1. The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture is funding a collaborative project in Ghana and Mali involving academia, research institutions and the private sector from the two countries. The collaboration involves the University of Ghana, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTT-B), Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD).
2. The overall goal of the project is to increase the production and access to nutrient-dense indigenous fruits and vegetables in Ghana and Mali through diet diversification by valorizing indigenous fruits and vegetables and promoting their consumption. To ensure effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation, the project has been organized into five (5) work packages, which include:

• Work Package 1 – Profiling of four Indigenous fruits and vegetables
• Work package 2 – Value chain analysis
• Work package 3: Improving postharvest handling and preservation of indigenous fruits and vegetables.
• Work Package 4 – Creation of an Innovation Centre or Incubator 
• Work Package 5 – Dissemination of technologies, methods, and processes

      This assignment is with reference to sub-theme 4.

The objective of the incubation program is to establish an incubator/innovation hub for women and youth entrepreneurs and key stakeholders in all 16 regions of Ghana to connect, increase knowledge sharing, and co-create solutions to spur innovations and business opportunities for selected indigenous fruits and vegetables.

To achieve the above, FARA and the University of Ghana propose engaging a suitable firm to support the process.

3. This request for proposals aims at engaging a consulting firm (hereafter referred to as Consultant) to carry out the following functions:

• The Consultant shall liaise with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Horticulture team for the necessary assistance and clarifications to undertake this assignment.
• The consultant shall coordinate activities and engage with all relevant stakeholders to conduct interviews and schedule training using appropriate training materials.
• The Consultant shall present the initial strategy and advise the team on the strategy for the incubation program before the launch of the call for applications.
• The Consultant shall be responsible for the Screening of applications (establishing selection criteria)
• The Consultant shall be responsible for coordinating the development of training manuals for participants (competency-based)
• The Consultant shall recruit trainers and facilitators for the training
• The Consultant shall be responsible for scheduling all training sessions, seminars, workshops and mentorship sessions of pre-selected participants
• The Consultant shall conduct pre and post-training evaluations to assess the impact of the training.
• The Consultant shall provide quarterly monthly reports and timely feedback on the progress of the incubation program and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.
• The Consultant shall be responsible for coaching finalists in managing their enterprises after the award of grants.
• The Consultant shall be responsible for monitoring and Evaluation of the Incubation Program.

Interested firms may obtain further information from the Project Lead, [gessilfie@ug.edu.gh]; [baddoorosalyne@gmail.com] and copy the Procurement Expert, FARA, [cachaab@faraafrica.org] during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.

Please download the Terms of Reference below for further information on this opportunity.

Download TOR

Proposals should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.

FARA-UG Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.

Executive Director of FARA

The post REOI: Consulting Firm to Support the establishment of a Postharvest Incubation Program and Agribusiness Accelerator for postharvest management of fruits and vegetables appeared first on FARA Africa.

1. Established in 2002 by Sub-regional Agricultural Research Organizations, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) serves as the African Union Commission’s technical agency for agricultural research and development. It implements CAADP Pillar IV and the Science Agenda for Africa Agriculture (S3A), collaborating with organizations like ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF, and AFAAS. FARA advocates for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) application in agriculture, facilitates knowledge exchange, and fosters partnerships. Independent audits ensure fund accountability. FARA seeks an Auditing Firm to audit implementation program accounts, promoting transparency and responsible financial management.

2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a consultant to carry out the following functions:

Funds are diligently utilized according to specified conditions and agreements, ensuring economic efficiency. Counterpart funds are used as stipulated, and procurement follows guidelines. Thorough documentation is maintained, establishing clear links between records and financial reports. Designated Accounts adhere to relevant conditions. Financial statements reflect accepted accounting principles, providing a true representation of the institution’s financial position. A review assesses compliance with financial covenants and release conditions for tranches.

3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.

4. Consultants interested in the call must submit a concise Expression of Interest (10 pages max) detailing firm information, references, experience, knowledge evidence, and a proposed timeline.

5. The consultant shall be selected in accordance with the “Least-Cost Selection” method set out in the procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA. 

6. Please download the Terms of Reference in the link below, for further information on this opportunity.

                                                    https://tinyurl.com/faraexternalaudit2

7. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Friday, March 29, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.

The post REOI: Recruitment of an External Audit firm to audit FARA Secretariat for the financial years 2024-2026 appeared first on FARA Africa.

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

1. The CAADP-XP4 program, involving organizations like AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF, and FARA, aims to enhance the development of African agriculture for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods. FARA, as part of this program, seeks to strengthen its capacity and collaborate with stakeholders to support African countries in achieving CAADP and SDGs results. The program focuses on promoting food security, economic development, and climate resilience through effective partnerships and innovation. Over the past two decades, FARA has championed the Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) approach, including the Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) concept and Innovation Platforms (IP). The IAR4D/IP model has demonstrated positive impacts on livelihoods, research demand, and meeting end-user needs. As the agricultural sector undergoes changes, the CAADP-XP4 program introduces an activity to commission regional case studies on effective partnerships for innovation. FARA, in implementing this, plans to collate knowledge on AIS, update continental synthesis studies, support SROs in institutionalizing IAR4D/IP, and document stakeholder experiences on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs). Recognizing the evolving landscape, the TOR proposes a desk study to assess the continued relevance of the IAR4D-IP approach. This study includes synthesizing existing knowledge on AIS, reviewing the IAR4D-IP model with experts, collecting stakeholder experiences on AIS, and producing a third white paper on the IAR4D/IP model. The goal is to ensure the model’s adaptability to emerging issues in African agriculture, considering factors like food security, climate change, and evolving agricultural trends. The primary objective of this assignment is to engage a consultant to assess and document the effectiveness of the IAR4D/IP partnerships model for innovation to generate insights on the best model to ensure a collaborative effort for innovation in Africa.

2. This request for expression of interest aims to engage a consultant to carry out the following functions:

1. • Desk study: a comprehensive desk review of existing literature, reports, studies, and documents on partnerships, innovation, multistakeholder arrangements for R&D, and other issues on agricultural innovation systems.
   • Surveys, Interviews, Key informant interviews, case studies, etc.
   • Online questionnaire to sampled stakeholders
   • Run a webinar with front-line experts, stakeholders and partners for validation exercise.

3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.

4. Consultants interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar assignments, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted shall not be accounted for as part of the 10-page limit.

5. The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 30 man-days spread over three months (March 2024 to May 2024).

6. The individual consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.

7. Interested consultants may obtain further information from the Ag Director of Research and Innovation, Fatunbi Oluwole [ofatunbi@faraafrica.org], and copy the Procurement Expert, Mr. Callistus Achaab [cachaab@faraafrica.org], during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.

Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.

TOR – Engagement of consultant to commission Case studies on Partnership for innovation\

8. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.

9. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender, race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.

Executive Director of FARA

The post REOI: Individual Consultancy Services to Commission Regional Case Studies on Effective Partnerships for Innovation appeared first on FARA Africa.

Lusaka, Zambia – October 17, 2023: Regional Economic Communities in Africa are set to meet this week to drive forward a proposal for mega agro-industrial hubs across the continent that would boost agricultural development. The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) are aimed at boosting regional trade for agricultural commodities, increasing local processing of key agricultural products and reducing food import. This significant event will occur from October 18 to 21, 2023, at the COMESA headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP).

Partners participating in the meeting include the Africa Union Commission, the African Union Development Agency, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Pan-African Agribusiness Chamber, the Pan-African Farmers Organisation, the Africa Business Council, IFPRI, African Continental Free-Trade Area, Afreximbank, African Development Bank and the CAAPs Secretariat hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa. The rest are country representatives from Zambia and Zimbabwe, key private sector players such as Bühler Group, Grüner, BRICS as well as the World Food Programme.

The Third Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment, held on 21-25 October 2019 in Addis Ababa, widely discussed the benefits of agro-industrialization to the continent and resolved to adopt the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) as a programme contributing to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The CAAPs Programme was finally ratified as a flagship initiative of the AU Agenda 2063 during its 36th Summit in February 2023.

The CAAPs initiative aims to create transboundary mega agro-industrial hubs across Africa. This ambitious endeavour falls within the Comprehensive African Agricultural Programme (CAADP) framework and the AU Agenda 2063. Its overarching objective is to drive the industrialization strategy of African governments and RECs, transforming economies from traditional raw material exporters to agro-industrial powerhouses.

Despite Africa’s abundant fertile land and a burgeoning young workforce, the continent spends approximately USD 50 billion ($50b) annually importing food commodities.

The CAAPs program seeks to reverse this trend by promoting cross-border agriculture value chains, attracting private sector investments in agro-industrialization, and establishing sustainable cross-border policies within the context of the African Continental Free-Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Over four days of intensive interaction, the Directors of RECs and CAAPs Technical Working Groups (CAAPs-TWG) Experts will strengthen collaboration, build synergies and draw actions to accelerate the implementation of this initiative.

Firstly, they will raise awareness among RECs about CAAPs, facilitating subsequent sensitization of AU Member States and fostering a knowledge exchange regarding regional agro-industry development within the AfCFTA framework.

Also, they will solicit feedback from RECs regarding the CAAPs process, necessary infrastructure, governance, and legal models, and the AfCFTA instruments vital for creating a conducive business environment for transboundary Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in CAAPs.

Again, they will deliberate on the mapping exercise for future agro-industrial development in Africa, with a practical case study of the ZimZam CAAPs location. RECs are expected here to propose locations for the 10 CAAPs Demonstration Projects ( 2 per region) and for the 5 larger CAAPs (one per region) envisioned by the African Union.

Finally, they will forge a harmonized process for RECs’ engagement with countries and stakeholders within their respective regions, including the private sector and regional banks, to prepare for CAAP implementation.

At the end of the four days meeting, participants would have (i) compiled feedback from RECs on the CAAPs process, infrastructure models, and the required legal instruments for joint governance and PPPs in transboundary settings within the AfCFTA context; (ii) agreed on a harmonized process for engagements with countries; (iii) compiled and validated feedback of criteria for mapping future transboundary agro-industrial development zones in Africa; (iv) developed a joint roadmap for rolling out CAAPs in AU Member States; and (v) developed action plans for joint resource mobilization and partnership engagement among RECs to develop CAAPs.

This Inaugural Coordination Meeting marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s agricultural and industrial transformation pursuit. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among regional economic communities, this event lays the foundation for a sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future for the continent.

You may visit https://faraafrica.org/caaps/ for details about the CAAPs initiative.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

FARA – Benjamin Abugri at babugri@faraafrica.org

FAO – Zoie Jones at Zoie.Jones@fao.org

COMESA – Daniel Banda at dbanda@comesa.int

 About AUDA-NEPAD:

The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) is the development agency of the African Union, promoting partnerships for the transformation of Africa as an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent.

Visit  https://www.nepad.org/ for more information.

About COMESA:

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional economic community of 21 member states. It brings together over 600 million people into a cooperative framework for sustainable economic growth and prosperity through regional integration.

Visit https://www.comesa.int/ for more information.

About CAAPs & FARA:

The Common African Agro-Parks Programme (CAAPs) is an African Union Commission (AUC) initiative to establish transboundary mega agro-industrial hubs across Africa to drive industrialization and food security. It is hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), an apex continental technical institution of the AUC headquartered in Accra, Ghana.

Visit  https://faraafrica.org/ for more information.

About FAO:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO currently provides institutional support to the CAAPs Secretariat, hosted by FARA, to coordinate stakeholders’ consultations and leadership engagement for greater ownership of the CAAPs; formalize partnerships with the technical partners for the design and establishment of the CAAPs; and to build the capacity of stakeholders to support the decision-making process at the various African Union organs.

The post Press Release: First regional meeting to drive Common African Agro-Parks vision: Working together to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential. appeared first on FARA Africa.

From 25 to 29 September 2023, a CORAF delegation, consisting of the Head of Knowledge Management, Ms Poko Alida Nadinga and the Head of IT Mr Ababacar Diouf, embarked on a benchmarking mission to learn about FARA’s knowledge management system. The team was welcomed to the FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, by the Head of Human Resources and Administration, Ms Ama Pokuah Asenso, on behalf of the Executive Director, Dr Aggrey Agumya.

Mr Ababacar DIOUF and Ms Poko Alida NADINGA

The FARA team, consisting of the Lead specialist from the Knowledge, Learning and Communication Management Unit, Mr Benjamin Abugri, the IT Manager, Mr Francis Kpodo and the Web Designer, Mr Gabriel Quansah, provided an overview of FARA and its role as a continental institution. The technical sessions focused on the operational infrastructure and products of the FARA knowledge management system, including the virtual knowledge hub christened FARADataInformS, the directory of experts, the digital archiving system, and the community of practice. The team also seized the opportunity to examine the technological architecture supporting these different knowledge management platforms.

It is important to note that as part of the implementation of the CAADP XP4 programme, FARA is responsible for developing the continental Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) directory of experts and transferring the West and Central Africa’s management of experts to CORAF and the lead Sub-Regional Agricultural Organization. In addition, FARA intends to work with CORAF to revitalize its knowledge management system through experience sharing and technical assistance.

CORAF has affirmed its commitment to support FARA in strengthening data security and integrity to ensure the protection of key knowledge generated over the years. To this end, a FARA delegation will visit Dakar to inspect CORAF’s entire technological infrastructure, including the data centre and security platforms. This mission will also serve as a framework for presenting and validating the expert directory tool and training the CORAF team in its use.

A team of Knowledge Management and IT Experts from FARA and CORAF

The two teams have developed a joint action plan to ensure better follow-up of the actions and recommendations resulting from this knowledge-sharing mission.

The two organizations, through a letter of agreement signed, will continue to leverage each other’s strengths in Knowledge Management, Information technology and monitoring and evaluation to accelerate the achievement of the CAADP Malabo targets and support the African farmer and related actors, to realize their highest potentials.

Join the Continental Experts Directory 

This mission is made possible mainly through the vision of the two eminent leaders of FARA and CORAF, Dr Aggrey AGUMYA, Executive Director of FARA, and Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, Executive Director of CORAF, who are committed to improving knowledge management in the agricultural research sector for a better future for the people of Africa.

The EX-Pillar 4 project of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP-XP4) is funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA programme and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme is jointly implemented by the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA); Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA); West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF); and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

The post Benchmarking FARA’s knowledge management system: A week of knowledge exchange with CORAF appeared first on FARA Africa.

14th August, Kampala – Uganda – With the overarching goal of fostering sustainable agricultural research transformation and rural development across Africa, the importance of strategic alliances and effective resource mobilization cannot be overstated. To this end, the CAADP-XP4 Consortium comprising the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the  African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), the Association for  Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa ( ASARECA), the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA)   and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) organized a Comprehensive resource mobilization training in collaboration with the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)  and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) conducted an Intensive Resource Mobilization Training to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge.

This training, conducted at the Fairway Hotel Kampala from 9th to 14th August 2023, aimed to address gaps in resource mobilization, crafting robust and sustainable fundraising strategies. Besides theoretical instruction, the training emphasized hands-on practice, targeting a diverse audience from Research and Extension institutions. The initiative focuses on fundamental principles, practical techniques, ethical considerations, and strategic evolution, hoping to revolutionize the way resources are mobilized.

Dr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA

Dr. Aggrey Agumya, the Executive Director of FARA, highlighted the timeliness of this initiative, emphasizing the growing financial challenges faced by AR4D research organizations. He spotlighted the shrinking resources and increasing dependencies, urging the need for more innovative funding solutions, especially given the pandemic’s financial impact and changing donor priorities. Dr Agumya further intimated that Funders are showing a preference for interventions that yield tangible results in a short time, which has further put the supra-national AR4D organizations at a disadvantage because their results/outcomes are not readily tangible, and they are medium to long-term. “Under these circumstances, it is essential that these organizations and the national partners they support are compelled to find innovative ways of mobilizing resources and build the required capacities”, emphasized Dr Agumya.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr Max Olupot, the Director of Programmes from AFAAS, recognized Dr. Agumya’s leadership ascent and underscored the urgency of resource mobilization for the consortium’s continuity. He further noted that this period was critical for the CAADPXP4 Consortium as the CAADP-XP4 program is coming to an end and hence need to solicit more funds so that there is continuity and sustainability.

Dr Baisti Podisi, the CAADP-XP4 Coordinator from CCARDESA, indicated that the meeting was a progression of CCARDESA’s existing initiatives. “This meeting will help us build more partnerships, and Agroecology is a niche topic that all of us in the room could ride and benefit from. It is critical as SROs to catalyze our institutions to support our countries’ access to funding. We need to be more innovative in engaging the private partnership.” Re-echoed, Dr Podisi.

Ms Julian Barungi speaking on behalf of the ASARECA Executive Director emphasized their unwavering commitment to the consortium’s partnerships.

The Resource Mobilization training unfolded in two distinct phases, with the virtual Training, spanning five days; this phase deep-dived into resource mobilization, encompassing an array of topics, from fundraising strategies and the moral aspects of resource mobilization to monitoring, evaluation, and best practices.

Participants go through developing a problem tree for their projects during the physical training in Kampala-Uganda

Whereas the practical application and second segment focused on drafting effective proposals. It was tailored to address currently active calls for proposals, leveraging themes from the Horizon Europe Working Programme and the EC-INTPA calls.

This endeavour by the CAADP-XP4 Consortium epitomizes hope for Africa’s sustainable agricultural evolution. It not only arms stakeholders with indispensable skills but also signifies the transformative power of unity and strategic collaborations in reshaping Africa’s agricultural horizon.

Visit the FARA Africa Flickr Page for all Pictures

The post CAADP-XP4 Consortium Strengthens Capacity of Agricultural Stakeholders in Africa on Resource Mobilization appeared first on FARA Africa.

In a bid to reinforce the African Union’s comprehensive commitment to agricultural development in Africa, the first-ever meeting since the formation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Communication and Knowledge Management Thematic Working Group took place at the Movenpick Hotel, Nairobi, from 3-4 August.

Some Participants at the AU CAADP KM & Comms Workshop

The main objective of the meeting was to propel the CAADP agenda forward through meticulous communication, advocacy, and knowledge management. The meeting also aimed to assess the strides made, design a concrete work plan, and establish a coordinated mechanism to bolster CAADP and forge a coordination blueprint for the CAADP Communication group following recommendations from Yaounde’s engagement, from 1-5 August 2022.

The desired outcomes of this coordination meeting were manifold, from highlighting the progress made in communication, knowledge management and advocacy at all levels to defining coordination tools for the CAADP Communication group. This will help improve awareness of the CAADP Malabo declaration, and support the implementation of the CAADP Business Plan 2022-2025 and the Jointly developed CAADP work plan.

Ms Panduleni Elago – Senior CAADP Advisor – African Union Commission

The meeting was officially opened by Ms Panduleni Elago, the CAADP Advisor, who emphasized the African Union’s anticipation towards the thematic working group to expedite the AU agenda. “The AU looks forward to the Key Performance Indicators that will emerge from this group that will address the knowledge and information gap in the Biannual Review Process,”.

Ms Peace Mutuwa the Communication and Knowledge Management expert, echoing the sentiments of the African Union Commission (AUC), emphasized how pivotal this group would be in propelling the AU’s goals forward. “As we commence this mammoth task, we need to develop Terms of Reference (TORs) that will govern our modus operandi. We should also not forget the critical role of the media in disseminating information to the communities on the CAADP process.

A palpable sense of duty settled in the room as the discussions pivoted to the 4th Biannual Review (4BR) of the CAADP. Two decades after the inception of Malabo, a gap remains; farmers are still in the dark about its potential. The need of the hour is curating content specifically tailored for small-scale farmers, ensuring it’s digestible and beneficial.

The African Union envisions this esteemed assembly to be the foundation of a robust CAADP Communication strategy. Policy LINK, a global Feed the Future program to advance leadership and collaboration for better policy systems implemented by DAI and working with the AUC, voiced the importance of technical and financial backing. They stressed, “It’s time we lay down tangible recommendations, lighting our path forward.”

CCARDESA, through its Information, Communication, and Knowledge Management Officer, Mrs Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo, joined the chorus, recognizing the CAADP as Africa’s agricultural cornerstone, she urged the assembly to prioritize the seven commitments, though it demands perseverance.

Mr Benjamin Abugri, FARA’s Knowledge Management and Communication Cluster Lead, urged the Working Group to be forward-thinking in using existing knowledge services and tools such as the FARA Africa Community (Dgroups) to discuss BR processes as they also act as interactive tools that allow information exchange and knowledge co-creation.

The meeting’s purpose shone clear: addressing the gaping communication void, ensuring synchronization with technical processes, advocating for CAADP, and strategizing its communication. The dialogue flowed, touching upon the support communications provided to the Biannual Review reporting and the Malabo. The ensemble also considered the potential of leveraging annual events like the CAADP Meetings, the AASW, the KM4AgD Conference, the Fertiliser Summit, and others, ensuring these platforms spread the right message.

Delving deep into recommendations from the Critical BR Analysis Report, the group proposed developing a protocol for the Biannual Review mechanism and a review of the toolkit for communication and knowledge management.

In attendance were participants from AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, AU-IASPC, RECs, Policy Link, FAO, ILRI, TASAI, CCARDESA, FARA, AU-IBAR, and other esteemed organizations. With two days of productive discourse, this meeting in Nairobi, from 3-4 August 2023, was not just a gathering, but a revolution in the making.

Originally published by CCARDESA 

The post CAADP-XP4 Consortium Joins AUC CAADP Communication and Knowledge Management Working Group’s Inaugural Meeting in Nairobi appeared first on FARA Africa.

The AASW is the foremost continental platform of all African stakeholders involved in agriculture and agribusiness research and innovation. The forum assembles over 1,500 stakeholders to take stock of progress on research and innovation, share information, network, create business alliances, and map out priorities for joint action. The 8th edition of the AASW will be held in Durban, South Africa, from June 5 to 8, 2023. It will focus on a topical issue on the Continent, including strengthening linkages between agribusiness and science and innovation to improve its productivity and competitiveness in the agro-industry.

The meeting secured the commitment of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini, the vivid engagement of the agriculture private sector practitioners, and the science community of Eswatini towards the Durban meeting. The Minister expressed his appreciation and optimism that the AASW will help strengthen and stimulate engagements of relevant stakeholders for accelerating the continent’s agricultural productivity, particularly for the Kingdom of Eswatini.

From left: Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Hon Jabulani Mabuza, Ms Bongiwe Njobe, Mr Simon Mukeze & Prof. Cliff Dlamini

The meeting also created opportunities for greater collaboration between the stakeholders of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Agriculture Research for Development (ARD) institutions. Both parties expressed optimism that this collaboration would positively change the efforts to strengthen research, business, and policy linkages and achieve better outcomes for Africa’s agricultural sector.

The post Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini joins FARA and CCARDESA to organize the 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week appeared first on FARA Africa.

Accra, Ghana, March 3, 2023

The Board of Directors of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, during its 31st Ordinary session held March 1-3 at the Lancaster Hotel Accra, Ghana, performed one of the key statutory functions of the Board in conducting the successful appointment process of the next Executive Director of FARA.

The process was flagged off by the constitution of the Recruitment Advisory Committee (RAC) and endorsed by the Board of Directors at its 29th Ordinary Session with the competitive recruitment of a Search Firm that has meticulously facilitated the recruitment process. At the close of its 31st Session, the Board is happy to announce the appointment of Dr Aggrey AGUMYA as the next Executive Director of FARA pending ratification by the General Assembly in June 2023.

Dr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director Designate, FARA

Aggrey Agumya, a Ugandan national, will become the third Executive Director and Head of Mission of FARA coming after Monty P Jones and Yemi Akinbamijo. An alumnus of the University of Melbourne, Aggrey holds a doctorate degree in Geo-Information Sciences. He comes to this exciting position at such a momentous period in the evolution of FARA. Dr Agumya has been a part of the FARA story for the last 17 years when he joined the Secretariat as a Programme Officer of the sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme (SSA-CP), a well-recognized continental Flagship programme of FARA. Thereafter, he served in key programme and leadership positions in FARA, including as Technical Advisor to the two Executive Directors. In 2020, Aggrey was appointed as the Director of Research and Innovation at the Secretariat, where he also serves as the de facto Deputy Executive Director. It is noteworthy that Dr Agumya has been closely associated with most of the significant achievements of FARA, wherein he has served at the Director level for half as long as he has been a staff of FARA. Aggrey comes ready with an intimate understanding of the context, configurations, corporate philosophy and partnerships of the agriculture research and innovation institutions in Africa.

On behalf of the FARA Board of Directors, I am honoured to present Dr Aggrey Agumya as the Executive Director-Designate as we await further details of the imminent leadership transition at the FARA Secretariat. We all wish Aggrey a fruitful tenure as he takes the institution to the next level.
It will be recalled that the incumbent Executive Director – Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, has meritoriously served a two-term tenure since July 2013, and his current tenure will lapse in July 2023.

Alioune FALL
Chairperson, FARA Board of Directors

The post Dr Aggrey AGUMYA – Executive Director-Designate for FARA appeared first on FARA Africa.

FARA serves as one of the Implementing centres of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) project supported by the African Development Bank.

The Secretariat further serves as the Coordination Unit of the Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) Project and many others.

Within the context of the AfDB-funded Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF), FARA has been mandated to serve as the Capacity Development Technology Outreach (CDTO) compact. Under the second phase of TAAT, the CDTO aims to strengthen capacities and facilitate outreach and scaling of nutritious climate-resilient agricultural technologies and good practices, through technical support along targeted TAAT value chains for increased agricultural productivity, access to quality seeds, GAP, household incomes and job creation supporting Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Additionally, the CDTO supports the implementation of the Transition Support Facility (TSF) of the AfDB.

To coordinate the activities driven by FARA in its programmes and projects, the organization is seeking to hire an Expert in Agribusiness.

Reporting to the Senior Technical Cluster Leader/Innovation Systems Specialist, the successful candidate shall inter-alia perform the following roles and responsibilities:

1. Technical Oversight and Support:
   • Provide technical oversight and act as a technical resource for integrating gender and social inclusion approaches into all FARA projects.

• • Provide support and oversight to the development of key project deliverables in addition to ensuring ongoing implementation, incorporating gender-sensitive and transformative approaches in line with FARA policies.
  • Promote the development and operationalization of the agribusiness, gender, and youth engagement strategy.

       2.   Identify learning needs and build the capacity of Stakeholders and staff.

• • Lead research efforts to design innovative, high-quality approaches for gender integration into African agricultural systems.
  • Analyze the status quo and convert knowledge to solutions to real-life issues on youth, gender, and agribusiness.
  • Contribute to high-level knowledge products for diverse audiences, including reports, white papers, and other outputs, such as learning briefs and reader-friendly blogs.
  • Carry out training activities on new models and methods for effective youth engagement in African agriculture.
  • Develop, promote and train African agricultural stakeholders on innovative agribusiness models to ensure the profitability of farming.
  • Collaborate with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) staff to develop learning questions, indicators, and other resources to ensure FARA program evaluation integrates gender and social inclusion

     3.      New business and projects

• • Provide technical guidance and support to proposal development in agribusiness, youth, gender, and social inclusion as a subject matter expert.
  • Review the technical contributions of consultants or take on the role of lead writer, where
  • Identify and meet with other organizations/donors to discover potential funding or partnership opportunities.
  • As a cross-cutting function, you will undertake the implementation of agribusiness, youths, gender, and social exclusion functions in all FARA projects, including external partnerships and alliances.

    4.      External Outreach

• • Strategically promote FARA’s image as a learning organization with technical strengths in agribusiness, youth, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive agriculture and market systems.
  • Foster good relationships with industry partners and individuals and participate in international and domestic meetings, workshops, and conferences.

5. Any other duties as required by the Director of Research and Innovation and Management

Required

• A Master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or a related field is required.
• At least eight (8) years of professional work experience in agribusiness development with an emphasis on value chain development, rural finance, and regional/international trade policy.
• Solid experience in gender mainstreaming and youth programmes.
• Knowledge of supply and value chains of agribusiness within Africa.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge of regional agribusiness firms.
• Experience working in an International organization or in a not-for-profit agribusiness.
• Demonstrated experience with gender mainstreaming in agriculture projects.
• Experience leading and building the capacity of teams of agriculture-focused; including remote, field-based personnel. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ICT skills.

Compensation

FARA offers a competitive salary and benefits in accordance with position and scale.

Location

The position is based at the FARA secretariat in Accra, Ghana.

Applications

Qualified candidates are invited to submit via email a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae together with a cover letter and names/contact details of three referees to Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana. Email: recruitment@faraafrica.org

Applications will be assessed against the required skills, experience, and aptitudes set out above. Applications will be accepted up to 20th March 2023.

Due to the anticipated high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Employment: there is no discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability or health status.

NB: Please quote in your application the reference code of the vacancy for which you are applying.

The post VACANCY Announcement Agri-business and Gender Expert: Ref: FARA/ad/agribuz/2023/02 appeared first on FARA Africa.