AATF Resource Mobilization Consultants Prequalification – June 2026 12 views0 applications

Terms of Reference (ToR)

AATF Resource Mobilization Consultants Prequalification – June 2026

1. Background

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a not-for-profit organisation that embraces a mission of making available, to smallholder farmers, agricultural technologies that were previously not accessible to them. AATF facilitates public-private partnerships and works in 24 African countries with governments, private and public technology owners and developers, seed companies, other value chain players and African farmers to identify, access, adapt and commercialize technologies that address farmers’ key problems and empower them to generate wealth and health for their families and communities. AATF also works to address some of the obstacles to technology access and transfer across the food value chain from research, production, processing through to market linkages. More information about AATF is available at www.aatf-africa.org.

Due to the current challenging funding environment, AATF is accelerating the implementation of the RM Strategy with additional external resources focused on key target funding groups including philanthropy. There is also need for intensified monitoring of the donor landscape and mapping; and in researching funding areas and developing relevant proposals. This requires engagement of extra resources to support the RM team.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

AATF is therefore seeking to prequalify a number of resource mobilization consultants to assist the Resource Mobilization and Sustainability Unit to execute various assignments in an effort to accelerate its fundraising efforts. Prequalification shall establish a pool of consultants eligible for consideration for assignment-specific engagements during the period of validity. Prequalification does not guarantee the award of any assignment, and consultants will be engaged on an as-needed basis subject to AATF requirements.

3. Required Skills and Competencies

• A minimum of a master’s degree in one or more of the following fields: Development Studies, International Development, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and/or Results-Based Management.
• The prospective consultants should have a proven track record in fundraising/resource mobilization including developing winning proposals for a not-for-profit of at least 5 years. Fundraising experience in the agricultural development field is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in developing proposals in agriculture and food security, food systems, agricultural biotechnology, climate resilience, youth employment, seed systems, agribusiness, and commercialization will be considered an advantage.
• Experience in accessing funds from African (including African governments), European, American, Asian and Middle Eastern sources including philanthropists will be an asset.
• Good knowledge of global agriculture sector trends especially in Africa in line with AATF’s area of work.
• Strong understanding of agricultural development issues and needs of farmers in Africa.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English.

Preferred additional qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant field will be an added advantage, especially for assignments requiring high-level technical proposal development.
• Professional certification in Project Management, Proposal Development, Grant Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Fundraising will be an added advantage.
• Training or certification in EU Horizon, USAID, FCDO, AfDB, World Bank, Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, or other major donor proposal systems will be highly desirable.

4. Tasks and Estimated Time

The prequalified resource mobilization consultants will be retained in AATF’s consultant database for a period of two years beginning August 2026. Individual assignments will be issued on an as-needed basis and may include assignment-specific briefs, timelines, deliverables, and reporting arrangements. The consultant will support AATF in developing high-quality concept notes, full proposals, donor engagement materials, and resource mobilization products. Tasks will include reviewing funding opportunities, facilitating proposal design sessions, drafting and refining proposals, strengthening theory of change, results frameworks and budgets, and advising on donor positioning, partnership development, and diversified funding strategies.

5. Deliverables

• A concise inception report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, methodology, workplan, timelines, and coordination arrangements with AATF.
• Analytical notes on selected funding opportunities, including donor priorities, eligibility, strategic fit, Go/No-Go considerations, and recommended positioning.
• High-quality donor-ready concept notes and full proposals developed in line with donor requirements, including revisions based on AATF, partner and donor feedback.
• Clear logical frameworks/results frameworks and budget justification notes showing expected outcomes, indicators, assumptions, cost drivers, value for money, and implementation logic.
• Donor briefs, pitch decks, partnership notes, and advisory inputs to support donor meetings, unsolicited funding approaches, and strategic partnership engagement.

6. Assignment Management and Reporting

Consultants engaged from the prequalified pool will report to the designated AATF officer within the Resource Mobilization and Sustainability Unit, or such other officer as may be communicated in the assignment-specific brief. Each assignment will specify the scope of work, expected deliverables, timelines, review process, and approval authority.

Consultants shall be expected to maintain timely communication, meet agreed deadlines, and incorporate reasonable comments from AATF within the agreed assignment timelines. The level of effort for each assignment shall be determined separately.

7. Conflict of Interest and Eligibility

Interested consultants shall disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest that may arise in relation to this prequalification or any subsequent assignment. AATF reserves the right to determine the materiality of any disclosed conflict and to disqualify or decline engagement where such conflict may impair independent performance or create reputational, legal, or operational risk.

8. Application and Submission Requirements

Interested consultants are invited to submit a brief technical and financial proposal as detailed below.

The following information should be submitted together with the proposal:

• A technical proposal of not more than 2 pages describing how the consultant proposes to undertake the assignments outlined above including donor mapping, opportunity identification, facilitate proposal design sessions, support in development of donor engagement materials and concept note/ proposal development support.
• A financial proposal of not more than 1 page indicating the consultant’s daily rate, clearly stating applicable taxes and the currency of the proposal.
• Consultant’s profile including past similar work.
• List of at least 5 past or present clients for which the consultant has already conducted a similar assignment.
• 3 references from past or present clients.
• Any other information to support your proposal.

Consultants may submit as individuais experts or firms, provided that the proposal clearly identifies the lead consultant and relevant experience of the person or team proposed.

9. Evaluation and Award of the Consultancy

AATF shall evaluate the proposals based on the consultant’s demonstrated technical capacity, relevant experience, suitability of the proposed approach, and financial competitiveness. Prequalification shall be based on AATF’s assessment of the submissions received and shall not constitute a commitment to award any specific assignment. AATF reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or highest priced proposal.

10. Commercial and Contracting Terms

The daily rate submitted at prequalification stage shall be used for evaluation and may form the basis for subsequent engagement, subject to assignment-specific scope, timelines, deliverables, and any mutually agreed adjustments. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, any reimbursable costs, if applicable, shall be considered and approved by AATF in advance on a case-by-case basis.