Agriculture and rural development are the keys for economic development under the current (second) Ethiopian Growth and Transformation plan (GTP II). Policy directions focus on enhancing agricultural productivity of both labour and land, through scaling up best practices and increased small holder use of modern agricultural technology. Sustainable management of natural resources, agriculture and food security is one of the priority area of the development corporation between the governments of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Germany. Additionally to the intended short term impacts of increased productivities and profitability, the mid- and long-term improvement of education and training of young people shall be integrated. To this end, a new component has been designed -‘Green Innovation Centre — Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training’ (Green-ATVET) for the implementation of which consulting services are to procured.

The Global Project “Green Innovation Centres in the Agriculture and Food Sector” aims to boost productivity in the agricultural sector as a means of increasing rural incomes and food security through a broad-based implementation of agricultural innovations. Ethiopia’s society is mainly shaped by agriculture. Agriculture provides the livelihood for 79 % of the population and accounts for 40 % of the overall economic output. In spite of impressive economic growth in the agricultural sector, productivity remains low when compared to a global scale. While there is significant potential in agriculture, large quantities of food are being imported. 29 % of the population lives below the national poverty line, and 37 % of the population are malnourished. The population of the administrative district of Arsi, which is the priority target area of the Green Innovation Centre, is lacking innovations to enhance income and employment opportunities in the agri-food sector and to improve regional food supplies (core problem).

The outcome of the project is defined as follows: “In designated rural areas of Ethiopia, innovations in the agri-food sector have led to improvements in income of smallholders, in employment and in regional food supplies.” The project is being implemented in the Ethiopian wheat belt and is initially confined to five counties (woredas) of the administrative region of Arsi, with a population of more than 550 000 people.

Additionally to the intended short term impacts of increased productivities and profitability, the mid- and long-term improvement of education and training of young people shall be integrated.

To achieve this a new component Green Innovation Centre — Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training” (Green-ATVET) will be implemented in close cooperation with the Federal TVET Agency (FTA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (MoANRM). The key actors on the implementation level, next to the central institutions on federal level, who were contacted and discussion were held with, include: A-TVET Colleges in Alage and Agarfa (under the administration of the MoARN), the Agricultural Training Centre in Kulumsa (ATC), private operated training centres and selected FTCs in Arsi zone.

The scope of activities comprises the following 5 fields of action:

1. In-service competence development for development agents (DAs);

2. Capacity development of agricultural colleges;

3. Competence development for trainers;

4. Teaching and learning material development and improvement of equipment and infrastructure;

5. System development in A-TVET.

International long-term expert.

To achieve the specified objectives, GIZ expects the Firm of Consultants to second a long-term expert (up to 36 person-months) to provide consultancy services to the Green Innovation Centre Ethiopia (GIAE) for the development of A-TVET. The expert will be residing in Shashemene close vicinity to the A-TVET college Alage with frequent travelling to Addis Abeba.

In the partner country, the Firm of Consultants is expected to provide 2 local long-term experts for the development and implementation of A-TVET programmes in the fields of farm mechanization and crop production. for up to 66 person-months.

International short-term experts.

The firm of consultants is also expected to provide a pool of international short-term experts (up to 36 person-months) for consultancy and a pool of national experts (up to 24 person-months) will be provided for the implementation of tasks requiring specific knowledge of the local situation and/or local language skills.

The Firm of Consultants is responsible for the implementation of the component A-TVET for Green Innovations. The staff members seconded by the Firm of Consultants must cooperate closely with the project officer responsible for the commission, who is responsible to BMZ for the German contribution.