Support the establishment of the Postharvest Incubation Program and Agribusiness Accelerator in Mali aimed at promoting technologies and innovations in postharvest management of indigenous fruits and vegetables under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture project
Name of Project:
Enhancing the production and consumption of African Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables to improve diets in Ghana and Mali (Eco-Inveg)
Lead Institution:
Partner Institutions:
University of Ghana
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa; University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTT-B); Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Food Research Institute (FRI)
The overall goal of the project is to increase the production and access to nutrient-dense indigenous fruits and vegetables in Ghana and Mali through diet diversification; by valorizing indigenous fruits and vegetables and promoting their consumption. In order to ensure effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation the project has been organized into five (5) work packages which include:
Work Package 1 – Profiling of four indigenous fruits and vegetables
Work package 2 – Value chain analysis
Work package 3: Improving postharvest handling and preservation of indigenous fruits and vegetables.
Work Package 4 – Creation of an Innovation Centre or Incubator
Work Package 5 – Dissemination of technologies, methods, and processes
This assignment is with reference to sub-theme 4.
The incubation program targets businesses led by young people and women in the 20 regions of Mali, during their first three (3) years of creation.
To achieve the above, FARA and the Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTT-B) and the University of Ghana propose engaging a suitable firm to support the process in Mali.
2. This request for proposals aims at engaging a consulting firm (hereafter referred to as Consultant) to carry out the following functions:
The Consultant will coordinate activities and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to conduct interviews and plan training using appropriate training materials.
The Consultant will liaise with the Eco-InVeg team in Mali and Ghana to obtain the assistance and clarifications necessary to carry out this mission.
The Consultant will present the initial strategy and also advise the team on the incubation program strategy before the call for applications is launched.
The Consultant will be responsible for selecting applications (establishing selection criteria).
The Consultant will be responsible for coordinating the development of training manuals for participants (competency-based).
The Consultant will need to conduct pre- and post-training evaluations to assess the impact of the training.
The Consultant will provide monthly reports and timely feedback on the progress of the incubation program and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.
The Consultant will recruit trainers and facilitators for the training.
The Consultant will be responsible for planning all training sessions, seminars, workshops and mentoring sessions for the pre-selected participants.
The Consultant will be responsible for supervising the finalists in the management of their businesses after the grants are awarded.
The Consultant will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Incubation Program.
3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested firms to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
4. Your proposal including a technical and financial proposal based on the Terms of Reference outlined above must be submitted. The proposal must outline your firm’s proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. The proposals must also include the CVs of the proposed team.
5. The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 13 months.
6. The firm shall be selected based on the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
8. Proposals should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Tuesday, December 03, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
9. FARA-UG Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
This Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared on the African Development Bank Group’s Internet Website (www.afdb.org) 12th August 2022.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this grant to payments under the contract for the Recruitment of Junior Consultant for Technology Transfer & Data Entry to Strengthen TAAT Innovation Platforms. IITA signed a sub-agreement with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) as implementing partner for the CDTO Compact.
The assignment is to engage a Junior Consultant who will be responsible for: (i) Supporting the establishment and strengthening of existing IPs (ii) Supporting training activities in TAATII and TSF countries (iii) Collation of data and information to support TAAT MPRO and FARA MEL (iv) Compile contents for regular updates on TAAT-relevant materials (v) Support training organized for local and international staff, partners, and users on using the web application led by CDTO (vi) Support the upgrade of the user interface and experience of the web application (vii) Support the development and finalization of modules initiated for the MEL & link the same to MPRO and (viii) Participate in exhibitions, dissemination of extension materials and engagement with partners.
The duration of the assignment will be 12 months; the selected consultant will report to the CDTO Compact Coordinator/Leader. The assignment is expected to commence in January 2025.
The selected consultant should possess: a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in fields such as Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Engineering, Rural Development, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science or a related field, with experience in report writing, data collection, and M&E web applications, with extensive practical experience of not less than 2 years of professional experience in database compilation, development and management in similar institutions; Ability to provide accurate, high-quality analysis and documents under pressure; Prior experience working on projects related to agriculture, agribusiness, or rural development; Familiar with FARA’s role in African agricultural research and development and should portray virtues of integrity and confidentiality. Knowledge of TAAT and existing M&E web application is an added advantage.
FARA, now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (including their detailed CV and letter of motivation detailing past related experience similar to this assignment).
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (0800-1630hrs).
Consultants interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar assignments, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted shall not be accounted for as part of the 10-page limit.
Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim
TAAT-CDTO Compact Leader,
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana
Telephone: +233596912196; +2347034589199
Email: [email protected];Copy:[email protected]
Consultancy to Test and Validate the Agribusiness Learning Alliances (ABLA) Proof of Concept Based on Innovation Platforms of Six Third-Party Projects (TPPs)
Name of Project:
AIRTEA
Activity No:
Project duration:
AIRTEA Activity 3.1.2:
60 Man days spread over 5 months
Procurement Ref:
FARA/AIRTEA/CS/IC/2024/01
Issue Date:
Monday, September 30, 2024
Submission Deadline:
Monday, October 14, 2024
Drawing from past lessons with the Integrated Agriculture Research for Development (IAR4D) approach, Innovation Platforms (IPs) have proven essential in putting the approach into practice. IPs, established as forums for stakeholders in a commodity value chain, support knowledge exchange, technology development, collaboration, capacity building, agribusiness growth, and policy influence. By adopting IPs, engagement is enhanced, strengthening the entire agricultural innovation system (Schut et al., 2017), including researchers, producers, the private sector, extension services, and policymakers etc.
Despite their potential value, many Innovation Platforms (IPs) have struggled to achieve sustainability and economic efficiency, particularly in increasing farm profitability. This is often due to their project-based nature, leading to a decline and disintegration after project completion, coordination challenges, limited government support, and a failure to leverage innovations like digital technologies. One key limitation of many IPs towards their sustainability has been identified as general lack of their linkages with businesses and the private sector which provide business services such as marketing and financial support to the IPs. To address these issues, one strategy that is being developed and tested by FARA is the concept of the Agribusiness Learning Alliance (ABLA). ABLA strengthens linkages and entrepreneurship within IPs, incubators, and similar facilities by integrating business development learning. This approach helps generate solutions, build capacities to overcome business challenges, and scale business ideas, providing socio-economic benefits for stakeholders and beneficiaries.
With financial support from the European Union Commission (EUC) under the CAADP-XP4 consortium, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in collaboration with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the Eastern African Farmers Federation (EAFF), has been piloting the Agribusiness Learning Alliances (ABLA) model in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda under the “Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa” (AIRTEA) project. The ABLA concept is aimed at enhancing an alliance between the IPs and the private sector to provide business approach and services needed to sustain the IPs.
The main goal of the AIRTEA project is to support sustainable agrarian livelihoods and rural transformation by fostering an inclusive innovation environment. Implemented through the Innovation to Impact Framework, the programme focuses on institutionalizing Innovation Platforms (IPs) to guide national prioritization, IP management, and multistakeholder collaboration. By facilitating partnerships and connecting stakeholders, the ABLA approach helps generate business development insights, create solutions, and build capacity to overcome business challenges and scale up ideas.
A recent assessment was conducted to review and articulate the ABLA concept, develop a methodology for establishing proof of concept to guide its implementation. This was needed to establish a baseline for the AIRTEA third-party projects to better understand the status, challenges, and areas for improvement for the various IPs operating under the third-party projects to bring them to a level where they would be viable for private sector engagement.
The baseline highlighted key areas for improvement, such as weak IPs-private sector engagement, improving market access, financial sustainability, and business models. Clearer governance roles and responsibilities within IPs are necessary, and limited access to capital remains a barrier for stakeholders in implementing and scaling innovations. Leveraging ICT and digital platforms is crucial for modernizing operations and improving engagement. Additionally, engaging women and youth is essential for fostering diverse and innovative ideas. The process also highlighted the need to empower stakeholders in third-party projects by enhancing their understanding and practical application of the Agribusiness Learning Alliance (ABLA) concept. This would include building capacity for business development and market access strategies, providing critical insights, and developing valuable skills along priority value chains.
This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a consultant to carry out the following functions:
Prepare and present a brief inception report detailing the process and methodology for the assignment including identifying an assistant scientist to work with to carry out this assignment.
Validate the selected TPPs based on their representativeness within the AIRTEA project and opportunities within the respective value chains.
Develop a template for assessing the status and situational position of IPs in selected TPPs across Kenya (TPP1, TPP8, TPP9), Uganda (TPP5, TPP6), and Rwanda (TPP2).
Facilitate the development of detailed action plans for IPs, including timelines, to address gaps and enhance the capacity (skills, knowledge, and resources) of IP members.
Define the criteria and identify a facilitator for capacity building in business planning, financing, youth and gender inclusion, policy advocacy and partnership building, as part of the ABLA concept validation.
Create user-friendly and simplified training materials for IPs as a guide to improve their viability for private sector engagement.
Develop an ABLA publication (a manual / handbook) that can be adopted across the ARD network as a support mechanism for IPs and MSPs.
Develop a final consultancy report summarizing the activities, findings, and recommendations.
The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
Consultants interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar assignments, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted shall not be accounted for as part of the 10-page limit.
The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 60 man-days spread over five months (November 2024 to March 2025).
The individual consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
Interested consultants may obtain further information from the AIRTEA Coordinator,Kwaku Antwi [[email protected]], and copy [[email protected]] during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.
Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Monday, October 14, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
Initial 12 months, renewable for another 24 months
Issue Date:
Monday, September 16, 2024
Submission Deadline:
Tuesday, October 01, 2024
1. The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization coordinating agricultural research for development (AR4D) in Africa. It serves as the technical arm of the African Union and leads initiatives that support agricultural transformation at continental and sub-continental levels. FARA’s mandate is to enhance food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture across Africa. Food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA) are policy priorities for many African countries and are integral to the AU/EU international development agenda. Under the AU-EU High-Level Policy-Dialogue in 2016, a Research and Innovation (R&I) Partnership was established to promote sustainable food systems. Through EU Horizon Europe funding, FARA is implementing two key projects:
StEPPFoS: Strengthening Policy Analysis and Partnerships for Food Systems.
CEA-FIRST: Consortium Europe Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation.
Both projects aim to support FNSSA’s roadmap and create enabling environments that integrate R&I with food systems transformation efforts.
FARA is seeking a Programme Officer for Results Measurement and Learning to design and implement a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework for the StePPFoS and CEA-FIRST projects. This role will ensure that project activities align with key performance indicators (KPIs) and track progress to enhance project impact.
2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a candidate to carry out the following functions:
Developing Results Measurement & Learning frameworks for the StePPFoS and CEA-FIRST projects
Designing and implementing data collection systems and supporting baseline development
Conducting regular monitoring and data analysis to assess project progress.
Preparing and submitting periodic reports, including quarterly, mid-term, and final reports
Providing recommendations to improve project execution.
Supporting FARA-wide M&E initiatives and contributing to future project proposals
3. If you are passionate about Africa’s agri-food systems transformation, have a good grasp of emerging trends and approaches to results measurement/monitoring and evaluation, a persuasive communicator (both oral and written), a good presenter and a learning mindset, we would like to interact further with you.
4. The ideal candidate should have:
An advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., M&E, statistics, economics, social sciences); Proven experience in designing and managing M&E systems, preferably in agriculture and research & development settings; Strong analytical and report-writing skills; Familiarity with data analysis tools (SPSS, Excel, STATA, SAS); and Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
5. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their Expression of Interest, including a detailed CV and a cover letter explaining how they meet the requirements.
Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.
6. Applications should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Tuesday, October 01, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
7. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
Support the establishment of the Postharvest Incubation Program and Agribusiness Accelerator aimed at promoting technologies and innovations in postharvest management of indigenous fruits and vegetables under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture project.
Name of Project: Lead Institution: Partner Institutions
Enhancing the production and consumption of African Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables to improve diets in Ghana and Mali (Eco-Inveg) the University of Ghana Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa; the University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTT-B); Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Food Research Institute (FRI)
Procurement Ref:
FARA/UG/FeedTheFutureInnovLABS/CS/QCBS/2024/01
Issue Date:
Tuesday, July 03, 2024
Submission Deadline:
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture is funding a collaborative project in Ghana and Mali involving academia, research institutions and the private sector from the two countries. The collaboration involves the University of Ghana, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTT-B), Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD).
The overall goal of the project is to increase the production and access to nutrient-dense indigenous fruits and vegetables in Ghana and Mali through diet diversification by valorizing indigenous fruits and vegetables and promoting their consumption. To ensure effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation, the project has been organized into five (5) work packages, which include:
Work Package 1 – Profiling of four Indigenous fruits and vegetables
Work package 2 – Value chain analysis
Work package 3: Improving postharvest handling and preservation of indigenous fruits and vegetables.
Work Package 4 – Creation of an Innovation Centre or Incubator
Work Package 5 – Dissemination of technologies, methods, and processes
This assignment is with reference to sub-theme 4.
The objective of the incubation program is to establish an incubator/innovation hub for women and youth entrepreneurs and key stakeholders in all 16 regions of Ghana to connect, increase knowledge sharing, and co-create solutions to spur innovations and business opportunities for selected indigenous fruits and vegetables.
To achieve the above, FARA and the University of Ghana propose engaging a suitable firm to support the process.
3. This request for proposals aims at engaging a consulting firm (hereafter referred to as Consultant) to carry out the following functions:
The Consultant shall liaise with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Horticulture team for the necessary assistance and clarifications to undertake this assignment.
The consultant shall coordinate activities and engage with all relevant stakeholders to conduct interviews and schedule training using appropriate training materials.
The Consultant shall present the initial strategy and advise the team on the strategy for the incubation program before the launch of the call for applications.
The Consultant shall be responsible for the Screening of applications (establishing selection criteria)
The Consultant shall be responsible for coordinating the development of training manuals for participants (competency-based)
The Consultant shall recruit trainers and facilitators for the training
The Consultant shall be responsible for scheduling all training sessions, seminars, workshops and mentorship sessions of pre-selected participants
The Consultant shall conduct pre and post-training evaluations to assess the impact of the training.
The Consultant shall provide quarterly monthly reports and timely feedback on the progress of the incubation program and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.
The Consultant shall be responsible for coaching finalists in managing their enterprises after the award of grants.
The Consultant shall be responsible for monitoring and Evaluation of the Incubation Program.
The Executive Director of FARA invites interested firms to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
Your proposal, including a technical and financial proposal based on the Terms of Reference outlined above, must be submitted. The proposal must outline your firm’s proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas, evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. The proposals must also include the CVs of the proposed team.
The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 18 months.
The firm shall be selected based on the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) procedures defined in the FARA procurement Guidelines.
Interested firms may obtain further information from the Project Lead,[[email protected]]; [[email protected]] and copy the Procurement Expert, FARA, [[email protected]] during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.
Please download the Terms of Reference below for further information on this opportunity.
Proposals should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
FARA-UG Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
Conducting Baseline Studies including a Situation Analysis and Scenario Mapping /
Foresight Analysis towards to the development of the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan
Name of Project:
CEA-FIRST
Grant Agreement n°:
Project duration:
101136771
48 months
Procurement Ref:
FARA/CEA-FIRST/CS/IC/2024/01
Issue Date:
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Extended submission Deadline:
Monday, June 24, 2024
1. After half a century of relations between Africa and Europe, the Lisbon 2007 AU-EU Summit consolidated this relationship in a Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) to represent the overarching long-term framework of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), associated with an institutional architecture and specific funding for the implementation of its key actions. Since then, cooperation has become increasingly important, ranging from governance to regional integration, from energy to climate change and from migration to science and technology in a rapidly changing political and global contexts. A number of strategic directions have been adopted on both the African and European levels including; adoption of the Agenda 2063, Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Malabo Agenda, the Africa continental Free trade Area (AfCTA) the EU Global Strategy, EU’s foreign and security policy, the European Green Deal, the Farm-to- Fork strategy etc.
The High-Level Political Dialogue (HLPD) that was put in place to operate between Summits has strengthened the implementation of the JAES and provided the basis for three priority areas in the implementation of the STI component of the JAES, namely, the FNSSA, CCSE, and the Innovation Agenda. The associated Roadmaps of these priority areas have been developed with the changing global contexts.
Under the FNSSA priority area over 500 AU-EU projects have been implemented and define the aspirations of the partnership towards the establishment of a sustainable platform for research and innovation. In September 2022, the International Research Consortium was launched (IRC) in the context of transitions in the agri-food systems, climate change, population trends and related drivers of economic development. The IRC is therefore expected to contribute to an equitable and sustainable research and innovation partnership between Africa and Europe.
The Consortium Europe Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation (CEA-FIRST) consists of 21 partners from Africa and Europe. The CEA-FIRST project will operationalise the AU-EU IRC in line with the FNSSA Roadmap and under the aegis of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) as the long-term platform on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA). The final output of the CEA-FIRST project will be a fully functional IRC, including governance bodies. CEA-FIRST will also support its liaison with the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD).
The development of the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan will be led by FARA and WUR with support from CIRAD, Agrinatura, ARC, ACU and ASARECA. The Foresight for Food (F4F) network was foreseen under the Grant Agreement to undertake Activity 1.2.2 to support the final crafting of the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan.
2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a consultant tocarry out the following functions:
a. Preparatory Phase:
The preparatory phase involves understanding IRC goals through desk research, horizon reviews, trend analysis, and interviews, culminating in a Slide Deck summarizing major trends.
b. Stakeholder Consultation:
Live/online interviews will gauge stakeholder agreement with the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan, resulting in an inception report.
c. Identification of Focus Issues:
Workshops and scenario analysis will explore IRC goals, producing a report and Slide Deck on key issues.
d. Scenario Storylines:
Workshops will refine scenario storylines, resulting in a Slide Deck with key scenario logics.
e. Analysis of Implications:
Scenario analysis will strengthen the IRC strategy, producing a report with strategic recommendations.
f. Crafting the Strategy and Operational Plan:
A detailed document and summary report will be developed.
g. Review and Validation:
The plan will be reviewed and validated, with final approval by the IRC Council and GA.
3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
4. Consultants interested in this call must provide a description of the approach and tools that will be used to do the assignment, the budget (in person-month) for the expert team, the contact details of the consultant (name, email, phone number), a description of the team of experts that will conduct the study including clear roles, experience, and competency, and ensure the bid proposal does not exceed 4,000 words.
5. The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 80 man-days spread over three months (July 2024 to September 2024).
6. The individual consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
7. Interested consultants may obtain further information from the CEA-FIRST Coordinator, Dr.Irene Annor-Frempong [[email protected]],and copy [[email protected]] and [[email protected]],during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.
Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.
8. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Monday, June 24, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
9. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
