Seed System Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), based in Addis Ababa, provides technical leadership and policy support to FAO country offices and member governments in the subregion. SFE also serves as a strategic liaison with the African Union Commission (AUC) and other regional institutions based in Addis Ababa, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Within this framework, FAO-SFE is implementing the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB-2025) project “Continental Support to Harmonized Seed Systems in Africa” in collaboration with the African Union Commission – Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AUC-DARBE). The project aims to strengthen harmonized and resilient seed systems across Africa by promoting regulatory coherence, strengthening continental coordination, and supporting implementation of AU seed harmonization frameworks.

The Seed System Specialist will support the implementation of the project, working closely with AUC-DARBE and relevant continental and regional partners to operationalize AU seed harmonization guidelines and strengthen the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform (ASBP).

Reporting Lines

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa (SRC-SFE) and the direct supervision of the Agricultural Officer (Crops) at FAO-SFE. The Consultant will collaborate closely with technical counterparts at AUC-DARBE, as well as with relevant FAO technical units, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the JSB project.

Technical Focus

The assignment focuses on strengthening harmonized seed systems in Africa through support to the implementation of AU Seed Harmonization Guidelines, strengthening policy and regulatory coordination in pilot countries, and supporting operationalization of continental coordination mechanisms such as the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform (ASBP). The work will include seed system diagnostics, policy alignment, stakeholder engagement, and development of technical guidance and knowledge products to support regulatory coherence and regional collaboration.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

National seed system diagnostics and harmonization analysis

• Coordinate national seed system assessments in Eritrea and Kenya, including analysis of institutional arrangements, regulatory frameworks, and operational capacities.
• Map national seed policies and regulatory instruments against the AU Seed Harmonization Guidelines.
• Prepare technical gap analyses and recommendations to guide alignment with continental seed policy frameworks.

Stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue

• Organize and facilitate national consultations, technical meetings, and validation workshops related to the domestication of AU seed harmonization guidelines.
• Engage with government agencies, regulatory authorities, private sector actors, RECs, and development partners to strengthen collaboration.
• Support preparation and dissemination of policy briefs, technical guidance notes, and knowledge products.

Development of domestication roadmaps

• Coordinate development of detailed domestication roadmaps for pilot countries, outlining regulatory reforms, institutional strengthening actions, and cross-border seed trade facilitation measures.
• Support national technical processes required to implement agreed harmonization measures.

Strengthening the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform (ASBP)

• Support the operationalization of the ASBP Secretariat through the development of governance frameworks, standard operating procedures, and annual work plans.
• Facilitate preparation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) among AUC, RECs, Member States, and strategic partners.
• Organize regional coordination meetings and technical exchanges to advance harmonized seed systems.

Continental biotechnology and biosafety mapping

• Lead mapping of ongoing biotechnology and biosafety initiatives relevant to seed systems across the continent.
• Identify policy gaps and opportunities for regulatory alignment between the AU and RECs.
• Support consultations aimed at advancing harmonization of biosafety and biotechnology governance.

Reporting and knowledge generation

• Prepare technical reports, workshop summaries, analytical outputs, and harmonization briefs.
• Contribute to FAO project reporting requirements, including mid-term and final narrative reports.
• Ensure integration of gender-responsive and human-rights-based approaches throughout project implementation.

The Consultant will also perform any other related duties as assigned by FAO-SFE or AUC-DARBE in support of the project’s objectives.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Seed Science, Plant Breeding, Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness, Agriculture, or related field.
• Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in seed systems, regulatory harmonization, or agricultural policy• inworking knowledge (lervel C) of English;

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work Demonstrated experience working across multiple countries and/or regions, preferably in Africa, with strong exposure to multi-stakeholder and cross-border initiatives involving governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and continental institutions such as the African Union.
• Extent and relevance of experience in seed systems and regulatory harmonization Proven experience in seed system development, including policy and regulatory frameworks, seed value chain development, and implementation of harmonization initiatives at national and/or regional levels. Experience in aligning national seed regulations with regional or continental frameworks (e.g. AU, COMESA, ECOWAS, or SADC systems) is highly desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in policy analysis, institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement Demonstrated capacity to conduct technical diagnostics, policy gap analyses, and facilitate high-level stakeholder consultations. Experience working with public institutions, private sector actors, and development partners in designing and implementing policy reforms, roadmaps, or coordination mechanisms is required.
• Familiarity with continental and regional agricultural frameworks and platforms. Familiarity with African Union agricultural agendas, including seed harmonization frameworks, and coordination platforms such as the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform (ASBP) or similar initiatives. Knowledge of biotechnology and biosafety regulatory systems, and their linkages to seed sector development, is an asset.

Selection criteria

• Demonstrated experience in regional coordination and institutional strengthening.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of French is an asset

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies