World Vegetable Center is hiring an experienced consultant to develop a training course for vegetable seed producers

Deadline for applications: 30 August 2021
Expected start of the work: 1 October 2021
Expected duration of the work: 40 working days full-time
Type of contract: Individual-based consultancy contract
Location: Home-based, no travel required

Background

The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and five regional offices around the globe. WorldVeg conducts research and development programs that contribute to realize the potential of vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. For more information, please visit our website: www.worldveg.org

Vegetable breeding is an important aspect of the Center’s work. Many farmers in Africa and Asia have limited access to quality seed of varieties that are resistant to the major plant diseases and tolerant to biotic stresses such as heat, drought and flooding. In Africa, most vegetable seed companies have very limited capacity to develop varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions and consumer preferences. It is challenging for these seed companies to establish their own breeding programs, or even to enter hybrid seed production because there is a lack of qualified specialists in breeding and seed production and limited access to a range of germplasm. It is therefore a priority to strengthen the technical capacity of seed producers to allow them to develop varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions and consumer preferences. A needs assessment conducted by WorldVeg among seed companies in Africa showed that there was a strong demand for capacity building on topics related to seed production, seed processing, and business skills.

WorldVeg has much experience in capacity building of stakeholders in the vegetable seed sector through various training courses such as the International Vegetable Training Course (IVTC).However, there is a need to develop some new content, to consolidate training materials developed for different purposes and to streamline the contents in a new attractive-looking and high-quality course that meets the needs of target groups. The use of the standardized training materials will save staff time in preparing a training, ensure quality and consistency, and optimize the impact of a training program. Three recently started WorldVeg projects -- SAFEVEG, Veggies 4 Planet and People, and Choose, Grow, Thrive – have recognized this need and have included seed sector capacity strengthening among their project objectives.

Scope of the Assignment

The aim of this assignment is to develop a training program, course manual, and training aids for managers and employees of vegetable seed companies, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa but potentially also in Asia, to strengthen their capacity in a wide range of topics from germplasm to breeding to seed production and seed marketing. All training materials must be sensitive to gender and consider that the target audience consists of adults who are early-to-mid-career professionals of seed companies and public sector research organizations.

WorldVeg staff as well as partners would be able to deliver the training using the developed materials (with or without adaptation). The aim is to have a two-week (10-day) training course with enough optional modules so that the course can be used for participants with different entry levels (e.g., basic, intermediate and advanced levels).

The Consultant will work closely with the WorldVeg breeding and Enabling Impact teams to develop the training course. WorldVeg staff will provide existing materials and regularly discuss the training course development with the Consultant. The tasks of the Consultant will be:

1. To develop a modular program that considers different entry levels (basic, intermediate, advanced). The current idea for the course is shown in Annex 1.
2. To review existing training materials developed by WorldVeg and other organizations (much of this has been collected already and will be provided to the Consultant at the start of the contract).
3. To develop a course manual and training aids, including clear learning objectives and a range of innovative learning methods that combine hands-on practice with classroom-style teaching and participatory learning.

After a first implementation of the training course, WorldVeg may engage the Consultant to evaluate the course by interacting with course participants and make subsequent refinements. However, this is outside the scope of the immediate assignment.

Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to deliver:

1. A course program that lays out a modular structure for the course and broadly covers the subjects mentioned in Annex 1.
2. A course manual that can be used to mix-and-match modules to tailor the course to a particular group of trainees.
3. A set of training aids such as exercises, Power Points, and evaluation forms that are referred to in the course manual.

All materials will be produced in English and may later be translated into other languages as needed. WorldVeg will manage the layout and final publication of the course manual (but not the Power Points). The contribution of the Consultant will be duly acknowledged, but WorldVeg will have sole ownership over the deliverables.

Qualifications & Competences

Applicants are expected to fit the following profile:

• In-depth knowledge of seed production, seed processing and plant breeding, ideally with a MSc or PhD degree in plant breeding
• Have a good understanding of the vegetable seed sectors in Africa or Asia
• An experienced writer, skilful communicator and creative thinker with previous experience writing training and educational materials, ideally for an adult audience.
• Excellent English writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with a team of WorldVeg scientists towards final products.
• Ability to deliver outputs following a time schedule that will be agreed upon at the start of the contract.

We welcome applications by individual consultants and consultant teams. We particularly welcome applications that combine subject matter expertise with expertise in learning and education.

Evaluation Criteria (Score)

• In-depth knowledge of seed production, seed processing and plant breeding (40)
• Have a good understanding of the vegetable seed sectors in Africa or Asia (10)
• An experienced writer, skillful communicator and creative thinker with previous experience writing training and educational materials, ideally for an adult audience. (15)
• Excellent English writing skills (15)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with a team of WorldVeg scientists towards final products. (10)
• Ability to deliver outputs following a time schedule that will be agreed upon at the start of the contract. (10)

Opening of applications and evaluation conducted by a WorldVeg DG-approved panel will be completed on the same day.

Terms and Conditions

The expected duration of the assignment is 40 days and the work is expected to begin on 1 October. A lump-sum contract, in which assignments, duration of service, required deliverables, and payments linked with deliverables are clearly defined, will be signed with the highest-ranked candidate. An attractive professional fee will be paid. The Consultant is not eligible for any other allowances or benefits. The Consultant can work from his or her home base and no travel is required.

How to Apply?

Applicants should submit a one-page application letter along with a curriculum vitae and proposal of up to three pages. The application letter should indicate the date of availability and salary expectation in US$/day.

All documents should be submitted by Email to Ms. Ying Kanokwan at Email: kanokwan.rattanamung@worldveg.org. mentioning “Consultant Seed Production Training” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing date to receive applications is 30 August 2021.

Procurement Complaint

For procurement-related complaints, i.e. complaints which protest non-compliance with aspects of WorldVeg procurement policies and procedures and/or process as laid out in this advertisement, email bidcomplaint@worldveg.org, mentioning “Complaint Against Procurement of Individual Consultancy for Developing Training Course and Materials” in the subject line.