iii.To apply a continental perspective to strengthening Africa’s capacity to build capacity in agriculture and natural resource management
iv. To apply a continental perspective to strengthening Africa’s capacity to empower rural communities and individuals with learning opportunities
v.To determine how tertiary institutions can contribute most effectively to African agricultural development through research and training and how they can be incorporated in Africa’s agricultural investment budgets.

A: Undertake targeted Key Informant Interviews and coordinate development of a continental strategy for Capacity Strengthening for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Africa and: Ref. No. NSF4/4.5.1.3

Scope of Services

The Consultant will work under the close supervision of the Director NSF 4 and will perform the following tasks

i. Prepare and facilitate the briefing and planning meeting of the process for the E-consultation for the FARA Capacity Strengthening Strategy.
ii. Oversee the conduct and analysis of the E-consultation in NSF4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy.
iii. Prepare, in consultation with the Director NSF4, a checklist of  key informants to critically review, fine tune and contribute to the materials obtained from the E-Consultation
iv. Undertake field mission to selected countries to undertake key informant interviews and to obtain more information needed to enlarge and enrich the contributions from the E-Consultation.
v. Collate, and analyse the outputs from these consultations and prepare a consolidated draft FARA Capacity Strengthening Strategy Document
vi. Facilitate a 3 day validation workshop for the Capacity Strengthening Strategy Document by a small expert group (max. 10 persons) to finalize the NSF4 Strategy Document.
vii. Study the comments from the FARA Governing Board, review and incorporate them to prepare a final working NSF4 Strategy Document which will be validated by a core group of experts in a 3 day workshop at FARA.
viii. Using the output of the validation workshop, revise and produce the final NSF4 Strategy Document for approval (for review by the Programme Committee of the FARA Governing Board and endorsement by the FARA Governing Board).
ix. Perform any other related CaSt tasks that may be assigned by the Director NSF4.

Reporting and time schedule of deliverables

A Final NSF4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy Document which should be in a form ready to be published and distributed to members of the FARA Forum and to the international agricultural development community within five days on receipt of final comments.

Requirement:

The Coordinating Consultant should have the following qualifications:
• Higher degree, preferably a PhD, in agricultural sciences, biological sciences or related disciplines. 
• Familiarity with African agricultural research and development issues, especially with organization of the coordination of agricultural research and development initiatives at sub-regional and continental level in Africa.
• At least 10 years of proven experience in developing and managing training and capacity building programmes in African agriculture.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and a working knowledge of French will be an advantage.

Assignment period
The consultancy is for 28 working days from 26th Feb – 6th April

B: Undertake E-consultation for the development of a continental strategy for Capacity Strengthening for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Africa:
Ref.  No. NSF4/4.5.1.2

Scope of Services

The Consultant to undertake the E-consultation will work under the close supervision of the Coordinating Consultant and the general guidance of the Director NSF4 and will perform the following tasks:
i. Identity appropriate capacity strengthening (CaSt)experts in African agricultural research and development and compile briefs of the experts, with details of their names, postal addresses, and e-mail addresses for review by the Director NSF4 and the NSF4 Strategy Document development Coordinating Consultant.
ii. Prepare Guidelines for the contributions to the Capacity Strengthening Strategy, taking into account the Four Pillars of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
iii. Communicate electronically with the carefully selected Capacity Strengthening experts to contribute to the NSF4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy document.
iv. Collate and analyse the responses obtained from the E-Consultation and prepare a consolidated report of the contributions from the consultation for review by the Co-ordinating Consultant and the Director NSF4.
v. Perform any other related tasks that may be assigned by the Director of Capacity Strengthening.

Reporting and time schedule of deliverables

i. A Consolidated Database of Experts in Capacity Strengthening (CaSt) experts in Africa and
ii. Detailed Report of the contributions of CaSt Experts from the E-Consultation to the NSF 4 Capacity Strengthening Strategy Document within two days on receipt of final comments.

Requirement:
The Consultant to manage the E-Consultation should have the following qualifications

• University higher degree in agriculture, information sciences or related disciplines.
• High level of computer literacy and at least 5 years experience in the development and management of websites and proven expertise in coordinating e- discussion groups.
• Familiarity with African agricultural research and development issues, especially with organization of the coordination of agricultural research and development initiatives at sub-regional and continental level in Africa.
• Should be proficient in written and spoken English and have a working knowledge of French.

Assignment period
The consultancy is for 8 working days from 1st March– 10th March

Applications
Technical applications should be sent preferably via email to: Dr. Monty P. Jones, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana; Email: ed@fara-africa.org; Fax: +233 21 773676.

(Download as PDF)

 

Consultancy: Production of a video documentary

FARA is seeking to engage consultant to undertake production of a video documentary

Background
Strengthening Capacity for Agricultural Research & Development in Africa (SCARDA) is a DFID-funded programme employing an integrated and holistic approach to institutional and human capacity strengthening involving 12 focal institutions (FIs) within their respective national agricultural research systems (NARS) in 10 African countries spread across the three sub-regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of SCARDA is to reduce poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa by improving the capacity and performance of participating NARS in key areas of their agricultural research for development (AR4D) functions.

The Programme is coordinated by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Secretariat and implemented in accordance with the “subsidiarity principle” by the sub-regional organizations (SROs), viz.: Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), Counseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour Recherche et le Development Agricole/West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) and the Southern African Development Community - Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate (SADC-FANR). The implementing SROs are each supported by a lead service provider (LSP) and other service providers (SPs) all competitively engaged to deliver on specific and tailor-made capacity strengthening activities through a quality assured contracting process. The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich in the UK also plays an active backstopping role in the implementation of SCARDA activities.

Purpose of Consultancy
SCARDA’s implementation phase commenced in March 2008 and is due to end on 30th June 2010. The program has a functional performance management plan to ensure performance-oriented monitoring of activity implementation. One of the objectives of SCARDA’s performance management plan is to provide a shared framework for regular reflection, documentation, lesson learning and to gather evidence to inform the evaluation of the program’s outcomes, including its contribution to FARA’s strategic objectives and results framework. Methods for measuring progress against populated baselines include qualitative assessments captured through stakeholder and FI employee feedback surveys. The added value provided by SCARDA to the FIs is to be captured through case studies incorporating ‘storylines’ as well as identification and documentation of unexpected positive outcomes.

FARA would now like to engage a consultant to undertake production of a video documentary with a detailed narrative on positive outcomes and added value arising from the implementation of SCARDA activities. The documentary will be based on captured interviews with key SCARDA implementing partners to highlight how SCARDA addresses the FARA results framework, the capacity strengthening activities undertaken by SCARDA, and key positive outcomes that have been realized.

Scope of the Consultancy
The consultant will design an appropriate approach and schedule to enable field capture of targeted video shootouts in the SROs and FIs within 2 weeks. In addition to existing video footage, photographs and library materials, the consultant will compile a 15 to 30-minute comprehensive documentary on SCARDA. The assignment calls for tight itineraries and strict logistical outlay that demand very careful planning.

Outputs/Deliverables
A 15 to 30-minute video documentary in both English & French on at least 20 CDs and DVDs

Reporting & Time schedule
Orientation: 2 days
Video shooting & editing: 2 weeks
Production & submission: 1 week
Total: 3 weeks, 2 days

Supervision & Coordination
The overall coordination of the assignment will rest with the Director, Capacity Strengthening, FARA, with supervisory roles devolved as follows:
SCARDA Program Officer (FARA Secretariat)
SRO Focal Persons (ASARECA, SADC/FANR, CORAF/WECARD)
LSP Contact Persons (RUFORUM, ANAFE, AGHRYMET)
SP Contact Persons (PICO Team, GIMPA, ESAMI)
FI Contact Persons: ASARECA (ISAR, ISABU, ARC); SADC/FANR (UNZA, NUL, DAR); CORAF/WECARD (CRI, IER, NARI, CRAL).

Qualification & Experience required
Qualified consultancy firms must demonstrate:
• Reasonable experience in the production of audiovisual documentaries of scientific, technical, development or capacity strengthening cast
• Ability to undertake the task backed by evidence of successfully completed tasks of a similar nature
• Good knowledge and understanding of the operations of sub-regional organizations and national agricultural research systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Bilingual orientation (English & French)

Application
Please send (via e-mail) expression of interest, Proposals (both technical and financial), and comprehensive curriculum vitae of consultant to: Dr. Monty P. Jones, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana; Email: ed@fara-africa.org; Fax: +233 21 773676. Applications will be accepted up to 1st March 2010.

(Download as PDF)

 

 

Director Programmes
FULL TIME – BASED IN DAKAR, SENEGAL
REF: 05/CW-DP/SE/09
The present vacancy is for the position of a Director - Programmes to guide, support
and manage CORAF/WECARD’s new portfolio of Programmes in full support of the
Executive Director and the Governing Board.We envisage the role having the following requirements:
· A willingness to travel extensively within the sub-region and internationally;
· You will bring with you, by virtue of your track record, an excellent reputation and
the likelihood that development partners and peers will be contacting you for the
services of CORAF/WECARD;
· You will provide peer review, quality assurance and mentoring support to your
colleagues. You will contribute your time and intellect to the broader collegiate
work environment.
· You will need to be an excellent communicator and to be able to get your point
across to senior government and development partner officials succinctly and
diplomatically;
· Your ability to work in and lead multi-disciplinary teams in a multi-donor
environment is crucially important; you will be able to engage at both local level,
and in high level policy dialogue.Call opening: March 12, 2009
Call closing: April 15, 2009. For more Information in ENGLISH  FRANCAIS

Policy/Markets/Trade Programme Manager
FULL TIME – BASED IN DAKAR, SENEGAL
REF: 06/CW-DP/SE/09
The  vacancy is for the position of a Programme Manager for Policy/Markets/Trade Programme to guide, support and manages CORAF/WECARD’s Policy/Markets/Trade Programme in full support of the Director Programmes, Executive Director and the Governing Board. We envisage the role having the following requirements:
· A willingness to travel extensively within the sub-region and internationally;
· As this is primarily a management and facilitation position, you will bring a strong ability to manage human and financial resources as well as the overall Programme; your ability to work under pressure with and facilitate multi-stakeholder teams in a multidonor environment is crucially important; you will be able to engage at both local level, and in high level policy dialogue.
· You will also bring with you, by virtue of your track record, a strong reputation in the
Policy/Markets/Trade field covered by your Programme and a wide network of peers
sub-regionally, regionally and internationally, who know and recognise your skills;
· You will provide peer review, quality assurance and mentoring support to stakeholders within the Programme.Call opening: March 16, 2009
Call closing: April 20, 2009 For more information in ENGLISH  FRANCAIS

 

FAO

Executive Director - CGIAR Science Council

FAO is seeking candidates with outstanding managerial and technical expertise, for a range of senior level posts.  The posts advertised here are Director level posts (Division Director and Service Chief responsibilities) and as such exercise both managerial and technical leadership in their respective fields.

The general requirements for posts at these levels include:
Post graduate qualifications or equivalent post-graduate professional development
Demonstrated professional competence and mastery of subject matter Management and technical leadership of a high order in the relevant subject area. Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.  English  French   Spanish  Chinese

 

PhD IN DRYLAND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
SEMESTER ONE TEACHING-REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO TEACH

Introduction
During the 1st semester, we are focusing on the seven core courses; electives come in 2nd semester. It was discussed and agreed in the special departmental meeting, that the lead lecturers for these courses shall be from UoN and shall be in-charge of the teaching and examination of those particular course. One or two other people might teach the course, but he / she is responsible to  ensure others not only teach but also administer CATs and set questions for the part they have taught, graded the same and submitted the grades for him to consolidate and forward to the Head of Department. As we head-hunt for local resource persons to co-teach the courses, we are hereby requesting RUFORUM Secretariat to ‘flash’ these courses among other RUFORUM universities (apart from those in Kenya) and request for expression of interest in co-teaching the courses.

ISAR Rwanda

Research Consultant in Taxonomy of Banana, Avocado, Macadamia, Citrus and Pineapple” in Germplasm Collections

Interested candidates will submit the letter of application, their technical and financial proposals, curriculum vitae, and statement of capability to the Director General, ISAR Office  in Kigali by email: dg@isar.rw,  with a copy to dgsec@isar.rw,   j_mugabe@yahoo.fr, kagiboni@yahoo.fr and ndiramiye@gmail.com.

The deadline for submission of application is the 22 December 2009. 

More information   Terms of Reference

 

TOR for a consultancy to develop the Rwanda Agricultural Research Strategic Plan

Background

Agriculture, which contributes around 40% of the GDP, needs a strong support of research to
play a sustainable role in the country's development. The agricultural research mandate is
vested with the Rwanda Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR), one of the main pillars of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), meant to support the
implementation of the National Agricultural Policy and the Ministry's mission of transforming agriculture from the traditional subsistence type to a demand driven and commercially oriented agriculture. ISAR mission is "to generate and develop demand-driven innovative technologies to increase agricultural productivity for food security and improved incomes while conserving the natural resource base".

To ensure that developed and disseminated research technologies contribute towards the
Ministry's mission and are in line with the Rwandan agriculture needs, ISAR is undertaking
to revise the Agricultural Research Strategic Plan, to align it with the current national
agricultural and development policies, which includes the Strategic Plan for Agricultural
Transformation (SPAT) and the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy
(EDPRS).

Objective of the consultancy
The primary purpose of the agricultural research strategic planning is to develop a
comprehensive "roadmap" setting the direction, priorities and pace of agricultural research,
taking into account the country's policies and development programs in agricultural sector,
and the need to rapidly disseminate newly created and existing technologies to Rwandan
farmers and create sustained visibility for Agricultural research for the next 10 years. The
development of the Agricultural Research Strategic Plan should take into account the current
merger of agricultural research and extension into one agency, the Rwanda Agriculture Board
(RAB).

Who is expected to undertake this work?
The consultant, an individual or company, will be experienced in strategic planning and
formulation process for agricultural research programs and institutions in Sub-Saharan
Africa. For individual applicants, the consultant will have a minimum of a master's degree in
a relevant field and at least eight years of professional experience, of which policy and
strategy formulation for similar organizations.

Scope of work
The consultant, in consultation with ISAR management, especially the Planning Office, will
develop a strategic plan document indicating clearly the priority research programs, the
necessary human and infrastructure resources capacity building strategy to support these
programs, a clear strategy to developladapt and disseminate existing and new technologies to
farmers and other beneficiaries in support of the country development policies; a resources
mobilization plan and refining the existing capacity building plan guarantying the successful
implementation of the strategic plan.

Specific tasks
a) Gathering and analyzing policy and strategy documents in agriculture and agricultural
research, both national and regional and making sure that relevant issues are addressed in
the strategic plan;
b) Contacting all the stakeholders in agricultural research, i.e. academia, policy makers,
agricultural research scientists, agricultural research management, research partners
(NGOs, Donors, Farmer organizations, local administration, etc.) to gather their views
and needs on the agricultural research input to development programs;
c) Developing the agricultural research strategic plan basing on already existing documents
and research policies and the data gathered in a) and b) above;
d) Conducting a stakeholders workshop to validate the agricultural research strategy
e) Produce the final strategic plan document

Time-frame
The contract will be executed in a period of 1.5 months.

Applications
Interested applicants will submit their technical and financial proposals, curriculum vitae, and
a statement of capability to the Director General, ISAR Headquarters in Kigali by email:
dg@isar.rw daphrose.gahakwa@gmail.com with a copy to j_mugabe@yahoo.fr, and
ndiramiye@gmail.com. The deadline for submission of applications is the 25 December 2009.

Download the ToR as PDF file

For further information on ISAR, its research programmes and units, please visit ISAR
website at www.isar.rw

Bioversity International

Location:Kampala, Uganda
Duration: Three years duration, contract renewed annually
Eligibility: The post is open to:
• candidates who have Dutch nationality or a permanent residence status in the Netherlands; or candidates who have the nationality of another EU Member State; or
• candidates from eligible developing countries; See the section “Further Information” for other eligibility criteria and the list of developing countries eligible to participate in the JPO/JE/APO/AE Programme.
Note: Nationals of the duty station (Uganda) are not eligible. Nor are candidates who have previously worked as a JPO/JE/APO/AE.

Terms and conditions: Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, noncontributory retirement plan, housing allowance, medical insurance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars.
Further information: on Bioversity can be found at:http://www.bioversityinternational.org/ or about the vacancy by request to bioversityvacancy@cgiar.org
For further information on eligibility criteria, click on the link below:
http://www.minbuza.nl/en/Key_Topics/Development_Cooperation/Associate_Experts_Programme

Applications: Please apply online through the following link: Bioversity Employment Opportunities Webpage by clicking the “Apply” button. Alternatively, via e-mail to: bioversityvacancy@cgiar.org including a letter of application, curriculum vitae in English
indicating ‘Associate Expert, Uganda’ in the subject line; or via mail to: Human Resources Office, Bioversity International, Via de Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy; or via Fax to (39) 06 6118 341. Please quote the source of advertisement.
The curriculum vitae should include applicant’s date of birth, nationality, marital status (if married with spouse and children details); contact details; summary of secondary education; detailed description of higher education including degree courses undertaken and special assignments/projects; consultant contracts; work experience; recreational interests; language capabilities; details of three referees including telephone and fax numbers and e-mail address. Deadline for applications: 29 November 2009. More information

 

 

Senior Scientist, Nutrition & Biodiversity

Bioversity International is developing a programme of work on the use of biodiversity resources for food and nutrition. Bioversity’s research is designed to explore how biodiversity conservation and use can provide immediate local as well as global benefits to people, especially in developing countries facing a growing burden of malnutrition. Agricultural biodiversity within agroecosystems (including crop genetic diversity, neglected or orphan crops, and plants and animals in home gardens and in a range of niches including aquatic environments and forest margins) is an important a source of micronutrients and dietary diversity.

Agricultural biodiversity is also crucial to counter trends towards uniform, simplified, and nutritionally poor diets. Bioversity seeks to fill the international post of Senior Scientist in Nutrition with expertise in human nutrition
to lead a global research programme investigating how agricultural biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition and health. The incumbent would lead research that (i) provides systematic evidence of the links between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity and relevant health outcomes; (ii) documents the role of local foods, local food culture and traditional knowledge of plants and foods; (iii) identifies strategic options
and pathways that mainstream biodiversity into cross-cutting policy and development agendas in agriculture, health, and environment. More information

• Home
• About us
• Partners
• Our Programmes
• Our Projects
• Opportunities
  • Vacancies
  • Grants, Funding & Fellowships
  • Procurement announcement
• Publications
• News & Announcements
• Knowledge Base
• Tool Centre & Interaction
• Calendar
• Intranet