Terms of Reference – To recruit a consultant to organize competition for Youth Technology Innovation Prize.

 Background:

Heifer is an international non-governmental development organization working to end poverty & hunger in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Heifer has been in the development sector for more than 75 years. Heifer International has been operating in 60 countries throughout the world, but, through time Heifer focuses on the most poverty and disaster-affected 23 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Heifer Ethiopia: started operation in Ethiopia in 2004 partnering with international and local partners, the partnership is in the areas of agricultural projects including livelihoods improvement – vegetable production, dairy, and livestock feed in SNNPR (Wolaita area) and since last year Heifer has been collaborating in agricultural-development with partners.   

Heifer Ethiopia’s Programmatic areas: Agricultural development (crop and livestock) employing agribusiness value chains (Poultry, Horticulture, small Ruminants, Dairy, Honey, etc.), climate resilience, and job creation through entrepreneurship Opportunities, water development, and livelihood improvement programs. 

Heifer priority focuses areas: Women, youth, smallholder farmers, water, and environment. Heifer has been developing a long-term partnership with institutional donors and foundations for smallholders, youth, and women to improve livelihoods through agriculture development. 

Heifer Africa recently started an initiative of Africa Youth Technology Innovation Prize called AYuTE. Currently, there is an extension of the initiative to the country level. Accordingly, Heifer Ethiopia is in the process of organizing the country level competition.  

To this end, Heifer Ethiopia wants to recruit a consultant (firm/individual consultant) with previous solid and relevant experience in organizing innovative technology competition. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the country director in collaboration with the youth innovation focal person, the consultant will undertake the following:
• Develop and design the competition strategy.
• Develop a workplan for the competition.
• Communicate with relevant stakeholders and discuss on the strategy and detail plan.
• Identify opportunities for creating and delivering inspiring messaged to attract multimedia content about youth innovation.
• Mapping and identification of broadcasting platforms and identify appropriate broadcasting platforms. 
• Design communications strategy and develop communication materials.
• Develop web platform to house information about the competition and the winning candidate
• Follow up the broadcasting of promotional and advertisement materials through different channels such as social media, TVs, radio, and printed material.
• Identification, engagement, and onboarding of selection committee and judges
• Coordination and completion of the virtual pitch events
• Organize and coordinate the award ceremony (platform)  
• Due-diligence and summary report on top finalists from the pitch events and recommendation on winning start-up company to receive cash grant

Job Requirements

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience with a proven professional record working in organizing competition.
• The consultant should have a relevant education background in journalism/or communication /or marketing
• Ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent spoken and written English and Amharic with a working knowledge of the other local languages. 

The consultant is expected to have the following skills and abilities:

• Fast, accurate, creative and versatile writing skills, including for digital media
• Strong ability to see newsworthy stories quickly and easily
• Experience in creating and engaging social media assets and image editing.
• Good understanding of the issues relating to Youth Innovation and competition
• Ability to analyze information quickly and simply for audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimum supervision, be dynamic, proactive, and creative;

 Deliverables:

• Inception report with the detailed approach.
• Developed a designed competition strategy
• Developed competition activity plan 
• Communications materials developed and designed.
• Developed web platform to house information about the competition and the winning solutions
• Lists of Judges involved in the selection of innovative competitors
• Due-diligence and summary report on top finalists from the pitch events and recommendation on winning start-up company to receive cash grant
• Reporting on funds disbursement to selected companies.
• Develop and share reports across the lifecycle of the project which include all project activities such as, insights, learnings, and recommendations

How to Apply

Competent consultant (firm/individuals) who fulfill the above requirement can submit a technical and financial proposal (separately) in person at Heifer Ethiopia Office, located in Bole Sub-city, Wereda 05 area, house no. 155 For further information, contact Tel. 0116590001 within 10 days from the date of advertisement.

NB: Include evidence of experience, legal documents, and your updated CV. The Proposals received after the submission deadline will not be considered. The bidders are responsible to ensure their proposals are submitted according to the instructions stated herein.  Heifer retains the right to terminate this advertisement or modify the requirements upon notification to the offers.