Strengthening the capacity of public and private sector actors in the digitization of FFVs SPS control processes for Horticultural Trade Facilitation Full Time

Introduction and background

CABI envisions a world in which women, youth, and marginalised communities are included in agriculture, and become key to ensuring equity, increasing participation in agribusiness, and reducing youth unemployment; promoting livelihood improvement; increasing production and reducing poverty. CABI’s Medium-Term Strategy (2023-25) pursues five major goals: 1. Improve the food security and livelihoods of smallholder communities. 2. Help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. 3. Reduce inequality through better opportunities for rural women and youth 4. Safeguard biodiversity and support the sustainable use of natural resources 5. Increase the reach, application, and impact of science in agriculture and the environment.

The European Union (EU) has initiated a significant project aimed at enhancing Uganda’s capacity to comply with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, thereby improving the safety and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) for both domestic and export markets. This initiative is crucial for safeguarding consumer health and increasing Uganda’s competitiveness in international markets, particularly the European Union.

Implemented in collaboration by CABI and COLEAD, the project focuses on strengthening Uganda’s SPS systems for horticultural exports. The primary objective is to enhance compliance with EU and domestic market requirements, thereby boosting trade, safeguarding health, and increasing income and employment opportunities within the horticulture sector.

The project targets key FFVs such as capsicum, garden eggs (white), Hass avocado, mango, and okra. By improving the capacity of Ugandan authorities and private sector organizations to comply with SPS measures, the project aims to unlock up to $150 million in revenue otherwise lost to pests and diseases.

This action will focus on completing the digitization of regulatory SPS business processes such of the Crop Inspection and Certification System (CICS) supported by Swiss contact under the project called RUSH (Re-engineering Uganda’s SPS Inspection for Horticulture Exports) under Output 1.3 The capacity of public and private sector actors in the digitization of FFVs control processes is strengthened. It aims to ensure that the CICS is also integrated with other relevant government systems and databases, improved, upgraded, and made widely accessible through awareness and capacity-building activities.

In addition, the action will sensitize and train the private sector (farmers, exporters, extension staff), MAAIF IT staff, and the NPPO, which is the national competent authority for SPS certification of FFVs, on the use of electronic traceability systems and documentary requirements for selected FFVs. These measures will aim to streamline regulatory processes, improve traceability, and ensure better compliance with international SPS standards and requirements.

The action may also build on existing initiatives to upgrade a digital marketplace for the private sector and further enhance the reporting function in the CICS, with key information and data on all aspects of the FFV value chain for both public and private users. Data gathered from the systems may be shared with stakeholders to help reduce information asymmetry and improve responsiveness across the sector.

CABI seeks proposals from qualified firms or consortia with expertise in SPS digital system development and system integration, system user capacity building, behavioural insights, and change management. The aim is to support the completion, improvement, and upgrades of these digital systems and design and implement an adoption strategy that will increase the effective use of the integrated systems by all stakeholders.

Objective of the Assignment

To improve the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable (FFV) SPS inspection and certification processes by the digitization of the regulatory business systems of the CICS platform and to strengthen the capacity of public and private sector actors to use it. Ensure their integration and functionality across key government databases. The assignment will also build awareness and capacity for their effective use, introduce traceability modules, upgrade a digital marketplace for private sector stakeholders, and design and deliver a behaviorally informed adoption and training strategy that enhances usage, compliance, and system sustainability.

The scope of the assignment

The scope of work is structured around two interconnected segments that contribute to Output 1.3 of the EU-funded SPS Uganda initiative. These segments focus on completing and integrating digital regulatory systems and driving their uptake through participatory, context-driven capacity building and behaviorally informed training approaches.

The assignment is structured into two interlinked segments:

Segment 1: Digital Systems Strengthening and Integration

• Review and Assessment of Existing Systems: Conduct an in-depth assessment of existing digital systems, CICS, to identify their functionalities, integration capabilities, data architecture, and alignment with SPS and trade processes, and identification of any gaps in both systems.
• Systems Integration Roadmap and Assessment: Based on the above review and gaps identification, prepare a comprehensive systems integration roadmap that outlines steps required for achieving full digital interoperability, integration with URA for payments, and alignment with Ugandan government national digital platforms.
• Integration of the CICS System with other relevant Government Systems/ Databases. Ensure interoperability of modules and technical integration with payment processing, data collection, reporting, and analysis.
• Assessment and Development/Upgrade of Digital Modules and Marketplace:

  – Conduct an assessment of the existing CICS to identify functionality gaps and user needs.

  – Develop or enhance the following modules:

  a). Traceability modules from farm to exit export stage (informational and transactional) to capture farmers ‘ and exporters ‘ level data, as well as cater for the CICS System audit use. The traceability module will be developed based on the existing CICS to ensure coherence with current regulatory workflows and data structures. Ensure that current and future SPS market requirements, including traceability, are catered for.

  Role-based access control and supervisory functions developed.

  Ensure full development of the role-based access control and supervisory functions

  Develop mobile system Apps for Android and iOS.

  Fully develop for use the mobile system Apps for both Android and iOS

  b)Upgrade the exporter module to maintain history of volumes and certified products. This module will enhance credit and insurance worthiness for farmers and exporters based on the data certified through the system, such as export volumes and post-harvest losses.

  c) Digital marketplace platform to report and display information/ data on all aspects of the FFV value chain, ensuring relevance for both public and private sector actors

  d) Provide onboarding services for stakeholders such as MAAIF IT Team, NPPO Inspectors, farmers, exporters, and ensure use of all mobile-based tools.

  e) Review the current data and facilitate a clean-up in a collaborative manner with stakeholders

  Segment 2: Training, Capacity Building, and User-Centric Adoption Strategy

• Training Rollout

  -Conduct Training of Trainers (ToTs) for identified stakeholders.

  -Organize and conduct capacity-building activities in collaboration with the TOTs for identified system stakeholders to address identified gaps

  Deliverables

• Inception Report detailing methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement, and communication strategy.
• Systems assessment report and integration roadmap.
• System design specification.
• Digital system modules developed/enhanced, upgraded, tested, and integrated
• Mobile Android and iOS Apps have been fully developed and are available for users.
• Role-based access control and supervisory functions.
• System user stakeholder knowledge and skills needs assessment.
• Capacity building curricular and plan system users/ stakeholders.
• Clean current data based on system regulatory requirements
• Comprehensive system adoption strategy tailored to the needs, motivations, and constraints of users.
• Enrolment mechanism for users
• Digital marketplace and reporting function
• SPS traceability system.
• Training needs assessment report
• User system, capacity-building curricula, and capacity-building plan.
• Reports for capacity building activities (Segmented as per users and participants’ evaluation reports for each training).
• Final report detailing implementation, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Duration

The assignment is expected to last for a period of 8 months from the date of the contract signing.

Required Qualifications

1. Expertise in Digital Systems Integration and Trade Facilitation:

• Proven experience in developing digital systems for regulatory processes, particularly in the trade and agriculture sectors.
• Knowledge and experience with the digitization of processes in developing countries’ contexts, particularly in regulatory and SPS measures.

1. Expertise in Capacity Building and Training

• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver capacity-building programs tailored to different stakeholder groups (public sector, private sector, farmers), with a focus on digital systems adoption.
• Experience in building institutional capacity at local and national levels, particularly in the context of public-private sector collaboration in developing countries, in particular.

1. Behavioural Insights and Change Management Expertise

• Proven experience in applying Systems approach and Inclusive Systems Development (ISD)/Market Systems Development (MSD) principles to design adoption strategies that address stakeholders’ resistance and promote digital system uptake.
• Expertise in understanding user motivations and barriers, and designing facilitative interventions (such as training programs, user experience improvements, and incentives) to overcome adoption challenges.

  4. Familiarity with Uganda’s Trade and Agricultural Context

  • In-depth understanding of Uganda’s agricultural value chains, with a focus on horticulture, and the related regulatory and market systems.
  • Experience working with the Ugandan government and private sector actors, particularly in the context of SPS compliance, trade facilitation, and agricultural development.

  5. Proven Track Record in International Development

  • Experience working with international donors and development agencies, such as USAID, EU, and other European donors, to design and implement successful development programs.
  • Ability to navigate the complexities of donor-funded projects and deliver results in line with international standards and local needs.

    6. Strong Project Management and Technical Expertise

    • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, with strong technical, administrative, and financial management skills.
    • Ability to work in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, ensuring that project deliverables are met on time and within budget.

    7. Experience with Public Sector Stakeholder Engagement

    • Strong experience in engaging with government agencies (such as NPPO, Ministry of Agriculture, Uganda Revenue Authority) and facilitating their participation in project activities.
    • Experience in policy advocacy and regulatory reform processes within Uganda.

  Submission Requirements

• Interested firms or consortia are invited to submit the following:
• Technical proposal outlining understanding of the assignment, approach, and methodology.
• Work plan and timeline.
• Organizational Profiles and CVs of key personnel.
• Examples of relevant past work.
• Financial proposal.

  Proposal Evaluation Criteria

• Proposals will be evaluated based on:
• Technical approach and methodology (40%)
• Expertise and experience of the Organization (30%)
• Cost-effectiveness (20%)
• Innovation and creativity in addressing adoption challenges (10%)

Tagged as: Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International, Uganda