Costing Consultant at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

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
• 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
• 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
• Duration of the Assignment

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

• 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.

• 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