1. Consulting firm Qualifications
The assignment shall be undertaken by a reputable consulting firm or consortium with internationally recognized expertise in institutional transformation, organizational development, business model innovation, governance reform, financial sustainability and agricultural development, and a demonstrated track record advising international organizations, multilateral development banks, research institutions, governments and development partners on institutional strengthening and sustainable business models. Prior experience with CGIAR, the African Development Bank or comparable International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is a distinct advantage. The firm must demonstrate the technical capacity, managerial capability and financial resources needed to deliver the assignment on time and to a high professional standard.
1.2 Institutional Experience
The consulting firm shall demonstrate at least ten (10) years of relevant international experience spanning: institutional strengthening (assessments and diagnostics, organizational restructuring, capacity development, change management and public-sector modernization); business model development (value propositions, service portfolio design, market positioning, commercialization and revenue diversification); financial sustainability (financial modelling, cost-recovery and pricing strategies, blended finance, investment planning and financial risk assessment); governance (governance reform, board and committee structures, accountability frameworks, delegation of authority, and risk and performance management); development finance, including working knowledge of AfDB, World Bank, IFAD, IsDB, the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, with prior advisory work for multilateral development banks an advantage; organizational transformation (design, strategic planning, restructuring and implementation planning); and agricultural investment, covering research and innovation systems, technology scaling, extension systems, value chains and climate-smart agriculture, with experience in Africa highly desirable.
1.3 Key Professional Staff
The firm shall propose a multidisciplinary team possessing, at a minimum, the following key experts.
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Team Leader / Institutional Transformation Specialist
A Master’s or PhD in business administration, public administration, economics, development studies, organizational development, agricultural economics or a related field, with at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional strengthening and organizational transformation, including leading complex international consultancy assignments and working with multilateral development banks. Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, report-writing and facilitation skills are required. The Team Leader holds overall responsibility for quality assurance, team coordination, client liaison and delivery of all contractual outputs.
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Business Model Development Specialist
An advanced degree in business administration, strategy, innovation management, economics or a related field, with at least 10 years of experience in business model design and institutional strategy, including value proposition design, service portfolio development, commercialization strategy and organizational sustainability. Experience with public-sector institutions or international organizations is preferred.
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Financial Modelling and Sustainability Expert
An advanced degree in finance, accounting, economics, financial management or a related discipline, with at least 10 years of experience in financial modelling and investment planning, including financial forecasting, investment analysis, cost-recovery mechanisms, pricing strategies, blended finance and financial sustainability planning. Experience with development finance institutions is highly desirable.
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Governance and Institutional Development Specialist
An advanced degree in public administration, governance, law, organizational development or a related discipline, with at least 10 years of experience in governance reform and institutional development, including governance frameworks, institutional accountability, organizational policy, board structures and risk management.
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International Financial Institutions (IFI) Engagement Specialist
An advanced degree in economics, international development, finance, public policy, agricultural economics or a related discipline, with at least 10 years of experience working with multilateral development banks or development finance institutions, and comprehensive knowledge of the AfDB project cycle, World Bank operations, IFAD programs, IsDB financing, sovereign lending, technical assistance and procurement procedures. This specialist leads the development of institutional engagement and commercialization strategies.
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Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist
An advanced degree in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, economics, agricultural economics, development studies or a related discipline, with at least 8 years of experience designing monitoring and evaluation systems, results frameworks, key performance indicators, dashboards and organizational learning frameworks.