ILRI Consultancy: State of the Art Review on Job Creation in the Animal Feed Sector in Africa

Location: Home based, with possible travel to Kenya

Organization: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)]

Department: Livestock Climate Environment Program

Deadline: 19 January 2026

Job Description

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a consultant to synthesize current knowledge on job creation in the animal feed and allied sectors. The consultant will Identify pathways for job creation for youth, especially rural young women and for disabled youth and assess challenges and barriers, including investment, policy, and business development needs. The consultant will also provide evidence-based recommendations for interventions to enhance job creation.

ILRI works to improve food security and nutrition and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe, and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 11 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.

Background:

The livestock sector in Africa is a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, food security, and economic development. It contributes significantly to agricultural GDP, providing income and employment for millions of households across the continent. Livestock systems are deeply integrated into the circular bioeconomy, supporting crop production and resilience in low- and middle-income countries. Smallholder farmers provide most of the meat, milk, eggs, and staple cereals in Africa, yet productivity remains low compared to global standards, largely due to feed constraints.

Feed accounts for 60–70% of livestock production costs, making the animal feed sector a strategic entry point for improving productivity and creating jobs. Africa’s feed industry faces challenges such as seasonal forage gaps, low-quality feed resources, and dependence on imported ingredients, exposing countries to global price volatility. Addressing these challenges through climate-smart feed innovations and inclusive business models offers significant potential for job creation, particularly for youth and rural young women.

ILRI and its partners, with funding from The Mastercard Foundation, are developing for creating jobs for young people through strengthening feed value chains in several African countries. This consultancy will provide a rigorous state-of-the-art review to inform project design and stakeholder consultations across multiple African countries in Eastern, Western and Southern Africa with the review will focus on the major feed pathways of cultivated forages, concentrates and mixed rations, and alternative feeds made from by products and insect based conversion of wastes.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks:

• Comprehensive review of peer-reviewed journals and key grey literature across the focus countries.
• Co-development of search terms with the research team.
• Consultation with leading authors and practitioners.
• Gender and youth lens applied throughout.
• Structured synthesis highlighting gaps, opportunities, and recommendations for multiple African contexts.
• Presentation of results in workshops

Final Products

• Inception report with methodology and search strategy.
• Annotated bibliography of key sources.
• Draft and final state-of-the-art review report.
• Presentation slides for consultation workshops.

Consultancy Fee:  By mutual agreement based on agreed milestones and deliverables.

Post location:  Home based with possible travels.

Expected places of travel: N/A

Duration:  By mutual agreement based on agreed milestones and deliverables

Contract dates:  60 working days (February 2026 to June 2026)

Essential skills and qualifications

The selected Consultant should possess.

• PhD in development studies, economics, agricultural extension, social science, business demonstration, entrepreneurship or related fields.
• Sound knowledge of the job creation landscape in the agricultural and allied sectors in Africa and/or other similar contexts.
• Strong knowledge in literature review, preferably with previous experience in systematic review or scoping study.
• Good command of written and spoken English.

How to Apply:

Applicants should send a CV and cover letter expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job. Applicants should additionally include the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the “>>Apply Now” tab before 19 January 2026.

The position title and reference number LCE/2100/2026 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.