Senegal: Senior Proposal Writer

I.Background

The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) is a key regional partner to USAID/West Africa with a mandate to increase food security and broad-based agricultural growth by improving agricultural productivity, competitiveness and markets. Its key areas of focus include developing technologies and innovations, strengthening and coordinating agricultural research systems in West Africa, policy advocacy, and in disseminating agricultural knowledge as expressed through its stakeholders. CORAF/WECARD plays a crucial role in West Africa’s Feed the Future program, and has unparalleled expertise and unique networks within the region.

For over a decade, USAID/West Africa has been assisting CORAF/WECARD and seeks to provide continued assistance to CORAF in order to build on the results achieved from previous assistance and to expand on the momentum established in moving agricultural science and technology in the region forward while strengthening and enhancing CORAF’s capacity to fulfill its institutional mandate.

At the request of CORAF/WECARD, USAID/WA is envisioning a support through direct technical assistance in the area of Proposal Development and Writing.

II.Scope

USAID/WA AGR Team has commissioned the Analytical Support Services and Evaluation for Sustainable System (ASSESS) – a USAID/WA-funded evaluation mechanism implemented by USDA and its partners (US and Africa universities and institutions) – to recruit an international expert for the position of Grants and Partnership Expert for a short-term assignment to support CORAF. This consultancy will be performed at CORAF/WECARD headquarters based in Dakar, Senegal.

III.Purpose

The Senior Expert will mentor and work with a junior professional for knowledge and skills transfer with the objective to build the in-house expertise in the area of proposal development within CORAF. The Senior Expert may be used by CORAF, among other things, to assist with the development of their proposal in response to the Institutional and Technical Assistance solicitation. This is an 8 to 12 month assignment based in Dakar.

Specific Task

1. Write quality proposals in response to various requests for applications;

2. Write quality unsolicited proposals to seek funding for the implementation of CORAF’s operational plan;

3. Build CORAF’s in-house capacity in the area of proposal development and writing.

Audience and Intended Users

CORAF will be the main beneficiary of the outcome of this assignment.

Qualification and Profile of Expert:

The person needs to have some general science background to be able to interact with the professional staff in developing high quality proposals. This assignment can take 6-8 months initially. Specifically, the expert should:

1. Have an advanced degree (Master's or higher) in Agriculture, Ag Economics, Rural Sociology or similar;

2. Have an experience designing, and managing agricultural programs (preferably in Africa, and specifically West Africa)

3. Have a strong experience in proposals writing for agricultural research organizations.

4. Have a strong English writing skills

5. Be fluent in English and professional working proficiency (3/3) in French

Send your CVs and Cover letter to aba@assess-wa.org. Only selected candidates will be contacted.