The mission of Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) is to serve as a global platform through which young professionals can express their ideas and realize their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development. It facilitates the exchange of information and knowledge among young professionals across disciplines, professions, age and regions; broadens opportunities for young professionals to contribute to strategic agricultural policy debates at global, regional, national and local level; promotes agriculture among young people and facilitates access to resources and capacity building opportunities.
The objective of the review is to examine evolutions in YPARD, and provide suggestions for where further efforts should be concentrated. The review will inform the development of the next strategic plan and used as a tool for fundraising.
The mission of Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) is to serve as a global platform through which young professionals can express their ideas and realize their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development. It facilitates the exchange of information and knowledge among young professionals across disciplines, professions, age and regions; broadens opportunities for young professionals to contribute to strategic agricultural policy debates at global, regional, national and local level; promotes agriculture among young people and facilitates access to resources and capacity building opportunities.
Objectives of the review
The objective of the review is to examine evolutions in YPARD, and provide suggestions for where further efforts should be concentrated. The review will inform the development of the next strategic plan and used as a tool for fundraising.
The key questions are:
1. Does the platform provide a significant contribution to the knowledge exchange among young professionals, does it broaden opportunities? Are platform members satisfied with it?
2. Which are important/decisive contributions to strategic agricultural policy debates?
3. Does the platform encourage the dissemination of a positive view of agriculture among its members and is this spread beyond the network?
4. What potential for improvement/optimization does the evaluation team see with regard to functioning and effectiveness? Which factors are the most effective ones?
5. Is this platform known by young professionals? By relevant research and development organizations and networks? How it is connected? And Where are potentials for improvement
6. Which unexpected side effects of the creation of the platform can be observed?
7. What does the review team see as the biggest weaknesses of the network and how might these be addressed? What does the review team see as the strongest impacts of the network and how might these be amplified?
Organizational structure
- Steering committee (SC): provide direction in the development and oversee the implementation of YPARD strategies, programs and activities in coordination with the YPARD Global Coordination Unit.
- Global coordination unit (GCU): plans and executes the activities of YPARD at the global level and works with regional coordinators for regional activities.
- Regional coordinators: 4 individuals based in Africa, Asia, Europe and LAC, respectively, who develop regional plans in consultation with national representatives and the Global Coordination Unit.
- National representatives: promote and implement YPARD activities in their country in consultation with the regional coordinators and in some cases, the global coordination unit.
- Members: contribute online, on the ground and receive information from YPARD.
- Hosting institutions: provide in-kind support to YPARD global and regional activities (as well as some national) by providing office space, a legal entity from which to operate and in some cases,a regional coordinator.
Methodology
The review will be based on:
- Desk study of most relevant documents: YPARD Annual Reports, Annual member surveys, the 2014-2018 Business Plan, the Charter, mentoring reports and financial reports. The documents will be made available by the director to the consultants.
- Either a Skype call or a visit to the GCU in Rome for a planning meeting (based on location and timing), interview with the director, the communications manager.
- Skype discussions with select steering committee members.
- Skype discussions and/or email exchange with the regional coordinators.
- Skype discussions and/or email exchange with some national representatives and members.
- Skype discussions and/or email exchanges with partners and key organisations in the agricultural development community.
Deliverables
The report should consist of no more than 10 pages (excluding Annexes) and contain:
1. Summary of the final conclusions and recommendations
2. Methodology
3. Findings
4. Analysis and conclusions
5. Recommendations
6. Annexes
The findings of the final review shall be summarized in a report in English. This report should be finalised no later than June 19th, 2017 and shall be provided to the Steering Committee for approval.
Application Process
Preference will be given to review teams composed of a senior and junior consultant who may apply individually or as a team. The duration of the review is expected at 25 days and suggested at 10 days for the senior consultant and 15 days for the junior consultant.
The consultants should ideally have experience in carrying out evaluations and be familiar with the agricultural development environment and the role of networks and youth organisations.
The expressions of interest will include a 1-2 page proposal that includes capacities to undertake the work. Additionally, the consultants will indicate they agree or provide suggested edits to the Terms of Reference, daily rates and CVs. These will be submitted to the Global Coordination Unit (GCU) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with a copy made to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. under the subject line [External review application]. The GCU will share completed applications with the Steering Committee who will make the selection of the candidates.
Deadline for applications is February 23, 2017