Consultant - RE-GAIN Programme - Environmental and Social Management System, Accountability and Safeguarding

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Consultant - RE-GAIN Programme - Environmental and Social Management System, Accountability and Safeguarding.

REF: C/AGRA/020/2026

AGRA seeks to recruit a consultant who can provide supports to AGRA Ethiopia to operationalize the existing RE-GAIN Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and strengthen country-level accountability, safeguarding and partner assurance arrangements.

AGRA founded in 2006, is an African-led African-based organization that seeks to catalyze Agriculture Transformation in Africa. AGRA is focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives. As the sector that employs the majority of Africa’s people, nearly all of them small-scale farmers, AGRA recognizes that developing smallholder agriculture into a productive, efficient, and sustainable system is essential to ensuring food security, lifting millions out of poverty, and driving equitable growth across the continent.

AGRA is rolling out a new 5-year strategy to catalyze and sustain an Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa to increase incomes and improve food security for 30 million farmers. Under this strategy, AGRA will deliver through an approach that simultaneously catalyzes change at farmer level, strengthens input and output market systems and puts government at the center to enable and champion private-sector-led agricultural growth at national level.

1. GENERAL BACKGROUND

AGRA is implementing the RE-GAIN Programme, financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to reduce climate-induced food losses and strengthen resilient agricultural value chains. In Ethiopia, the programme focuses on teff and wheat and supports the adoption of Food Loss-Reduction Solutions (FL-RS), including hermetic storage bags, drying tarpaulins, silos, threshers/shellers, communal storage and aflatoxin management. RE-GAIN is implemented in accordance with AGRA's Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), relevant GCF environmental and social requirements, and applicable international good practice. The ESMS is integrated into AGRA's Programme Operations Manual (POM), including requirements related to environmental and social risk management, stakeholder engagement, gender and accountability. The environmental and social screening for RE-GAIN activities in Ethiopia has been completed. The current requirement is therefore to operationalise and strengthen implementation of the existing ESMS and related accountability and safeguarding arrangements, rather than establish parallel systems. The consultant will provide country-level technical support to AGRA Ethiopia to strengthen implementation of mitigation measures, stakeholder engagement, grievance and feedback mechanisms, safeguarding, accountability and partner assurance. Particular attention will be given to establishing an accessible Grievance and Feedback Mechanism (GFM), including a fit-for-purpose digital complaints and feedback management system with appropriate hotline/SMS functionality.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Overall Objective

To support AGRA Ethiopia to operationalize the existing RE-GAIN Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and strengthen country-level accountability, safeguarding and partner assurance arrangements.

Specific Objectives

The consultancy will:

• Refine and operationalize Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs) for RE-GAIN interventions and partners.
• Develop and support implementation of a risk-proportionate Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
• Establish and operationalise an AGRA Ethiopia country-level Grievance and Feedback Mechanism (GFM), including a fit-for-purpose digital complaints and feedback management system and appropriate hotline/SMS channels as part of FGM.
• Develop a Country Accountability, Safeguarding and Partner Assurance Framework, including minimum safeguarding standards and partner assurance tools.
• Build the capacity of AGRA staff and partner focal points to manage ESMS, accountability, safeguarding and feedback systems sustainably.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will undertake the following key activities:

3.1. Environmental and Social Action Plans

• Review screening results, risk categorization and existing mitigation measures.
• Refine ESAPs with clear actions, responsibilities, timelines, indicators and budgets where required.
• Facilitate consultations with implementing partners, suppliers and relevant stakeholders to agreed actions.
• Establish and maintain a consolidated country ESAP tracker.

3.2. Stakeholder Engagement

• Map and analyse key stakeholders, including farmers, women, youth, persons with disabilities, advisors, cooperatives, MSMEs, suppliers, financial institutions, government institutions and relevant community organisations. Assess their interests, influence, exposure to programme risks, communication needs and barriers to participation, and identify appropriate engagement methods.
• Develop a risk-proportionate SEP covering information disclosure, participation, feedback and inclusion.
• Develop an engagement monitoring framework and engagement log.

3.3. Grievance and Feedback Mechanism

• Assess existing complaints and feedback channels and identify gaps.
• Design and operationalize a country-level GFM that connects existing channels and includes an independent reporting channel.
• Configure and operationalise a fit-for-purpose digital Grievance and Feedback management system, including appropriate hotline/SMS functionality, secure case registration and management, categorization, referral, follow-up, resolution and closure.
• Establish role-based access, confidentiality and data protection measures, automated tracking, dashboards and standardized management reports.
• Develop communication materials and guidance in relevant local languages.
• Train focal persons and test the mechanism before full operationalization.

3.4 Accountability, Safeguarding and Partner Assurance

• Assess RE-GAIN-specific accountability, safeguarding and SEAH risks.
• Develop minimum safeguarding and SEAH standards for partners.
• Develop or review partner safeguarding due-diligence, capacity assessment, improvement-plan and monitoring tools.
• Operationalize confidential safeguarding reporting, referral and escalation procedures.
• Develop a mapping of relevant GBV service providers in programme areas.
• Define youth safeguarding and child protection measures.

3.5 Capacity Building and Handover

• Orient AGRA staff, partners and relevant focal persons on the tools and systems developed.
• Provide practical coaching during implementation.
• Prepare handover materials and a six-month follow-up plan

4. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION

• Duration: October 2026 – March 2027 (approximately six months)
• Maximum working days: 100 working days
• Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with remote working as appropriate.
• Expected places of travel: Selected RE-GAIN programme implementation areas in Ethiopia, as required for stakeholder consultations, partner engagement, field validation, training and testing of GFM arrangements.
• Mode of assignment: Hybrid – primarily remote, with physical presence at the AGRA Ethiopia office and travel to selected programme areas as required

5. PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS

Deliverables and Activities

End of October 2026

Inception report: Review of existing ESMS and screening results; stakeholder and partner mapping; methodology, field visit plan, detailed workplan and timeline.

Mid-December 2026

Reviewed and Agreed ESAPs and Country ESAP Tracker: Reviewed and agreed mitigation action plans for all relevant partners and interventions, including actions, responsibilities, timelines, indicators and budget requirements, with a consolidated country ESAP tracker.

End of December 2026

Country Accountability and Safeguarding risk Matrix: Country-level risk matrix and action plan, including minimum safeguarding standards covering PSEA/SEAH, child safeguarding, Code of Conduct, confidentiality, complaints, referral and escalation mechanisms.

Draft December 2026; final January 2027

Country Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Risk-proportionate SEP covering stakeholder mapping, engagement methods, responsibilities, key messages, engagement calendar, monitoring framework and budget

Design January 2027; operational February 2027

AGRA Ethiopia Country Office Grievance and Feedback Management System (GFM): Operational GFM incorporating existing channels and RE-GAIN requirements, for use across programmes, incorporating Accountability to Affected People principles and RE-GAIN-specific intake, referral, response, closure and reporting procedures. The deliverable shall include the design, installation/configuration and testing of a fit-for-purpose digital complaints and feedback management system, including hotline/SMS functionality where appropriate, secure case management, role-based access, automated tracking, management dashboards and standardized reports. Includes the GFM design document, grievance register/system, focal-person roles, communication materials, user guidance and installation and testing report.

February 2027

AGRA Ethiopia Country Accountability, Safeguarding and Partner Assurance Framework: Review of existing arrangements; country action plan; minimum safeguarding and SEAH standards; partner due-diligence and capacity assessment tools; safeguarding improvement-plan and monitoring tools; and confidential referral and escalation procedures.

March 2027

Final report and handover notes: Final report, handover notes, orientation/training records, user guidance for GFM and safeguarding tools, six-month follow-up plan and validation meeting with AGRA and partners.

6. FINAL PRODUCTS

The consultant will submit the following final products:

1. Inception Report and Detailed Work Plan – including methodology, work schedule, consultation plan and deliverable timeline.
2. Reviewed and Agreed ESAPs and Country ESAP Tracker – including responsibilities, timelines, monitoring indicators and follow-up arrangements.
3. Country Accountability and Safeguarding Risk Matrix and Action Plan – including minimum safeguarding standards for RE-GAIN partners covering PSEA/SEAH, child safeguarding, Code of Conduct, confidentiality and referral mechanisms.
4. RE-GAIN Ethiopia Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) – including stakeholder mapping, engagement approaches, disclosure, feedback and monitoring arrangements.
5. AGRA Ethiopia Country Office GFM and Digital Management System – including GFM procedures, complaint/feedback channels, hotline/SMS functionality, secure digital case management, referral and follow-up procedures, dashboards, reporting tools, communication materials and user guidance.
6. Country Accountability, Safeguarding and Partner Assurance Framework – including partner due diligence, minimum standards, monitoring tools and improvement arrangements.
7. Final Consultancy Report and Handover Package – including training/orientation records, system handover, lessons learned, outstanding actions and a six-month sustainability/action plan.

7. REVIEW TIME REQUIRED

Time frame Deliverables Review time required

- End of October 2026; Inception report 5 days

- Mid-December 2026: Reviewed and Agreed ESAPs and Country ESAP Tracke 5 days

- End of December 2026: Country Accountability and Safeguarding risk Matrix 5 days

- Draft December 2026; final January 2027: Country Stakeholder Engagement Plan 5 days

- Design January 2027; operational Feb. 2027 AGRA Ethiopia: Country Office Grievance and Feedback Management System (GFM) 7 days

- February 2027: AGRA Ethiopia Country Accountability, Safeguarding and Partner Assurance Framework 5 days

- March 2027: Final report and handover notes 5 days

8. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Environmental/Social Sciences, Development Studies, Gender, or a related field

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in ESMS/E&S risk management, accountability, safeguarding, stakeholder engagement or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience working with NGOs, development organisations, government institutions, private-sector actors and/or implementing partners.
• Demonstrated experience in Ethiopia, preferably within agricultural, rural development, humanitarian or climate-related programmes.
• Experience working with community structures and local implementing partners.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia's relevant institutional, administrative, environmental, social, labour, safeguarding and community engagement context.
• Experience with digital complaints/feedback systems, case management platforms, hotline/SMS systems or information management is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) and environmental and social risk management.
• Demonstrated experience in accountability, grievance and feedback mechanisms, stakeholder engagement and safeguarding.
• Practical experience in PSEA/SEAH, child safeguarding, Code of Conduct and confidential referral mechanisms.
• Experience developing or operationalising partner due diligence and assurance systems.
• Experience designing or managing digital grievance/complaints and feedback management systems is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of GCF environmental and social requirements, IFC Performance Standards, stakeholder engagement and relevant international good practice.
• Strong facilitation, training, communication and report-writing skills
• Fluency in English, Amharic and Afan Oromo; knowledge of additional local languages relevant to RE-GAIN programme areas is an advantage.

THE CONSULTANT IS REQUIRED TO HOLD A VALID BUSINESS LICENSE AND ABLE TO ISSUE VAT/TOT RECEIPTS WHEN PROCESSING CONSULTANCY FEES.

Terms of appointment: The duration of the assignment is up to 100 working days (approximately six months).

Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. Consultants should submit technical and financial proposals together with CVs of the lead consultant and/or associate experts.

The position and reference number: REF: C/AGRA/020/2026 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 23 October 2026.

AGRA/ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

To find more about AGRA, visit our Website at www.agra.org.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at https://www.ilri.org/

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

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