TERMS OF REFERENCE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH LEVEL ANALYTICAL FINAL REPORT FOR THE OROMIA DAIRY FARMERS BOUNTY PROJECT – ETHIOPIA

Introduction

Solidaridad Network is an international solution-oriented civil society organization working through eight regional expertise centres to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Our eight regional expertise centres include Asia, Eastern and Central Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Southern Africa, South America, West Africa and our global Secretariat in the Netherlands. Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, one of the regional centres, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices and programmes in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda.

We bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all. We facilitate strengthening of local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access. Solidaridad supports Ethiopia’s transition toward a more inclusive and resilient agricultural sector, addressing key challenges such as climate change, environment, food security and economic instability while focusing on coffee, dairy, fruits and vegetables, leather, cotton and textile value chains.

Background of the Project

The Oromia Dairy Farmers’ Bounty (ODFB) project was commenced in October 2021, by the World Bank BioCarbon Fund. The project idea is to prove the concept of climate smart dairy farming by “intensification” while testing and validating various interrelated business models and environmental assessment tools, highlighting the role the private sector plays in this process, on climate smart dairy farming in the Oromia region. It also seeks to contribute to professionalization of dairy farming through dairy service hub development in selected districts of Northern Shewa Zone by 2025. The project activities were implemented in the districts of Aleltu, Barek, Kimbibit and Sululta to generate proof of concept of the dairy hub, Commercial Fodder Production, and Farmer Extension Support as scalable and sustainable climate-smart dairy system to mitigate the impacts of climate change on traditional dairy farming practices.

Expected Project Outcomes

• Demonstrated viability of three business models; i) Dairy Hub Services; ii) Commercial Fodder Production; and iii) Farmer Extension Support as scalable and sustainable climate-smart dairy interventions.
• Enhanced dairy productivity and income for smallholder farmers through improved access to services, inputs, and markets.
• Integration of climate-smart technologies and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving resilience and efficiency in dairy production.
• Empowered cooperatives, producer organizations, and service providers, contributing to the professionalization of the dairy sector in Northern Shewa.
• Promotion of inclusive participation by women and youth in the dairy value chain, ensuring that innovations are socially equitable.
• Generation of evidence-based recommendations and learnings to influence policy dialogue and support future replication or scale-up of successful models.

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to produce a high level analytical report referring to the available documentation of the ODFB project, implemented from 2021-2025, including the baseline, mid-term review (MTR), semi-annual reports, annual reports, and end line evaluation report. The final report should clearly show proof of three business model concepts: i) dairy hub service; ii) commercial fodder; and iii) farmer extension support models that enhance smallholder productivity, income, and sector professionalization while ensuring inclusive participation of women and youth. Generated evidence-based insights to guide policy and support replication or scaling of successful interventions.

The assignment will focus on producing two key outputs:

• a comprehensive high-level report that presents compelling evidence on the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of the three business models in enhancing smallholder productivity, income, climate resilience, and inclusivity. The report should distill key findings from project data and evaluations, provide critical analysis of outcomes against objectives and KPIs, highlight policy and investment opportunities, and generate actionable recommendations for replication and scale-up; and
• a concise and visually engaging presentation deck that communicates the project’s core insights, results, and policy messages to donors, government, and strategic partners. The deck should emphasize high-impact evidence, success stories, and strategic takeaways that can support decision-making, resource mobilization, and policy dialogue.

Both deliverables will be developed using data collected by external evaluators as well as information generated during the course of project implementation. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the report captures sufficient evidence to demonstrate the project’s effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability so that it can serve as pilot evidence to support the scaling of successful business models,attract donors, guide future replication/refinement , and influence policy.

Methodology

This assignment requires a desk review approach and needs rigorous review of secondary data sources related to the dairy sector in Ethiopia and all documents related to the project i.e the baseline study, feasibility study, project proposal, quarter& annual progress reports, and end line evaluation. The report should be well triangulated and referred scientifically to increase the validity and credibility of the report in line with project objectives, national and global scenarios of the sector. There will be reflection and feedback sessions with the project management team and selected donors and government representatives to provide relevant comments, suggestions and recommendations to further enrich the draft documents.

The scope of work will include:

• Inception and work plan: Confirm scope, analytical framework, indicator map, and timeline with the client; define data needs/gaps and validation approach.
• Evidence review and quality appraisal: Systematically review all project materials and complementary secondary sources, document inclusion/exclusion rationale.
• Data extraction and analysis: Build an evidence matrix; quantify results where possible; assess outcomes versus KPIs; analyze model performance (Dairy Hub Services, Commercial Fodder Production, Farmer Extension Support) for effectiveness, scalability, sustainability, inclusivity, and climate impact.
• Stakeholder engagement: Facilitate at least one reflection/feedback session with the project team and selected donors/government to validate interim findings and sharpen recommendations.
• Draft analytical report: Produce a high-level analytical report that demonstrates proof-of-concept, distills lessons, and presents clear, actionable policy and investment recommendations for replication/scale-up.
• Presentation deck: Prepare a concise, visually compelling presentation that communicates core insights, results, and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Validation and revision: Incorporate consolidated comments from the client and stakeholders; finalize both products.
• Handover package: Provide editable files and annexes (evidence matrix, references, data tables/figures) to support future reuse and dissemination.

Deliverables

• A maximum 50 page high-level analytical report (excluding annexes), concise and structured, outlining methodology and tools, demonstrating proof of concept of business models, enriched with high-quality graphics and infographics, and incorporating Solidaridad’s visibility in line with World Bank report writing standards.
• A 20 slide PowerPoint deck tailored for donors, partners, government, and stakeholders, summarizing findings with data from evaluators and project implementation, featuring well-designed graphics, and including Solidaridad branding in line with World Bank communication standards.
• Facilitate 2 reflection and feedback sessions with the project management team and selected donors and government representatives to collect relevant comments,suggestions and recommendations to further enrich the draft documents.
• Final versions of both documents, fully reflecting comments and recommendations from the validation process and Solidaridad team.

Expert/Consultant’s Profile:

The consultancy is open individual consultants. The requirements are as follows:

Consultancy Period:

The maximum period for the assignment is one (1)month.

 

No	Activity	Deadline
1	Desk review and analyze relevant project materials from project and other relevant sources.	30/10/2025
2	Develop High level Analytical Report (first Draft)	14/11/2025
3	20 slide Power Point deck tailored for presentation	14/11/2025
4	Facilitates first reflection and feedback sessions with Stakeholders	21/11/2025
5	Provide High level Analytical Report ( second Draft) after reflection	28/11/2025
6	Facilitates second reflection and feedback sessions with Stakeholders	05/12/2025
5	Develop/Provide final version of the report	12/12/2025

Eligibility criteria for the Consulting Firm

• A license renewed based on the country law to conduct such business
• Verified tax payers number (TIN) and VAT registration number and other legal requirements as necessary
• A minimum of 7 years track record and demonstrated experience regarding report( high level analytical) writing in agriculture related projects, specifically in dairy, fodder, manure management, and Climate-Smart dairy in Ethiopia.
• At least three reference letters from donors or other organizations on previous work, indicating how they appreciated the quality work done by the consultant.
• At least 2 sample of work from previous engagement, 10- 15 pages showing comprehensive report submitted
• Written engagement stating that the consultant does not have any conflict of interest in the assignment.