Institutional Partner to Undertake Capacity Building on National Feed Inventory with Focus on Spatial Analysis at African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources

The Specific Objectives are

• To train participants on utilizing data collection and analysis tools/approaches (DMP, MODIS, and Gridded Livestock)
• To build capacity in performing analysis and interpreting generated data
• To enhance skills in joint data interpretation for utilization in planning feed outlooks, early warning systems, and informing investment decisions
• To facilitate knowledge sharing and outreach among participating countries
• Capacity building and support to Nigeria to conduct ground truthing to validate the information derived through the spatial analysis
• To build the capacity of the Member States to interpret the ground truthing data and information

Expected Outputs

• Trained personnel capable of conducting national feed inventories using spatial analysis techniques
• Nigeria feed inventory data ground-truthed
• Improved capacity for data interpretation and utilization in feed and fodder system planning
• Materials produced towards development of a consolidated capacity building manual/tool for future use in other African Union Member States
• The selected firm or institution will be responsible for designing, organizing, and conducting the National Feed Inventory Capacity building exercise, focusing on spatial analysis techniques; and for Nigeria conducting the ground truthing. The institution will provide expert trainers, develop training materials, undertake capacity building and ensure effective knowledge transfer to participants from the target countries.

Scope of the Consultancy

The facilitator will work closely with technical staff from AU-IBAR RAFFS Project in executing this assignment, and will undertake the following specific tasks:

• Develop a detailed training curriculum based on the project's methodology and objectives
• Prepare comprehensive training materials, including presentations, hands-on exercises, and case studies
• Conduct a training workshop, covering topics such as:
• Use of spatial data layers (Copernicus, MODIS, Gridded Livestock)
• Modeling feed availability and demand
• Estimating feed balances at various scales
• Data interpretation and application for policy and investment decisions
• Conduct a second training Workshop covering the key elements of the ground truthing process
• Facilitate knowledge sharing sessions among participants
• Provide post-workshop support and follow-up to ensure effective application of learned skills
• Capacity building and support Nigeria to undertake a feed inventory.
• Contribute to the development of the capacity building manual/tool

Expected Deliverables

• Detailed training curriculum and schedule
• Comprehensive set of training materials
• Conduct of the National Feed Inventory Capacity Workshop
• Post-workshop reports, including participant feedback and recommendations for future capacity building efforts
• Contribute to the Nigeria Feed Inventory
• Contribution to the capacity building manual/tool, incorporating lessons learned and best practices from the workshop
• Follow-up support plan for participants to ensure application of learned skills in their respective countries

Duration

This consultancy shall be completed within a maximum duration of six (6) months from November 2024. The facilitating institution should be prepared to allocate resources and expertise throughout this period to ensure the success of the capacity building exercise, the field exercise and the quality of the the capacity building manual.

Confidentiality

• All 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 Language

Fluency in English and or French with a strong working knowledge of English.

Remuneration and Terms of Payment

• The total amount for the consultation will be $49,506.00 to be paid upon the successful completion of the capacity building activities and submission of an approved training Report. The costs of attending the capacity building events and for the field work for the ground truthing exercise will be covered by AU-IBAR including air-tickets and field travel, visa fees and daily subsistence allowance in accordance with the AUC travel policy.
• The costs of workshops will also be covered separately by AU-IBAR.
• No other remuneration or costs will be covered without explicit prior approval by AU-IBAR.

Medical Cover

The institution will be responsible for their staff’s medical and life insurance covers during the assignment.

Requirements

The selected firm or institution should possess the following:

• Extensive experience in livestock production systems across Africa, with a proven track record of research and development projects in multiple countries.
• Demonstrated expertise in spatial analysis techniques, particularly in the context of feed resource assessment and livestock systems.
• A team of experts with post-graduate, preferably PhD-level qualifications in relevant fields such as agricultural sciences, animal nutrition, geospatial analysis, or related disciplines.
• Strong multinational presence in Africa, with established networks and partnerships across the continent.
• Proven capacity to deliver high-quality training and capacity building programs in complex scientific and technical subjects, with a regular schedule of conducting training programs and workshops for African researchers and policymakers.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing feed inventory and balance assessment methodologies, including innovative approaches that can be directly applied in this project.
• Track record of successful collaboration with national and international agricultural research institutions, as well as policy-making bodies. This should include long-standing partnerships with national agricultural research systems, universities, and policy-making bodies across Africa.
• Experience in developing and applying specialized tools for feed assessment, such as FEAST (Feed Assessment Tool) or similar methodologies would be an added advantage.