Background

AfriLabs is a pan-African network organization that supports innovation hubs, technology communities, and entrepreneurs across 53 African countries. It delivers targeted support programs to drive inclusive growth and strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. The World Food Programme (WFP), jointly operated by the United Nations and FAO, is represented in South Sudan through its Country Office in Juba, addressing urgent humanitarian and food security challenges. Seed Grow Co. Ltd, a South Sudanese agro-enterprise, specializes in seed systems, agricultural inputs, and farmer advisory services.

About the Project

The IGNITE Innovation Hub for East Africa is a regional initiative launched in 2020 through a strategic partnership between the World Food Programme (WFP) and CARE Denmark. It aims to strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive, and locally led food systems across East Africa, with a primary focus on South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, and surrounding countries. The Hub operates under three foundational pillars:

I.             Entrepreneurship and Youth Innovation Support

II.             Collective Learning and Knowledge Sharing

III.             Strengthening Local Innovation Cultures

The IGNITE Innovation Challenge is a flagship mechanism of the hub, designed to support high-potential local changemakers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the technical, financial, and ecosystem support required to grow their innovations and improve local food systems.

For the 2025 edition, AfriLabs has been contracted by WFP South Sudan to implement the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge. The program is focused on catalysing the growth of agribusiness-focused MSMEs that can strengthen climate resilience and contribute to food security and economic recovery in South Sudan. Selected MSMEs will benefit from:

I.             Catalytic grants of between $10,000 and $40,000

II.             A tailored 3-month training program

III.             One-on-one mentorship support

IV.               Access to a Pan-African Ecosystem of innovators, experts, and government stakeholders

To ensure locally rooted implementation and effective capacity building, AfriLabs is partnering with Seed Grow Co. Ltd, a South Sudanese agro enterprise. Seed Grow will lead the coordination and delivery of in-person thematic trainings, local outreach activities, and monitoring and evaluation tasks, under the strategic guidance of AfriLabs.

Project Objectives

The overarching objective of the IGNITE Challenge 2025 is to empower agribusiness- focused MSMEs in South Sudan to develop climate-resilient, innovative, and market-driven enterprises that contribute to local food security and sustainable development. Specifically, the program aims to:

1. Deliver a structured entrepreneurial training program that addresses real- world challenges across the agricultural value chain, with a focus on business growth, innovation, and climate adaptation.

2. Equip MSMEs to effectively utilize performance-based small grants by strengthening their skills in financial management, accountability, and implementation planning.

3. Facilitate the adoption of climate-smart practices, including mechanisation, value addition, post-harvest innovation, and agroforestry solutions tailored to South Sudan’s context.

4. Foster linkages with key market actors, government bodies, and certification agencies to improve MSMEs’ access to markets, policy incentives, and institutional support.

5. Guide MSMEs in developing investment-ready business models, culminating in a final pitch showcase for potential investors, development partners, and relevant ministries.

6. Monitor and evaluate MSME progress through a robust M&E framework to ensure impact, adaptability, and long-term sustainability.

This comprehensive support model is designed not only to boost the viability of participating ventures, but also to strengthen South Sudan’s local innovation ecosystem and food system resilience over time.

Purpose of the Assignment

AfriLabs seeks to engage experienced application reviewers to assess submissions and shortlist the top 15 MSMEs from a pool of applicants. Reviewers will evaluate applications based on a structured scoring rubric, focusing on technical merit, innovation, contextual relevance, and alignment with the project’s goals—namely, strengthening local food systems and enhancing climate resilience in South Sudan.

Scope of Work

The reviewers will be responsible for:

1. Application Screening:

• Review and assess applications submitted by prospective participants using a predefined selection rubric. This rubric will focus on technical expertise, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and the applicant’s interest in developing gender-sensitive and linguistically diverse AI solutions.

• Ensure that all applications are evaluated fairly and consistently, adhering to the criteria set by the hackathon organizers.

2. Scoring and Shortlisting:

• Score each application based on the rubric, ensuring that the evaluation process is objective, thorough, and aligned with the project’s goals.

• Shortlist the top applicants from the pool of application, ensuring a diverse representation in terms of gender, geography, and expertise.

3. Ensuring Diversity and Inclusion:

• Ensure that the selection process reflects the project’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, giving equal consideration to applicants from different regions, genders, and cultural backgrounds.

• Support efforts to maintain gender balance and geographic diversity in the final selection of participants.

4.  Feedback and Recommendations:

• Provide constructive feedback on the review process, offering insights into the overall quality of applications and any trends observed during the evaluation.

• Suggest improvements to the application process for future projects, ensuring that the criteria are continuously refined to attract high-quality, diverse participants.

5. Collaboration and Reporting:

• Work closely with other reviewers to ensure that the evaluation process is consistent and transparent.

• Submit a final report summarizing the evaluation outcomes, including key observations, challenges, and recommendations for selecting the top participants.

Required Qualifications and Experience General Requirements

 All reviewers are expected to possess the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in evaluating applications for innovation programs, accelerators, incubators, or grant schemes.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

• Commitment to impartiality,   professionalism,  and respect for confidentiality.

• Familiarity   with   the   South  Sudan  agricultural  and the entrepreneurial ecosystem is a strong asset.

At least two of the following areas of expertise are required:

Timeline

• Assignment Duration: 4 days

• Review Period: 18th of June 2025 to 20th of June 2025

• Submission of Final Shortlist: 20th June 2025

Remuneration

• A total consultancy fee of $500 will be paid upon successful completion of the assignment and submission of the final evaluation report.

• For Nigerian applicants, remuneration will be paid in Naira and will be subject to withholding tax deductions. For foreign applicants, any applicable tax obligations must be fulfilled by you with the relevant tax authority in your country of residence.

Method Of Application Applying as an Individual:

• Filled Vendor request form

• Send a Cover Letter, CV or portfolio stating profile and relevant experience.

• Means of Identification.

• Submission of organization reference (i.e Name, email and phone number of organization you have provided similar services), also proof of work done for them should be submitted

• A sample of previous review work, preferably related to competitive innovation or grant programs.

Applying as a company:

• Filled Vendor Request Form

• Send your company’s certificate.

• Company registration document.

• Cover letter and CV of relevant experience of the applicant or Team Lead.

• Means of Identification of the team lead.

• Submission of organization reference (i.e. Name, email and phone number of organization you have provided similar services), also proof of work done for them should be submitted

• Sample of previous review work, preferably related to competitive innovation or grant programs.

 Note the following:

• Please download and use the attached Vendor information form attached below to submit your application to procurement@afrilabs.com with the email subject: “WFP IGNITE REVIEWER”. Applicants should submit their applications on or before COB June 16th, 2025.

• Application should only be submitted if you agree to renumeration.

• Kindly find the vendor information form below. Please download before use, DO NOT edit the uploaded template.

® For Nigerians

® For Non-Nigerians

• Paid Hub members are strongly advice to apply with their company name (If within their thematic areas and expertise).