Scoping Plant Biosecurity Training and Skills Development in Africa

ABOUT US

By sharing knowledge and science, CABI tackles global issues like poverty, hunger, education, equality, sustainability, climate change and biodiversity. We do this by helping farmers grow more and lose less of what they produce, combating threats to agriculture and the environment from pests and diseases, protecting natural habitats from invasive species, and improving access to scientific knowledge.

CABI is an international, inter-governmental, not-for-profit organization that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Our approach involves putting information, skills and tools into people’s hands. CABI’s 48 Member Countries guide and influence our work which is delivered by scientific staff based in our global network of centres.

CABI is committed to making a difference, playing its part in creating a brighter, more equitable and sustainable future.

You can learn more at:www.cabi.org

Introduction and Background

CABI envisions a world in which women, youth and marginalised communities are included in agriculture, and become key to ensuring equity, increasing participation in agribusiness, and reducing youth unemployment; promoting livelihood improvement; increasing production and reducing poverty. CABI’s Medium-Term Strategy (2023-25) pursues five major goals: 1. Improve the food security and livelihoods of smallholder communities 2. Help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change 3. Reduce inequality through better opportunities for rural women and youth 4. Safeguard biodiversity and support the sustainable use of natural resources 5. Increase the reach, application, and impact of science in agriculture and the environment.

The Australia Africa Plant Biosecurity Partnership (AAPBP) project was implemented between 2014 and 2017 with the objective of strengthening plant biosecurity systems in Africa through capacity building and knowledge exchange. The AAPBP aimed to enhance continental food security by advocating for increased public and private sector investment in plant biosecurity. It also aimed to streamline agricultural value chains, navigate regulatory hurdles, and foster innovation while strengthening collaboration capacity in plant biosecurity for both Australia and Africa. The partnership involved collaboration between African countries and Australia, focusing on enhancing biosecurity practices to protect plant health, improve trade, and safeguard biodiversity.

The primary goal of the AABPB was to enhance the capacity of middle-level managers and decision-makers in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to address, build and enhance national and regional biosecurity capacity. Through the project, the Australia-Africa Plant Biosecurity Network was established, comprising 45 Fellows and led by 15 Senior Fellows. The network aimed to provide technical biosecurity training, establish mentoring relationships between African Fellows and Australian experts, and foster and support country-based and regional biosecurity initiatives.

Rationale

As the project has concluded, there is a need to assess the outcomes, successes, challenges, and future opportunities that have emerged from the AAPBP project. This post-project assessment aims to evaluate the project’s overall impact, identify lessons learned, and recommend actions to sustain and build upon the achievements made during the project implementation.

Objectives of the consultancy

1. Undertake a post-project assessment of the AAPBP project (2014-2017):

• To assess the successes, impacts and challenges encountered during the implementation of the AAPBP project
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the project in terms of its impact on biosecurity capacity in participating African countries
• To identify key opportunities for future partnerships, capacity building, and improvements in plant biosecurity
• To provide implementable recommendations for sustaining the gains achieved and strengthen the critical areas of availability, quality, and effectiveness of the current training programs to support plant health, biosecurity and safe trade across Africa and beyond

2. Draft proposal on Plant Biosecurity capacity building curricula in Africa

Generic Tasks

1. Conduct interviews and consultations with key stakeholders in the 10 project countries and implementing partner institutions

• Develop evaluation and data capture tools
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) with the 45 Fellows and led by 15 Senior Fellows of the AAPBP project
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) with ACIAR lead trainers
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) with CABI project team
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) with representatives from regional economic communities
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII) with relevant international organizations and biosecurity networks
• Analysis and synthesis of the collected data
• Draft and submit post-project assessment report

Requirements

• At least MSc Degree in a social science field, such as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Economics, Anthropology, Education, agricultural sciences, plant science, environmental science, or related fields. A PhD will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in agriculture, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and impact assessments, plant biosecurity, or rural development in Africa
• Proven experience conducting qualitative impact assessments, scoping studies, needs assessments, baseline assessments, landscape analysis, or capacity-building initiatives, preferably in the field of agriculture or plant biosecurity
• Proven experience in delivery end of project assessments with associated reporting, drafting fundable proposals and reports for development agencies, or government bodies

Technical and functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Familiarity with focus group discussion and key informant interview design
• Familiarity with qualitative evaluation methods
• Familiarity with project design tools,
• Demonstrated interest in, and familiarity with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) systems in Africa
• Familiarity with African agricultural practices, climate conditions, and the biosecurity challenges
• Familiarity with higher level agricultural education system in Africa

Language skills:

• Proficiency in English and working knowledge of French

Key Competencies:

• Analytical and strategic thinking as demonstrated by theability to assess complex situations, identify core issues, and develop practical, scalable solutions
• High-level report-writing skills with the ability to produce comprehensive and actionable recommendations

Refer to the CABI website for timelines and expected deliverables (Requests for Proposals – CABI.org).