1. Introduction:
Greenpeace Africa is seeking the services of an experienced consultant to conduct research on the environmental, policy, and socioeconomic impacts of pesticide use in African agriculture. The study will focus on Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, and will involve desk research, expert interviews, and policy analysis to inform future work and advocacy efforts.
2. Background:
The increasing use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in African agriculture has raised urgent and serious concerns over their impact on the environment, public health, regulatory systems, and the overall wellbeing of communities. Many of these pesticides, although banned or restricted in other regions due to their known risks, remain widely used across several African countries. This is largely due to weak regulatory frameworks often struggling with limited capacity, enforcement gaps, and limited public awareness of their long-term consequences.
The African context presents unique challenges; many communities rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, and the continued use of HHPs threatens both the sustainability of food production and the health and wellbeing of those directly involved. Despite this,there is a significant lack of comprehensive data and analysis on the environmental impacts of these pesticides, particularly how they affect soil health, water bodies, air quality, and biodiversity. Additionally, the socioeconomic impacts on farming communities, including health-related costs, reduced agricultural productivity, loss of livelihoods, and exposure-related illnesses, remain under-documented. These issues disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including smallholder farmers, women, and children.
Furthermore, inadequate national policies, limited capacity for enforcement, and corporate influence on decision-making processes have allowed for the continued use and trade of HHPs. There is an urgent need to assess and document the current landscape, highlight policy shortcomings, and support the development of more robust, transparent, and community-centered agricultural practices. This research seeks to generate credible, evidence-based knowledge that can inform advocacy, support policy reform, and promote more sustainable approaches to agriculture across the region.
3. Objective of the Assignment:
The overall objective of this assignment is to generate a comprehensive research report that will serve as a foundational evidence base for future campaign and advocacy efforts. The report will provide an in-depth analysis of the current use and regulation of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa. Specifically, the scope of the study include:
● Conduct a comprehensive desk-based review and synthesis of existing literature and data on the use of HHPs in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, with attention to key environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
● Develop a preliminary list of the most problematic HHPs, their associated crops, and the environmental compartments most affected (e.g., soil, water, biodiversity). ● Analyze the existing policy and regulatory frameworks in the three countries, identify enforcement gaps, and assess the role and influence of corporate actors in pesticide governance.
● Provide guidance on the basis of the findings of the desktop review regarding field investigation including conducting interviews with a range of stakeholders including NGOs, academics, policy experts, and potentially farmers to validate findings and gather additional insights.
This assignment aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on pesticide use in Africa by presenting clear, context-specific insights that can inform practical and policy-level action.
4. Methodology:
The consultant will employ a mixed-methods approach to data collection and analysis. The methodology should be inclusive, context-specific, and evidence-based, and should/may include the following components:
● Conduct a thorough review and synthesis of existing scientific and grey literature, academic studies, government and policy documents, and NGO reports related to the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in the three countries. This will help establish a baseline understanding of pesticide use, environmental impacts, and policy frameworks.
● Facilitate semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders, including environmental and agricultural experts, policymakers, academics, representatives from NGOs, and potentially farmers. The interviews should help validate findings from the desk review and provide qualitative insights into the real world experiences and regulatory challenges.
● Examine and compare the pesticide-related legislation and regulatory systems in the three countries. Identify gaps in enforcement, policy coherence, and alignment with international frameworks and best practices. Assess the role of corporate influence on regulatory decisions and trade dynamics.
● Identify and document key actors involved in pesticide governance and advocacy, including government agencies, corporations, NGOs, and farmer associations.
● Collaborate with Greenpeace Africa’s Food Campaign Team to develop initial draft messages and content that can inform public communication, advocacy materials, and policy engagement strategies.
The consultant is encouraged to apply participatory, gender-sensitive, and ethical research practices throughout the process, ensuring inclusivity and representation of diverse voices, especially those of marginalized or impacted communities.
5. Deliverables;
● Inception Report outlining the consultant’s proposed methodology, detailed work plan, and timeline. This will be submitted within two weeks of contract signing and will be subject to approval by Greenpeace Africa.
● Desk Review Summary; synthesis report of existing data and literature on HHPs, including environmental, socioeconomic, and policy trends.
● Stakeholder Engagement Report; summary of insights from key informant interviews and consultations.
● Research Report – A comprehensive report(20–25 pages) presenting analysis, findings, and preliminary recommendations. This will be reviewed by Greenpeace Africa and relevant partners for feedback and finalization.
● Initial Messaging Brief; A short document proposing key messages, narrative themes, and suggested content for public-facing campaign and media materials.
6. Supervision and Reporting arrangements
Greenpeace Africa Food Campaigner and Research Lead will oversee the overall assignment.
7. Schedule:
● Duration: May to August 2025
● To be discussed with successful candidates and based on seniority , experience and industry credibility.
8. Requirements:
● Proven experience in environmental and agricultural research, especially on pesticide use ● Proven experience in producing research products to inform policy advocacy. ● Familiarity with African agricultural policy contexts
● Demonstrated ability to conduct interviews and synthesize qualitative data ● Strong writing and analytical skills
● Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
Interested consultants should submit:
● A Cover Letter expressing interest and suitability for the assignment
● A CV detailing relevant experience
● A short technical and financial proposal (max 5 pages), including methodology, work plan, and budget
Submission Please send applications to: [email protected] and [email protected] . Deadline for applications: 28th April 2025
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
