Costing Consultant

Terms of Reference (TOR) for a Costing Consultant for IITA Farm Management and Breeding Operations

1. Background

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) supports agricultural research and development initiatives aimed at improving crop productivity, eradicating hunger, and reducing poverty. IITAs Farm Management and Breeding Operations Unit provides critical support services to scientists both within and outside IITA. To ensure these services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively, the Unit seeks to engage a Costing Consultant to develop a robust costing framework for its operations.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive costing model that accurately captures the cost of services rendered by the IITA Farm Management and Breeding Operations Services Unit. This model will:

• Facilitate transparent and equitable chargeback mechanisms for services provided to scientists within IITA and external collaborators.
• Ensure operational sustainability by aligning service costs with actual expenditures.
• Support strategic decision-making by providing insights into cost drivers and efficiency opportunities.
• Ensure the cost structure aligns with other CG centers.
• Ensure the costing structure aligns with breeding costing tools.

3. Scope of Work

The Consultant will be required to:

• Review Existing Costing Practices:

• Assess the current methodologies used for costing services within the Unit.
• Identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• Develop a Comprehensive Costing Model:

• Identify and classify cost elements, including fixed, variable, and indirect costs.
• Develop a framework for capturing costs related to:

• Land rental at all IITA farms
• Land preparation
• Planting.
• Irrigation management.
• Pest, disease, and weed control.
• Harvesting and post-harvest processing.
• Farm labor,
• Equipment use, and maintenance.
• Overhead costs (e.g., administration, utilities).

• Stakeholder Engagement:

• Consult with scientists, BIP, farm managers, finance personnel, other CG centres, and other stakeholders to ensure the model aligns with user needs.
• Incorporate feedback into the costing framework.
• Develop Chargeback Mechanisms:

• Propose a transparent pricing structure for services rendered to scientists within IITA and external collaborators.
• Include considerations for subsidized rates for internal users and competitive rates for external users.
• Capacity Building:

• Train relevant staff on implementing and maintaining the costing model.
• Provide tools and templates to support ongoing cost tracking and reporting.
• Report Preparation:

• Deliver a detailed report documenting the costing framework, methodologies, and recommendations.
• Present findings to IITA leadership and stakeholders.

4. Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver:

• An inception report detailing the approach, methodology, and work plan.
• A comprehensive costing model tailored to the Units operations.
• A chargeback pricing structure for internal and external users.
• Training materials and capacity-building sessions for relevant staff.
• A final report summarizing findings, methodologies, and recommendations.

5. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to take three months from the start date.

6. Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant will report to the Head of Farm Management and Breeding Operations and will work closely with the IITA Finance Department and IITA Scientists.

7. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A cover letter outlining their suitability for the role.
• A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A proposed work plan and fee structure.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• Professional certification in accounting or financial management (e.g., CPA, ACCA, MBA).
• At least 10 years of experience in costing, financial modeling, or agricultural operations.
• Proven experience in developing costing frameworks for agricultural or research organizations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and training skills.
• Familiarity with the operational context of research institutions and breeding programs is an asset.