Details of REOI For Digital Agriculture, Livestock, and Rangeland Specialist

1.       BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Somaliland Food Systems Resilience Project (SL-FSRP) is part of a regional initiative by the World Bank to provide a comprehensive framework for intervention at both the national and regional levels. This Multi-phase Programmatic Approach (MPA) aims to tackle the underlying structural challenges of food insecurity and reduce beneficiaries' vulnerability to unpredictable climate, crisis, and conflict events

The Project Development Objective (PDO) of the project is ‘to increase the resilience of food systems and the Somaliland’s preparedness for food insecurity in project target areas. The project has six components namely: Component 1: (Re-)Building Resilient Agricultural Production Capacity; Component 2: Supporting the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources for Resilient Agricultural Landscapes; Component 3: Getting to Market; Component 4: Promoting a Greater Focus on Food Systems Resilience in National and Regional Policymaking; Component 5: Contingent Emergency Response Component; Component 6: Project Coordination and Management. 

The Somaliland FSRP will directly benefit an estimated 65,000 of small farmers, agro-pastoralists, and nomadic pastoralists, at least 30 percent of which will be women. In addition, the project will support value chain stakeholders including women-owned agribusiness enterprises, financial services providers, disruptive Agriculture Technology start-ups, agricultural research and extension institutions. Within the public sector, the project will also build the capacity of Ministry of Agriculture Development, Ministry of Livestock and Rural Development and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and other institutions to implement resilience- focused policies. Therefore, the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Digital Agriculture, Livestock, and Rangeland Specialist for this Project funded by the World Bank.

The Digital Agriculture, Livestock and Rangeland Specialist will lead the design and implementation of digital solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, livestock management, and rangeland development within the SL-FSRP. Key responsibilities include identifying suitable Agri-tech innovations, coordinating with technology partners and stakeholders, supporting digital data systems for informed decision-making, and organizing district-level technology matchmaking. The Specialist will also contribute to policy dialogue, capacity building, and the creation of an enabling environment for scaling digital agriculture and climate-smart innovations.

The MoAD seeks to recruit a qualified individual to serve as the Digital Agriculture, Livestock, and Rangeland Specialist (DALRS) for this project under the terms specified in the Terms of Reference (TOR).

2. RESPONSIBILITIES: The Digital Agriculture, Livestock, and Rangeland Specialist will collaborate closely with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), project focal persons, and development partners to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities. Key responsibilities include:

Provide leadership and guidance to project staff, and other partners involved in the implementation of activities related to digital agriculture with the Agri-techs as key partners.

Support the identification of appropriate technologies on a need basis and follow up implementation closely.

Assisting the Project in enhancing coordination and collaboration with the selected Agri-tech innovators to enhance the use of digital solutions in the Project.

To keep a database of all relevant Agritech and coordinate their participation or contributions aimed at supporting the FSRP project.

Moderate the annual match-making exercise to ensure districts are paired with appropriate technologies for crop, livestock and rangeland activities.

Contribute to the establishment of partnerships with service providers and other key private sector players to support joint initiatives related to digital crop, livestock and rangeland, and innovation.

Support Agritech as appropriate and follow up with other thematic leads to ensure seamless integration of Disruptive Agriculture Technologies (DATs) with other components.

Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of digital data from agricultural, livestock, and rangeland activities to inform decision-making, monitor progress, and generate actionable insights for stakeholders.

Lead the strategic thinking and planning on agricultural, livestock and rangeland innovation systems and sectors’ digitalization and contribute to the development of innovative programs and initiatives at country and regional levels in support of resilience building in food and agriculture systems.

Support in assessing the needs of agricultural, livestock and rangeland innovation systems and provide local policy support and strategy development support to enact innovative initiatives and digital solutions from the perspectives of governance, policy, technology, communication, partnerships, and capacity building.

Engage with policymakers and contribute technical input to national and regional policy dialogues on digital agriculture, livestock, and rangeland management to foster enabling environments for innovation.

Develop, maintain and strengthen strategic partnerships with specialized agencies, research institutions, extension agencies, private innovation hubs, and universities at the forefront of innovation and digital solutions, including digital extension and best practices in support of the mandate and priorities of the Project.

Update the DAT implementation manual on a need basis.

Undertake any other duties assigned by the PC.

Skills and qualifications

1. SELECTION CRITERIA: The selection will be based on the qualifications, experience, and skills of the candidate, followed by an interview. The criteria include:

·         A degree in ICT, Business, Economics, Agribusiness, Rural Development, or a related discipline from a recognized university.

·         At least 5 years of experience in managing large-scale, high-impact projects in digital innovation in agriculture, prior experience working with the public sector in digital agriculture is a plus.

·         Ability to analyze and interpret big data and use analytics to drive decision-making in agricultural projects.

·         Knowledge of and exposure to agricultural extension, agribusiness, agricultural marketing, agricultural financing, methodologies employed by public agencies, private agri-businesses, and non-governmental organizations.

·         Demonstrated ability in creating partnerships and linkages, facilitating and co-develop technology and digital solutions, and implementing operational mechanisms to successfully increase user adoption and sustainably bring agricultural ICT technologies to scale.

·         Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks for digital agriculture projects.

·         Excellent communication skills in English and other relevant local languages, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

·         Good analytical and technical report writing skills, with the ability to prepare reports, manuals, guidelines, and other specialized publications.

·         Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and the Internet.

2.  REPORTING

The Digital Agriculture, Livestock, and Rangeland Specialist will report directly to the Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Agricultural Development.

3.DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The Consultant will be contracted for a period of eight (8) months, with the possibility of extension for up to two (2) additional years based on satisfactory performance, need for the role and availability of funding.

How to apply

1.       SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Ministry of Agricultural Development now invites eligible Individual Consultants to express their expression of interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested candidates must submit the following documents: (i) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with at least three professional reference contacts; (ii) copies of academic qualification certificates; and (iii) a cover letter demonstrating their suitability for the assignment.

Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, 2018, 2020, and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Project Coordination Unit (PCU)
Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD)
East of Assod Hotel, Sha’ab Area, Hargeisa, Somaliland

Attn: Mrs. Zamzam Ahmed, Procurement Specialist

Email address: Procurement@sl-fsrp.org with a copy to Copy.Procurement@sl-fsrp.org

Apply to Procurement@sl-fsrp.org