REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: CONSULTANT ON PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION

RFP/ RN00930/PID-RWANDA/2020

Synopsis of the Request for Proposal (Individual Consultant (s))

RECRUITMENT OF A CONSULTANT ON PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION

The Agriculture sector of Rwanda remains the dominant sector of the economy of Rwanda. It contributes 29% of the national GDP and 68% of the labour force are employed in Agriculture. The Government of Rwanda has witnessed high and steady rates of economic growth nationwide averaging six to seven percent (6-7%) over the last two decades, where the agriculture has contributed significantly. The National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and the Government Program for 7 Years (2017-2024), hinges on this past performance and lays the foundation for accelerated transformation and economic growth to propel Rwandans to a higher standard of living. NST1 prioritises the modernizing of agriculture and improving its productivity to drive agriculture growth. 

In order to spearhead the transformation of agriculture set by NST1, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) is implementing the Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 4 2018 – 2024). PSTA4 aims to transform the agriculture sector form a subsistence to a knowledge based, market oriented and green sector, and places a strong focus on the role of the private sector to drive the agriculture growth.  One of the priorities of PSTA 4, is to create an enabling environment, which among others, involves reforming policies and regulations, creating responsive institutions, defining and coordinating public sector involvement that creates favourable climate for private sector investment in agriculture.

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in support of the implementation of PSTA 4, has provided a grant to MINAGRI to reform and operationalize policies and regulations related to agricultural inputs and markets so as to improve the Enabling Business Environment of Agriculture (EBA).  This is line with AGRA’s Inclusive Agricultural Transformation agenda where it is stepping-up its policy engagement by supporting government-led reform of policies that are constraining agricultural development.  Therefore, MINAGRI seeks to recruit a Consultant to facilitate the implementation of activities related to the grant provided by AGRA. 

Objective for this Assignment

The core objective of this assignment is to support MINAGRI improve the business environment of Agriculture by reviewing, proposing reforms and facilitating the operationalization of policies and regulations regarding agricultural inputs and markets with the aim of improving the Enabling Business Environment of Agriculture.  More specifically the consultant will support the Plant variety protection and the Variety release committee to improve their operations.

Scope and Approach of the Consultancy

The consultant will work at MINAGRI supporting the Directorate of Agriculture Development and the Rwanda Agriculture and Livestock Inspection Services (RALIS) improve the Enabling Business Environment of Agriculture score for Rwanda. Under the supervision of the team leader, the consultant will be expected to:

• Develop, validate and approve PVP procedures and instruments (including review for novelty) towards the establishment of the Plant Variety Protection office and Plant Breeder Rights
• Engage the policy makers and experts in round tables and carry out dialogue on reform options (PVP, NVRC, Private sector accreditation, & appropriate solutions
• Support Registrar to develop, review, update, validate and obtain the approval of protocols of DUS and VCU testing trials and data analysis and implement the approved protocols
• Support Registrar to review, update, validate the procedures that deter prohibited practices
• Preparation of the national plant variety catalogue and the list of protected varieties.

• Develop, validate, obtain approval by senior government officials and implement procedures and guidelines on how plant materials in national genebank are shared with different institutions and companies.

Key Qualification and Experience required

Education: Advanced university degree in Agriculture, seed technology or related field.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture in the following fields: Plant variety protection, plant breeder’s rights, plant variety registration, seed policy laws and regulations.

Communication Skills and Language Requirements: Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.  Knowledge of Kinyarwanda is of added advantage.

Reporting Arrangements and location of the assignment

The consultant will be based in Kigali, Rwanda and will work closely with the project Team leader and report to the Director of Agriculture Development at MINAGRI.

Outputs and Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

1. 15 days after the signature of the contract: Interim report showing the progress in the implementation of the assignment
2. One month after the signature of the contract: Draft final report
3. 45 five days after signature of the contract : final report with all related documents prepared by the consultant including: (i) validated PVP procedures, (ii) reform options (PVP, NVRC, Private sector accreditation, & appropriate solutions (iii) Approved protocols of DUS and VCU testing trials and data analysis.(iv) Procedures that deter prohibited practices (v) update national catalogue and list of protected varieties if any.(vi) approved guidelines on how plant materials in national gene-bank are shared with different institutions and companies.

Duration

This assignment will be carried out within a period of 45 calendar days. The level of is estimated at 30-Man days.

Evaluation Criteria

Technical Proposal

The consultant shall be selected on the basis of their proven experience, qualifications and ability to deliver a quality product in a timely and efficient manner.

Proposal submission

Taking into account the TOR, the candidate should submit a proposal containing the following elements:-

• Consultant Academic and Professional Qualification
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, outlining past experience of the consultant (Please provide a specific experience undertaking similar assignment)

• Work plan that includes clear timelines for the assignment
• Consultancy fee for undertaking the assignment and budget breakdown

Financial Proposal

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL must be supported with a breakdown analysis and will provide the following information, but is not limited to:

1. Professional fees chargeable
2. Breakdown of the fees and disbursements
3. Price must be quoted in US Dollars (USD)
4. All applicable taxes (withholding taxes) shall be included. If the financial proposal is silent on taxes, AGRA shall assume that these are inclusive;
5. Financial proposal shall be valid for a period of 60 days from the date of bid closure
6. Financial proposal shall be sent as a separate attachment and MUST password protected

HOW TO APPLY

Submission

• Proposals MUST be submitted via email to AGRA General Procurement: Procurement@agra.org on or before the deadline indicated on the synopsis of the RFP
• All bidders must use the RFP reference number in the subject line of their email submission.
• Technical proposal and Financial proposal shall be submitted as separate attachment.
• Neither technical nor financial proposals should exceed 10MB. The proposal with any subsequent modifications and counterproposals, if applicable, shall become an integral part of any resulting contract.
• Proposal must be provided in English Language

DISCLAIMER

AGRA reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

Download full RFP here:
https://agra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RFP-RN00930-PID_RWANDA-2020_CONSULTANT-ON-PLANT-VARIETY-PROTECTION-REV.docx