1. Background
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates public/private partnerships to promote food security and enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Africa South of the Sahara. AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, seed companies, other value chain players and African farmers to identify, access and commercialize technologies that address farmers’ key problems and empower them to generate wealth and health for their families and communities.
AATF incorporated a subsidiary Agridrive Nigeria Limited, a private company limited by shares that operate as a for-profit commercial business entity harnessing agribusiness opportunities that support AATF’s Vision of prosperous farmers and a food-secure Africa.
As a social enterprise venture, the purpose of Agridrive Nigeria Limited is to engage in profitable and innovative agribusiness ideas that at the same time create social and economic impact for smallholder farmers who are dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agridrive Limited’s business model is focused on the provision of Agricultural Equipment Support, Mechanization Services (including Digital Agriculture) and Agribusiness Support Services.
2. The Consultancy
AATF invites applications from business management consultants with experience in facilitating turnaround strategies for start-up companies/SMEs/social enterprises, to create economic value and high social impact.
a) Objectives
The objectives of this Consultancy are to:
(i) carry out a comprehensive review of the current situation (financial, investments, administrative, etc) of Agridrive Nigeria Limited; and
(ii) develop a turnaround plan that shows clear pathways and costs to make Agridrive Nigeria Limited viable and profitable.
b) Tasks
The proposed tasks for the Consultant will include:
i) Review of Agridrive Nigeria Limited’s Business Plan (2020-2024), conduct Gap Analysis and establish underlying causes of performance challenges, Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats, and options for a viable path.
ii) Facilitate Agridrive Nigeria Limited’s Board and Management to formulate a Revised Business Plan and Implementation Plan for profitability and social impact
iii) Support Agridrive Nigeria Limited’s Board and Management to restructure its commercial operations.
This may include, as necessary
A. Support in the setting up of a new Market Development Plan for Agridrive Nigeria Limited’s services.
B. Overseeing the setup of an effective governance and management structure with strong Board and Management capabilities. This includes analyzing current capacities and human resources plus suggestions for the future, aligned with the Revised Business Plan and Implementation Plan.
C. Development of an Operating Structure/Plan geared towards the Revised Business Plan (which may include cost of sales reduction and existing equipment/output optimization).
D. Review the Contracts including the Pricing Policy of Agridrive Nigeria Limited.
E. Formulation of an Investment Memorandum for raising capital in support of the Revised Business Plan and Implementation Plan.
F. Set up of effective performance management and reporting system for Agridrive Nigeria Limited’s Management and Staff.
3. Deliverables and Scope of Work:
a) A key deliverable for the Consultant is the Revised Business Plan (including Business Models and Implementation Plan) and Turnaround Plan that will lead to increased revenue/profit, output and a build-up of working capital for Agridrive Nigeria Limited.
b) Other relevant deliverables to be included in the Turnaround Plan for providing support to the Revised Business Plan and Implementation Plan, shall include a/an:
i) Market Development Plan for the effective provision of Agridrive Nigeria Limited services.
ii) Detailed Operating Structure/Plan for efficiency.
iii) Investment Memorandum.
iv) Performance Management and Reporting System for Agridrive Nigeria Limited Management and Staff.
4. Consultant Qualifications:
a) Experience and strong expertise in facilitation of business turnaround/restructuring strategies for start-up companies, SMEs and social enterprises is a MUST. Provide a minimum of three references to support this requirement.
b) Other qualifications of the Consultant (or Lead Consultant in case of a firm):
i) Knowledge of agribusiness entities functioning, investment financing, policies and regulatory frameworks.
ii) Understanding of agriculture especially agricultural mechanization, agribusiness advisory services. agro-processing, seed and other agricultural input production and distribution.
iii) Understanding of Nigeria’s Political (including Security), Economic, Social, Technology (Agricultural), Legal and Environmental landscapes.
iv) Advanced Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, or related field from a recognized university.
v) At least 10 years of experience in the field of management, strategy planning and investments.
5. Application Process and Requirements:
Recruitment and procurement of this Consultancy will follow the AATF Procurement Policies and Procedures Manual.
a) Technical and Financial Proposal:
i) The Consultant is expected to present a brief but concise Technical and Financial Proposal (not more than 12 pages), detailing
A. The understanding of the Consultancy objectives and tasks.
B. Proposed methodology and approach to execute the Consultancy, including any management tools to be deployed.
C. Detailed list and description of activities to be carried out to achieve the objectives.
D. A detailed breakdown of the Budget in terms of personnel, materials, travel, etc. Where costs have been estimated please highlight these and provide a brief explanation of the assumptions used to generate the cost.
E. Details of all personnel who will be involved in the Consultancy, along with their responsibilities.
F. A proposed Work Plan using a Gantt Chart of activities.
6. Cost Specification
The Consultant should include a total Budget (inclusive of taxes) for the assignment in United States Dollars. Applied rate per day/per activity/per deliverable
7. Duration and Place
The Consultancy will be carried out and completed within 60 days spread between the month of August and October 2022
8. Application Criteria
Applications including firm or personal profiles should be submitted to the AATF Procurement Officer at: procurement@aatf-africa.org by 29th July 2022 with the subject line “Agridrive Nigeria Limited Business Turnaround Consultancy”
9. 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 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 a potential conflict of interest may arise.
10. 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.
