Background

A “Land for Life”-Initiative (LfL) has been established since 2018 with the objective of strengthening existing multi-actor partnership working on land governance. While the initiative was originally established to work for Oromia region, it has now the potential to be a national network. The initiative has steering committee (SC) and three technical working groups working on three priority thematic areas. Land for Life Initiative identified the activities that need to be undertaken by and what it demands. This has required engagement of a consultant.

Objective

• To identify major land laws and policy frameworks affecting agricultural investment in Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia;
• To assess how smallholder farmers and the local population are affected by investment practices;
• To assess in what extent, the Africa Union policy Framework and Guideline (F&G), the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGTs) and investment principles (Guiding Principles on Large Scale Land Based Investments in Africa (AU), principles on responsible agricultural investment) are domesticated in national laws;

Scope of the work 

In line with the above objective of the study, the Consultant is expected to provide practical answers to the following specific key questions through legal review, discussion with smallholder farmers, the investors, the local community and duty barriers, at the Federal and Oromia region level. In more detail,

The report will identify major laws and policy frameworks affecting agricultural investment in Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia; the relevant instruments will not be restricted to national-level legislation arrangements but will also include regulations; laws or directives enacted by Oromia regional governments and other court decisions;

•  The report will identify gaps in national laws and policy frameworks negatively affecting both smallholder farmers and investors;
• The report will emphasize on the implementation of land and investment laws and how smallholder farmers and the local population are affected by the investment.
• The report will assess in what extent the F&G, voluntary guidelines and principles (principles on large agricultural investment, principles on responsible agricultural investment) are domesticated in national laws;
• The report will have advocacy information, tools to tackle challenges, gaps and implementation bottlenecks of agricultural investment land policy and land reform and provide possible recommendations for duty bearers and implementing stakeholders.
• Participate in LfL events

Output/Deliverables

The assignment will have the following deliverables:

• An inception report setting out the consultant’s overall approach to the assignment, methodology and timelines.
• Draft Report following completion of field engagements
• Full Report, including recommendations (50-70 pages)
• Presentation of findings
• Final report after integrating comments
• Policy brief (not more than four pages) based on the guideline (for each areas of assessment)

Competencies and Qualifications 

• At least 7 years work experience in the field of land governance and agricultural investment in Ethiopia
• Competency/ previous experience in carrying out the activities described
• In depth knowledge and understanding of agricultural investment in Ethiopia (for Investment
• Advance knowledge of national and continental policies and frameworks related to land and investment (for Investment)

Demonstrable report writing skills

Level of effort

• Start the overall work within five days of the singing of the contract agreement
• Submit the draft report within 40 days after contract agreement
• Submit the final report within 10 days reflective feedback

Selection criteria

Applicants will be identified from their prior engagement against their capacity, technical and financial proposal to carry out the assignment.