Request for Expression of Interest - Independent TAAT Staff Review Consultant

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR AN INDEPENDENT TAAT STAFF REVIEW CONSULTANT

TECHNOLOGIES FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION (TAAT II)

Project Code : P-Z1-AA0-139

Instrument number(s): 2100155041681

1.   BACKGROUND

Introduction

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), is implementing the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Phase II. TAAT is a flagship initiative of the AfDB under its Feed Africa Strategy, aimed at transforming agriculture across the continent. The program seeks to double agricultural productivity in crops, livestock, and fisheries by rapidly scaling up proven technologies to reach over 40 million smallholder farmers. Its overarching goal is to generate an additional 120 million metric tons of food and lift 130 million people out of poverty.

TAAT functions through a broad partnership involving the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Advanced Agricultural Research Institutes (AARIs), National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), Ministries of Agriculture, the private sector, agro-input suppliers, food processors, and farmers. It supports transformation across critical agricultural value chains, including rice, wheat, maize, sorghum and millet, soybean, high-iron beans, cassava, vegetables, livestock, fish, orange flesh sweet potato, policy, capacity Development and Enable Youth

Following the achievements of TAAT I, the second phase (TAAT II) expands its focus to strengthen climate resilience, enhance food system adaptability, and increase rural incomes in low-income Regional Member Countries (RMCs). TAAT II has also been providing technical assistance to the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF)—a US$1.5 billion AfDB-led response to food insecurity driven by conflict, climate change, pests, and pandemics. This support includes facilitating access to certified seeds, fertilizers, extension services, and post-harvest technologies.

TAAT II is structured around four interlinked components:

1.     Creating an Enabling Policy and Regulatory Environment – Supports formulation and enforcement of inclusive and transformative agricultural policies.

2.     Regional Technology Delivery Infrastructure (RTDI) – Strengthens institutions tasked with identifying, developing, and disseminating agricultural technologies.

3.     Deployment of Appropriate Agricultural Technologies (DAT) – Facilitates the linkage between technology providers, farmers, markets, and end-users to ensure wide-scale adoption.

4.     Project Management and Coordination – Ensures effective coordination, financial stewardship, and compliance with AfDB regulations across implementing partners.

TAAT II is being implemented over a period of four years and seven months (from 15 August 2022 to 31 March 2027) with a total budget of UA 20.30 million (US$27.405 million), financed through the African Development Fund (ADF) regional operations envelope. The program is executed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in partnership with CGIAR centers, other advanced institutions and national stakeholders.

In line with recommendations from the Mid-Term Review (MTR) and the recent TAAT Management Dialogue, IITA has committed to conducting a comprehensive staff performance and structural review. This review will assess the competencies, roles, and alignment of staff within the TAAT Program Management Unit (PMU) and the Clearinghouse who are the managers and coordinators of the program, with the aim of improving program delivery, efficiency and institutional effectiveness.

These Terms of Reference (ToR) define the scope of work for an independent consultant to carry out the TAAT staff review.

Objectives of the Assignment:

To assess the current staff structure, roles, responsibilities, performance, and deployment across the TAAT management program and provide recommendations for improving effectiveness, efficiency, and delivery of results. The consultant will also assess the adequacy between (i) the staff structure and the program objectives; and (ii) the staff qualification and the expected deliverables.

 

Scope of Work:

The Consultant will:

  1. Review existing job descriptions, organograms, and contractual arrangements of TAAT personnel in the PMU and the Clearinghouse.
  2. Conduct consultations with key stakeholders such as: IITA Management, TAAT Program Coordinator, relevant Compact leaders, Bank’s TAAT management.
  3. Assess the alignment of staff functions and qualifications with program objectives and TAAT II expectations.
  4. Analyze staffing gaps, duplications, and critical skill needs.
  5. Evaluate staff performance data, where available, including deliverables, contract terms, and level of effort.
  6. Provide guidelines and tools to strengthen or build a more efficient system to coordinate the TAAT ecosystem
  7. Provide recommendations on:
    • Staff re-alignment, redeployment or replacement
    • Contract renewal/non-renewal
    • Future recruitment needs
    • Training or performance enhancement measures
    • Any other recommendations to enhance the efficiency of PMU and Clearinghouse

Review of Documents:

To effectively undertake the TAAT staff review, the Consultant will review a range of key documents that provide insight into the program’s strategic direction, staffing structure, and performance management.  These include:

  • Program and strategic documents such as the TAAT II Program Appraisal Report (PAR) and its  Technical Annexes Document, Log frame, and Results Framework to understand objectives, outputs, and alignment of staff roles with program expectations; the TAAT Mid-Term Review (MTR) report and, the TAAT I completion report to incorporate lessons learned; and the AEFPF Technical Advisory Support Plan to assess potential implications on TAAT staffing.
  • From a human resource and administrative perspective, critical documents include current organograms, job descriptions or ToRs, employment contracts or consultancy agreements, and payroll or staffing cost tables, to evaluate staffing structures, role definitions, and contractual obligations.
  • The Consultant will also examine performance and monitoring tools such as individual performance reports (where available), compact/PMU workplans and progress reports, MEL reports, and AfDB mission or supervision notes and Aide Memoires, to assess staff contributions, performance outcomes, and institutional feedback.
  • Additionally, governance and coordination records including minutes of TAAT Steering Committee or Management Dialogue meetings and relevant AfDB correspondence will be reviewed to capture strategic decisions or compliance issues relating to staffing.

Deliverables:

  1. Inception report and review plan – within 5 working days of contract start
  2. Summary report of findings from staff interviews and document reviews - within five working days following the submission of the inception report.

3.     Draft TAAT Staff Review Report with actionable recommendations - within 10 working days following the submission of the summary report.

4.     Final Report incorporating comments from IITA and the Bank

 

Reporting Line:

The Consultant will report to the IITA Deputy Director for Delivery and Scaling and will work closely with the IITA People & Culture and the TAAT Procurement Unit.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Minimum of master’s degree in human resource management, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or a related field
  • At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in organizational/staff reviews, preferably within development programs
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting HR assessments or institutional audits for international development institutions or donor-funded projects
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills
  • Knowledge of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) or CGIAR systems is an asset

Payment Schedule:

Agreed or negotiated fees payments shall be based on deliverables submitted and approved, as follows:

  • 20% upon submission of Inception Report
  • 50% upon submission of Draft Report
  • 30% Final Report accepted

Logistics and Work Location:        
The Consultant will be based at IITA Headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, during the preparatory and desk review phases, where the Project Management Unit (PMU) will provide a dedicated workstation and necessary support. For field missions outside Ibadan, if needed, the PMU will arrange the necessary logistics and cover travel-related expenses. The Consultant may also undertake parts of the assignment remotely, as required and agreed with the PMU.

Duration and Commencement:      
The assignment is expected to be completed within 20 working days spread over one month, commencing on 4 August 2025.

Interested individual consultants are invited to submit their expressions of interest to the address below, on or before July 29, 2025, including the following elements:

 

 

Attn: Chrysantus Akem; PhD

TAAT Program Coordinator | Program Management Unit

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, www.iita.org

Headquarters & West Africa Hub

PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria

International Mailing Address: IITA, Carolyn House, 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon, CR9 3EE, UK

Tel: +234 2 7517472   | USA Tel: +1 201 6336094 | Fax: +44 208 7113785 | Mobile No: +234 8169020531

Email: C.Akem@cgiar.org and copy to: m.a.bakare@cgiar.org

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