TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy to Develop Seed Production Training Curriculum

ABOUT AGRIFOP

Agribusiness Focused Partnership Organization (AGRIFOP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established in Rwanda in 2012 and registered under Rwandan law (REG. No 014/NGO/2015). The organization was founded to provide support for rural smallholder agricultural development and to serve the public interest by modernizing the agricultural sector. Its mission is to support rural smallholder agricultural development through capacity building, consultancy, and market development, ultimately improving food security and rural livelihoods. The core objective is to transform subsistence farming into a knowledge-based, value-creating sector that contributes to the national economy in a sustainable and resilient manner.

AGRIFOP acts as a vital bridge between agro-dealers and smallholder farmers. By teaching agro-dealers how to effectively communicate technical information about crop nutrients and modern seed varieties, they ensure that farmers have the knowledge needed to increase yield and improve the quality of their harvest.

CONSULTANCY BACKGROUND

The Agribusiness Focused Partnership Organization (AGRIFOP) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is implementing the High Iron Bean (HIB) Value Chain Development Project in 25 five sectors of target districts in Western Province of Rwanda. The project seeks to improve productivity, market access, value addition, business linkages, employment opportunities, and incomes for targeted smallholder farmers, youth, producers, cooperatives, SMEs (agrodealers, seed multipliers, aggregators), and other market actors. It will start with enhancing farmers’ adoption of improved HIB seeds, strengthening local seed systems, and promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The intervention targets bean farmers, farmer cooperatives, seed multipliers, and agro-dealers operating in selected Food Basket Sites (FOBASI) across Rutsiro, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Karongi, and Nyabihu districts.

Access to quality seed remains one of the major constraints affecting productivity and adoption of High Iron Beans among farmers. Limited technical knowledge and inadequate capacity among seed producers, cooperatives, agro-dealers, and extension personnel contribute to low-quality seed production, poor seed handling practices, and weak compliance with seed certification standards.

To address these gaps, the project intends to develop a comprehensive Seed Production Training Curriculum tailored to High Iron Beans seed systems in Rwanda. The curriculum will support capacity building for seed producers, farmer cooperatives, extension agents, local seed enterprises, and other stakeholders engaged in seed multiplication, quality assurance, processing, storage, certification, and marketing. 

AGRIFOP invites qualified consultants to submit proposals for the development of Seed Production Training Curriculum targeting seed multipliers.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, practical, and competency-based Seed Production Training Curriculum for High Iron Beans in Rwanda. The curriculum should provide technical and practical guidance on quality seed production, seed business management, certification processes, climate-smart seed systems, and sustainable seed value chain development.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

The specific objectives are to:

1. Review existing seed production training materials, national seed policies, and regulatory frameworks relevant to Rwanda.
2. Develop a structured and competency-based seed production training curriculum tailored to High Iron Beans.
3. Integrate practical, participatory, and adult-learning methodologies into the curriculum.
4. Incorporate climate-smart agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, gender, youth inclusion, and environmental sustainability considerations.
5. Develop facilitator guides, participant materials, and practical training exercises.
6. Facilitate validation of the curriculum.

The consultant is expected to work closely with AGRIFOP technical teams to ensure that all tools are practical, participatory, gender-sensitive, and aligned with national agricultural standards.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant/firm shall submit the following deliverables:

DURATION

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 30 working days from the date of contract signing.

DUTY STATION

The consultancy will be conducted in Rwanda with a combination of desk review, field consultations, and stakeholder meetings.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

The consultant/firm will report directly to the CEO, AGRIFOP or another designated team member.

The client organization will provide:

• Relevant project documentation
• Technical guidance
• Coordination support
• Access to stakeholders where necessary

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The consultant should possess:

• Advanced degree in seed science, agronomy, crop science, agricultural extension, agricultural education, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ demonstrated experience in seed systems development, seed production and certification, agricultural curriculum development, farmer and extension training, legume or bean value chain development.
• Proven experience working in Rwanda,
• Strong knowledge of Strong knowledge of Rwanda seed systems and regulations, seed certification standards, climate-smart agriculture, adult-learning methodologies, participatory training approaches
• Excellent report writing and communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda. 

The firm should demonstrate:

• Relevant institutional experience
• Availability of qualified personnel
• Previous experience developing agricultural training curricula
• Strong understanding of seed systems and agricultural extension
• Technical and operational capacity 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

1. Technical Proposal Including:

• Understanding of the assignment 
• Proposed methodology and approach 
• Workplan and timelines 
• Team composition and roles 
• Relevant experience and references 

1. Financial Proposal Including:

• Detailed budget breakdown 
• Professional fees 
• Applicable taxes 
• Any reimbursable costs 

Supporting Documents

• CV(s) of key personnel 
• Company profile (for firms) 
• References of similar assignments 
• Sample previous work (optional) 

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Ethical Considerations

The consultant/firm shall:

• Ensure originality and technical accuracy of content 
• Use inclusive and non-discriminatory language 
• Respect intellectual property rights 
• Ensure the manual is practical and culturally appropriate 
• Maintain confidentiality of project information

Ownership of Deliverables

All documents, tools, datasets, and outputs produced under this consultancy shall remain the property of the client organization. The consultant shall not share or reproduce any materials without prior written authorization.

Application Deadline

Interested candidates should submit their proposals no later than 28 May 2026 4:00 Pm to:
Email: info@agrifop.org