Development of Mechanisms to Strengthen the Operations of Public Private Producer Partnerships (PPPP) in the Red Meat and Live Animal Value Chains in

Introduction

The African Union - Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical Office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR's mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as a resource for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU). The mission of AU-IBAR is to provide leadership in the development of animal resources in Africa through supporting and empowering AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

AU-IBAR recognizes the adoption of a 10-year Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) by the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit. It further recognizes the continent’s transformation agenda which re-affirms the impact envisioned through the Livestock development strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) and Agenda 2063. Therefore as part of providing leadership and coordination in the sustainable development of the continent, AU-IBAR is implementing a 5-year project on “Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa - Live2Africa”. The project pioneers a coherent continental programme approach to build systemic capacity in seven livestock components, that include: Investment in Value Chains, Animal Health; Animal Production, Productivity and Ecosystem Management; Resilience Building; Technology adoption in the Value Chains to inputs, Services and markets; and Strengthening institutional capacities.

The overall objective of the project is "To support transformation of the African livestock sector for enhanced contribution to environmentally sustainable, climate resilient, socio-economic development and equitable growth" while the specific objective is to strengthen the systemic capacity of continental, regional and national Livestock Sector stakeholders for the economically, environmentally and socially sustainable transformation of the livestock sector.

One of the key focus areas of the project is to enhance innovation, generation and utilization of technologies, capacities and entrepreneurship skills of livestock value chain actors. There are various stakeholders in the development, packaging, transmission and utilization of technologies and innovations. These include both public and private sector actors. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region is endowed with relatively powerful institutions involved in the livestock sector when compared with the other African regions. These institutions represent both the public and private sectors. However, stakeholders from these institutions often conduct their activities and roles in isolation, without consultation and/or collaboration with other relevant stakeholders along the value chain. This lack of collaboration inadvertently results in poor communication, lack of understanding, absence of information about how the different components of the livestock value chain are operating, among other challenges.

In light of this AU-IBAR, through the Live2Africa Project would like to commission a consultancy to assess the current status of public-private-producer partnerships (PPPP) and identify areas of improvement and to strengthen these partnerships for the red meat and live animal value chain.

Under the framework of the implementation of the Project "Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa - Live2Africa" the African Union – Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is commissioning a consultancy study to evaluate existing Public Private Producer Partnerships (PPPP) opportunities for strengthening the cooperation and establishment of functional partnerships in the red meat and live animal industry in the SADC region.

Background

The Southern Africa Region selected the development of the Red meat and live animal (Beef and small ruminants) Value Chain as its top priority. One of the three key Strategic Actions necessary for the development of this chosen Livestock Value Chain is:
Strategic Action:

To promote the participation of the private sector throughout the red meat value chain

1. Develop a framework for Public Private Producer Partnerships (PPPP) in the red meat value chain
2. Promote participation of designated groups along the red meat value chain (youth, women and people living with disabilities)
3. Develop innovative financing mechanisms/ models to support red meat value chain actors.

The level of participation of the private sector in the red meat value chains varies significantly across the SADC region. Significant opportunity exists to create a conducive environment for the private sector to become a meaningful player and as a vehicle for empowerment of some underrepresented stakeholders across the red meat value chain in the SADC region. This calls for deliberate steps to understand the factors stifling the development of PPPP and to design mechanisms to overcome identified challenges and support the promotion of effective partnerships in the red meat and live animal value chains across the region.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The broad objective of the consultancy is to develop mechanisms and strategies for effective PPPP and enhance market access at local, regional and international levels. This can be done through improving the capacity of Member States to create a conducive environment for PPPPs across the red meat and live animal value chain through mapping and identification of bottlenecks and removing barriers to the participation of the private sector and under-represented stakeholders in this sector across the SADC region.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are:

1. To interrogate and review the existing PPPP in the red meat and live animal value chain for cattle, sheep and goats in selected countries to understand the situation
2. To develop an instrument for assessing the level of PPPPs in the red meat and live animal value chain in the region
3. To propose a strategy/framework with models for PPPP relevant to the red meat and live animal value chain to foster collaboration cross border trade across the SADC region.
4. To compile best practices for the red meat and live animal value chain PPPP that can be adopted and domesticated by Member States in the region
5. To compile recommendations on interventions including national and regional structures to address observed challenges or gaps with particular emphasis on the participation of youth, women and people living with disabilities.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables of the Consultancy

It is expected that the following will be achieved under this assignment:

• An Inception Report with clear proposed methodology, detailed activity work plan, time scale, and validation plan for the delivery of the consultative workshop, as well as an outline for the PPPP report submitted
• In-depth review and analysis of existing PPPPs in the red meat and live animal value chain in selected countries conducted
• A regional strategy/framework with proposed models and structures on PPPP in the red meat and live animal value chain in the SADC region developed
• Recommendations and best practices to support PPPP in the red meat and live animal value chain in the SADC region including among others the participation of youth, women and people living with disabilities available.
• Facilitate regional validation meeting(s) to present the draft regional report and consolidate into Final Report.

Methodology

The process of the executing the assignment will be guided by the SADC consultative process of developing policy and legal instruments. In brief, this will involve national and regional bench reviews and consultations, interviews and validation workshop. The report will have a vision and a mission to guide the regional and national strategic aspirations for livestock development in the region as embraced by the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy, Livestock Development Strategy and the Regional Animal Genetic Resources Strategy as well as the Regional Industrialization Strategy and Road Map among others.

In summary, the consultant is expected to use a variety of approaches including but not limited to;

1. Desktop studies for review, collation and analysis of national policies, strategies, laws and regulation amongst other policy instruments with a direct bearing on the development of the red meat and live animal value chain in the target countries and the region
2. In depth interviews with stakeholders from public and private sectors in selected representative SADC Member States
3. Facilitate validation meeting(s) (physical and/or electronic) to present the draft regional report.
4. Consolidate feedback and update the regional report based on input from the validation meeting(s).

Inception Report (IcTR)

An Inception Report (IcTR) should be submitted within 2 weeks of commencing the assignment. The IcTR of not more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timeline/calendar and programme of activities and an outline of the contents of the Final Technical Report.

Progress Reports

An update on progress should be reported bi-weekly to AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA technical staff.

Interim Technical Report (InTR)

The interim Technical Report is perceived to be the First Draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR). The InTR should be submitted to AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA after 30 working days of the assignment.

Final Technical Report (FTR)

The Final Technical Report (FTR) should take into account contributions and comments from the relevant stakeholders, including AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA. The FTR must be submitted at the end of the period of implementation of the tasks.

Time Frame

The assignment will be conducted for a period of 50 (fifty) working days spread over 90 days including collection of secondary data and information, consultations, field visits (if feasible), presentation of the findings and submission of the final report. The final report should be submitted within 14 calendar days of the receipt of final comments on the draft.
The assignment will start immediately after signature of the contract by both parties.

Technical and Financial Proposals

Applicants should submit a Technical Proposal that should include:

• Outline of the methodology, for conducting the consultancy as per the tasks and indicate the number of days to accomplish each task.
• Profile and CVs of the consultant undertaking the work indicating relevant academic qualifications and professional experience
• Information showing past experience in related fields, demonstrating an inventory of past and current assignments of similar nature.
• Contact addresses (Postal, email and telephone) of at least three referees or any other information that may show the consultant’s ability to carry out the assignment to satisfaction.

Financial Proposal

This consultancy has a maximum budget allocation of USD 15,000.00. Therefore, the Financial Proposal should not exceed this amount.
The Financial Proposal should cover consultancy fees for the conduct of the assignment from the beginning (day of signature by both parties) to the end of the consultancy (when Final Technical Report is submitted), bearing in mind that the assignment is for a total period of 50 working days. There will be no other consultancy fees paid outside this period.

Management Arrangements

Location of assignment

The assignment will be carried out in the SADC region from the consultant’s base. There will be a possibility of travel to selected countries in the SADC region subject to the lifting of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any necessary and feasible field visits will be carried out in after agreement with AU-IBAR, SADC and CCARDESA. AU-IBAR will cover the costs of field visits (DSA, air-ticket, travel, etc.) according to AUC Rules and Regulations.

Qualifications

The assignment is open to experienced experts with over 15 years’ experience in Agriculture and over 5 years working experience in livestock value chains in the SADC region. A Masters’ degree qualification in agriculture, natural sciences, arts, social sciences or related subjects is the minimum required for this assignment. A PhD is an added advantage.
A good command of both spoken and written English is essential. Knowledge of other AU languages (French, Portuguese and Arabic) will be an added advantage.

Competencies

Professionalism – good understanding and knowledge of animal resources development, agricultural economics, communication, advocacy or other relevant disciplines.

Planning and Organizing – Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.

Writing and Communication – excellent writing skills; ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate messages effectively

Evaluation Criteria

Technical Scoring

The evaluation of the Technical Proposal will weigh 80% of the total rating and will be evaluated against the following criteria

1. At least five years’ working experience in livestock development specific to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states
2. Proficiency in the red meat and live animals livestock value chains
3. Familiarity with the specific value chain actors and how partnerships should work
4. Knowledge of national and/or regional policies, strategies, laws and regulation amongst other policy instruments
5. Record of successful accomplishments of similar tasks conducted
6. Evidence of excellent writing and communication skills
7. Proficiency in spoken and written English language
8. Evidence of experience in stakeholder consultations and engagement
9. Adequacy of the proposal, work plan and approach

The consultant must fulfil the above mandatory requirements and score at least 70/100 in order to be considered for further evaluation.

Financial Evaluation

The evaluation of the financial proposal will weigh 20 percent of the total rating. The financial proposal will be evaluated on the basis of total cost, cost realism and used in combination with the assessment of the technical quality to determine the best value for money.

Status and Responsibilities of the Consultant

By this contract, as a consultant, you are not engaged as an employee of AU-IBAR and therefore you are entirely responsible for your own medical and life insurances. There shall be no other entitlements.
You shall exercise a high degree of skill and care in the provision of the CONSULTANCY services and will devote as much of your time to the services as may be necessary to enable them to be carried out efficiently.
Your relationship with AU-IBAR shall be that of an independent consultant. You will have no authority to incur any liability or make any commitment on behalf of AU-IBAR, nor will you hold yourself out as being an employee of AU-IBAR.
As an independent consultant, you will be solely responsible for any tax, national insurance contributions and any other similar payments and will keep AU-IBAR indemnified against any claims or costs in relation to those matters.

Ownership of Information and Confidentiality

Any information arising out of this work is the property of AU-IBAR and should be available on request. You, as a consultant should obtain a written agreement from AU-IBAR before divulging information relating to the study to any third party.

Supervision and Coordination

The consultant will work closely with the Live2Africa Technology, Innovations and Skill development expert and the SADC and CCARDESA focal persons.

How to apply:

How to Apply

Please submit your CV including three references and a proposal latest 31^st August 2020 to the Director of AU-IBAR, Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road, PO Box 30786-00100 Nairobi, Kenya or email at procurement@au-ibar.org and copy to khalid.seid@au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line consultancy to “Development of mechanisms to strengthen the operations of Public Private Producer Partnerships (PPPP) in the red meat and live animal value chains in SADC region”. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.