RFP: Desk Review of Policy and Regulatory Frameworks Relevant to IRIF and Digital Climate-Smart Agriculture

Background

IRIF is a climate-resilient, AI-powered agricultural advisory solution being deployed by Birrama Digital Commerce PLC in partnership with Farm Africa, with funding from Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) and cost-share contributions. IRIF combines low-cost soil and micro-climate sensor capsules with satellite data and AI-generated advisories, delivered by SMS/USSD to smallholder farmers in Oromia Regional State, to improve irrigation decisions, input use and yields.

Objective

To review the policy and regulatory environment affecting IRIF and similar digital agricultural advisory services, and to identify enablers, barriers and gaps that should inform engagement with national partners.

Scope of work

• Frameworks to review. Policies, laws and regulations on climate-smart agriculture, digital agriculture and e-extension, agricultural data, personal data protection, telecom and SMS/USSD services, digital credit and microfinance, and agricultural insurance. The applicant confirms the list at inception.
• Analysis. For each, note what it allows, restricts or leaves unclear for IRIF, and rate the importance of each gap.
• Stakeholders. A short map of institutions responsible for each framework.
• Recommendations. Practical options for IRIF and national partners to address priority gaps.
• Findings will feed a separate briefing note and policy brief, which may be awarded to a different consultant.

Standards and expectations

• Every reference is traceable (title, date, issuing body) and its status stated: in force, draft or repealed.
• The review is analysis to inform engagement, not a legal opinion on compliance.
• Federal and Oromia regional instruments are covered where relevant.

Contract management and reporting

The successful applicant reports to the IRIF Project Manager at Birrama Digital Commerce PLC and attends regular progress meetings. A contract is signed with Birrama, and payment is made in instalments set out in the contract once Birrama accepts the completed work, less any tax required by Ethiopian law. All work products, data and materials belong to Birrama and the IRIF project. The applicant must keep project and farmer information confidential.

Eligibility

• A legally registered company with a valid trade licence and TIN, or an individual consultant with a CV and national ID.
• Applicants must declare any conflict of interest, including family or business links with Birrama, Farm Africa or P4G staff.

Qualifications and experience

• Demonstrated experience in policy or regulatory analysis in agriculture, digital services or finance in Ethiopia.
• Access to current Ethiopian legal and policy documents.
• Individuals and firms may apply.
• Key staff must have the qualifications and experience needed for their role, shown in their CVs.

Technical proposal

• Profile of the firm or consultant, with a summary of similar assignments and two (2) references with contact details.
• Understanding of the assignment, proposed approach and work plan.
• Understanding of the assignment and proposed list of frameworks.
• Method and report outline, with one sample policy analysis.
• CVs of the proposed consultant(s).
• CVs of the key team members and their roles in the assignment.

Financial proposal

• Prices in ETB, inclusive of all taxes, with unit rates and total price, valid for at least sixty (60) days from the deadline.
• The financial proposal is a separate document and must not appear in the technical proposal.

Evaluation

Applications are first checked for eligibility and completeness. Compliant proposals are then scored as shown below: 70% technical and 30% financial.

How To Apply

Submit your application by email to bids@irif.world by October 31, 2026. Use the subject line “RFP IRIF/PROC/2026/019 – Policy Desk Review” and attach the Technical Proposal and the Financial Proposal as two separate files, together with the supporting documents above. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered. Questions may be sent to the same address up to three (3) working days before the deadline.

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Birrama Digital Commerce PLC reserves the right to cancel or amend this RFP at any stage, and to reject any or all proposals without obligation or explanation.
• Applicants bear all costs of preparing and submitting their proposals. No costs will be reimbursed.

Required skills

Policy and legal analysis  •  Knowledge of Ethiopian agricultural or digital policy  •  Report writing  •  Stakeholder analysis

Desired skills

Experience with data-protection or telecom regulation  •  Knowledge of agricultural finance and insurance rules  •  Prior work for donors or government