TOR to conduct Donkey Trade Routes and Welfare Challenges -at The Donkey Sanctuary, Ethiopia

Background

The Donkey Sanctuary is a leading international animal welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of donkeys and mules globally. Through its integrated welfare approach, TDS recognizes the strong interdependence between animal welfare, human livelihood, and environmental sustainability.

Ethiopia is home to the largest donkey populations in the world, estimated at over 10.7 million donkeys, representing a significant proportion of Africa’s equine population. Donkeys play an essential role in the lives of millions of Ethiopians, particularly among rural, peri-urban and low-income urban communities. They are widely used for transport of water, agricultural produce, construction materials, fuel woods, goods to market and waste, making them indispensable to household income generation, food security and access to essential services.

In recent years, concerns have been growing regarding the emerging and expanding donkey trade system in Ethiopia. Donkeys are increasingly traded across regions through informal and formal market chains, often involving long-distance transportation to major markets and border areas. Evidence suggests that during this process, donkeys are exposed to significant welfare problems, including stress, long distance trekking, injury, exhaustion, overcrowding, poor transportation conditions, lack of rest, limited or no access to veterinary care, inadequate feeding, dehydration and poor handling practice.

Across Africa, growing demand for donkey skins for ejiao production has significantly reduced donkey populations and threatened the welfare of equids. In response, the African Union adopted a continent-wide moratorium on donkey slaughter for skin in February 2024, led by AU-IBAR to protect donkey populations, preserve rural livelihoods, strengthen food security and resilience and mitigate the harmful impacts of the donkey skin trade on vulnerable communities.

The expanding commercialization and cross-border movement of donkeys also raise concerns about informal, unregulated or illicit trade practices. Weak regulation, porous borders, informal markets and high skin demand in some African countries may contribute to unregulated donkey movements and increase risks to donkey welfare, disease control and effective trade governance . Although evidence of such linkages in Ethiopia is limited, examining this risk is important for improving donkey welfare, livestock governance and law enforcement while enhancing understanding of the drivers and risks shaping the donkey trade in Ethiopia and the wider region.

However, comprehensive evidence on donkey trade routes, market systems, the actors involved, the drivers of demand, and welfare conditions along the trade chain remain limited. There is currently an insufficient in the following areas:

• Major source transit and destination markets
• Trade volumes, donkey prices and movement patterns
• The drivers of demand for donkeys
• Key actors and their roles within the donkey trade system
• Welfare challenges faced by donkeys at different stages of the trade route

To address these knowledge gaps and inform evidence-based programming, The Donkey Sanctuary intends to commission a nationwide or multi-regional Donkey Trade Route Mapping and Welfare Assessment.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to generate robust and comprehensive evidence on donkey trade routes, market systems, health and welfare condition of donkeys in the market chain in Ethiopia. This study will examine the movement of donkeys from source markets through transit routes to destination markets, identify key actors and systems involved in the trade, analyze the drivers of demand and the cost of donkeys at source and destination markets, and assess the welfare challenges faced by donkeys throughout the trade chain. The study will also explore potential biosecurity and One Health considerations associated with donkey movement and trade

The findings will be used by The Donkey Sanctuary and its partners to inform evidence-based programme and partnership decisions related to donkey welfare along the trade route. Specifically, the research should generate actionable evidence on the key welfare risks, practices, actors, trade dynamics, and underlying drivers within the trade system, enabling stakeholders to identify where and with whom interventions should be prioritised, which welfare issues require targeted action, and what approaches are most feasible and appropriate in different parts of the route. The findings will also inform the development of targeted welfare interventions, partner engagement and capacity-building approaches, policy and advocacy priorities, and measures to identify and mitigate relevant biosecurity risks. The research should therefore provide sufficient context, segmentation, and analysis of the trade system and its actors to support practical decision-making and prioritisation, rather than producing a descriptive assessment alone.

Assignment Objectives

Overall Objective

• To conduct a comprehensive Donkey Trade Route Mapping, Market System Analysis and Welfare Assessment that provides evidence to inform strategic interventions to improve donkey welfare in Ethiopia

Specific Objectives

• Map the major donkey trade routes across selected regions of Ethiopia (Amhara, Somali, South, Oromia)
• Identify and document source markets, transit points and destination markets
• Trace donkey movement patterns including distances, durations, and transport modalities.
• Estimate or analyze trade volumes and seasonal dynamics where feasible.
• Identify and analyze key market actors including donkey owners and sellers, traders and brokers, transporters, export linked actors (where relevant), market authorities and regulators
• Examine roles, incentives and relationships among actors in the trade system
• Assess the welfare of donkeys at the source market, during transportation/transit and destination markets.
• Identify key welfare challenges along the trade chain including trekking and exhaustion, injuries and wounds, poor feeding and watering, inadequate rest, stress and handling practice, transport conditions.
• Assess infrastructure and services available along trade routes, including veterinary services, watering and feeding points, holding facilities and market infrastructure
• Explore the policy, regulatory, and institutional environment governing donkey trade
• Analyze socio-economic drivers of donkey trade, including livelihood needs and market demand
• Identify gaps risks and intervention opportunities to improve welfare outcomes
• Provide, practical evidence-based recommendations for program design, advocacy and partnership

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for designing and conducting a comprehensive Donkey Trade Route Mapping and Market System Assessment to generate evidence that will inform The Donkey Sanctuary’s future programming, advocacy, policy engagement, research, and strategic interventions aimed at improving donkey welfare within trade systems in Ethiopia.

The assignment is expected to provide a clear understanding of donkey trade dynamics, market systems, movement corridors, welfare conditions throughout the trade chain, key actors and their relationships, existing service delivery mechanisms, and opportunities for targeted interventions that strengthen donkey welfare and responsible trade practices.

The consultant shall propose the most appropriate methodology, implementation approach, sampling strategy, data collection methods, stakeholder engagement process, analytical framework, and quality assurance mechanisms necessary to achieve the objectives of this assignment.

The assessment should generate evidence and insights on, but not be limited to, the following areas:

• Geographic distribution of major donkey source, transit, and destination markets.
• Geographic distribution and trade flow analysis of major donkey source, transit, and destination markets in Ethiopia, including principal source markets in donkey-producing zones of Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Sidama, and Central Ethiopia regions; transit markets along major livestock movement corridors; and destination markets in Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Shashemane, Moyale and other urban and peri-urban centers with high demand for working donkeys.
• Donkey trade routes, movement corridors, and transportation pathways.
• Market structures, trading systems, and operational practices.
• Donkey sourcing patterns, movement trends, and destination flows.
• Key actors involved in the donkey trade chain, including their roles, relationships, and influence.
• Welfare conditions of donkeys at source areas, markets, during transportation, and at destination points.
• Transportation methods, handling practices, loading conditions, journey duration, and associated welfare risks.
• Availability and accessibility of veterinary, animal welfare, regulatory, and market support services.
• Policy, institutional, socioeconomic, and environmental factors influencing donkey trade and welfare.
• Risks, gaps, opportunities, and strategic recommendations for strengthening donkey welfare throughout the trade system.

The consultant shall ensure that the assessment is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical research standards, safeguarding principles, animal welfare considerations, and data protection requirements.

Methodology

The firm is expected to adopt a mixed method approach including

• Desk review and stakeholder consultation to understand existing knowledge, policies, regulations and donkey trade dynamics
• Trade route mapping and GIS analysis to identify major source markets, transition points, destination markets, movement corridors and cross-border routes where relevant
• Market system and value chain assessment to examine trade structure, market actors, pricing dynamics, demand drivers and governance mechanisms
• Quantitative survey with donkey owners, traders, brokers and transporters to collect data on trade volumes, prices, movement patterns and transport practices
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with government officials, veterinary service providers, market authorities, traders, community representatives and other stakeholders.
• Direct observation and participatory mapping exercise, assess market infrastructure, transport conditions, handling practice, service availability and welfare risk points along trade routes.
• Assessment of welfare, biosecurity and one health risks associated with donkey movement and trade including identification of critical welfare hotspots and service gaps
• Data triangulation, statistical and thematic analysis and stakeholder validation workshops to verify findings and develop evidence-based recommendations

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

Deliverable 1: Inception Report

The consultant shall submit an Inception Report detailing the proposed methodology and implementation plan for approval by The Donkey Sanctuary prior to commencement of fieldwork.

 

The report should include, at a minimum:

• Understanding the assignment.
• Proposed methodology and assessment framework.
• Trade route mapping methodology.
• Sampling strategy and sample size justification.
• Data collection tools, including market assessment tools, interview guides, welfare observation checklists, and movement tracking templates.
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation approach.
• Data quality assurance mechanisms.
• Ethical, safeguarding, and animal welfare considerations.
• Risk assessment and mitigation measures.
• Detailed work plan and implementation timeline.

Deliverable 2: Draft Assessment Report

The consultant shall submit a draft report presenting preliminary findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.

The report should include:

• Donkey trade route mapping findings.
• Market system assessment results.
• Analysis of trade actors and value chain relationships.
• Donkey welfare assessment findings generated using the EARS Tool.
• Analysis of transport practices and welfare risks.
• Identification of service delivery gaps and institutional capacities.
• Analysis of potential intervention opportunities, including priority entry points, feasible areas for engagement, key actors and partners, and opportunities for targeted welfare, market-system, policy, and service-delivery interventions
• Preliminary maps, data analysis, recommendations, and strategic implications.

Deliverable 3: Final Assessment Report and Presentation

Following review and feedback from The Donkey Sanctuary, the consultant shall submit:

• Final Assessment Report.
• Executive Summary.
• Trade route maps (GIS and visual formats where applicable).
• Clean quantitative and qualitative datasets with supporting documentation.
• Final EARS assessment database.
• Presentation of key findings and recommendations.

The final report should provide practical, evidence-based, and actionable recommendations to guide future programming, policy engagement, research priorities, advocacy initiatives, and interventions aimed at improving donkey welfare across the trade system.

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 5 (Expected Deliverables).

The proposed implementation plan should demonstrate a realistic and efficient approach to completing the assignment, allowing adequate time for literature review, methodology development, stakeholder consultations, trade route mapping, field data collection, welfare assessments, data analysis, validation of findings, and preparation of final outputs.

The assignment is expected to be completed within four to five 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 to ensure quality delivery of the assignment.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in market system analysis, livestock value chain studies or trade route mapping
• Strong experience in mixed-methods research
• Experience in animal welfare, livestock systems, or One Welfare/One Health approaches. Familiarity with working equids and equine welfare is an advantage; however, candidates without prior equid-specific experience may be considered if they have relevant technical expertise and have received appropriate training or orientation in working equid welfare.
• Experience working in Ethiopia or similar contexts
• Capacity to conduct geospatial mapping and data visualization
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills

Proposal Submission Requirements

Technical Proposal

• Understanding of the assignment
• Methodology and the approach
• Workplan and timeline
• Team composition
• Relevant experience

Financial Proposal

• Detailed budget including personnel, travel, field work costs, workshops, operational costs and taxes

Evaluation Criteria

  Ethical Considerations

• Obtain informed consent from all participants
• Ensure confidentiality and data protection
• Follow animal welfare assessment ethics
• Comply with TDS safeguarding and ethical standards
• The final document of the assessment shall be approved by TDS ethical committee

   Reporting and Management Arrangements

The consultant will report to TDS Ethiopia Senior Program and Partnership Manager and work closely with technical teams. All outputs will remain on the property of The Donkey Sanctuary and must be submitted in editable and PDF formats.

    Expected Outcome

The assignment will generate a comprehensive evidence base on donkey trade routes, and welfare challenges in Ethiopia.