The Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO), with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), is launching a call for applications for a Consultant (individual or firm) to lead a major continental effort to strengthen and professionalize Farmers’ Organizations (FOs) across Africa.
This consultancy is part of the AGRA-funded project:
“Strengthening Institutional and Organizational Capacity of PAFO for Youth Work Opportunities in Agrifood Systems” (2025–2028).
The initiative aims to enhance governance, efficiency, and credibility across Farmers’ Organizations—ensuring they can effectively serve farmers, especially youth and women, and contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Why This Consultancy Matters
Farmers’ Organizations are at the heart of Africa’s agricultural development. They support smallholders with access to markets, training, financing, technology, and representation. Yet many FOs face challenges that limit their effectiveness: weak governance systems, lack of structured procedures, limited data systems, and inconsistent organizational standards.
To address these gaps, PAFO is institutionalizing ISO 18716:2022 – Professional Farmer Organizations Standard — a global framework that strengthens governance, transparency, accountability, and professionalism.
The selected consultant will play a central role in helping PAFO and its Regional Farmers’ Organizations (EAFF, ROPPA, PROPAC, SACAU, UMNAGRI) adopt and operationalize the standard across the continent.
Key Responsibilities
The consultant will:
1. Conduct Institutional Assessments
- Evaluate the governance, management, and operational systems of PAFO and its Regional Farmers’ Organizations.
- Identify strengths, gaps, and priority areas for improvement.
2. Domesticate the ISO 18716 Standard
- Adapt the international standard to the African farmers’ organization context.
- Develop a Domestication Framework, implementation roadmap, tools, and checklists.
3. Strengthen Governance & Management Systems
- Update or develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manuals, policies, and performance management tools.
- Support the integration of youth and women inclusion strategies.
4. Build Capacity
- Deliver training workshops on professionalization, good governance, and ISO standards.
- Train PAFO and RFO staff and leaders on maintaining compliance.
5. Facilitate Policy & Regional Dialogues
- Organize continental and regional multi-stakeholder dialogues on FO professionalization.
- Support pilot implementation in selected federations.
6. Produce Knowledge Products
- Develop guidelines, case studies, and documentation of lessons learned.
- Prepare progress reports and a final technical report.
Who Should Apply
PAFO invites applications from consultants or firms with expertise in:
- Institutional development and organizational strengthening
- ISO standards or other international certification systems
- Governance reforms and capacity building
- Farmers’ Organizations and African agricultural systems
- Training, facilitation, and multi-country coordination
Experience working with continental or regional institutions in Africa is a strong asset.
Assignment Details
📍 Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda (PAFO Secretariat)
✈️ Missions: Across Regional Farmers’ Organizations in Africa
🕒 Duration: 30 months
📅 Start: Upon contract signature
Application Deadline
📅 28 November 2025 — 5:00 PM CET
How to Apply
Candidates must submit ONE PDF containing:
- Technical proposal
- Financial proposal
- CV / Firm profile
- Tax clearance certificate
- Professional references
- Supporting documents
📩 Send to: admin@pafo-africa.org
CC: finance@pafo-africa.org | program@pafo-africa.org
Only electronic submissions will be considered.
Join PAFO in Strengthening Africa’s Agricultural Future
This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the institutional transformation of Farmers’ Organizations across Africa and to strengthen the systems that support millions of smallholder farmers.
PAFO encourages qualified experts and firms to apply and help build stronger, more professional, and more inclusive agricultural institutions.