BACKGROUNDTO THE EABC-AERC PROJECT
East African Business Council (EABC) in collaboration with The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) formed a Trade Technical group on “Strengthening trade data tracking and analysis; Rapid impact assessments; and Private-Public Sector consultation and Dialogue,” under the AERC Covid-19 pandemic response in East African Community project. This project aims to undertake a regional study on the impact of Covid-19 on Trade with a focus on manufacturing, tourism and agriculture in East Africa.
The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is one of the most active Research and Capacity Building Institutions (RCBIs) in Africa. Established in 1988, AERC is a public not-for-profit organization devoted to advanced economic policy research and training. AERC’s mission is to strengthen local capacity for independent, rigorous inquiry into problems pertinent to the management of African economies, through programmes that combine economic research with postgraduate training in economics and agricultural economics, supported by an interactive communications and policy outreach programme.
The project aims to:
- To increase uptake and use of evidence to plan, develop strategies, advocate and secure member states’ commitments to implement evidence-informed policies and response guidelines.
- To minimize the societal and economic impact of COVID-19 by leveraging the Private Sector technical and resource capabilities for the COVID-19 emergency response in the EAC.
- To minimize the societal and economic impact by building the regional inter-governmental institutions capacity.
ABOUT EAST AFRICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the umbrella body of the Private Sector in the East African Community (EAC). It brings together national private sector umbrella bodies, manufacturers, employers, bankers, insurance and transporters associations, chambers of commerce, corporates, and medium and small enterprises from the entire East African region.
EABC’s mandate is to represent and promote the interests of the EAC business community, provide value-added services that enhance trade and competitiveness, and to participate actively and positively influence legal and regulatory formulation to improve the business environment. EABC works with the major stakeholders such as the EAC Secretariat, Organs, Institutions and National Governments and provides input in policy discussion while advocating for the implementation of resolutions at the national level aimed at increasing intra-regional trade. For effective implementation of the Regional PPD programme, EABC was selected by AERC as the lead implementing partner for the Private Sector/Trade Component of the project.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC) provides that the overall objectives in the agricultural sector are the achievement of food security and rational agricultural production with the Community. To achieve these objectives, the EAC Partner States have adopted the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy which outlines the strategic interventions identified for the acceleration of agricultural sector development. The six interventions are: improving food security, accelerating irrigation development, strengthening early warning systems, strengthening research, extension and training, increasing intra and inter-regional trade and commerce and physical infrastructure and utilities.
In the EAC region, agriculture is considered as the backbone of most of EAC Partner States and plays a key role in their industrial development. Agriculture accounts for more than 32 percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs about 80 per cent of its labour force, accounts for about 65 percent of foreign exchange earnings and contributes more than 50 percent of raw materials to the industrial sector. Despite the importance of the sector in the EAC, the agricultural sector still faces numerous challenges preventing it from achieving the desired objectives of food security and rational agricultural production with the Community. Some of the challenges are declining agricultural yields, drought, ecosystem degradation, floods and locusts. These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that over 95% of agriculture in the region is rain-fed.
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching impact on the ailing agricultural sector in the EAC region. Due to the disruption of global supply chain and restrictions put by EAC Partner States to contain the spread of COVID-19, and the agricultural sector will negatively be impacted. The existing and potential impact of COVID-19 pandemic include: disruption of food supply, production, farm inputs, price fluctuations, restrictions of import and exports as well as shortages of labour supply. The region has already felt the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the horticultural sub-sector as flowers, fruits and vegetables are finding it very difficult to access international markets due to travel and import restrictions.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on the agricultural sector, EABC under the AERC Covid-19 pandemic response Project in East African Community is seeking a consultant to undertake a study titled “Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture and Food Security in the EAC”.
The study is expected to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture in the EAC, generate policy options that the EAC Partner States should adopt to protect supply chains from COVID-19 disruptions and future pandemics.
In order to achieve the desired objectives of the consultancy, the technical proposal should detail how consultancy will be conducted. The technical proposal should also contain a work plan which explains how the assignment will be undertaken in line with the timeframe. Finally, the technical proposal will include a methodology that meets both the scope of work and deliverables described in the Terms of Reference (ToR). The main activities of the Consultant are but not limited to:
- Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the agriculture & food security in the EAC; (with specific emphasis on Maize, Rice, Coffee, Tea and Horticulture);
- Assess the agricultural stimulus packages put in place by the EAC Partner States and propose workable alternatives;
- Analyse the current fiscal incentives for agriculture and propose appropriate interventions,
- Assessment of the Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) arising from COVID-19 pandemic
- Organise internal validation workshop and make presentations in policy forums as may be organized by EABC, AERC and other partners in the project;
- Present report of the impact assessment of the COVID 19 and post-COVID recovery recommendations for the Agricultural sector and food security in the EAC
- Develop EABC Policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and post-COVID recovery recommendations for the sector;
DELIVERABLES
The key deliverables include:
- Inception report which among other things will contain the detailed work plan for carrying out the scope of work, proposed methodology and research design, and survey instruments
- Draft report of the Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture & food security in the EAC and Post COVID-19 recovery recommendations for the sector
- Final report that includes, final findings on the Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture & food security in the EAC and Post COVID-19 Recovery recommendations for the sector. The report will cover the Consultant’s final findings, after feedback from EABC Secretariat and other key stakeholders
- Policy brief which will contain a summary of both findings of an impact assessment of COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture & food security and post COVID-19 recovery recommendations for agriculture & food security in the EAC (see the attached format).
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
A suitable candidate should hold the following qualifications and key competencies:
- Academic qualifications: A Master degree or postgraduate qualification in any of the following fields, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business Administration or any other relevant field is required.
- Work Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years’ demonstrable experience in conducting research /survey on agriculture-related field, an understanding of agriculture commodity trade across EAC region
- Proven track-record in related assignments
- Communication and Networking: Must be able to identify key stakeholders; seek their views, correctly interpret their messages and respond appropriately
- Knowledge of EAC Integration, international trade and the EAC agricultural sector is a must
- Languages: Fluency in oral and written English is required as it is the main EAC working language. Good working knowledge of French and Kiswahili will be an advantage.
- Additional Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Email, analytical tools/software for data analysis, experience in working with internet searches, online databases, and data retrieval) are required.
- Nationality: The position is only open to Nationals of any of the EAC Partner States, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The technical and financial proposal must be submitted separately addressed to;
The Executive Director /CEO
East African Business Council (EABC)
Ninth Floor, Mafao House, Old Moshi Road P. O. Box 2617 Arusha, Tanzania.
Email: director@eabc-online.com with a copy to procurement@eabc-online.com
clearly marked “Consultancy to Undertake an Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic on Agriculture in EAC”.
The proposal should include among others; current curriculum vitae, proposed methodology, workplan, tool for data collection etc.
The financial proposal should be protected with a password.
Applications close on (10th January 2021) at (5.00 p.m.)
EABC is an equal opportunity employer thus recruitment is on merit and with no regard to one’s age, colour, gender, marital status, disability or impairment, race or creed. Canvassing shall lead to automatic disqualification. Environmental aspects will be taken into consideration.
