Capacity Building Technical Support Consultant - Feed Fodder Inventories

  • Nairobi
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 29 days ago
BackgroundThe African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR's mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, and wildlife resources for human wellbeing and economic development in AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
AU-IBAR, in partnership with the Gates Foundation (BMGF), is implementing the "Evidence Driven Short Term Solutions to Build Resilience and Address the Adverse Effects of Crises on African Feed and Fodder Systems" (RAFFS Project). This intervention aims to address the impacts of multiple global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change shocks, and disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, on Africa’s feed and fodder supply chains, livestock production, and ultimately, food and nutrition security.In response, the RAFFS Project has developed and rolled out an analytical, capacity building, and policy support platform to strengthen the resilience of feed and fodder systems, while promoting evidence-based decision-making, scalable innovations, and strategic investments.
Achievements to Date
During the initial phase of implementation, the RAFFS Project, with support from the institutional partner, successfully delivered a suite of foundational technical and capacity building activities in relation to feed inventories and national feed balances, including: * Methodological Standardization: Adoption and application of the Feed balances for ruminant livestock approach developed by ILRI/University of Edinburgh to conduct national feed and fodder inventories.
  • Pilot Country Implementation: Full national feed inventory exercises were completed for Nigeria and Cameroon, producing the first comprehensive national-level Feed Balance Sheets for these countries.
  • Capacity Building: National technical teams in all six target countries were introduced to spatial data applications (e.g., MODIS, Copernicus, and Gridded Livestock datasets), feed balance computation, and preliminary modeling techniques.
  • Ground Truthing in Nigeria and Cameroon: Field data collection, ground truthing, and validation exercises were conducted to strengthen the reliability of remote sensing estimates and build national skills in integrating field data.
  • Knowledge Products: Preliminary technical reports, training materials, and working documents were developed to support national data analysis and inform subsequent scaling of inventories.
  • Regional Coordination Platform: Established a cross-country technical learning platform and initiated the development of consolidated technical manuals to support AU-wide harmonization of feed inventory protocols.
  • These accomplishments have laid the technical and institutional foundation for this second phase, which will deepen, expand, and consolidate the work across all six countries, while advancing towards the development of a Feed and Fodder Early Warning System for the continent.
Objectives of the AssignmentTo strengthen national feed inventory capacities across six AU Member States, develop spatial analysis reports, validate national outputs, develop methodology for countries that would like to transit from manual to the digitalized spatial model, design and integrated feed and fodder early warning system, and develop a fundable investment concept to advance long-term feed and fodder systems institutionalization and resilience.Specific Objectives: * Support the spatial analysis to estimate feed balances for ruminant livestock for Cameroon and develop final validated technical reports for both Cameroon and Nigeria.
  • Identify and prioritize specific applications for the data generated from feed inventory and national feed balance assessments, then develop a plan to implement these uses effectively.
  • Conduct national spatial analyses for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe using standardized protocols, and develop a method to transition from manual processes to a spatial modeling approach.
  • Carry out national validation exercises for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe by verifying data through desk-based reviews and consulting national stakeholders, using available secondary data sources.
  • Facilitate the design and technical framing of a prototype Feed and Fodder Early Warning System (FFEWS), that is integrated with the livestock sector and linked to human nutrition outcomes.
  • Jointly with AU-IBAR RAFFS team, develop a comprehensive, fundable concept note to mobilize resources to promote the development and institutionalization of feed inventories and FFEWS.
  • Facilitate peer-learning, technical exchanges, and cross-country knowledge consolidation.
Expected Outputs * Finalized spatial analysis report for Cameroon.
  • Final technical reports for Cameroon and Nigeria.
  • A comprehensive report and toolkit outlining diverse applications of feed inventory and national feed balance data.
  • Completed national spatial analysis reports for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Country-specific validation reports for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Prototype framework and roadmap for the Feed and Fodder Early Warning System.
  • A fully developed, fundable concept note for resource mobilization towards the development and institutionalization of feed inventories, FFEWS and regional networks.
  • Updated technical training modules.
  • Revised capacity-building manuals and technical guidelines reflect lessons learned.
Methodology of Conducting the AssignmentThe selected institution will work under the technical supervision of AU-IBAR RAFFS and undertake the following tasks: * Finalize Cameroon’s spatial analysis and develop validated technical reports for both Cameroon and Nigeria.
  • Execute full national feed and fodder spatial analyses for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Conduct national validation workshops and technical desk reviews for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe using available secondary data.
  • Support the design of a prototype Feed and Fodder Early Warning System, including system architecture, data flow, and operational protocols.
  • Collaborate with AU-IBAR RAFFS to prepare a fundable concept note to advance the full-scale operationalization of the FFEWS.
  • Facilitate regional knowledge-sharing sessions to consolidate national experiences, lessons learned, and cross-country capacity harmonization.
  • Update existing technical guidelines and training manuals to incorporate new methodologies, validation protocols, and system design outputs.
Deliverables/OutputsThe consultancy is expected to deliver the following outputs: * Final spatial analysis report for Cameroon.
  • Final technical reports for Cameroon and Nigeria.
  • National spatial analysis reports for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Validation reports for Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Prototype Feed and Fodder Early Warning System design framework.
  • Fundable concept note for the full operationalization of the early warning system.
  • Consolidated knowledge sharing report from regional technical exchanges.
  • Updated capacity building manuals and technical guidelines.
QualificationsEligible institutions must demonstrate: * Substantive experience in livestock systems research and capacity development in Africa.
  • Proven expertise in spatial analysis methodologies .
  • A multidisciplinary team of qualified experts (preferably at PhD-level) in any of the following areas: rangelands management, animal nutrition, GIS, livestock systems, and related fields.
  • Prior experience with African national agricultural and livestock institutions.
  • Strong track record in designing and delivering applied technical training programs.
  • Experience in designing or supporting early warning or information systems.
  • Track record of successful collaboration with national and international agricultural research institutions, as well as policy-making bodies. This should include partnerships with either national agricultural research systems, universities or policy-making bodies across Africa.
Gender ClauseThe AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.Selection CriteriaThe consultancy will be awarded on the basis of evaluation of institutional profile, CVs of key personnel, and submission of a technical proposal detailing methodology, workplan, and approach.Evaluation Criteria and ScoresCriteria ScoresQualifications 20General Experience 20Specific Experience 35Methodology & Approach 10Other Skills 10Proficiency in AU Languages 5TOTAL 100DurationThe duration of this assignment is six (6) months. The facilitating institution should be prepared to allocate resources and expertise throughout this period to ensure the success of this assignment.RemunerationIn total, the lump sum consultancy fee for this assignment is USD 42,000.00. This includes all the Consultant's administrative costs, travel costs, incidental expenditure, profits and any tax obligation.
Supervision and Approval of Reports
Under the supervision of the RAFFS Project Coordinator with oversight by the Director of AU-IBAR.EquipmentThe partner institution will use its own equipment for execution of the assignment.Insurance CoverThe institution will be responsible for insurance cover for its personnel for the duration of the assignment.ConfidentialityAll documents and data acquired from the records and during related workshops, field work and meetings are confidential and will be used solely for the project.
The deliverables and all material linked to the training (produced by the facilitator or AU-IBAR itself) is confidential and always the property of the contracting party.Working languageFluency in English and or French with a strong working knowledge of English.

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