MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
AGRICULTURE PRODUCTVITY PROGRAMME FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA (APPSA)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)
LOAN NO: P164486
CREDIT NO: IDA -63580 -LS
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Horticulture Expert
REFERENCE NO: LS- DAR-142469-CS-INDV
DURATION: THIRTY-SIX MONTHS (Full Time)
BACKGROUND
In an effort, to fight poverty and to accelerate economic growth and improve the welfare of the Basotho the Government of Lesotho (GOL) is part of the SADC regional initiative that implements a regional project for agricultural technology development and dissemination called Agricultural Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA). This is a six year project supported by separate World Bank (WB) – IDA credit and is under the regional coordination of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). APPSA seeks to promote regional collaboration and put in place mechanisms to encourage technology generation and dissemination within and across national borders of participating countries in the SADC region by (i) supporting regional collaboration in agricultural research, technology dissemination, and training; (ii) establishing Regional Centers of Leadership (RCoLs) on commodities of regional importance, and (iii) facilitating increased sharing of agricultural information, knowledge, and technology among participating countries. Priority farming systems for each existing Regional Center of Leadership (RCoL) have been identified based on a regional priority-setting study that identified top R&D priorities for the SADC region and to that effect Lesotho settled for Horticulture considering the potential comparative advantages that needs to be exploited. The proposed RCoL is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) in collaboration with other NARS institutions (NUL and LAC). The project has four sub-components:
Component 1: Technology Generation and Dissemination
Component 2: Strengthening the Institutional and Enabling Environment for Technology adoption
Component 3: Contingency Emergency Response Component (US$0).
Component 4: Project management, monitoring and evaluation and regional coordination
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Horticulture Expert will be engaged on a contract basis, reporting directly to the Director of the Department of Agricultural Research. He/she will be the Chief Technical Advisor of the Project to guide the design of the projects with particular emphasis on the Horticultural studies, their implementation, interpretation and presentation of results for various stakeholder consumption. He/she will be tasked with the responsibility of employing the knowledge by creating strategies for optimum horticultural crops.
The incumbent must understand the science behind plant genetics, pollination and plant maturation. In order to ensure high productivity, he/she must also be highly informed about climatology, particularly how it pertains to the condition preferences of the crop and susceptibility of the crop to various types of weather. He/she must be well informed of the world trends in Horticultural research, production and marketing. The Horticulture Specialist will work in close coordination with the RCoL Coordinator and the Project Manager for completion of his/her tasks.
DUTIES
- Leading the design and implementation of the RCoL activities to ensure the quality and the coherence with the project pursuits of the deliverables provided by the scientists especially for Component 1 and 2 of the APPSA project.
- In consultation with programme leaders, conceptualize and design research projects and formulate plans, solutions and organize trials and demonstrations to address emerging challenges such as climate change and related issues and market opportunities but also assess their effectiveness towards achieving set Project Objectives for Development (OPD).
- Perform the supervisory and professional work in the horticultural research management and coordination pertaining to research projects.
- Prepare and implement guidelines concerning research methodology, analysis and evaluation of research programs.
- Provide research guidance and review the research plans and designs and reports for its relevance, cost effectiveness and usefulness.
- Develop and assist other scientists with research proposals, scientific and technical publications, progress reports and work plans (annual, quarterly and monthly) as a way of mentoring these scientists within the RCoL for continuity purposes.
- Review agricultural research and development proposals and advise on their technical and environmental feasibility and the soundness of proposed activities.
- Undertake technical review of other project materials and outputs such as inception reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products.
- Advice on the implementation of the best cropping systems for horticultural crops for identification of the suitable species and varieties for the environmental situation and landscape of research areas.
- Develop the RCoL capacity for research-into-policy dissemination thus designing the communication and advocacy strategy to ensure that the APPSA research activities/outputs translate into policies and impacts upon growth in horticulture sub-sector.
- Provide technical assistance in design and implementation of systems of monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of agricultural research in horticultural production.
- Develop a robust seed development and planting material programme for supply of basic seed and parent planting material for local private nurseries
- Develop standards and manuals for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in horticulture in line with Global standards
- Train or facilitate training of researchers, technicians and other relevant actors on crucial issues such as research methodologies, specific technical courses relevant to horticulture research e.g. breeding and husbandry, experimental designs and analyses and Good Agricultural Practices
- Identify any additional equipment, and provide technical inputs to key procurement processes such as technical specifications of goods and equipment needed for effective research on horticultural crops and fruit tree production
- Be able to put the research in horticulture into practicality by engaging the different value chain actors to ensure sustainability and economic viability into the horticulture industry paving way for export markets
- Be part of the research and development team and identify and facilitate networking and collaboration with extension and relevant international research organizations to enhance project efficiency
- Participate in Project Technical Committee meetings, as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A PhD Degree in Horticulture
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- A vast experience working with the international research organizations or having been affiliated to one from the academia. Must have been leading in Horticulture Sciences.
- At least ten years working experience in horticultural sector part of which was in horticultural research supported by published peer reviewed journals.
- Scientific writing and publication skills
- Commercial awareness
- Initiative
- Problem solving skills
- Effective communication skills in both written and oral English.
- Analytical skills
- Sales skills
- Organization and project management skills
- Substantial knowledge of horticultural issues
- Report writing skills, moderation and facilitation skills
- Experience managing for results and supporting development of budgets, work plans, and procurement plans
- Fluency in English
CONDITIONS
- Renewal of the contract will be subject to satisfactory performance and funds availability.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016 and revised in November 2017 and August 2018, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.
SUBMISSION
Expressions of interest accompanied by detailed CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person or by email by 16:00 hrs local time on the 11th September, 2020 clearly marked ‘’ Expression of Interest for Consulting Services – HORTICULTURE EXPERT (LS- DAR-142469 -CS-INDV).
To: The Project Director
Agriculture Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA)
Department of Agricultural Research
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
P.O. Box 829
Maseru 100 Lesotho.
Email: [email protected]
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.