Request for Quote/proposal to Develop a National Agroecology Strategy for Sustainable Food System in Rwanda

Request for Quote/Proposal to Develop a National Agroecology Strategy for Sustainable Food System in Rwanda.

Location :

Kigali, ROAM Head Office

Application Deadline :

13th-December-2025

Type of Contract :

Providing service

Post Level :

Individual consultant/ Firm

Lead Contractor 

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM)

Language Required :

English

Rwanda Organic Agricultural Movement (ROAM) is an umbrella organization for individuals and entities engaged in organic agriculture/agro-ecology and related activities in Rwanda. It was established in 2007 and legally registered as local NGO in 2014 by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). ROAM members comprise of farmer groups, cooperatives, companies and Business Services.

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy services to support the process of developping a National Agroecology Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems in Rwanda.

1. Background

The Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM), in collaboration with like-minded organizations in sustainable food systems in Rwanda under the support of the African Climate Foundation (ACF), is hiring a consultant/consultancy firm to support the process of developping a National Agroecology Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems in Rwanda.

 The National Agroecology strategy will serve as a framework to strengthen resilience, enhance productivity, and encourage environmentally friendly practices that protect both communities and ecosystems for a resilient and sustainable food system.Today, nearly 70% of Rwanda’s population depends on agriculture. However, unpredictable rainfall, extreme weather conditions, soil degradation, and recurring floods or droughts continue to threaten food security, food safety and nutrition for Rwandan population.

The strategy will be aligned with Rwanda’s broader development goals under Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), both of which emphasize sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. By adopting agroecology, an approach globally recognized for combining productivity with ecosystem services such as reduced on chemical use, enhanced environment and biodiversity conservation , soil health improvement , climate resilience, local food sovereignty, market diversification and cultural relevance,the strategy will complement the exisiting agricultural strategies (NST2&PSTA5) to position Rwanda firmly on the path toward mitigating challenges and complexity within the current food systems .

2. Rationale

 The current food systems are built on unhealthy and unsustainable practices and face profound challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity.To save our food systems we need profound transformation, and agroecology is a key holistic approach to achieve this. It offers a proven alternative for agri-food systems which are trapped in approaches that destroy biodiversity and soil health while globally failing to deliver on long-term production targets.

As defined by the FAO, agroecology is an approach which seeks to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where food is produced. It is based on 13 principles, which include input reduction, participation, fairness and soil health. A national agroecology strategy will provide a coordinated pathway to reduce climate risks, safeguard food security, provide alternative pathways for food production, marketing, transformation and consuption for stakeholders within the food systems. By strengthening resilience in farming systems and promoting sustainable practices, Rwanda can ensure stable food supplies, reduce poverty, provide safe nutrition and support ecosystems that underpin long-term productivity. Agroecology, which blends traditional knowledge with modern science, enhances yields through agroecology principles while restoring soil health and biodiversity.

The strategy will strongly be aligned with national priorities under Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), and Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, reinforcing the country’s commitment to climate-resilient future. The National agroecology strategy development supported by ROAM in collaboration with diverse partners, ensures policy coherence across agriculture, environment, trade, health and climate initiatives while mobilizing resources, knowledge, and innovation for nationwide impact. The long-term benefits include strengthened community resilience, enhanced food security , food safety and sovereignty, reduced import dependency, and meaningful contributions to global climate goals. Ultimately, the strategy will align Rwanda with what is happening in the region about agroecological transformation as well as in Africa.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to support the process of developping a National Agroecology Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems in Rwanda, and ensuring co-creation with key stakeholders and alignment with national frameworks.The firm/consultant will work closely with ROAM and other relevant stakeholders to support the design and development of the National Agroecology Strategy document. The following are activities to be undertake by the firm/consultant.

1. Desk Review & Evidence Gathering

1. Engage the Ministry of agriculture to start the development process
2. Review and consolidate relevant existing literature and documents on agroecology
3. Analyze existing policies at national level related to agroecology
4. Compare existing policies with those of other countries, both regional and global
5. Develop a clear scope for the strategy
6. Develop an outline and first draft of the agroecology strategy tailored to Rwanda’s agriculture sector context.

2. Facilitate Public Participation on the draft Strategy

1.  Presentation of the draft strategy to the techical group
2.  Facilitate stakeholder consultations workshops and meetings.
3.  Review of the 1st draft Agroecology Strategy based on the stakeholder inputs
4.  2nd review of the revised draft by the Ministry of agriculture

3. Validation of Final Draft

1. Present the draft strategy during the national validation workshop
2. Incorporate the inputs from national validation workshop
3. Submit the final strategy document to the Ministry of Agriculture for approval and signature.
4. Launch of the National agroecology strategy for dissemination and implementation.

4. Expected Deliverables

Key deriverables for the consultancy are the following:

• An inception report outlining the methodology and workplan
• Policy brief highlighting the rationale and present evidences on agroecology for sustainable food systems in Rwanda.
• Presentation of policy brief to the Ministry of Agriculture and road maps for strategy development with clear timelines to get the buy in for all stakeholders
• Report on the results of the desktop/literature review
• Report of the stakeholder consultations
• Outline of the Agroecology Strategy
• Draft of Agroecology Strategy
• Validation workshop report
• A resource mobilization and financing framework that provides clear costing, identifies diverse funding streams, and establishes incentive mechanisms ensuring adequate, predictable, and sustainable financing for agroecology in Rwanda (Annex )

• Final designed document of the National Agroecology Strategy to different stakeholders for dissemination .

5.Skills and competencies

The consultant/firm that will lead the development process of the National Agroecology strategy is expected to have the following expertise:

1. Being familiar with Rwandan agriculture sector
2. High level of written, oral communications and analytical skills
3. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and professional skills in engaging with government, civil society, farmers, private sector, and other development partners
4. Excellent skills in facilitation of stakeholders workshops
5. Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments (attach two recent works and contact persons)
6. Proven experience in research, policy and strategy development, management or related work.
7. Proven experience in agroecology and other sustainable agricultural practices.

6.Prefered qualifications 

Consultant:

• Master’s degree in Development studies, agriculture science, environmental sciences or agribusiness economics, economics, or similar fields, with 6 years of experience; or, Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with 10 years of experience.
• Demonstrate knowledge in agroecology and climate resilient agriculture.
• Demonstrate the ability of moderation/facilitation of workshops and meetings.
• Previous experience in implementation of projects’ activities related to agroecology and climate resilient agriculture in Rwanda.

•  Demonstrate the ability to develop strategic plan with clear knowledge of results framework with indicators, baselines, and targets
• Being a Rwandan citizen
• Fluent in both English and French and knowledge of Kinyarwanda is mandatory

7. Application Requirements

Interested applicants should submit:

1. A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) or CVs of the lead consultant and other experts in case of a company or consortium
2. Technical proposal for implementing the assignment including the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology and time line.
3. Financial proposal for the assignment

8. Submission Details

Applications should be submitted electronically to careers@roam.org.rw

with the subject line: Hire a consultant/firm to develop a National Agroecology Strategy for Rwanda 

Deadline for submission: 13th,December 2025. 5:pm.

Done at Kigali on 8th December, 2025