Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-Djibouti

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)

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Name of project: FOOD SYSTEMS RESILIENCE PROGRAM FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

Project No.: (P178566)

Grant No: IDA-E 0820

Assignment Title: Assessment of the Level and Performance of Digital Agro Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) and Develop Framework for DACAS in the region

Contract No.: DJ-IGAD-492867-CS-INDV

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has received financing from International Development Agency (IDA) towards the cost of the Food systems resilience program for Eastern and Southern Africa and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this Grant to payments under this contract: Assessment of the Level and Performance of Digital Agro Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) in the IGAD Region and Develop Framework for DACAS in the region

1. The objective of the assignment:

The overall objective of the assignment is to assess the level and performance of digital agro-climate advisory services (DACAS) in the IGAD region that are related to resilience, food security, and climate adaptation. The outcome of the assessment will contribute to two of the project development objective indicators, namely Harmonization of Regional Policy Frameworks and Establishment of Knowledge Platforms by contributing knowledge products.

2.The specific objectives of the assignment are:

• Map existing initiatives on Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Services in IGAD Member States and characterize them
• Map out the key DACAS stakeholders at Member states level and regional level
• Map and assess continental, regional and national policy frameworks that govern Digital Agro-climate advisory services
• Map and assess cases of partnerships that have been created to implement DACAS in the member states and at regional level.
• Document lessons and best practices for DACAS from within the region and other regions Identify challenges and opportunities for scaling up DACAS and the role that can be played by IGAD in the scaling up.
• Document examples of successful DACAS implementation in member states (case studies), showcasing their impact on agricultural productivity and climate resilience and testimonies as feedback from DACAS user to be used as evidence for policy advocacy for DACAS in the region.
• Develop a regional framework for DACAS (to guide member states in implementing DACAS). Currently, Member States are facing challenges of fragmented interventions with no national policy to regulate the proliferating digital agriculture start-ups and interventions by various stakeholders; lack of data sharing protocols and other standards and procedures. The regional policy framework would be an overarching document (prototype) based on which Member States can formulate national policies that is adapted to their peculiar situations.

3.Scope of Services and Specific Tasks

The scope of the assignment will cover IGAD member states and will take five months and will include:

National and Regional Digital Agro-Climatic Advisory Services Review and Analysis:

• Map and conduct a detailed review of National and Regional Digital Agro-Climatic Advisory Services (DACAS) within the IGAD region. This will include services/DACAS managed by the government, private sector, NGOs and civil society.
• Evaluate the infrastructure, data sources and management, and technological architecture of DACAS.
• Analyze the services provided, such as climate early warning systems, agricultural advisories, market information systems, and disaster management tools.

Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement

• Conduct stakeholder mapping and engage with relevant stakeholders from IGAD member states, including government ministries, regional bodies, agricultural cooperatives, smallholder farmers, development organizations, and private sector partners.

Governance and Policy Framework Assessment

• Assess the governance, regulatory frameworks, and institutional arrangements that underpin the digital DACAS, focusing on data privacy, cybersecurity, and cross-border data sharing.
• Review the alignment of DACAS with IGAD’s regional food security and resilience strategies, as well as national digital transformation plans.

Resilience and Food Security Impact Assessment

• Assess how DACAS support resilience to climate change by providing farmers and pastoralists and policymakers with timely, actionable information on weather patterns, drought, floods, pests, livestock diseases and soil health.

Digital Inclusion and Accessibility

• Examine the accessibility and inclusivity of digital DACAS for different user groups, particularly marginalized communities such as women, youth, and rural producers.
• Identify barriers to digital access, including infrastructure, literacy, affordability, and language, and provide recommendations for overcoming these challenges.

Regional Cooperation and Interoperability

• Assess the extent to which national DACAS are interoperable across borders and aligned with regional data-sharing protocols to foster trade and cooperation within the IGAD region.
• Identify areas for strengthening regional digital cooperation to improve food systems and climate resilience.

Benchmarking and Best Practices

• Benchmark and document lessons and successful case studies, and best practices for DACAS from other regions through literature review.

Sustainability

• Assess the sustainability of DACAS after its establishment/project phase out
• Assess how DACAS supports sustainable agricultural practices, such as climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming, and sustainable land use.

Strategic Recommendations

• Provide actionable recommendations for improving the performance, governance, and inclusivity of national and regional DACAS.
• Suggest policy reforms, governance improvements, and technological upgrades to enhance resilience and food systems outcomes.
• Recommend a regional architecture for knowledge sharing and cross-learning among IGAD Member States
• Propose strategies for integrating DACAS into IGAD’s broader regional frameworks for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

4.Minimum Consultant’s qualifications and experience requirements

1. The consultant shall be an Agriculturalist a minimum of Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension/Crop Science/ Agricultural Economics
2. A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in similar assignments with national, regional or international programs including agricultural extension
3. Must have conducted similar or related studies in addition to proven experience in conducting studies and developing frameworks related to DACAS
4. Demonstrated familiarity with the Horn of Africa / east Africa context.
5. The Consulting Services Contract is expected to be for a period of Five (5) calendar months from the date of commencement, subject to renewal on annual basis throughout the project lifetime upon satisfactory performance.
6. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) now invites individuals to express their interest in providing the services. Interested individuals must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (attach curriculum vitae (CV), copies of documentary evidence of Academic qualifications, and Professional Qualifications.
7. An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated November 2020 (Regulations).
8. Interested individuals may obtain further information at the address below from 0900 to 1700 hours East African Time (EAT) from Monday to Friday EAT).

Expression of interest shall be sent by e-mail by June/26/2025 at 1700hours EAT to:  procurement@igad.int copy: Hassan.salah@igad.int , with subject line ‘‘FSRP/ : Assessment of the Level and Performance of Digital Agro Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) in the IGAD Region and Develop Framework for DACAS in the region / Contract No.: DJ-IGAD-492867-CS-INDV

Download the attached ToR document in PDF below.
Terms of Reference (ToR) for Assessing the Level and Performance of Digital Agro Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) in the IGAD Region and Develop Framework for DACAS in the region