Background:

The Agricultural Commercialization Cluster (ACC) is a flagship initiative led by Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture. The program designates high-potential geographic areas as centers of excellence for selected priority crops, serving as models for scaling best practices nationwide. By concentrating investments and interventions in these clusters, the ACC seeks to transform smallholder agriculture from subsistence-based to a more market-oriented, competitive, and sustainable system.

Through a coordinated value chain approach, the ACC aims to promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural commercialization. Its key objectives are to enhance market-driven productivity, expand value addition and market access, and strengthen institutional capacities for smallholder commercialization. The initiative prioritizes ten commodities—including cereals, oil crops, vegetables, and fruits—selected based on agroecological suitability and market potential. By integrating priority and rotational crops, the ACC fosters diversification, efficient resource use, and resilience, while advancing Ethiopia’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.

To generate robust evidence on the outcomes of the ACC and Farmer Production Cluster (FPC) initiatives, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in collaboration with ATI, is commissioning a spatial and administrative survey across 50 woredas in Oromia, Central Ethiopia, Tigray, and Amhara regions. The survey will collect geospatial data on approximately 200 FPCs, including cluster boundaries, farmer participation, access to mechanization services, and proximity to infrastructure such as roads, service centers, and towns. IFPRI seeks a qualified, Ethiopia-based survey firm to conduct the spatial and administrative data collection in alignment with the below scope of work.

Scope of Work:

The detailed spatial and administrative survey will be implemented in November and December 2025 across approximately 200 Farmer Production Clusters (FPCs) in Oromia, Central Ethiopia, Tigray, and Amhara regions. The selected survey firm will be responsible for providing comprehensive field implementation support in close collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) team.

Specifically, the firm will (i) review the survey instruments developed by IFPRI and provide technical feedback to ensure clarity, contextual relevance, and alignment with field realities; and (ii) recruit and manage a qualified team comprising approximately 16 enumerators, 4 supervisors, and 1 survey coordinator. Field staff should possess at least a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of three years of relevant data collection experience, demonstrated skills in spatial data collection, and proficiency in computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) platforms such as SurveyCTO.

The firm will organize a two-day enumerator training in Addis Ababa, covering survey protocols, ethical considerations, and data collection procedures, followed by a one-day field-based practical training at a nearby FPC. IFPRI will lead the training and finalize the list of qualified enumerators based on performance. After training, the firm will coordinate and supervise fieldwork, including daily logistics, quality control through routine supervision and spot checks, and prompt resolution of operational challenges. The firm will ensure that data are uploaded to the SurveyCTO server daily, that the field team promptly responds to daily data quality checks and requests by the IFPRI team, and that all survey activities adhere to ethical research standards—specifically obtaining informed consent and maintaining respondent confidentiality.

Upon completion of data collection, the firm will participate in a debriefing session with IFPRI and submit a comprehensive survey implementation report detailing activities undertaken, challenges encountered, mitigation measures, and key lessons learned.

Required Qualifications of the Consultant/Survey Firm:

The selected firm must demonstrate a proven track record in successfully organizing and implementing at least three large-scale rural household surveys in Ethiopia, preferably involving the collection of spatial data such as parcel polygons. The proposed field team—comprising enumerators, supervisors, and a survey coordinator—should possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have prior experience conducting at least three rural household surveys using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) tools. In addition, the firm should have strong financial and administrative management capacity, with established systems for transparent expenditure tracking and documentation. The firm must also demonstrate the ability to use resources efficiently and complete all assigned activities within the agreed timeline and quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience in implementing spatial and administrative data collection for large farms, including the use of geospatial tools and mapping techniques to capture parcel-level information.

Duration:

The assignment is expected to last for three months, covering all phases from preparation to completion.

Application Documents:

Interested and qualified firms are invited to submit the following documents (in English):

1. Cover Letter.
2. Technical and financial proposal, including a detailed budget.

Application Deadline:

October 26, 2025.