Agricultural Research Consultant – Seed System Assessment (Northern Ethiopia)

Position Code: 2026-043-008

Location: Ethiopia (Fieldwork in Northern Ethiopia)

Department: Agri-food Innovation and Resilience (AIR) Unit

Organization: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Employment Type: Consultancy (7-Week Contract)

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled (Apply Now)

Job Summary

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is seeking a qualified Individual Consultant, Organization, Firm, or Institution based in Ethiopia to lead a comprehensive Seed System Assessment in Northern Ethiopia.

This project, titled “Promoting Resilient Seed Systems in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (FCAS): Northern Ethiopia,” aims to identify constraints and opportunities within local seed value chains, evaluate the role of digital innovations, and facilitate a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue to rebuild a resilient, market-supportive, and nutrition-sensitive seed sector.

Key Responsibilities

The Consultant/Firm will lead field data collection, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and contribute to data synthesis under the technical guidance of Senior IFPRI researchers across two primary components:

1. Seed Systems Assessment & Fieldwork

• Inception Planning: Review background literature, finalize Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides, and secure necessary local field approvals.

• Qualitative Data Collection: Conduct KIIs and FGDs utilizing the Seed System Security Assessment (SSSA) framework and SeedCLIR approaches across diverse agro-ecological and conflict-affected zones.

• Target Stakeholders: Engage with government agencies, seed cooperatives, private seed companies, agro-dealers, NGOs, and humanitarian actors.

• Focus Areas: Assess climate-resilient variety availability, market bottlenecks, gender-specific barriers, and the feasibility of bundled seed portfolios.

2. Consultative Process & Policy Roadmap Development

• Stakeholder Workshops: Facilitate 3–4 targeted consultations and a national validation workshop with regional and federal policymakers.

• Policy Integration: Align recommendations with Ethiopia’s national seed roadmap to support decentralized seed multiplication and women-led seed enterprises.

• Data Management: Transcribe, clean, and analyze qualitative data using thematic coding schemes via software like NVivo, Atlas.ti, or MAXQDA.

Required Qualifications & Team Composition

IFPRI expects the applicant to assemble a multidisciplinary team led by a Principal Investigator (Team Leader) meeting the following criteria:

Principal Investigator (Team Leader) Requirements:

• Education: PhD in Public Policy Analysis, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Development Studies, or a closely related field.

• Experience: Minimum of 8 years leading qualitative or mixed-methods research/evaluations in agriculture, rural development, or food security—ideally in fragile or conflict-affected settings (FCAS).

• Expertise: Proven experience designing and managing KIIs and FGDs from community farmers to high-level officials. Strong familiarity with Northern Ethiopia’s agricultural policies and local language dynamics (Amharic and Tigrigna is highly advantageous).

Essential Team Expertise:

• Qualitative Research Expert: Skilled in facilitating sensitive community discussions and structural thematic analysis.

• Seed System Expert: Technical knowledge of seed value chains, quality assurance, and analytical frameworks (SSSA, SeedCLIR).

• Data Expert: Proficient in qualitative software management (NVivo, Atlas.ti, or MAXQDA) and ethical data-handling procedures.

Deliverables & Timeline

The assignment must be completed within 7 weeks of contract signing. Expected deliverables include:

1. Inception Note: Final methodology, sampling frames, and fieldwork schedule.

2. Cleaned Assessment Diagnostics: Transcripts, audio recordings, and thematic reflection notes.

3. Policy Process Documentation: Structured synthesis of workshops and stakeholder inputs.

4. Draft Inputs: Contributions toward the final assessment report, policy briefs, and the formal implementation roadmap.

How to Apply

Interested individuals, firms, or institutions based in Ethiopia should submit their application online including:

• A Cover Letter / Expression of Interest (EOI) detailing motivation and relevant institutional experience.

• A brief Technical Note outlining the proposed team structure, work plan, and understanding of the assignment.

• Updated CVs of the Principal Investigator and core team members.

• A detailed Financial Proposal / Budget.

Note: Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates/firms will be contacted.