Guinea Bissau is a complex country, marked by political instability and a vulnerable economy dependent on agriculture and fishing. These strategic sectors, hampered by the lack of transparency, access to finance, and appropriate technologies, are struggling to transform themselves and generate sustainable added value. This context calls for the professionalization of these sectors, economic diversification, stimulation of the private sector, and the integration of resilient practices to meet development challenges.

The project “Promoting agriculture and fisheries value chains in Guinea-Bissau”, amounting to €21.5 million, aims to support the development of strategic sectors in order to promote sustainable economic growth and the creation of decent green and blue jobs, while taking into account the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The specific objectives of the action are as follows:

SO1. “Improve the environment conducive to the development of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food value chains.”

R1.1 Strengthen the capacity of the government and key stakeholders to develop and implement policies, laws, and strategies related to the business environment and food quality and safety that are conducive to the sustainable development of selected value chains.

R1.2 Strengthen access to inclusive financing for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

SO2. “Improve the efficiency, climate resilience, inclusiveness, and sustainability of selected agricultural and fisheries value chains, including cashews, rice, selected tropical fruits and crops, and fisheries.”

R2.1. Strengthen the capacities of value chain actors for sustainable, efficient, inclusive, and climate-resilient development and management;

R2.2. Improve infrastructure and facilities throughout selected value chains to increase production, processing, storage, and distribution capacities, with value-added development.

SO3. “Improve the competitiveness of entrepreneurs in selected agricultural and fisheries value chains.”

R3.1 Improve the capacity of business incubators to promote and strengthen entrepreneurship in selected value chains;

R3.2 Improve access to business opportunities, partnerships, and networks among stakeholders in selected value chains.

Within the framework of the intervention, here is the distinction between the two implementing entities:

1. Camões I.P. (Portuguese Institute of International Cooperation) will be responsible for implementing activities related to the development of the three agricultural value chains (cashew nuts, rice, and tropical fruits), through its respective intervention on R1.1 and SO 2, for a total amount of €11.25 million. Camões I.P. will also be responsible for coordinating the entire project, ensuring its monitoring and consistency, and guaranteeing the integration of all its components, in close collaboration with Expertise France and the EU Delegation based in Bissau.
2. Expertise France, which will be responsible for activities under R1.1 (related to the fisheries value chain and the entrepreneurial environment), R1.2, SO 2 (activities related exclusively to the fisheries value chain) and SO 3, for a total amount of €10.25 million.

Close links and regular coordination between the two implementing partners will make it easier to build linkages between the various activities, thus ensuring greater effectiveness and efficiency of the intervention and facilitating internal project communication.

Responsibilities

Attached to Expertise France's Sustainable Development Department, and based in Bissau, the Team Leader is responsible for the successful execution of project activities, the achievement of set objectives, and the application of Expertise France procedures. He/she is also in charge of external representation and institutional coordination within the framework of this project, internal coordination and reporting, quality control of the intervention, and strategic guidance for the Expertise France team based in Guinea-Bissau.

The Team Leader will be supported in his/her mission by a field team composed of one component coordinator for the fishing value chain (market development and marketing vision), one component coordinator for economic and private sector development, an administrative and financial manager, a procurement and contracts manager, a grants manager (business project finance developer), a logistics manager, a project assistant, and a MEAL officer, also based in Bissau, as well as key experts who will be mobilized according to the missions. The field project team will be supported by colleagues at headquarters in the implementation of the project: management of experts, support for contractual procedures, participation in operational and financial reports, support for the orientation and operational implementation of the intervention strategy, capacity building, etc.

The Team Leader will facilitate the link and ensure fruitful collaboration with the implementing partner and national institutions, ensuring that the project is implemented with the appropriate cooperation of all relevant stakeholders in the country.

1. Strategic and operational management of the project

• Develop and implement strategic and operational planning for project activities.
• Ensure effective coordination with Camões I.P. and maintain a beneficial relationship.
• Provide strategic guidance to the team to achieve the project objectives.
• Carry out activity planning and monitor implementation, respecting deadlines, budgets, and deliverables, and ensure the consistency of project activities and deliverables with the results to be achieved.
• Propose strategic adjustments based on contextual challenges or opportunities.
• Lead project execution, ensuring that project guidelines are properly implemented in activity planning (timeline, budget forecasts, etc.) and that deliverables are delivered on time (within budget and quality standards).
• Supervise the successful completion of events and activities, expert missions, study visits, and other project activities.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to measure impact and ensure accountability, in conjunction with the project MEAL officer.

2. Team management

• Ensure hierarchical management, leadership and coordination among project team members, and participate in recruitment;
• Assign clear responsibilities and objectives to team members, evaluate performance quality and implement feedback mechanisms to encourage skills development, assess workload distribution, and report on HR issues to headquarters;
• Identify expertise needs to support activities, ensure the effective mobilisation of experts where necessary (drafting terms of reference, interviews and recruitment) and supervise short- and long-term technical experts;
• Organise the attendance and absence of project team staff (management of working hours and leave);
• Ensure compliance with security policies and procedures for project staff;
• Foster a positive, supportive and dynamic working environment.

3. Internal coordination and reporting

• Oversee the internal coordination of the project team, in relation with headquarters to ensure the administrative, logistical, and operational consistency of the project, in accordance with the overall strategy and schedule.
• Assign responsibilities and deadlines to team members, evaluate performance quality, and implement feedback mechanisms to encourage skills development, and report to headquarters.
• Ensure compliance with the procedures required by Expertise France (rules on eligibility of expenses, purchases, contracts, reports), in relation with the headquarters team.
• Oversee the preparation of internal reporting, planning, and forecasting exercises at Expertise France (3 exercises per year).
• Ensure the production and transmission of narrative and financial reports on time and in accordance with donor requirements, as well as the transmission of information necessary to ensure overall compliance with procedures (procurement, contract development, and monitoring).
• Ensure the transmission of information enabling the sound financial management of the project (setup and operation of monitoring tools, project budget consumption and execution, financial reporting exercises, etc.).
• Organize and lead periodic coordination meetings with the Expertise France team in Guinea-Bissau, at headquarters, and with the implementing partner.

4. External representation and institutional coordination of the project

• Ensure the official representation of the project to national authorities and the EU Delegation.
• Maintain and strengthen working relationships with the implementing partner, the EU Delegation, and national institutions.
• Ensure that project activities are aligned with national policies and priorities.
• Ensure good collaboration and smooth communication with the implementing partner.
• Promote synergies with other initiatives in the sector to maximize impact.

5. Quality control and compliance

• Oversee the technical and operational quality of interventions, in accordance with donor and Expertise France standards.
• Conduct regular field missions to assess progress and resolve any bottlenecks.
• Establish accountability mechanisms for transparent and effective implementation.