AGRA is a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets. In short, AGRA’s mission is to transform the lives of smallholder farmers from that of a solitary struggle for survival to a business that thrives.

Since 2006, we have worked with our partners, governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and more; to deliver a set of proven solutions to smallholder farmers and indigenous African agricultural enterprises. We put smallholder farmers first on the agenda, recognizing that no country has moved from low income to middle income without agricultural transformation.

For more information about AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.

Managing seed companies requires a strong blend of technical expertise and business acumen to ensure the efficient production and distribution of high-quality seeds. Sustainable engagement of skilled professionals is essential for the success of the many locally owned African seed companies producing seed for small farmers. With the right expertise, these companies can effectively supply improved, climate-smart, and high-yielding seeds to farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). For over a decade, AGRA has worked to enhance the availability of high-yielding, quality seeds for smallholder farmers in SSA through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. This includes training plant breeders, funding breeding programs, providing financing and technical support to local seed companies, and strengthening seed distribution networks by supporting input suppliers at the village level. Through its interventions in 16 Sub-Saharan African countries, AGRA has supported the establishment of more than 100 seed enterprises, including 82 small and medium-sized private seed companies, enabling them to produce and distribute improved seeds to smallholder farmers. AGRA supported more than 15 new seed companies in South Sudan from 2013 to 2019. All seed companies still have capacity limitations hindering quality seed production, processing, business and marketing. There are also challenges of farmer awareness as there are limited extension services coupled with seed aid from some of the NGOs operating in the country making sustainable seed business a challenge. None of the seed companies produces more than 1000 MT of seeds with the whole country producing only 2500 MT of certified seeds in 2021. To address the limited capacity in seed companies and their personnel, AGRA facilitates the placement of African seed specialists within seed companies for up to six months to strengthen their capacity in seed production, processing, and business management.

This initiative will facilitate one consultant to support 4 seed companies to provide hands-on training, practical skill development, and support in establishing vibrant seed companies that are sustainable. This support will be integrated with other complementary interventions aimed at strengthening the entire seed value chain. These include support for early generation seed production.

The consultancy will focus on field-based mentoring in crop production, as well as training seed company personnel in practical business management tools and strategies to enhance seed production, processing, storage, distribution, and overall operational efficiency.

The agricultural sector in South Sudan faces significant challenges, including poor access to quality seeds, limited technical expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of sustainable business models in seed production and other agribusinesses. As a result, smallholder farmers in the region continue to struggle with food insecurity and low productivity, which hinders economic development. This is where the intervention of the AGRA can play a pivotal role in transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods.

In line with its 2023–2028 strategy, AGRA is focused on strengthening seed systems as this is crucial to improve seed production and access to smallholder farmers. Quality seed production, processing, and distribution are key to ensuring that smallholder farmers have access to the varieties that are suited to their specific needs and conditions. However, many seed companies in South Sudan lack the necessary technical and managerial capacity to scale up production, improve efficiency, and expand their market reach. The lack of capacity in seed production and business management is one of the primary barriers to success for these companies. To address these challenges, AGRA plans to build the capacity of four (4) seed companies in South Sudan. The capacity-building process will include training seed company staff in key technical and business management skills, as well as providing on-the-ground support to ensure sustainable improvements.

By equipping these seed companies with the necessary skills, tools, and systems, the consultancy will help them increase the production of high-quality seeds, improve their business operations, and contribute to the overall success of agricultural transformation in South Sudan. This initiative will directly benefit smallholder farmers, who will gain access to improved, climate-smart seeds, which in turn will enhance food security, boost agricultural productivity, and increase farmers’ incomes.

Through this capacity-building effort, AGRA aims to not only support seed companies but also contribute to the broader goal of agricultural development and poverty reduction in South Sudan and beyond. This holistic approach ensures that AGRA’s interventions are well-aligned with the needs of the agricultural sector, creating sustainable and long-term impacts for farmers, seed companies, and the country.

a) Key Objectives, Goals, and Expected Outcomes of the Consultancy for Capacity Building of Four (4) Seed Companies in South Sudan

The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the technical, managerial, and business management capacities of four (4) seed companies in South Sudan. By providing practical training and hands-on support, the consultancy aims to enhance the companies’ ability to increase seed production, processing, storage, improve business operations, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the local seed sector. This will empower seed companies to supply high-quality, climate-resilient seeds to smallholder farmers and foster agricultural productivity.

b) Key Goals:

c) Expected Outcomes:

This assignment falls under AGRA’s Centre of Excellence in Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) and will contribute to achieving AGRA’s goal of reaching 28 million smallholder farmers through various interventions including business development support to African Seed Companies. The assignment targets building capacity of 20 personnel from 4 promising seed companies in South Sudan.

• Facilitate training of seed company personnel on farmer awareness using VBAs and small packs approaches
• Contribute to the training of breeders on development of seed roadmaps for the 6 focus crops

a) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, or a related discipline.

b) A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Seed Company development and management, agribusiness, or a related field.

c) At least a master’s in agriculture, agribusiness management, or related fields.

d) Familiar and experiences with externally financed projects.

e) Excellent communication skills, including email management.

f) Excellent word processing skills (MS Word, MS Excel).

g) Written and spoken fluency in the English language is highly preferred

h) Experience in providing advisory and technical support to upcoming seed companies.

i) Practical experience in managing a seed business is strongly preferred.

j) Requires good knowledge of the seed marketplace.

k) Knowledge and understanding of South Sudan Seed Systems

l) Previous or current work in seed related activities in developing countries.

AGRA works to achieve a food secure and prosperous Africa through the promotion of rapid, sustainable agricultural growth based on smallholder farmers. Smallholders--the majority women--produce most of Africa's food, and do so with minimal resources and little government support. AGRA aims to ensure that smallholders have what they need to succeed: good seeds and healthy soils; access to markets, information, financing, storage and transport; and policies that provide them with comprehensive support. Through developing Africa's high-potential breadbasket areas, while also boosting farm productivity across more challenging environments, AGRA works to transform smallholder agriculture into a highly productive, efficient, sustainable and competitive system, and do so while protecting the environment.