Deadline for Applications: 6 October 2025

The African Forest Forum (AFF), in partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), is inviting applications for a consultancy to support the project “Scaling Youth-Led Climate Innovations for a Greener Africa: Enhancing Compliance with EUDR through Sustainable Land Management and Landscape Restoration.”

This assignment will assess the feasibility of youth engagement in forest-based enterprises and develop training plans that enable African youth to participate effectively in green businesses aligned with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and other sustainability standards. The consultancy will focus on Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya.

Objectives of the Assignment

The consultancy seeks to:

  • Assess the feasibility of forest/nature-based enterprises for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
  • Identify capacity gaps in skills, financing, and institutional support limiting youth participation.
  • Develop tailored training plans and learning modules for youth engagement in sustainable forest-based businesses.
  • Recommend interventions that enhance youth inclusion in green enterprises and sustainable forest management.

Key Deliverables

The consultant will provide:

  • Inception report and detailed methodology.
  • Country-comparative capacity gap assessment (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya).
  • Training needs prioritization matrix and country-specific training plans.
  • Training modules and competency frameworks for youth skills development.
  • Business Development Services (BDS) mapping report.
  • Final feasibility assessment and actionable recommendations.

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (MSc or higher) in Natural Resource Economics, Agribusiness, Forestry, Development Studies, or related fields.
  • At least 10 years’ experience in feasibility studies, agribusiness/forestry value chains, youth development, or related areas.
  • Proven expertise in capacity assessments, training design, and youth enterprise development.
  • Work experience in Africa, preferably in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya.
  • Familiarity with EUDR, FSC, and related sustainability standards.
  • Strong analytical and report-writing skills.

Duration

The consultancy covers 1.5 person-months of work over 2.5 months, starting 13 October 2025.

Application Process

  • Interested candidates should submit:
  • A cover letter detailing relevant qualifications and experience.
  • A methodological note (max. 4 pages).
  • A draft work plan with deliverables.
  • A tentative table of contents for the reports.
  • An updated CV.

Applications should be submitted with the subject line:
“Feasibility Assessment and Training Plan Development for Youth Engagement in Forest-Based Enterprises in Compliance with Sustainability Standards in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya”

Send applications to:

  • Tefera Belay Endalamaw – endalamaw@cifor-icraf.org
  • Doris Mutta – mutta@cifor-icraf.org
  • Copy to: sec@afforum.org

Application Deadline: 6 October 2025
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For more information, download:

Consultancy
Internal
Yes