Consultancy - Project Knowledge Management, Advocacy & Adoption Expert

Introduction and Context

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission. AU-IBAR provides leadership and integrated support for the sustainable development and utilization of animal resources in Africa, with the aim of strengthening food and nutrition security, livelihoods, trade, investment and prosperity in African Union Member States.
Under this mandate, AU-IBAR implements the Africa Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform, a continental initiative designed to accelerate the integration of pastoral producers and operators into formal, structured and high-value livestock markets. APMD focuses delivery on two prioritized pastoral market pathways: (i) linking pastoralists to export-grade meat value chains; and (ii) linking pastoralists to enhanced regional livestock trade corridors, with a specific Sahel-to-Nigeria corridor focus.
APMD organizes pathway delivery through a common Evidence-to-Adoption process: Evidence Assessment, Pathways Validation, Decision Materials, Interest Generation and Adoption Support. These pathway stages are reinforced by Continental Pathways Mobilization, which uses AU-IBAR's continental mandate and convening role to engage Member States, Regional Economic Communities, private-sector actors, investors, financial institutions, technical partners and other stakeholders around validated market pathways and defined adoption or investment decisions.
The APMD Results Framework seeks to achieve three outcomes: (1) increased access of pastoral producers and operators to formal, structured and high-value livestock markets; (2) increased private-sector investment and commercial activity in pastoral livestock markets; and (3) increased adoption of proven pastoral market approaches by Member States and continental institutions. By February 2028, APMD aims to support the integration of at least 25 pastoral producers/operators into structured market channels, identify and actively advance a qualified pathway-linked investment pipeline of at least US$500 million, and support adoption or application of validated pastoral market approaches by at least three Member States or continental institutions.

Purpose of the Assignment

Serve as the process/accountable lead for APMD Evidence Assessment and as the principal owner of evidence synthesis, decision materials, pathway-facing knowledge, targeted engagement architecture, adoption follow-up and continental pathway mobilisation. The role converts credible technical evidence into decision-ready products and documented progression toward adoption and investment decisions.

APMD Results Accountability

The position contributes to the approved APMD Results Framework as follows:

Result	Approved APMD Result	Role	Required Contribution
Outcome 1	Increased access of pastoral producers and operators to formal, structured and high-value livestock markets.	Cross-cutting contributor	Ensure evidence, decisions and adoption processes remain linked to measurable market integration, including the 25+ target.
Outcome 3	Increased adoption of proven pastoral market approaches by Member States and continental institutions.	Major contributor	Lead adoption-facing knowledge and follow-up that supports at least three Member State/continental adoption or application results.
Output 1.1	PMDs and corridor models studied with collated evidence and learnings using a widely accepted market-evidence due-diligence framework.	Process/accountable lead	Manage scope, external Evidence Assessment Team, evidence calendar, source architecture, consolidated gap log, synthesis and validation-readiness handoff.
Output 2.1	Credible pastoral market reference function established for selected pathways, evidenced by investor-facing reports, decision products and a functioning information portal.	Lead - decision-facing function	Own content architecture, curation, investor-facing reports and use; Data owns the technical data layer.
Output 2.3	High-value pathway-linked platform moments, each with defined audience, specific ask, decision product and follow-up owner.	Lead	Design and document pathway moments, including APMF, to produce defined decisions/follow-up rather than attendance.
Output 3.1	Potential adoption Member States engaged on the two prioritized pastoral pathways.	Co-Lead	Coordinate adoption-facing materials, engagement sequence and follow-up evidence; support engagement of at least 10 potential adoption Member States.
Output 3.3	Scale and sustainability plan, funding roadmap, donor briefing pack and post-2028 handover/funding next steps.	Lead with Coordinator	Coordinate learning, evidence and materials required for continuation and resource mobilisation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Function / stage	Lead Responsibility	Required Collaboration/Handoff
Evidence Assessment - process/accountable lead	Define evidence-cycle scope and methodology requirements; coordinate the externally procured Evidence Assessment Team; manage evidence sources, calendar, review points and consolidated gap log; ensure the pathway is the unit of analysis; synthesize evidence into Pathway Evidence Packs and Validation Readiness Briefs.	External team performs technical due diligence; Private Sector, Policy and Data provide domain leadership; Coordinator resolves access, scope and escalation decisions.
Pathways Validation - process support	Prepare pre-read architecture, evidence index, claims/caveats register and validation documentation; ensure evidence providers do not control the independent decision.	Work with validation process owner, M&E, pillar leads and external Evidence Team.
Decision Materials - lead	Own Actor Group & Decision Maps, materials-use matrices, government/REC/private-sector/investor/adoption products, editorial quality and claims discipline.	Obtain technical content from Private Sector, Policy and Data; use external Evidence Team inputs where needed.
Interest Generation - engagement architecture lead	Apply the Outreach -> Engage -> Demonstrate -> Reflect -> Confirm Interest -> Decide sequence; maintain conversion and follow-up tracking.	Private Sector leads investor/operator relationships; Policy leads government/REC engagement; Country Adoption Leads manage national pathway access/follow-up.
Adoption Support - facilitation/documentation lead	Lead pathway learning, model walkthroughs, adaptation debriefs, adoption-planning support, action documentation, handover and follow-up rhythm for confirmed adoption opportunities.	Work with Country Adoption Leads, Policy, Private Sector and Data; APMD facilitates but does not run country implementation.
Continental Pathways Mobilization - lead	Design pathway-focused APMF and other continental moments; define actor segments, decision asks, pathway materials, commitment capture and follow-up ownership; coordinate knowledge and advocacy content with the Coordinator.	Work with all Pillar Leads and Country Adoption Leads; connect continental mobilisation to investment, adoption and AU/REC decisions.

Other field-related responsibilities. Undertake other responsibilities within the professional scope of the assignment, and directly relevant to approved APMD pathways, results, governance or continental mobilization, as may be assigned by the APMD Project Coordinator and the Director of AU-IBAR.

Cross-Functional and Country Interfaces

The position shall collaborate through defined functional interfaces; collaboration does not create parallel reporting lines.

Interface	Required interaction
Kenya Country Adoption Lead	Coordinate evidence access, pathway documentation, learning visits/model walkthroughs, export-pathway decision materials and adoption/investment follow-up.
Nigeria Country Adoption Lead	Coordinate corridor evidence access, stakeholder documentation, pathway materials, interest generation and adoption follow-up for the defined Sahel-to-Nigeria segment.

Governance and Continental Pathways Mobilization

All APMD personnel operate as one integrated delivery team. Technical functions organize expertise; the prioritized pathways organize delivery; and the Results Framework defines success. The position is therefore expected to work through the APMD Platform Secretariat, contribute to the monthly Project Delivery Committee, provide technical and performance inputs for the Project Steering Committee, and support the African Pastoral Markets Forum (APMF) and other approved continental pathway-mobilization moments.

1. Provide the Project Delivery Committee with Evidence-to-Adoption stage status, evidence gaps, material readiness, platform-moment conversion and adoption follow-up.
2. Prepare concise pathway, claims and adoption inputs for Project Steering Committee consideration and attend when requested.
3. Lead APMF pathway narrative, decision-material architecture, commitment capture and post-forum conversion tracking.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Timing	Required Deliverable
Immediate / Q4 2026	External Evidence Assessment Team inception coordination; evidence repository and consolidated gap log; export Pathway Evidence Pack; validation pre-read structure; decision-material scoping; Q4 APMF/IYRP pathway-alignment design and commitment tracker.
Monthly	Evidence-to-Adoption stage tracker, pathway decision/action follow-up and knowledge/adoption conversion status.
Quarterly	Results contribution note covering Outputs 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1 and 3.3 and progress toward adoption, investment and market-integration targets.
As required	Pathway Evidence Briefs, actor-specific decision materials, APMF/continental mobilisation packs, adoption and handover documentation.

Operating Boundaries

1. Shall not operate generic communications, knowledge-products or event programmes disconnected from a pathway decision or Results Framework output.
2. Shall not substitute communications activity for evidence, confirmed interest or adoption progress.
3. Shall not assume responsibility for country implementation after handover to the mandated adopting institution.
4. All activities must be linked to an approved APMD pathway, Results Framework output, continental mobilisation requirement or governance obligation.

Duty Station

AU-IBAR offices in Nairobi, Kenya, with travel on specific assignments approved by AU-IBAR Management.

Duration

The duration of this assignment is 6 months.  Any renewal is subject to availability of funds, continued need for the assignment and satisfactory performance. 

Remuneration

The remuneration for this Consultancy shall be an all-inclusive monthly fee equivalent to P2 Step 5 on the AUC Salary Scale and shall not exceed US$ 5,303 per month. The expert will be responsible for his/her medical and travel insurance cover for the duration of the consultancy. Expenses for travel on official missions will be covered separately by AU-IBAR in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations. 

Supervision and Reporting

The Consultant shall work under the direct supervision of the APMD Project Coordinator and under the overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR. The Consultant shall operate as part of the integrated APMD delivery team and maintain the functional relationships required by the approved workplan and Results Framework.

Requirements

Academic and Professional Qualifications

Minimum of Master’s degree in Knowledge Management, Communications, Organizational Development, Development Studies, Behaviour/Adoption Science, Information Management, Agricultural Development or a closely related field. A relevant postgraduate degree is an advantage.

General Experience

Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in knowledge management, evidence synthesis and preparation of decision materials, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, adoption/change processes or programme learning in a development or market-systems context.

Specific / Relevant Experience

1. Demonstrated experience in synthesising evidence on pastoral market systems, livestock value chains, trade, investment or related development issues into clear decision-ready products. 
2. Demonstrated experience in translating evidence into policy, investment, institutional or adoption decisions, rather than producing stand-alone knowledge products. 
3. Experience designing and facilitating targeted engagements involving pastoral organisations, Member States, RECs, private-sector actors, investors, development partners and other stakeholders around defined market or adoption decisions.
4. Practical experience supporting adoption and adaptation of market approaches, including learning, pathway walkthroughs, institutional follow-up, handover and documentation of agreed actions.
5. Experience in knowledge management, strategic communication, content curation or evidence-management systems relevant to pastoralism, livestock markets or regional development. 
6. Demonstrated experience working at continental and regional levels, including with African Union institutions, Regional Economic Communities and Member States, on pastoralism, livestock-market development, regional trade, policy or adoption processes.
7. Experience developing and managing strategic partnerships with development partners, technical institutions, research organisations, pastoral organisations and private-sector actors at regional or continental level.
8. Experience supporting high-level continental or regional platforms where evidence is converted into defined investment, market-access, policy or adoption actions.

Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate excellent analytical synthesis, writing and editorial skills and the ability to translate complex pastoral-market evidence into clear decision products for different actors. Strong facilitation, adoption-support, stakeholder-engagement and partnership-management skills are required. The candidate should demonstrate sound judgement on the strength and appropriate use of evidence, strong cross-functional coordination and disciplined tracking of commitments from evidence assessment through validation, interest generation and adoption support.

Language

Proficiency in one African Union working language is required. Working knowledge of an additional AU working language is an advantage. English proficiency sufficient for technical drafting, reporting and stakeholder engagement is required where English is the working language of the assignment.

Performance Assessment

Performance shall be assessed against agreed deliverables and due dates; contribution to assigned APMD outputs and indicators; quality and usefulness of technical work; cross-functional delivery and handoffs; timely action closure and risk escalation; and compliance with the APMD operating model, governance requirements and approved workplan.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence.

Criterion	Assessment Basis	Score (%)
Academic and professional qualifications	Relevance of academic and professional preparation to the assignment	15
General professional experience	Depth of relevant professional experience, including multidisciplinary and institutional delivery	20
Specific experience relevant to the assignment	Role-specific experience, scored using the subcriteria below	40
Technical, analytical and delivery competencies	Judgement, analytical ability, execution discipline, stakeholder management, drafting and cross-functional delivery	20
Language	Required AU working-language capability and relevant additional language capacity	5
Total		100

Gender Mainstreaming

The African Union Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Submission of the application.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 12th October 2026, 23.45 hours, Nairobi Local Time.

Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to emmah.boro@au-ibar.org and should include the title “APMD Project – Knowledge Management, Advocacy & Adoption Expert” in the subject of the email

Applications should include the following:

a)    A Letter of Interest highlighting competence and suitability for the consultancy;
b)    Detailed curriculum vitae;
c)    Copies of academic and professional qualifications;
d)    Completed declaration on exclusion criteria in the format attached;
e)    Copies of identification documents.

A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is attached as information for the applicants.