Position Title: National Consultant

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

The IRRI Bangladesh Office (IBO) in coordination with USAID Bangladesh Mission is interested in exploring the possibility of creating a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Platform for the development of the private sector Rice Breeding Capacity in Bangladesh. The Platform would evolve from the lessons learned from the  ongoing IRRI-ACI PPP Project, being piloted with ACI Limited.

The project goal is to increase farm productivity and income through the availability and adoption of superior rice varieties. The objectives of the project are to: i) tap the resources and expertise of the private sector to contribute to varietal improvement and seed system development; ii) facilitate the creation of a private sector channel for the delivery of new improved varieties to farmers; iii) exploit international rice germplasm for direct release or use as parental material by ACI's breeders; and iv) minimize the impact of public seed supply constraints through the privatization of rice breeding. The four intermediate results (IR) contribute towards the objectives are i) enhanced ACI breeding expertise; ii) enhanced ACI breeding facilities; iii) demand for quality rice seed increased; and iv) supply of quality rice seed increased.  Currently, the project is in fourth year. The project is to facilitate ACI cutting-edge rice breeding technology and capacity development so that ACI develop its own rice breeding staff and facilities for faster release of market oriented demand driven rice varieties.

The main purpose of the PPP Platform would be to facilitate the private Agribusiness  companies to develop their rice breeding and seed system capacities.

Roles and Responsibilities

The National Consultant will be expected to form an appropriate skilled team. The team should have expertise in plant breeding, biophysical and rice industry assessments, institutional capacity assessments, policy analysis and information management systems.
Under the guidance of IRRI, the national consultant will be required to conduct a survey that will  identify the requirements for individual private companies to develop their capacity to be self sustainable in their rice breeding research and development (R&D). The survey should include questionnaires aimed to :

• Identify specific areas for intervention and collect baseline information on rice R&D of the potential private seed companies
• Assess the individual private company's current investment in rice breeding R&D
• The individual private company's future R&D investment (coming 5 years)
• Assess the current physical facilities i.e. field R&D site, laboratory and other seed processing facilities like threshing floor, drying, processing, storage etc.
• Identify the qualification and experience of private company’s human resource capacity (in breeding, agronomy, pathology, marketing, etc.)
• Assess the companies target market segment, customer orientation information, and future thrust and ambitions in rice R&D (mainly in breeding) to cope up rice markets
• Identify the detailed seed production system, particularly where they grow and/or import rice (inbred and hybrid) seeds and where they sold those
• Undertake institutional capacity assessment related to rice breeding (only) and prepare a draft capacity building strategy (including training) to ensure successful implementation
• The Consultant and/or consultant’s team is also required to propose different PPP Platform structures and recommend an appropriate structure and governance framework for the proposed PPP Platform in Rice Breeding.

Time-frame: Approximately 16 weeks

Deliverable/ Outputs

• Introduction, briefing and meeting with IRRI Team, USAID, and meeting with participating private seed producers
• Design and formulate survey questionnaire, hand over to IRRI for review
• IRRI reviews survey and returns with inputs and edits to consultation for finalization
• Consultant conducts survey, complete assessment, validates and analyze data
• Consultant review different PPP structures and governance framework. Based on the review and consultation with various stakeholders, the consultant develops an appropriate structure and governance framework for the proposed PPP Rice Breeding Platform
• Consultant finalizes draft assessment report and submits draft to IRRI
• IRRI reviews draft assessment report and provides inputs and suggestions
• Consultant incorporates IRRI’s inputs and suggestions into the report and presents their Assessment Report to IRRI and USAID
• IRRI and USAID give final review of the Assessment Report
• Consultant updates the report and provides their final submission to IRRI

Qualifications

• PhD /Master’s Degree or equivalent in Plant Breeding, Socio-economics, Business Development or a related field.
• Language Requirements: Excellent written and spoken English

Skills Required

• 5-10 years experience in evaluating and consulting on private sector R&D capacity
• Solid knowledge on the requirements for a rice breeding laboratory and trial field facilities
• 5+ years experience conducting in-depth technical surveys as sole or main consultant

Additional documents required:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
• Personal CVs, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how will approach and complete the assignment;
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

Location: Bangladesh

Apply Instruction

Interested & eligible candidates are requested to submit their application through the link: (https://www.irri.org/jobs). Applications must be clearly marked with “Application: THE ASSESSMENT OF PRIVATE AGRIBUSINESS COMPANIES’ POTENTIAL TO BE A MEMBER OF THE IRRI PRIVATE COMPANIES PARTNERSHIP IN THE RICE BREEDING PLATFORM, AND TO RECOMMEND A SUITABLE STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE SYSTEM OF THE RICE BREEDING PLATFORM”.

IRRI regrets that only shortlisted applicants will be notified and any kind of persuasion in the selection process will lead to cancellation of candidature. Join Us to Deliver Rice Science for a Better World. Join Us to Deliver Rice Science for a Better World.
IRRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2019