Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) -… at International… · Cotonou

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is implementing the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Program, financed through a grant from the African Development Bank. IITA intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grant to facilitate payment for consulting services-preparation of viable and sustainable Business Model with a detailed Implementation plan for the Clearinghouse to ensure long term operational viability of the TAAT Program. The consulting firm will be operating from TAAT Clearinghouse Cotonou, Benin for the assignment, with substantial travel to several countries within sub-Saharan Africa.

The Consulting firm is expected to carry out the assignment in accordance with Terms of Reference (ToR). The Consulting firm shall undertake a comprehensive institutional, strategic, financial, organizational and operational assessment of the Clearinghouse and develop a viable, sustainable and implementable business model supported by a detailed implementation plan. The assignment shall provide a practical roadmap for transforming the Clearinghouse into a permanent CGIAR platform that serves as a trusted agricultural innovation brokerage and technical advisory mechanism for the African Development Bank (AfDB), other International Financial Institutions (IFIs), governments, and development partners.

IITA now invites eligible consulting firms to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), including their detailed Company information. Such information must indicate the consulting firms’ qualifications for performing the services and may include brochures, description of assignments of similar nature in the last ten (10) years, experience in similar conditions and environment, availability of appropriate managerial and technical skills among staff related to the assignment, etc. Consulting firms may associate to enhance their qualifications. The assignment shall be for six (6) months.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement policy framework, October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/new-procurement-policy.

Interested consulting firms may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 08:00-16:30

Expressions of interest should be delivered to the emails below on or before Friday 28th August 2026 at 16:30 pm. Any proposal received after the closing date shall be rejected.

Attn: Zozo Rachel

Interim TAAT Program Coordinator | Program Management Unit

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, www.iita.org

Headquarters & West Africa Hub

PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria

International Mailing Address: IITA, Carolyn House, 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon, CR9 3EE, UK

Email: R.Zozo@cgiar.org

Copy: m.a.bakare@cgiar.org

1. Consulting firm Qualifications

1.1 General Requirements

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

1.4 Desirable Additional Expertise

Depending on the proposed methodology, the firm may also include specialists in human resource management, strategic communications, digital transformation, knowledge management, private-sector development, agricultural innovation systems, and legal and institutional affairs.

Duration and Location of the Assignment

The consultancy assignment is expected to be completed within six (6) months, with interim report to final report submitted at agreed milestones. The assignment will be based in Cotonou, Benin.

CLOSING DATE: 17 AUGUST 2026

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, with a particular focus on female candidates.

All applications will be considered, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.