1. 0 About AATF (www.aatf-africa.org)
AATF provides farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with practical technology solutions to overcome farm productivity constraints and improve livelihoods.
Founded in 2003, AATF is driven by the vision of a prosperous, resilient, food and nutrition-secure Africa, where the livelihoods of smallholder farmers are transformed through agricultural innovations. Active in 24 countries in East, Southern, and West Africa, AATF is one of the continent’s foremost technology transfer organizations trusted by both private and public sector institutions over the past two decades.
AATF’s work goes beyond product development to include commercialization and scaling of demand-driven technologies for sustainable development.
AATF works with a broad range of actors across the technology transfer value chain to nurture and strengthen Africa’s evolving enabling environment for agriculture technology. It takes strategic action towards better policy and regulatory systems through advocacy including convenings and dialogues to catalyse functional markets, seed systems and enabling environments for technology testing, delivery, and adoption.
2.0 Objective of the assignment
AATF seeks to engage a professional consultant to collate, draft, and finalise the 2024 Annual Report.
The consultant will work closely with the Communications Officer, East & Southern Africa (E&SA), to ensure the report aligns with the organization’s strategic goals and effectively communicates AATF’s achievements in 2024.
3.0 Scope of work
The consultant will generate articles, review, edit, and ensure quality assurance and timely submission. The consultant will be responsible for:
- Developing and presenting an inception report detailing how the assignment will be carried out.
- Producing a production grid/approach to guide timely and quality attainment of the desired Annual Report.
- Suggesting the report theme to guide storyline, inform structure, and create consistency.
- Using the available technical reports compiled by AATF, including project updates, and impact data, the consultant will research, write and compile a non-technical narrative that provides information and visibility on the major results of AATF’s activities during 2024.
- Structuring and drafting compelling content that includes key highlights, case studies, success stories, photos, infographics, illustrations and impact narratives.
- Incorporating feedback from the AATF reviewing team and finalizing the report for publication.
- Ensuring clarity, coherence, and alignment with AATF’s branding and messaging.
- Making recommendations for design, layout, size of the booklet, and overall quality of the publication
4.0 Deliverables
The consultant will deliver the following:
- Inception Report – outlining methodology, work plan, and key milestones.
- Production grid – to guide timely and quality attainment of the desired Annual Report
- Draft Report – an initial version of the Annual Report for review as per the different strategic objectives and Cross-cutting priorities of AATF.
- Final Report – incorporating all feedback, ready for publication.
- Executive Summary – a brief, high-level summary for use in various communication materials.
5.0 Duration
The assignment is expected to take one month upon signing of the contract, with key milestones as follows:
- Inception report: 4th April 2025
- First draft submission: 11th April 2025
- Review and feedback: 18th April 2025
- Final report submission: 25th April 2025
6.0 Qualification/experience
- A strong background in journalism with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience.
- A proven track record in developing annual reports for international development organizations or iNGOs.
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
- An in-depth knowledge and understanding of agriculture including agricultural biotechnology, food and nutrition security, and related development issues will be an added advantage.
- Excellent ability to synthesize complex information into clear, succinct, and engaging content.
7.0 Application Criteria and timeline:
Interested candidates should submit their financial proposal, CVs, and a cover letter detailing their capabilities to undertake the assignment.
Submit links to three samples of previously published annual reports or work related to the scope of the assignment.
Interested candidates should submit their application on or before 15th March 2025. Applications should be submitted to the AATF Procurement Officer at Procurement@aatf-africa.org with the subject line “AATF Annual Report Writing Consultancy”
8.0 Terms and conditions of the Proposal
AATF reserves the right to request new or additional information regarding each service provider and any individual or other persons associated with its project proposal.
AATF reserves the right not to make any appointment from the proposals submitted. Service providers shall not make available or disclose details pertaining to their Project proposal with anyone not specifically involved, unless authorized to do so by AATF. Service providers shall not issue any press release or other public announcement pertaining to details of their project proposal without the prior written approval.
AATF Service providers are required to declare any conflict of interest they may have in the transaction for which the tender is submitted or any potential conflict of interest. AATF reserves the right not to consider further any proposal where such a conflict of interest exists or where such potential conflict of interest may arise.
9.0 Confidentiality Statement
All data and information received from AATF for the purpose of this assignment are to be treated confidential and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to AATF.
