Consultant - National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

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Consultant - National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP)

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Employer: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 day ago

Deadline: July, 06/2025 (10 days left)

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AGRA seeks to recruit a consultant who can provide supports to AGRA Ethiopia based on the below terms of references of the assignment/project - National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP).

AGRA founded in 2006, is an African-led African-based organization that seeks to catalyze Agriculture Transformation in Africa. AGRA is focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives. As the sector that employs the majority of Africa’s people, nearly all of them small-scale farmers, AGRA recognizes that developing smallholder agriculture into a productive, efficient, and sustainable system is essential to ensuring food security, lifting millions out of poverty, and driving equitable growth across the continent.

AGRA is rolling out a new 5-year strategy to catalyze and sustain an Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa to increase incomes and improve food security for 30 million farmers. Under this strategy, AGRA will deliver through an approach that simultaneously catalyzes change at farmer level, strengthens input and output market systems and puts government at the center to enable and champion private-sector-led agricultural growth at national level.

1. Background

Ethiopia’s agriculture sector plays a central role in the lives and livelihoods of the majority of the country's population dwelling in rural areas. Over the last 20 years, the country’s efforts to the develop the sector have played major roles in increasing food production, protecting natural resources, ensuring food security, and reducing poverty. In this endeavour, Ethiopia signed the Comprehensive African Agriculture Programme (CAADP) in 2003 to harness agriculture's potential for economic growth, poverty reduction, and food self-sufficiency. Ethiopia's policies and activities have been in line with the CAADP pillars, especially since the country signed the CAADP Compact in August 2009, which aids in defining and expediting the execution of its agricultural development objectives in accordance with the CAADP framework.

Pursuant to the CAADP process, in 2010, the Government of Ethiopia launched the Agriculture Sector Policy and Investment Framework (PIF) as the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP) for country. Ethiopia’s PIF was a sectoral national policy applicable for the period of 2010-2020. Its main objective was to sustainably increase rural incomes and national food security, producing more, selling more, nurturing the environment, eliminating hunger, and protecting the vulnerable against shocks. Four main themes, each with its own strategic objective, were identified within the above overall objective, they included: i) production and productivity; ii) rural commercialization; iii) natural resource management; and iv) disasters risk management.

To advance the 2003 Comprehensive African Agriculture Programme (CAADP), the African Heads of State and government in June 2014 adopted the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods. This was meant to guide and accelerate agricultural transformation in Africa building on achievements and lessons from the first ten years of implementing the CAADP framework. Ethiopia, a signatory of the Malabo Declaration, has also integrated the commitments of the AU 2014 Malabo Declaration on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation (3AGT) into its National Agriculture Investment Framework (NAIF).

1. Rationale for a Redesign of NAIP

The African Union Extraordinary Summit in Kampala, Uganda, held from January 9 to 11, 2025, endorsed the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, as well as the Kampala CAADP Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa, which would be executed between 2026 and 2035. It envisioned to create "sustainable and resilient agri-food systems for a healthy and prosperous Africa," which is consistent with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Africa Common Position on Food Systems. It builds on previous commitments from the 2003 Maputo and 2014 Malabo Declarations, emphasizing sustainable practices, agroecology, regional integration, and women and youth empowerment.

The strategy identifies six strategic objectives targeting intensified food production, agro-industrialization, trade, investment mobilization, food security, equitable livelihoods, resilience, and governance. Goals include a 45% increase in agrifood output, halving extreme poverty, reducing post-harvest loss by 50%, tripling intra-African trade, and achieving zero hunger by 2035.

Hence, in line with Kampala CAADP Declaration (2026 -2035), Ethiopia is expected to develop National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) building on the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) developed in aligned with Malabo Declaration through considering emerging circumstances as well as the ten-year agricultural development plan with clear established linkage with Ethiopia’s international commitments including (a) the UN food system submit, and (b) the Paris Declaration and successive Aid Effectiveness agreements (C) Sustainable Development Goals/SDGS and (d) Agenda 2063.

The National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) will be a strategic document, embedded within the Ethiopian national system and reflective of and responsive to the goals of the Ten-year Perspective plan for the agriculture sector and food system transformation roadmap. The Ten-year Agriculture Sector Perspective plan (2020-2030) defines the government investment priorities in the sector and acts as a guide for inclusive implementation and operationalization of the two five years programmes that will enable a rational and efficient realization of the goals. The NASIP will cover a ten-year period until from 2026 -2035. A mid-term evaluation/MTR may take place in mid-2030 coinciding with the completion of next five-year plan. The NASIP in one way or another, will integrate the various Ethiopian sub-sectoral strategies, including, but not limited to the following:

• The Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy.
• The Livestock Master Plan (LMP).
• The Disaster Risk Management Strategic Policy and Investment Framework (DRM SPIF).
• The National Nutrition Programme (NNP).
• The Agri-food system roadmap.
• The Country Programming Paper (CPP) reflective in the Inter-Governmental Agricultural Development (IGAD) Drought, Disaster Resiliency and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI).
• The Agricultural Sector Flagship Programmes (AGP, SLMP, PSNP etc.).
• The Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
• The Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks and Industrial Parks Initiatives.
• Ethiopian strategic investment for sustainable landscapes management. (ESIF)
• Various Federal and Regionally developed Growth and Transformation Plans; including the comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme /CAADP, Agenda 2063, SDG.

Purpose of NASIP

• Provide a tool for strategic discussion and dialogue as well as prioritization and planning of sectoral investments across the broad scope of the Ministry of Agriculture.
• To contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of ending hunger and halving poverty in Ethiopia by 2030 through sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth and transformation.
• Integrate CAADP commitments into the National Agri-food Systems Investment Plans (NASIP) to align with strategic priorities to ensure coordinated policies, funding and accountability for sustainable agricultural growth

Objective of the Assignment

General objective: The overall objective of this consultancy assignment is to produce High quality National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) for Ethiopia: 2026-2035.

Specific objectives: the followings are the specific objectives the consultancy assignment: -

• Conducting a review and generate data and analytics for CAADP BR reporting process, public expenditure and NAIP, and food system
• Building on first and second phase of the homegrown economic reform (HGER 1.0 & HGER 2.0) programs, and the ten-year agriculture sector plan, develop a comprehensive NAFSIF plan that will; ensure sustainable and resilient agri-food systems of the country;
• Integrate CAADP commitments into the National Agri-food Systems Investment Plans (NASIP)
• Clearly identify financial resources required to contribute to the achievements of the agriculture components of the ten-year agriculture perspective plan including contribution by source of funding (i.e. Gov, DPs Private Sector and NGOs)
• Provide a framework for coordination and clarify institutional relationships for implementation of NASIP as well as design mechanism for tracking of implementation using M&E result framework

1. Scope of Work

Consultancy outputs: National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) for Ethiopia: 2026-2035.

1. Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

Duration: The consultancy will be expected to work up to a maximum of 40 working days. The consultant will be expected to complete the assignment after the official endorsement of the review report and NASIP document by technical review team and Higher Management of the Ministry.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Expected places of travel: Few selected places as a show case to depict facts on the ground.

1. Final Products And Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected to be submitted as per the assignment: -

• An approved NASIP Inception Plan that will include a detailed outline of the proposed methodology, key documents to be reviewed and key stakeholders and informants to be solicited for input.
• Ethiopia NAIP (2021-30) implementation review report. (Review report CAADP BR reporting process, public expenditure and NAIP, and food food system)
• Draft NASIP document, submitted for review and inputs by the Technical Review Team (TRT) reflecting the components identified under NASIP Outline (See Annex 1).
• First draft / an advanced NASIP document, with approval and satisfaction of the technical review team, presented to a broad RED&FS stakeholder’s forum/ SWG Executive Committee for further inputs.
• Final NASIP document with an Executive Summary
• High quality Power Point Presentations prepared and presented to at least 3 high level meetings

Deliverables

• An Inception report incorporating inception meeting feedback and comments
• Ethiopia NAIP (2021-30) implementation review report.
• Zero draft NASIP document.
• First draft / an advanced NASIP document, with approval and satisfaction of the Technical Review Team (TRT)
• Final Report-National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP) for Ethiopia: 2026-2035.
• High quality Power Point Presentations prepared and presented to at least 3 high level meetings.

1. Degree of Expertise and Qualifications

The consultancy team should have at least two team members who must have complementary skill sets. The following are the required qualifications, skills, and experience for the assignment.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in social sciences, development, planning, strategic planning, statistics, economics, agriculture economics, development studies, sociology, rural development, natural resource management or related field.

Experience

• At least 10 years of proven experience in designing, conducting and facilitating mid-term and final evaluations of programs and projects, including knowledge of Results Frameworks and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in Ethiopian agriculture or related sectors.
• Proven experience in designing agric and food systems related investment plans.

Competencies specific to this assignment

• He/she should have a good understanding of the African Union (AU) 2003 Maputo Declaration and AU 2014 Malabo Declaration as well as Kampala Declaration.
• He/she should possess experience and knowledge in sector program design, programme evaluations, as well as economic and financial analysis
• Proven experience in Ethiopian policy planning and development systems and processes.
• Good understanding of Ethiopia and its agriculture sector (crops, livestock and fisheries) and evidence of having carried out similar works in Ethiopia or in an African setup is desired
• Experience with Sector Based Approaches will be an advantage
• Experience in conducting mid-term and final evaluations of projects and programs, including knowledge of Results Frameworks and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) quantitative skills would be an additional advantage
• Proven expertise in conducting institutional assessments and reviews
• Proven ability to liaise with government departments, various stakeholders, including at decentralized level
• Proven record of having been a Team Leader on similar assignments
• Proven ability to liaise with government departments, various stakeholders, also at decentralized level, including experience in conducting participatory evaluation of agricultural sector programs
• Proven expertise in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative surveys
• Excellent numeracy skills, ability to review budgets, and present budget and information clearly; good command of MS excel
• Qualification in M&E and Programme design is an added advantage.
• Solid knowledge of food security and nutrition policy and analysis
• Proven ability to liaise with government departments, various stakeholders, also at decentralized level, including experience in conducting participatory evaluation of agricultural sector programs
• Solid knowledge of value chain analysis and value chain projects
• Proven experience in poverty and food security analysis.
• Proven experience in investment costing for agriculture and related sectors.
• Knowledge about HGER 01, HGER 02, and the ten years agree sector perspective plan.
• Knowledge on major cross cutting themes including nutrition, climate smart agriculture, resilience strategies, rural job creation, and gender and youth issues.
• Knowledge on the major flagship programmes and projects of MoA.

General competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, fluent in English and sufficient knowledge of local languages
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, be proactive, and with sound judgement.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills
• Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills.
• Stakeholder engagement skills
• Workshop facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality results within strict deadlines;

Terms of appointment: The duration of the assignment is up to a maximum of 40 working days.

Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. Consultants should submit 3 pagers of technical and one page of financial proposals together with CVs of the lead consultant and associate experts.

The position and reference number: REF: C/AGRA/15/2025 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 6 July 2025.

AGRA/ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

To find more about AGRA, visit our Website at www.agra.org.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at https://www.ilri.org/

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

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