EOI for Individual Consultancy for Development of a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Framework 83 views

Country: The Gambia                                                                                   

Issued Date: 21^st October 2026      

Project Title: Gambia Inclusive Resilient Agriculture Value Chain Development Project Procurement Method: Individual Consultant (IC)

Project ID No: P173070

Assignment Title: Development of a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Framework for The Gambia

Reference No: GM-CPCU-537521-CS-INDV

The Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV) is a World Bank (IDA) project financed through an IDA Grant in agreement with the government for an amount of US$ 40 million for five years. The project will consist of three interlinked technical components, in addition to the Project Implementation and Coordination Component, organized to address the key binding constraints for the development of the agriculture and agribusiness sector.

Background of the assignment

The Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development (GIRAV) Project seeks to promote inclusive, resilient, and competitive agricultural value chains by increasing agricultural productivity, strengthening climate resilience, enhancing private sector participation, improving market competitiveness, and expanding access to improved technologies and quality inputs for smallholder farmers. Achieving these objectives requires a robust agricultural innovation ecosystem that encourages continuous investment in crop improvement and facilitates farmers’ access to superior planting materials.

Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen crop improvement programmes and the national seed system, The Gambia currently lacks a formal Plant Variety Protection (PVP) system that recognizes and protects the intellectual property rights of plant breeders. A functional PVP system establishes a legal framework through which breeders are granted exclusive rights over new plant varieties that meet internationally recognized criteria of novelty, distinctness, uniformity, and stability. Such protection provides incentives for public and private sector investment in plant breeding while facilitating the introduction, commercialization, and dissemination of improved crop varieties.

Globally, Plant Variety Protection is recognized as a key driver of agricultural innovation, technology transfer, and private sector investment, and is an essential component of a competitive and well-regulated seed sector. An effective PVP system encourages both domestic and international breeders to develop and release improved varieties, supports sustainable seed industry development, and promotes greater availability of quality seed to farmers.

General Objective

To establish a functional and sustainable Plant Variety Protection (PVP) system that promotes innovation, investment, and access to improved plant varieties in The Gambia.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of this assignment are to:

• Create awareness among key stakeholders on the rights, obligations, and benefits associated with Plant Variety Protection.
• Develop and adopt a national legal and regulatory framework for Plant Variety Protection.
• Establish appropriate institutional structures for the administration and enforcement of PVP regulations.
• Facilitate alignment of national PVP legislation with international standards and best practices.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtain requesting from this address: bubacarr.jallow@girav.cpcu.gm

The GIRAV Project now invites eligible INDIVIDUAL (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

Educational Qualifications

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Law, Intellectual Property Law, Agricultural Law, Plant Breeding, Seed Science, Agricultural Policy, Agronomy, or another relevant discipline. A PhD will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in developing legal and regulatory frameworks related to agriculture, seed systems, intellectual property rights, or Plant Variety Protection (PVP).
• Demonstrated experience in drafting legislation, regulations, policies, or legal instruments for governments or international organizations.
• Proven experience in designing or supporting the establishment of Plant Variety Protection (PVP) systems or similar intellectual property frameworks for plant breeders.
• Strong knowledge of international PVP frameworks, including the UPOV Convention, the WTO TRIPS Agreement, and relevant regional frameworks applicable to Africa.
• Experience conducting stakeholder consultations, facilitating workshops, and preparing high-quality technical and legal reports.
• Experience working with governments, research institutions, development partners, or international organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, African Development Bank, or similar institutions will be an added advantage.
• Previous experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within ECOWAS member states, is highly desirable.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  [If applicable, insert the following additional text:] In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: of the Procurement Regulations of the World bank.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09:00 to 16:00 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail bubacarr.jallow@girav.cpcu.gm by Friday 6^th November 2026 before the closed of works.

Attn: Project Coordinator

GIRAV Project

Tel: +220 833400094

E-mail: mamouralieu.jagne@cpcu.gm