Consultancy for National Donkey (Donkey and Mule) Nutrition Evidence Generation in Ethiopia -at The Donkey Sanctuary

INTRODUCTION TO THE DONKEY SANCTUARY  

 Founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE, The Donkey Sanctuary became a registered charity in 1973.  The Donkey Sanctuary is the leading global expert and charity supporting donkeys and mules worldwide, operating as an international non-governmental organisation.

Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life. We have pledged to ensure all of them lead the happy, healthy lives they deserve and are at the forefront of pioneering advances in the scientific knowledge of donkey welfare, influencing the way they are cared for and treated worldwide.  The Donkey Sanctuary relies entirely on donations to carry out its objectives. We are indebted to our supporters, donors, staff and volunteers. Without their support and encouragement, we would not be able to work towards our goal of a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.  The Donkey Sanctuary’s programme of work in Ethiopia is managed by staff based in country and we have had a presence here since 1994. We are currently developing our work across Ethiopia, in both scope and scale, alongside deepening our contextual understanding of factors influencing donkey welfare, to support the growth of our work in Ethiopia

As part of its ongoing commitment to evidence-based programming, The Donkey Sanctuary is seeking a qualified consulting firm to undertake an evidence-generation study on donkey nutrition in Ethiopia. The study is planned in three phases:

• Phase I (Current Assignment): National identification, characterization, and nutritional profiling of available donkey feed resources, including their distribution, seasonal availability, feeding practices, and existing knowledge gaps.
• Phase II: Evaluation and documentation of locally available feed resources and ingredients to determine their suitability, nutritional value, and practical application in donkey feeding systems.
• Phase III: Development, validation, and dissemination of evidence-based ration formulations and feeding guidelines tailored to different donkey work types, physiological statuses, and production systems.

This Terms of Reference (TOR) relates specifically to Phase I of the evidence-generation process.

Background and Context on Donkey Nutrition Evidence Generation

According to FAO 2022 report, Ethiopia is home to 11,264,749 donkeys (the largest in the world), and while the mule population is 382,784, which plays a critical role in agriculture, transport, urban livelihoods, and poverty reduction. Over the years, although donkeys faithfully serve communities in Ethiopia, they have been subject to stigma and neglect due to deep-rooted negative attitudes resulting from a lack of understanding of donkeys’ nature and prevailing myths passed down from generation to generation. They are taken for granted and subjected to mistreatment. Despite their importance, donkeys remain under-prioritized in livestock policies, research, and extension systems. However, Ethiopia is entering a significant period of policy reform for animal welfare. The recent adoption of the Animal Health and Welfare Proclamation, which formally recognizes animals as sentient beings, represents a major milestone in strengthening animal welfare governance in the country. This creates a timely opportunity to generate robust evidence that can inform national animal welfare strategies, livestock policies, and extension services, while improving the recognition, protection, and welfare of working Equids, including donkeys and mules.

To fill these gaps, a national consultative workshop with key stakeholders was held on December 23, 2025, in Bishoftu, which identified major gaps in Donkey nutrition, including:

• Heavy reliance on low-quality feed resources (crop residues, natural pasture)
• Seasonal feed shortages and poor feed quality
• Widespread energy, protein, and mineral deficiencies
• Lack of Ethiopia-specific nutrient requirements and feed tables
• Limited evidence linking nutrition to productivity and livelihoods
• Weak policy integration and extension support
• Poor owner awareness and feeding practices

The workshop recommended coordinated, multidisciplinary research to generate evidence that informs policy, programming, and practical interventions as nation. The current study will be funded by TDS and coordinated phase-based research to be conducted in the future.

Purpose of the Evidence Generation

Donkeys are integral to rural livelihoods in Ethiopia. They support agriculture, provide access to water, support women in household chores, provide access to the market and networking, income generation, and relief and emergency situations. ‘A farmer without a donkey is a donkey himself’ is the farmer’s common saying in the highland mixed subsistence agriculture of Ethiopia. Although the dynamics are changing with urbanization, donkeys in Ethiopia are mainly used as pack animals.  Ethiopia, East Africa in general, is a region prone to conflict and recurrent droughts. It is common to see footage of displaced people with donkeys engaged in providing immediate support during the emergency and the aftermath.

The purpose is to conduct a comprehensive, national-level Donkey (Donkey and Mule) Nutrition in Ethiopia that generates evidence to:

• Improve Donkey health, welfare, and productivity
• Inform national and regional livestock and animal welfare policies, strategies, and implementation plans by generating evidence that supports Ethiopia’s Animal Health and Welfare Proclamation and strengthens collaboration among the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture, FAO, academic institutions, and other relevant stakeholders
• Support extension services and behavior change interventions
• Strengthen feed systems and market-based solutions

Objectives

General Objective

• To generate robust, context-specific evidence on Donkey nutrition in Ethiopia to guide policy, research, and practical interventions.

Specific Objectives

The firm will:

1. Assess feed resources and representative regions selected in consultation with The Donkey Sanctuary to capture major agro-ecological zones, donkey production systems, and areas with high working-donkey populations.
2. • Map feed types, sources, and seasonal variations
3. Establish nutrient requirements
4. • Develop context-specific nutrient requirements based on:
   • • Species (donkeys and mules)
     • Work type (urban cart, rural agriculture, transport)
     • Different Agro-ecology (e.g. highland, lowland and midland)
5. Assess the nutritional status and welfare condition of working donkeys and mules using standardized indicators, including Body Condition Scoring (BCS), health assessments, and workload characteristics.
6. Conduct socio-economic and behavioral analysis
7. • Understand drivers of feeding decisions
   • Identify barriers to investment in nutrition
8. Assess the impact of nutrition on productivity and livelihoods
9. • Link feeding practices to income, workload, and welfare outcomes
10. Generate policy-relevant evidence
11. • Assess the direct and indirect economic contributions of working donkeys and mules, analyse the relationship between existing nutrition practices and productivity indicators, and generate evidence on the potential economic benefits of improved nutrition to inform future interventions
    • Cost-benefit of improved nutrition interventions

Scope of Work

The study will be national in scope, covering:

• Urban, peri-urban, and rural systems
• Different agro-ecological zones (highland, lowland and mid-altitude)
• High Donkey density regions
• Diversified use (cart, pack and tourism)

Key thematic areas:

1. Feed Resource Assessment

• Inventory of available feed resources
• Seasonal calendars
• Market analysis (availability, pricing, quality issues)
• 1. Donkey Nutrition and Welfare Assessment
• Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
• Health indicators
• Workload assessment
• 1. Socio-economic and Behavioral Study
• Owner knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP)
• Gender dimensions (role of women and children)
• Economic constraints and decision-making
• 1. Policy and Institutional Analysis
• Review of existing policies and strategies
• Gaps in the inclusion of working equids (particularly donkeys and mules) within livestock, animal welfare, and related sector policies, strategies, and extension systems

Methodology

The firm is expected to propose a mixed-methods approach, including:

• Literature review (existing Ethiopian and global studies)
• Quantitative surveys (households, Donkey owners)
• Field measurements (BCS, workload indicators)
• Key informant interviews (MoA, universities, NGOs and model donkey owners)
• Focus group discussions with different community members
• GIS mapping of feed resource availability and working equid distribution, complemented by field-based nutritional and welfare assessments using Body Condition Scoring (BCS) and selected observable welfare indicators (e.g., presence of wounds associated with poor body condition), where appropriate.

Expected Deliverables

The consulting firm will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

Deliverable 1: Inception Report

The consulting firm shall submit an Inception Report detailing the proposed methodology and implementation plan for approval by The Donkey Sanctuary prior to commencement of field activities.

The report should include, at a minimum:

• Understanding of the assignment.
• Proposed methodology and assessment framework.
• Sampling strategy and sample size justification.
• Data collection methods and tools.
• Quality assurance and data management plan.
• Ethical considerations and risk mitigation measures.
•  Detailed work plan and implementation timeline.

Deliverable 2: Field Data Collection Outputs

Upon completion of fieldwork, the consulting firm shall submit:

• Finalized data collection tools.
• Clean, anonymized quantitative and qualitative datasets, accompanied by appropriate metadata and documentation.
• Data quality assurance documentation.
• Progress summary of field implementation and data collection activities.

Deliverable 3: Draft Technical Reports

The consulting firm shall submit draft technical outputs presenting preliminary findings, analyses, and recommendations. These shall include:

• Draft National Donkey Nutrition Assessment Report.
• Draft Feed Resource and Seasonal Availability Atlas (GIS-based).
• Draft Ethiopia-Specific Donkey Nutrient Requirement Guidelines.
• Draft Socio-economic and Behavioral Analysis Report.
• Draft Policy Briefs (2–3 concise documents) highlighting key findings and policy implications.

Deliverable 4: Final Reports and Dissemination

Following review and incorporation of comments from The Donkey Sanctuary and key stakeholders, the consulting firm shall submit:

• Final integrated National Donkey Nutrition Assessment Report.
• Final Feed Resource and Seasonal Availability Atlas (GIS-based).
• Final Ethiopia-Specific Donkey Nutrient Requirement Guidelines.
• Final Socio-economic and Behavioral Analysis Report.
• Final Policy Briefs.
• Clean datasets and supporting documentation.
• Presentation of key findings and recommendations.
• Facilitation of a stakeholder validation workshop involving government institutions, academic partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

The final outputs should provide practical, evidence-based, and actionable recommendations to guide future programming, research, policy development, advocacy, and interventions aimed at improving donkey nutrition and welfare in Ethiopia.

8. Assignment Schedule and Timeline

Applicants shall propose a detailed implementation schedule as part of their technical proposal, outlining key activities, milestones, quality assurance measures, and timelines for delivery of the outputs specified under Section 7 (Expected Deliverables).

The proposed implementation plan should demonstrate a realistic and efficient approach to completing the assignment while allowing adequate time for inception, field data collection, data quality assurance, analysis, stakeholder validation, and reporting.

The assignment is expected to be completed within four (4) to six (6) months from the date of contract signing. The final work plan and implementation schedule will be agreed upon during the inception phase and may be adjusted in consultation with The Donkey Sanctuary where necessary.

 9. Institutional Arrangements

The firm will work closely with:

• The Donkey Sanctuary and Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)

10. Required Qualifications of the Firm

The consulting firm should demonstrate:

Core Competencies: Proven experience in:

• Animal nutrition (preferably Donkey)
• Livestock research in developing countries
• Socio-economic and behavioral studies
• Policy-oriented research

Team Composition

• Team Leader (PhD in Animal Nutrition or related field)
• Working Equid Specialist (Veterinarian, Animal Nutritionist, or other qualified professional with demonstrated expertise in donkey and mule health, nutrition, and welfare).
• Livestock Economist
• Social Scientist
• GIS Specialist

Reporting Requirements

The firm will report to:

• Lead contracting organization, The Donkey Sanctuary

Regular updates:

• Monthly progress reports
• Quarterly review meetings

Ethical Considerations

• Ensure animal welfare standards
• Obtain informed consent from participants
• Ensure gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

14. Budget Breakdown and Payment Schedule

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal should provide a detailed budget by the firm covering: 

• Personnel and professional fees.
• Travel and accommodation costs.
• Data collection and fieldwork expenses.
• Workshops and consultation meetings.
• Administrative and operational costs.
• Applicable taxes.

Payments will be linked to deliverables:

Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested firms should submit:

• Technical proposal (methodology, approach)
• Workplan and timeline
• Team composition and CVs
• Financial proposal
• Relevant experience and references

Proposal Length Guidance

• Technical Proposal: Maximum 15–20 pages (excluding annexes, CVs, and organizational profiles).
• CVs and supporting documents will not be counted toward the page limit.

Key Success Factors  

• Strong collaboration with national stakeholders
• Context-specific (Ethiopia-focused) solutions
• Integration of nutrition, welfare, and livelihoods
• Practical outputs usable by extension systems and policymakers

PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE AND TIMESCALES 

The Donkey Sanctuary is inviting Tenders from selected Applicants, which means that all Applicants submitting a Tender will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria and process outlined in this document. The Applicants’ response will be used as the means by which to make a decision as to the ‘preferred supplier’. The preferred supplier shall be that with which The Donkey Sanctuary will place the purchase order, subject to the requisite internal approvals to proceed and acceptance of the preferred supplier’s Tender will only be made by written instruction.

The key dates for this procurement process are currently anticipated to be as follows: 

Please note that the above timescales are indicative; The Donkey Sanctuary reserves the right to change the above timetable to meet its needs.