Call for application for the Selection of an Individual consultant for the evaluation of proposals resulting from the call for projects in the field of Integrated School Feeding

As part of the implementation of the ECOWAS regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP), it appears that several West African countries do not have significant experiences in terms of social safety nets (FSS) consistent with national social protection strategies. It is for this reason that in 2012, ECOWAS developed a Regional Support Program for National Social Security Nets in West Africa (PRAFNSS) whose objective is to reduce vulnerability and promote the sustainable access of populations to food through the co-financing of "innovative" interventions in the field of Social Protection/Social Safety Nets in the ECOWAS region.

This program has been operationalized through the implementation of 19 projects implemented within the framework of the agricultural policy support project with the financial support of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID). This project has made it possible to develop several social safety net instruments. These instruments were the subject of capitalization, the achievements of which were shared during an international seminar for the sharing of experiences on social safety nets. According to the conclusions of the seminar, it appears that school feeding remains a relevant and priority tool in the region.

It is in this context that ECOWAS and AECID have agreed to continue and consolidate the achievements of the pilot project with a focus on integrated school feeding through the project to promote integrated school feeding models in West Africa. West (PMAI-AO) which is being implemented over the period from 2023 to 2026.

In order to achieve result 1 "Integrated school feeding models are promoted and strengthened" of the project and in accordance with its approach, the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) has launched a call for proposals for the selection of relevant and innovative projects in the field of integrated food in West Africa on August 7, 2023 ( http://www.araa.org/ or https://bit.ly/3s3RYwZ ).

It is within the framework of this selection that these terms of reference are drawn up with a view to recruiting consultants whose mission will be to evaluate the proposals submitted.

Brief Presentation of the Project

The Project for the Promotion of Integrated School Feeding Models in West Africa (PMAI-AO), which follows on from the regional agricultural policy support project, constitutes both a social safety net capable of absorbing shocks caused by food and nutrition crises, and financially sustainable investment in human capital. This project is the follow-up to the regional agricultural policy support project centered on school feeding, which stands out as one of the priorities in future interventions to be scaled up at the regional level.

The overall objective of the Project is to improve the development of human capital in West Africa and more specifically to improve sustainable access to a healthy and balanced food basket for students in vulnerable rural areas.

The implementation of the project should make it possible to achieve the following results:

• Integrated school feeding models are promoted and strengthened;
• Knowledge of good practices in food, hygiene, basic sanitation, sustainable management of natural resources are reinforced, documented and shared;
• Economic opportunities and economic insertion of women are created in the communities
• The operational capacities of ECOWAS are strengthened
• The regulatory, institutional and governance framework for school feeding programs in the region is improved

Linked to the first result, the school feeding model to be promoted is an innovative integrated model combining human capital building and productive capacities with social inclusion, emphasizing women and girls, and sustainable management of natural resources.

It takes into account the improvement of water resource needs through, for example, the introduction of agricultural hydraulics (solar-powered water tower) to provide drinking water to schoolchildren, the development of agro-ecological vegetable gardens and to enrich the canteens with animal proteins in addition to the activities and support services linked to the canteens (dissemination of good nutritional practices, hygiene kits, organization of the supply of local canteens, strengthening of community governance and management committees, etc.)

The project covers the period from 2023 to 2026. It targets 20,000 schoolchildren, 60% of whom are girls, local authorities, local actors (small producers, pastoralists and agropastoralists;….), canteen management committees, provincial directorates of education and national ministries of the sectors in which school meals are provided (education and/or agriculture, social action, gender promotion, or other), regional organizations involved, Member States.

Missions and tasks of consultants

The consultants will individually provide technical assistance to the ARAA in the implementation of the actions implemented. More specifically, they will support ARAA in the process of selecting relevant projects. They will have to perform the following tasks:

• Participate in interviews with ARAA on mastering the guidelines of the call for project proposals and in discussions on the evaluation grid for concept notes and detailed project proposals;
• Participate in the evaluations of project proposals;
• Support the ARAA in tasks related to project activities.

The consultants will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Technical Operations Division of ARAA.

Place of mission

The consultants will carry out the various tasks while being in their place of residence, with access to the internet. Exchanges on calls for project proposals with consultants as part of the mission will be done online (video conference, telephone communication, email exchanges).

Expected products

The consultants will produce the evaluation reports of the evaluated projects. These reports should include evaluation sheets with sufficiently detailed comments on each of the projects evaluated.

Expertise required

Consultants must hold a master's degree or BAC+5 at least in the following fields: agronomy, agroeconomics, planning and sustainable development, rural economy, project management, nutrition, social protection, etc., and fields related.

Have solid and relevant experience of at least 5 years in the development of agricultural value chains, in the evaluation or implementation of food or nutrition projects, social safety nets, agricultural economics, rural economy, or the monitoring and evaluation of projects related to agriculture or food.

Have knowledge of the ECOWAS regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP 2025) and have worked with agricultural or other producer organizations, agencies and institutions working on the issue of food and food systems.

Experience in the satisfactory evaluation of ARAA call for proposals projects is an added advantage.

Selection procedures

Eligibility and qualifications

The ECOWAS Commission, through the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) hereby invites natural persons to express their interest in providing the required services by providing information demonstrating that they possess the required qualifications and relevant experience to carry out the mission.

The attention of interested individual consultants is particularly drawn to Article 117 of the revised ECOWAS Public Procurement Code ("Offences by Candidates, Bidders and Winners"), which provides information on corrupt or fraudulent practices in competition or contract performance. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflicts of interest related to this assignment in accordance with Article 118 of the revised ECOWAS Public Procurement Code.

Application file

The application file consists of:

• A cover letter, including the availability period.
• A recent curriculum vitae detailing professional experience and similar assignments.
• Three professional references (first and last names, current functions, functions at the time of collaboration with the Consultant, email and telephone contacts);
• Copy of degree or degrees,
• Copy of the certificates of work or service rendered, listed in the curriculum vitae.

Selection method

A consultant will be selected according to the individual consultant selection method described in the ECOWAS "Procurement Regulations".

​​​​​​​Request for additional information

Interested consultants can obtain further information by writing to the following e-mail addresses: procurement@araa.org cc: ctienon@araa.org, mnakorba@araa.org and bkpessiglo@araa.org    with the subject "SCI033- PMAI-AO-AP AP Evaluation, Consultants ".