Consultant – Advancing Gender and Youth Inclusion in Ethiopia’s Seed Systems through Action Planning, Tools Development, and Capacity Strengthening

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REF: C/AGRA/06/2026

AGRA, founded in 2006, is an African-led African-based organization that seeks to catalyze agriculture transformation in Africa. AGRA is focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent's growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives.

AGRA seeks to recruit a consultant to provide support to AGRA Ethiopia on the assignment: Advancing Gender and Youth Inclusion in Ethiopia's Seed Systems through Action Planning, Tools Development, and Capacity Strengthening.

Background

Agriculture remains central to Ethiopia's economy, contributing approximately 32% of GDP and employing over 72% of the labor force. The sector underpins the livelihoods of more than 17 million smallholder households. Within this context, seed systems play a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and improving access to high-quality crop varieties.

Women and youth continue to face structural, institutional, and socio-economic barriers that limit their participation across seed system functions. This consultancy will undertake a targeted analysis and implementation-oriented engagement process to identify context-specific barriers and opportunities, translate findings into actionable interventions, practical tools, and implementation guidance.

Objective of the Assignment

Overall Objective

To advance the effective integration of women and youth within Ethiopia's seed systems by improving their access, participation, decision-making, and benefits through context-specific analysis, practical action planning, tools development, and capacity strengthening.

Specific Objectives

• Review and validate existing evidence on gaps, barriers, and opportunities affecting women and youth within Ethiopia's seed systems
• Identify key structural, institutional, socio-cultural, and economic factors limiting participation and inclusion of women and youth
• Identify practical and scalable opportunities for improving women's and youth's access, participation, and leadership within seed systems
• Develop a practical, implementation-oriented action plan with priority interventions, stakeholder roles, and measurable indicators
• Design and/or adapt practical tools, guidance materials, and participation models to support gender and youth-responsive approaches
• Strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders through targeted training, technical support, and institutional mechanisms

Scope of Work

The assignment will be implemented in 4 woredas from Oromia, 2 from Amhara, and 2 from Central Ethiopia Region, focusing on wheat, horticulture, and soybean.

Task 1: Review and Synthesis of Existing Analyses

Review and synthesize existing evidence on Ethiopia's seed systems to identify key gaps, barriers, and opportunities affecting women and youth. Output: Concise synthesis report outlining key gaps, barriers, and opportunities.

Task 2: Targeted Gender and Youth Assessment

Conduct a targeted assessment of seed systems, map key stakeholders, analyze roles and decision-making dynamics, and validate findings through stakeholder consultations. Output: Validated assessment report outlining participation patterns, institutional gaps, and priority entry points.

Task 3: Development of Gender and Youth Inclusion Action Plan

Define priority interventions, propose actions to address structural and policy gaps, outline implementation pathways, and integrate measurable indicators. Output: Prioritized, practical, and validated action plan with interventions, roles, and implementation pathways.

Task 4: Development of Practical Tools, Frameworks, and Participation Models

Develop simple and practical tools (guidelines, checklists, operational guidance), adapt to different users, develop training materials, and validate with stakeholders. Output: Practical and user-friendly toolkit to support implementation.

Task 5: Institutional Capacity Strengthening and Training

Deliver targeted training sessions, facilitate stakeholder engagement and validation sessions, and provide guidance for continued application beyond the consultancy period. Output: Training and stakeholder engagement report with outcomes and recommendations.

Duration and Duty Station

• Duration: Ten (10) weeks from contract signing (50–60 working days)
• Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Travel: Selected woredas in Oromia, Amhara, and Central Ethiopia regions

Final Products

• Final gender assessment report
• Final Gender and Youth Inclusion Action Plan
• Final practical toolkit
• Final training materials and training report
• Consolidated final consultancy report incorporating stakeholder feedback and recommendations
• Recommendations for continued implementation and institutionalization beyond the consultancy period

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's or PhD) in gender studies, sociology, agriculture, rural development, agricultural economics, social sciences, or related disciplines

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in gender and social inclusion within agriculture, agrifood systems, seed systems, or rural development programs
• Proven experience conducting gender and youth analyses and translating findings into actionable recommendations
• At least 5–10 years of relevant professional experience in conducting gender and social inclusion analyses within agriculture or agrifood systems
• Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations, validation workshops, and multi-stakeholder engagement processes

Technical Expertise

• Strong expertise in gender and youth inclusion, seed systems, agricultural development, and inclusive agrifood systems
• Demonstrated understanding of gender-transformative and socially inclusive approaches
• Strong capacity to translate analysis into practical, scalable, and implementable solutions

Team Composition

The consultancy team should have complementary expertise in gender and youth inclusion, agriculture and seed systems, rural development and institutional strengthening, capacity strengthening, and research and development of practical tools.

Context Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience working in Ethiopia, with strong understanding of agricultural systems, seed sector actors, institutional frameworks, and socio-cultural dynamics affecting women and youth

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical, report writing, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent communication and coordination skills
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within tight timelines
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Note: The consultant is required to hold a valid business license and be able to issue VAT/TOT receipts when processing consultancy fees.

How to Apply

Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees. Consultants should submit technical and financial proposals together with CVs of the lead consultant and/or associate experts.

The position and reference number REF: C/AGRA/06/2026 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before June 5, 2026.

AGRA/ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

For more about AGRA, visit www.agra.org. For more about ILRI, visit https://www.ilri.org.

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

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