Agroecology Fund (AEF) is Seeking a Consultant: Agroecology Investment Fund Feasibility Study – Apply Before 23 February 2026
The Agroecology Fund (AEF) is seeking a qualified consultant or consultancy team to conduct a feasibility study for its proposed Agroecology Investment Fund (AIF). This consultancy will advance the AIF from concept to an actionable, evidence-based plan, enabling AEF and its partners to make an informed decision on whether and how to launch a Fund of Funds (FoF).
The consultancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impact investing in agroecology, supporting Indigenous land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, agrobiodiversity, and sustainable food systems worldwide.
Overview
- Location: Remote (virtual meetings; limited travel may be required)
- Duration: 6–8 months, with possible extension
- Consulting Workload: ~100 consultant days (Phases A–D), with an optional additional 40 days (Phase E)
- Anticipated Start: April 2026
- Application Deadline: Rolling applications until Monday, February 23, 2026
The AIF aims to invest in existing territorial, sectoral, and Indigenous-led funds aligned with the 13 principles of agroecology, rather than directly in enterprises. The goal is to enable these underlying funds to scale agroecological enterprises and value chains.
Background
For over a decade, AEF has functioned as a pooled philanthropic fund, supporting farmer organizations, Indigenous movements, and allied actors advancing agroecology globally. As impact investing gains interest among foundations and asset owners, AEF is exploring a Fund of Funds structure that allows endowments to align with mission-driven investment objectives.
Initial exploratory work, including workshops with donors and allies, suggests potential investor interest and outlines a preliminary operational concept. The feasibility study will confirm demand, assess pipeline strength, and provide a roadmap for potential launch.
Objectives of the Feasibility Study
The consultancy will focus on:
- Developing a credible business model and operational roadmap ensuring fiduciary integrity and sustainability
- Assessing the readiness of existing funds to manage agroecology investments
- Evaluating the availability and strength of an investable pipeline of agroecological enterprises
- Identifying viable administrative, legal, and governance structures for a Fund of Funds
- Assessing investor interest, particularly among foundations, bilateral/multilateral donors, and institutional investors
- Enabling AEF to make a go/no-go decision regarding AIF launch
Scope of Work
The consultancy will be conducted in five interrelated phases:
Phase A: Draft Fund of Funds Business Plan
- Develop a draft FoF business plan in collaboration with AEF staff, donors, and advisors
- Cover fund rationale, strategy, investment approach, pipeline analysis, governance, fund terms, legal structure, and financial modeling
- Deliverable: Draft FoF Business Plan / Investment Memorandum
Phase B: Donor & Investor Testing
- Identify prospective investors and conduct interviews to test interest, risk tolerance, and design preferences
- Revise business plan based on feedback
- Deliverables: Investor feedback summary; Revised FoF business plan
Phase C: Decision Support
- Support AEF in synthesizing findings for strategic decisions
- Evaluate feasibility, fundraising requirements, timeline, and partnership adequacy
- Deliverable: Internal decision memo and facilitated discussion with AEF leadership and Board
Phase D: External Communication
- Prepare a synthesis of findings for donors, allies, and partners
- Support presentations and briefings to secure alignment and preliminary commitments
- Deliverable: Feasibility Study Summary Report and presentation materials
Phase E (Optional): Fund Administrator Selection
- Support selection of a fund administrator if AEF decides to proceed
- Draft Terms of Reference, manage proposal review, facilitate participatory selection, and support contract negotiation
- Deliverables: TOR, outreach strategy, proposal evaluation summary, recommendation memo
Timeline and Level of Effort
- Phases A–D: ~40 weeks, ~100 consultant days
- Phase E (TBD): ~16 weeks, ~40 consultant days
A detailed work plan will be finalized with the selected consultant.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Consultant: Research, analysis, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, drafting deliverables, and synthesis
- AEF: Strategic guidance, access to donors/allies, feedback, and decision-making authority
Required Qualifications
The ideal consultant or team will demonstrate:
- Experience with impact investment funds or Funds of Funds, preferably in agriculture, climate, or food systems
- Familiarity with agroecology, Indigenous food systems, or regenerative agriculture (strongly preferred)
- Expertise in fund structuring, governance, and financial modeling
- Experience engaging foundations and institutional investors
- Strong facilitation, synthesis, and writing skills
Application Process
Submit proposals through the Agroecology Fund AIF TOR Proposal Google Form by February 23, 2026.
Required submission materials:
- Statement of qualifications and approach (≤5 pages)
- Team member bios
- Budget (1 page)
- Timeline (1 page)
- Three professional references
- Cover letter (1 page)
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
Join Our WhatsApp Community
Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
