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 Unit’s 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.
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.
