INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (IITA)

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT

 Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Recruitment of an Individual Consultant

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is seeking to engage the services of an Individual Consultant to support the implementation of agribusiness development and youth entrepreneurship activities across the project locations. The consultancy is aimed at strengthening youth participation in agribusiness through capacity building, enterprise development, access to finance, and market linkage opportunities.

The Consultant will provide technical support in the delivery of agricultural entrepreneurship and business development training programs, establishment and operationalization of agribusiness parks for experiential learning, and facilitation of sustainable youth-led agribusiness enterprises. The assignment will also involve working closely with local partners and stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of project activities and achievement of project objectives.

In addition, the Consultant will support advocacy and sensitization activities targeted at promoting positive youth mindsets toward agribusiness as a viable and profitable career path. The role will further include guiding beneficiaries in the development of bankable business plans, training on cooperative management and access to finance, as well as facilitating linkages to financial institutions and markets for established enterprises.

The Consultant will also be responsible for providing business support services to youth-led enterprises and preparing periodic reports on business performance and overall project activities. This assignment is critical to advancing IITA’s commitment to promoting sustainable agribusiness development, youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth through innovative and practical agricultural enterprise solutions.

In line with this, we invite suitably qualified and experienced individuals to express their interest in providing the required services.

Scope of Work / Key Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Lead Agricultural entrepreneurship and business development training in the project locations.
• Establish and manage the operationalization of an agribusiness park for experiential agribusiness training activity.
• Work with the local partners to conduct training activities on the core area of agribusiness development, ensuring timely project deliverables.
• Conduct advocacy events targeting the youth mindset change toward agribusiness in the project location.
• Support beneficiaries in the development of a bankable business plan.
• Train beneficiaries on the essentials module on cooperative management and access to finance.
• Facilitate the establishment of profitable and sustainable youth-led agribusiness enterprises.
• Provide business support services to youth-led agribusiness enterprises.
• Facilitate access to finance and linkage to the market for established enterprises.
• Prepare and submit reports of business performances and all project activities.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Economics or other related courses.
• Minimum of 3years of experience  in Business Management and Entrepreneurial activity
• Fluency in English and Guinea-Bissau local languages (Portuguese, Creole), ability to speak French is an added advantage.
• Experience in international organisation activities in Guinea-Bissau.
• Possess knowledge of the Guinea-Bissau agricultural ecosystem and Key actors.
• Have prior experience in youth and women engagement in agribusiness.
• Ability to coordinate and effectively facilitate capacity-building activities.
• Ability to manage profitable/sustainable agribusiness Enterprises.

Duration and Location of the Assignment

The consultancy is expected to last for a period of twelve (12) months. The assignment will be based in Guinea-Bissau.

Application Procedure

Interested individuals are invited to submit the following documents in response to this EOI:

1. A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
2. A brief technical statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining understanding of the assignment and proposed approach to achieving the deliverables.
3. Financial proposal indicating the consultant’s expected professional fees.

Benefits