INTRODUCTION
1. About African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF):
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate sustainable access to agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. AATF is driven by the vision of a prosperous and food-secure Africa, where the livelihoods of smallholder farmers are transformed through innovative agricultural technologies that deliver results. These efforts, combined with optimal agricultural practices and product value addition, will contribute to agricultural transformation in Africa leading to food security and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
2. About the Assignment:
AATF is looking for a creative and forward-thinking consultant(s) to assist AATF to design and develop the ACAT 2023 website. The 2023 African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) Summit on Science and Technology serves as the center for African thought leadership in the summit, and will be held every two years. The conference will provide a fitting platform to highlight the broad range of concerns associated with getting innovative technologies into the hands of farmers. It will also provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions and consensus building on the barriers to technology development and transfer and generate higher policy-level interest at the continental level to resolve the identified challenges.
The preferred candidate (s) will demonstrate a great understanding of website design principles and demonstrate their ability to build modern and appealing websites that are easy to navigate while upholding the design standards as well as the AATF branding guidelines.
3. Scope of Work:
In consultation with AATF, the consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
- Conceptualise, design, develop and manage website platforms using best software development practices on the AATF website portfolio.
- Creating beautiful visual imagery (PSDs) for websites and ensuring that they are in line with the AATF branding guidelines and converting designs into HTML and CSS.
- Present innovative design ideas using user flows, process flows, site maps, and wireframes for great web designs.
- Back-end support: including but not limited to; security updates, backup files, solving broken code issues, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) support.
- Incorporating additional functionalities and features into the websites.
- Overall maintenance of the websites.
- Carry our regular web audits and attend Bi-weekly/ monthly meetings to appraise the progress of current work.
- Avail copyright-free photos to populate parts of the website.
- Prepare comprehensive quarterly reports towards the improvement of website performance.
4. Qualification of the Consultant(s):
- The lead consultant(s) should possess minimum an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related courses.
- Demonstrated work experience in web design and development for a minimum of 7 years.
- Familiarity with at least one of the following programming languages: PHP, Javascript
- Knowledge of Content Management Systems such as WordPress and Elementor
- Basic knowledge of the Search Engine Optimization process
- Recent experience working with on multi-lingual website is an added advantage.
- High degree of independence, flexibility, and ability to meet strict deadlines.
5. Submission requirements:
The proposal should contain the following information:
• Technical proposal addressing but not limited to the following areas:
– Overall Strategy: Details on how the company will conduct the assignment
– Workplan with timelines
– Other value adds
- Financial proposal should:
– Be comprehensive and inclusive of all applicable taxes.
– Clear and justified.
– Indicate terms and conditions of payments.
6. Other mandatory requirements:
- Company profile
- Capacity Statement
- Experience of the firm in handling similar projects
- To be supported by a list of past and present clients
- At least three recommendation letters from current and previous clients
- Registration certificate
- PIN certificate
7. Timeline:
This consulting assignment is a long service consultancy contract for at least one year from the time the contract is signed.
8. Evaluation and Award of the Consultancy:
AATF will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. AATF reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder.
9. Application Method:
Applications should be submitted to AATF Procurement Officer at: procurement@aatf-africa.org by COB 30th March 2023 with the subject head “ACAT WEBSITE CONSULTANCY”
10. 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.
11. 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.
