The Support Project for Food Security Storage in West Africa, the RRSA has started the implementation of its governing bodies and instruments. It therefore appeared essential to have a manual with clear procedures, known by all the actors and validated by the Management Committee and all the stakeholders. To this end, the procedures manual was drawn up and validated at the technical level by a group of experts and resource persons. However, taking into account the recurrent pastoral crises that have hit the region in recent years, particularly among transhumant herders, and the relevance of adding the livestock feed dimension to the Regional Food Security Reserve, it was recommended during the 4th session of the Project Steering Committee that the component corresponding to the supply and mobilization of the Livestock Feed Reserve be developed.

Regional stakeholders have agreed to integrate the specific issue of pastoralist crises into RRSA interventions. However, the establishment of a feed component in the physical stockpile of the RRSA is complex and needs to be well educated. Therefore, the Task Force "Storage" chaired by ECOWAS and led by the Rural Hub had entrusted RBM with the task of investigating the issue. Initially, two proposals were made: (i) to use the financial reserve to intervene in favour of pastoralists facing pastoral crises, and (ii) to launch a pilot project to set up decentralised livestock feed stocks so as to draw lessons for the design of the "livestock feed" component of the RRSA.

The purpose of this notice is to recruit an individual consultant for the development of the feed supply and mobilization module to complement the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve procedures manual, including the specifications for contractualisation and supply mapping.

I. Objective of the mission

The purpose of this contract is to provide the following services, i) the development of the feed supply and mobilisation module to complement the RRSA procedures manual, clearly defining the guiding principles for procurement, distribution and assistance operations, taking into account all the actors involved: networks of producer organisations, in particular RBM; ii) the mapping of the supply of livestock feed in the region, in particular the supply of agro-industrial by-products; iii) the drafting of specifications for contractualisation for the acquisition of livestock feed, including purchase and distribution; iv) and the presentation of the manual at a workshop with a view to its validation by all stakeholders.

II. Qualifications, skills and experience

The consultant must have the following qualifications, skills and experience:

• Higher diploma (at least bac +4) in public, administrative and/or commercial law, pastoralism, agricultural and food economics and/or commerce (justification on presentation of the corresponding diploma).
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the West African region and in the specific sector, in particular pastoralism.
• Proven experience in projects related to food reserves, pastoral crisis prevention and management, in the development of procedures manuals and in the facilitation of participatory work sessions. The consultant must be familiar with the draft RPFS adopted by ECOWAS and have experience in the following areas: design of institutional and financial arrangements, drafting of codes of procedures, company law and public/private procurement, drafting and communication skills, training capacities and competencies.

III. Language

Fluency in one of the three working languages of ECOWAS (English, French, Portuguese) is required. Good linguistic knowledge (written and oral) of a second working language of the Commission would be an asset.

IV. Location and start of the mission

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the ARAA UTGR and in collaboration with the DAERE, AECID and the main project operators, AFD and the AGRHYMET regional centre, attached to CILSS. It will be placed under the direct responsibility of the ARAA Executive Director. Its support tasks will include one or more missions to the ARAA (and EBID) headquarters in Lomé and to the countries of the region relevant to the delivery.

V. Application file

The application file is compiled:

• A letter of expression of interest, including the period of availability;
• Recent curriculum vitae detailing professional experience and similar assignments;
• Three professional references (surnames and first names, current position, position at the time of the collaboration with the Consultant, email and telephone contacts);
• A certified copy of the highest diploma;
• Copy of certificates of work or services rendered, listed in the curriculum vitae;
• A detailed methodology and work plan for the execution of the mission. (Applicants will be able to download the terms of reference of the mission).

NB: Any incomplete file will be rejected.

VI. Selection method

The consultant will be selected according to the qualification-based selection method as defined in the ECOWAS Public Procurement Code. To this end, the ARAA will compile a list of up to six candidates for further consideration in the selection process.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The ARAA reserves the right not to follow up on this expression of interest.

How to Apply

Applications must be received no later than 10 February 2021 at 5:00 PM GMT, by hand delivery or by e-mail to the following addresses:

• Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), 83, rue des Pâtures (Super Taco), 01 BP 4817 Lomé, Togo - Tel.+22822214003 in a sealed envelope marked « Selection of a consultant for the development of the feed supply and mobilisation module to complement the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve procedures manual, including the specifications for contracting and mapping the supply »
• Email : procurement.consultants@araa.org
• Subject : « Selection of a consultant for the development of the feed supply and mobilisation module to complement the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve procedures manual, including the specifications for contractualisation and supply mapping" ».

NB: Applications which do not bear the mention "Selection of a consultant for the development of the feed supply and mobilisation module in addition to the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve procedures manual, including the specifications for contractualisation and supply mapping" will not be considered.