Request for Proposals (RFP): Consultant to Conduct a Mini-Study on Improving the Enabling Environment for Climate-Smart Agriculture, and Share Knowledge - IRIF/PROC/2026/006

The IRIF platform is a climate-resilient, AI-powered agricultural advisory solution being deployed by Birrama Digital Commerce PLC, in partnership with Farm Africa, with funding from WRI/P4G and cost-share contributions. IRIF combines low-cost soil and micro-climate sensor capsules with satellite data and AI-generated advisories, delivered to smallholder farmers via SMS/USSD, to improve irrigation decisions, input use, and yields.

As part of its acceleration and engagement activities, IRIF is seeking a consultant to conduct a short ("mini") study on the enabling environment for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) - the policy, regulatory, and institutional conditions that support or constrain CSA adoption and digital agricultural advisory services such as IRIF - and to share the resulting knowledge with relevant stakeholders. Findings will inform IRIF's ongoing policy engagement, knowledge products, and partner dialogue.

Indicative tasks: review relevant national and regional policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks affecting CSA and digital agricultural advisory services; identify key barriers and opportunities to strengthening the enabling environment; consult a small number of relevant stakeholders as needed to supplement the desk review; synthesize findings into a concise mini-study report; and prepare a short knowledge-sharing note for circulation to IRIF partners and other stakeholders.

The assignment is expected to require up to twenty-five (25) working days, over an assignment period of approximately six weeks.

Deliverables: (1) an inception note with methodology and key research questions; (2) a draft mini-study report; (3) a final report incorporating IRIF's review comments; (4) a short knowledge-sharing note summarizing key findings.

Eligibility:

• An individual consultant, or a legally registered firm with a valid trade licence and TIN.
• Demonstrated experience researching or working on climate-smart agriculture, agricultural policy, or the enabling environment for agricultural innovation in Ethiopia.
• Familiarity with digital agriculture, agtech, or agricultural advisory services is an advantage.
• At least two (2) references from similar past assignments, with contact details.
• For firms: copy of trade licence and VAT and TIN certificate. For individual consultants: CV and copy of ID.

Proposal must include:

• Consultant or firm profile, including relevant experience, and the two (2) references above.
• A brief note on proposed approach and methodology.
• A proposed timeline within the 25-day level of effort.
• Financial proposal: a daily consultancy rate and total fee, in ETB inclusive of all taxes, valid for sixty (60) days from the submission deadline.

Proposals will be evaluated in two stages: first for eligibility and completeness; then, among compliant proposals, scored 70% technical / 30% financial.

How To Apply

Submit your application by email to bids@irif.world before August 15, 2026, with the subject line "RFP IRIF/PROC/2026/006 – CSA Enabling Environment Mini-Study". Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. Attach all required documents - incomplete submissions may not be considered.

Questions may be sent to bids@irif.world up to three (3) working days before the deadline.

Please note:

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within four (4) weeks of the submission deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful.
• Birrama Digital Commerce PLC reserves the right to cancel, amend, or re-advertise this RFP at any stage, in part or in whole, without prior notice and without liability to applicants.
• Birrama Digital Commerce PLC reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, without incurring any obligation to disclose its reasons to affected applicants.
• Submission of a proposal does not obligate Birrama Digital Commerce PLC to award a contract to any applicant, nor to reimburse any cost incurred in preparing or submitting a proposal.