Terms of Reference for recruitment of a consultant to organize competition for the Agriculture, Youth, Technology (AYuTe) Innovation Prize, 3rd Round.

Background

Heifer is an international non-governmental development organization working to end poverty and 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 started to focus on the 23 most poverty and disaster-affected countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Heifer Ethiopia commenced operations in Ethiopia in 2004, forging partnerships with both international and local development organizations to enhance agricultural practices. Our focus areas include livelihood improvement, vegetable production, dairy farming, and livestock feed initiatives, primarily in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR). Over the past years, we have expanded our collaborations, working closely with the government and local partners to bolster agricultural development efforts. Our projects now extend beyond the SNNPR to regions such as Sidama, Oromia, and Amhara. In addition, through provision of Technical Assistance (TA) services to the  Lowland Livelihoods Resilience Project (LLRP), we support the government’s development efforts in the lowlands and pastoralist regions of the country including Somali, Afar, Gambella, and Benishangul-Gumuz.

Heifer Ethiopia’s Programmatic areas:  Heifer Ethiopia's programs are multifaceted, focusing on agricultural development encompassing both crop and livestock sectors. We leverage agribusiness value chains, including poultry, horticulture, small ruminants, dairy, honey production, and more, to drive sustainable growth. Additionally, we prioritize climate resilience initiatives to mitigate the impacts of environmental challenges on farming communities. A core aspect of our mission is to create opportunities for entrepreneurship, thereby foster job creation. Through strategic interventions in livelihoods improvement programs, we aim to empower individuals and communities for long-term economic stability and prosperity.

Heifer priority focus areas:  Heifer's priority focus areas include women, youth, smallholder farmers, and the environment. Through long-term partnerships with institutional donors and foundations, we are dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of these target groups through agricultural development initiatives. Our programs aim to empower women, engage and support youth, strengthen smallholder farming communities, and promote environmental sustainability. By aligning our efforts with these key areas, we strive to create lasting positive impacts on individuals, communities, and ecosystems.

Heifer Africa recently started an initiative of Africa Youth Technology Innovation Award called AYuTe. The aim of AYuTe Ethiopia competition is to harness the power of Ethiopian youth to develop emerging technologies that can make a positive difference for smallholder farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia. In 2021 and 2022 Heifer Ethiopia launched two successful local editions of AYuTe and awarded six (three in each round) young women and men who came up with original agricultural technology innovations.  Currently, Heifer Ethiopia is in the process of organizing the third round of AYuTe competition at  the  country level. 

As we enter the third year of the national AYuTe competition, we would like to recruit a consultant (firm/individual) with previous solid and relevant experience in organizing innovative technology competitions. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of Heifer’s Communications Manager and/MEL Manager, the consultant will undertake the following:
• Facilitate Heifer Ethiopia’s ability to engage and leverage the support of local stakeholders who have expressed interest in sponsoring and financing AYuTe events and champions. This will include private banks, other private sector enterprises, Government organizations such as the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MOLS). The goal is to ensure timely and effective partnerships that contribute to the success of AYuTe initiatives.
• Develop and design the competition strategy of AYuTe Ethiopia.
• Develop a comprehensive workplan for the competition.
• Communicate with relevant stakeholders to  discuss on the strategy and detailed plan.
• Identify opportunities for creating and delivering inspiring and compelling messages to attract multimedia content on youth innovation.
• Develop full content of AYuTe competition, ensuring its coherence and relevance, and map and identify suitable broadcasting platforms for the broadcasting and dissemination of the AYuTe competition. 
• Design a communications strategy and develop communication materials.
• Set up a web platform to house information about the competition and the winning candidates.
• Take ownership of the entire process and assume full responsibility for creating and broadcasting, promotional and advertising materials across various channels including social media, television, radio, and print media outlets.
• Identify, engage, and ensure onboarding of selection committees and judges.
• Coordinate and finalize virtual pitch events.
• Organize a bootcamp training session for the top ten competitors aimed at equipping them with essential skills to effectively present their ideas.
• Commit to bring on board and facilitate the engagement of a minimum of two mainstream media outlets (one TV and one radio) and a minimum of three non-mainstream media outlets.
• Commit to identifying and selecting appropriate venue/platform for the award ceremony, and  organize, coordinate, and manage the award ceremony, including the negotiation of fees and payment.
• Provide thorough due-diligence, progress updates, and final/full report on top finalists and the entire process of event, including recommendations on winning startups companies to receive cash grant.
• 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 identify newsworthy stories quickly and easily.
• Experience in creating and engaging social media assets and image editing.
• Ability to either own or access necessary technological assets and skilled personnel, including up-to-date video and camera equipment and experienced camerapersons.
• Good understanding of the issues relating to Youth Innovation and competition
• Ability to analyze information quickly and easily  for audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimum supervision, be dynamic, proactive, and creative.

 Deliverables:

• Inception report detailing the approach.
• Selecting and onboarding appropriate partners from Financial Institutions, relevant Government Organizations (e.g., MOLS), and Private Sector enterprises, and secure their commitment to sponsor and financially support AYuTe events and champions.
• Competition strategy designed and developed.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders to facilitate discussions on the strategy and detailed plan.
• Comprehensive competition activity/work plan developed.  
• Compelling communications and promotional materials on youth innovation designed and developed.
• Develop coherent and relevant content for the AYuTe competition and identify appropriate broadcast platforms for its broadcasting and dissemination.
• Heifer Ethiopia and relevant Government counterparts’ visibility ensured in all communications through appropriate branding and logos.
• Conduct a boot camp training sessions for an intensive mentoring and training of the candidates.       
• Developed new or use existing Heifer web platform to house information about the competition and the winning solutions.
• Lists of judges and selection committee members involved in the selection of innovative competitors.
• Successful virtual pitch events coordinated and finalized.
• A minimum of two mainstream media outlets (one TV and one radio) and a minimum of three non-mainstream media outlets brought on board and their engagement facilitated.
• Due-diligence and summary report on the top finalists from the pitch events and recommendation of the winning startup company to receive the cash grant.
• Produce concise video clips of the AYuTe winners, showcasing their accomplishments, innovations, and contributions.
• An appropriate venue/platform for the award ceremony selected  and  the award ceremony organized, coordinated, and managed (incl. negotiation of fees and payments).
• Reporting on funds disbursement to selected companies.
• Develop and share reports throughout the project lifecycle (including final report) which include all project activities such as insights, learnings, and recommendations.

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience with a proven professional track record working in organizing competitions.
• The consultant should have a relevant educational background in journalism, communication, marketing, and an ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent spoken and written English and Amharic with a working knowledge of the other local languages.