1. Background
About
AgriProFocus
AgriProFocus
AgriProFocus
is a network that promotes agriculture as a business. Since its establishment
in 2005 by Dutch NGOs, finance agencies and knowledge institutes, it has grown
in leaps and bounds. It now has national networks in Indonesia and in 12
African countries including Benin, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali,
Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and
is a network that promotes agriculture as a business. Since its establishment
in 2005 by Dutch NGOs, finance agencies and knowledge institutes, it has grown
in leaps and bounds. It now has national networks in Indonesia and in 12
African countries including Benin, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali,
Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and
AgriProFocus
Rwanda capitalises on existing member activities as well as innovative network
ideas to support farmers and their organisations. The main domains of
intervention of AgriProFocus include Networking services that provide easy
access to agri-business contacts and resources; Business brokering to connect
agri-businesses on a local, regional and international scale; facilitated
innovation communities that create new solutions for existing problems together
with relevant stakeholder groups; a platform for debate and learning to
discuss, share, and find out about the latest innovations in agriculture and
food security.
Rwanda capitalises on existing member activities as well as innovative network
ideas to support farmers and their organisations. The main domains of
intervention of AgriProFocus include Networking services that provide easy
access to agri-business contacts and resources; Business brokering to connect
agri-businesses on a local, regional and international scale; facilitated
innovation communities that create new solutions for existing problems together
with relevant stakeholder groups; a platform for debate and learning to
discuss, share, and find out about the latest innovations in agriculture and
food security.
About
SPARK
SPARK
SPARK
is a fast growing, young, dynamic development NGO, with offices in Amsterdam
(HQ), Bujumbura, Kigali, Juba, Ramallah, Monrovia, Benghazi, Gaziantep,
Belgrade, Mitrovica and Pristina. SPARK develops higher education and
entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their
conflict-affected society into prosperity. We aim to support the ongoing
reconstruction process in post-conflict societies by building the capacity of
local economic and educational institutions in a way that is lasting and
demands the pro-active participation of local communities.
is a fast growing, young, dynamic development NGO, with offices in Amsterdam
(HQ), Bujumbura, Kigali, Juba, Ramallah, Monrovia, Benghazi, Gaziantep,
Belgrade, Mitrovica and Pristina. SPARK develops higher education and
entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their
conflict-affected society into prosperity. We aim to support the ongoing
reconstruction process in post-conflict societies by building the capacity of
local economic and educational institutions in a way that is lasting and
demands the pro-active participation of local communities.
Since
2013, SPARK is coordinating an extensive Cooperative Support Program (CSP). The
CSP works within four value chains in Rwanda: Beans, Irish Potato, Maize and
Horticulture. The programs targets cooperatives and SMEs working along these value
chains, through two different, but complementary approaches. It targets 100
cooperatives and agri-businesses – who are organized in legal entities, reached
a medium level of professionalism and who have the potential and motivation to
explore and improve their market linkages – directly.
2013, SPARK is coordinating an extensive Cooperative Support Program (CSP). The
CSP works within four value chains in Rwanda: Beans, Irish Potato, Maize and
Horticulture. The programs targets cooperatives and SMEs working along these value
chains, through two different, but complementary approaches. It targets 100
cooperatives and agri-businesses – who are organized in legal entities, reached
a medium level of professionalism and who have the potential and motivation to
explore and improve their market linkages – directly.
The
second target group consists of Agri BDS providers at National level with the
mandate to motivate, train and coach agri SMEs and agri chain operators in
improving their business skills, reach most lucrative markets and enhance their
income.
second target group consists of Agri BDS providers at National level with the
mandate to motivate, train and coach agri SMEs and agri chain operators in
improving their business skills, reach most lucrative markets and enhance their
income.
For
the sustainability of the Cooperatives Support Program implemented in Rwanda,
SPARK jointly with AgriProFocus have assisted in the formation of an Agri BDS
network association which followed a structured and systematic approach leading
to a legally recognized body of agri BDS practicing professionals. This
professional body was founded by 52 members with an innovative aim of enhancing
quality, standards, value, accessibility and profitability of the Agri Business
development services in Rwanda moving from a supply to demand and business
driven approaches.
the sustainability of the Cooperatives Support Program implemented in Rwanda,
SPARK jointly with AgriProFocus have assisted in the formation of an Agri BDS
network association which followed a structured and systematic approach leading
to a legally recognized body of agri BDS practicing professionals. This
professional body was founded by 52 members with an innovative aim of enhancing
quality, standards, value, accessibility and profitability of the Agri Business
development services in Rwanda moving from a supply to demand and business
driven approaches.
The
established agri BDS professional body of professional has expanded the scope
of BDS services to address all the value aspects and support services in order
to fix the functional and systemic problems like access to finance, market
inclusive markets and value chain cost structure and market distortions.
established agri BDS professional body of professional has expanded the scope
of BDS services to address all the value aspects and support services in order
to fix the functional and systemic problems like access to finance, market
inclusive markets and value chain cost structure and market distortions.
2.
Objectives of the assignment
Objectives of the assignment
The
assignment is aimed at supporting the Agri BS Network association to establish
strategic and operational framework based on experience and lesson learnt from
other similar successful professional bodies.
assignment is aimed at supporting the Agri BS Network association to establish
strategic and operational framework based on experience and lesson learnt from
other similar successful professional bodies.
Specifically
the Agri BDS NA will be assisted to elaborate a 3 years strategic plan and one
year operational plan to be valid from June 2016.
the Agri BDS NA will be assisted to elaborate a 3 years strategic plan and one
year operational plan to be valid from June 2016.
Specific
Objectives:
Objectives:
o Assess
and analyze the Agri BDS NA internal environment
and analyze the Agri BDS NA internal environment
o Assess
and analyze the Agri BDS NA external environment and stakeholders
and analyze the Agri BDS NA external environment and stakeholders
o Synthesis
of results and identify strategic opportunities
of results and identify strategic opportunities
o Plan
a facilitate a day-long workshop with Board members, staff and others to
prioritize strategic directions
a facilitate a day-long workshop with Board members, staff and others to
prioritize strategic directions
o Support
the Executive Director in designing appropriate metrics using the Theory of
Change model and/or an organizational balanced scorecard to best align with
identified strategic priorities
the Executive Director in designing appropriate metrics using the Theory of
Change model and/or an organizational balanced scorecard to best align with
identified strategic priorities
o Draft
and finalize a three years strategic plan ( June 2016 to June 2019) and an
annual operational plan (July 2016 to June 2017)
and finalize a three years strategic plan ( June 2016 to June 2019) and an
annual operational plan (July 2016 to June 2017)
2. Scope
and Focus of the Assignment
and Focus of the Assignment
The
scope and focus of the assignment is to provide technical, strategic and
facilitation support to enable the establishment of 3 years strategic plan and
one year operational plan for the Agri BDS NA recently established. After an
initial document review, the consultant is supposed develop an analysis
framework and work plan to guide the assessment.
scope and focus of the assignment is to provide technical, strategic and
facilitation support to enable the establishment of 3 years strategic plan and
one year operational plan for the Agri BDS NA recently established. After an
initial document review, the consultant is supposed develop an analysis
framework and work plan to guide the assessment.
The
Consultant will conduct a thorough but focused assessment of Agri BDS NA’s
strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, with a
view to identifying appropriate strategic options for the June 2016- June 2019
operational period. The assessment will include review of relevant documents,
and refer to the vision and mission statements before making a strategic and
operational plans. The consultant will also conduct individual interviews with
key informants, and facilitate in-depth focus group/facilitated discussions
among members and non-member relevant stakeholders,
Consultant will conduct a thorough but focused assessment of Agri BDS NA’s
strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, with a
view to identifying appropriate strategic options for the June 2016- June 2019
operational period. The assessment will include review of relevant documents,
and refer to the vision and mission statements before making a strategic and
operational plans. The consultant will also conduct individual interviews with
key informants, and facilitate in-depth focus group/facilitated discussions
among members and non-member relevant stakeholders,
The
use of participatory processes is expected. Critical reflection by members and
relevant stakeholders / Agri BD clients is integral to this strategic planning
initiative. As such, the Consultant will be expected to provide for active and
meaningful engagement of Agri BDS NA members and relevant stakeholders.
use of participatory processes is expected. Critical reflection by members and
relevant stakeholders / Agri BD clients is integral to this strategic planning
initiative. As such, the Consultant will be expected to provide for active and
meaningful engagement of Agri BDS NA members and relevant stakeholders.
It
is expected that data will be analyzed using a rigorous and transparent analysis
framework, summarized and presented back to APF / SPARK and Agri BDS NA Board
members to aid in prioritization of strategic and operational directions. A key
aspect of the consultancy is preparation for and facilitation of a one-day
strategic planning meeting with Agri BDS NA Board members. The use of the
highly participatory approach and instruments during this exercise.
is expected that data will be analyzed using a rigorous and transparent analysis
framework, summarized and presented back to APF / SPARK and Agri BDS NA Board
members to aid in prioritization of strategic and operational directions. A key
aspect of the consultancy is preparation for and facilitation of a one-day
strategic planning meeting with Agri BDS NA Board members. The use of the
highly participatory approach and instruments during this exercise.
All
data and the results of the workshop will be consolidated into a draft and
finalized 3 years strategic and 1 year operations document, including analysis
and demonstration of the most significant strategies and operations for similar
successful structure in the regions under the same context.
data and the results of the workshop will be consolidated into a draft and
finalized 3 years strategic and 1 year operations document, including analysis
and demonstration of the most significant strategies and operations for similar
successful structure in the regions under the same context.
3. Deliverables
The
consultant will provide the following deliverables:
consultant will provide the following deliverables:
– Inception
report to be validated by AgriProFocus and Spark teams;
report to be validated by AgriProFocus and Spark teams;
An
Analysis Framework based on these Terms of Reference
Analysis Framework based on these Terms of Reference
A
strategic plan workshop agenda and facilitation plan
strategic plan workshop agenda and facilitation plan
A
strategic plan document including:
strategic plan document including:
o Executive
summary
summary
o Background
o Internal
and External analysis
and External analysis
o Strategic
priorities
priorities
o Metrics
to assess progress made in the attainment of these strategic priorities (using
Theory of Change and/or Organizational Balanced Scorecard and/or similar
methodology)
to assess progress made in the attainment of these strategic priorities (using
Theory of Change and/or Organizational Balanced Scorecard and/or similar
methodology)
o Strategic
plan
plan
An
annual operational plan
annual operational plan
– Present
the draft strategic plan and the operational documents to AgriProFocus, Spark
and Agri BDS members
the draft strategic plan and the operational documents to AgriProFocus, Spark
and Agri BDS members
– Final
Strategic plan and operational plan documents after incorporating all the
feedbacks made from the draft document presentation.
Strategic plan and operational plan documents after incorporating all the
feedbacks made from the draft document presentation.
– Share
best practices from other similar structures with a focus on membership
retention, sustainability and profitability
best practices from other similar structures with a focus on membership
retention, sustainability and profitability
4. Time
Frame
Frame
The
assignment is expected to take 24 consultant days maximum and is expected to
start from 10th May
assignment is expected to take 24 consultant days maximum and is expected to
start from 10th May
5. Required
qualifications and competencies
qualifications and competencies
– Masters
degree in a relevant subject area with a high proven experience / expertise on
professional networking organizations strategic planning and analysis
degree in a relevant subject area with a high proven experience / expertise on
professional networking organizations strategic planning and analysis
– Proven
experience in similar assignments conducted in the past
experience in similar assignments conducted in the past
– At
least 10 years working experience, in similar fields preferably having worked
in the Agri BDS fields.
least 10 years working experience, in similar fields preferably having worked
in the Agri BDS fields.
– Recommendations
from at least one last contractor for similar work.
from at least one last contractor for similar work.
6. Roles
and Responsibilities
and Responsibilities
APF
and the Agri BDS Strategic Planning Committee of the Board will be responsible
for:
and the Agri BDS Strategic Planning Committee of the Board will be responsible
for:
o Preparing
the Terms of Reference
the Terms of Reference
o Selecting,
contracting and managing the Consultant
contracting and managing the Consultant
o Covering
the costs of and managing communications and logistics associated with the
assessment
the costs of and managing communications and logistics associated with the
assessment
o Actively
engaging with the Consultant during the assessment
engaging with the Consultant during the assessment
o Identifying
stakeholders and relevant documents as needed
stakeholders and relevant documents as needed
The
Consultant will be responsible for:
Consultant will be responsible for:
o Preparation
of a work plan and an appropriate Assessment Framework
of a work plan and an appropriate Assessment Framework
o Actively
engaging with staff, Board members and other stakeholders through the use of
participatory processes
engaging with staff, Board members and other stakeholders through the use of
participatory processes
o Regular
progress reporting to APF and Agri BDS NA Board
progress reporting to APF and Agri BDS NA Board
o Production
of deliverables in accordance with the requirements and timeframes of the Terms
of Reference.
of deliverables in accordance with the requirements and timeframes of the Terms
of Reference.
7. Terms
and Conditions
and Conditions
- The
Consultant will receive support where necessary from the AgriProFocus
Rwanda coordination team and SPARK as well as the steering committee of
Agri-BDS network. - The
consultant will develop a 3 years strategic plan and present it to the
Agri-BDS network members in their meeting to get their inputs. - Since
its beginning, AgriProFocus Rwanda is hosted by ICCO. Thus, under this
contract all the obligations will be made and paid directly by ICCO
through the ICCO stipulated procurement terms and any allowances on DSAs
will be paid using the laid down ICCO rates
8. Applications
Interested
candidates on the above assignment, should send their motivation letter,
technical and financial proposals, then attach their CV to rwanda@agriprofocus.com after
filling in this form not later than Thursday 05 May
2016. For more clarification, please contact amajyambere@agriprofocus.com
candidates on the above assignment, should send their motivation letter,
technical and financial proposals, then attach their CV to rwanda@agriprofocus.com after
filling in this form not later than Thursday 05 May
2016. For more clarification, please contact amajyambere@agriprofocus.com