Terms of Reference (ToR) to Conduct detail Value-Chain Assessment in Dire and Moyale Woredas in Borena zone, Oromia region at Association of Pastoralist Community for Change (APCfC)

Background

Association of Pastoralist Community for Change (APCfC) is a local Non-Governmental Organization registered with Oromia Attorney General Bureau (OAGB) in accordance with the Oromia Regional State proclamation for Civil Society Organizations with a certificate No WB/03/0099.

APCfC is currently implementing a five years (2023-2027) nexus project funded by CST-Ethiopia in Dire and Moyale Woredas, in Borana zone with the overall aim to promote women and older adolescent girls have sustainable lives including diverse food sources and economic well-being, increased safety, psychosocial wellbeing, and meaningful participation and leadership; and Women and men affected by crisis can meet their basic needs, transition from reliance on relief assistance towards meeting and/or protecting their food and livelihoods needs independently.

As one of the key activities of the project, Association of Pastoralist Community for Change (APCfC) would like to conduct a detailed value Chain assessment in the Project target Woredas through contracting and commissioning experienced consultancy agency with proven practical experience in conducting similar value chain assessment in pastoralist areas of the Country.

Objectives

The overarching objective of this assignment is to conduct detail value chain assessment and related market analysis in the Project target Woredas and Borena zone taking into consideration the context, profitability, scalability and sustainability aspects of the Value chain. In Particular, the value chain and related market analysis assessment should shed light on the status and viability of potential value chain  for the women in the area per their skill and climate fragility, testing the viability of selected value chains for Moyale and Dire Woredas and determine which hold promise of product expansion, market viability, and input availability to Women groups to be supported by the APCfC Project.

The task specifically looks for  identifying of livelihood options that is feasible with the skill of the project participants, profitable and easily to be copied by other similar groups that will be followed with conducting value chain assessment that  intends to understand the core market, identify the supporting functions and the rules that assist the needs of poor and marginalized people, especially women and old adolescent girls to involve in the market systems.

The assessment will have two stages( identification viable livelihood options and conduct detail value chain assessment for selected viable livelihood options) that could be used as guiding for the selection of viable livelihood and women business engagement and later be used as a reference/benchmark/  in measuring changes that will be achieved as a result of project intervention that will be implemented in  Moyale and Dire Woredas of Borena zone.  Hence, the Consultant is expected identify viable livelihood/business options in the project target areas in the first stage and conduct detail value chain assessment and analysis for the finally selected viable business options.

The specific objectives are:

• To identify and develop a range of context fit, viable and profitable value chain for local business for Poor Women in Dire and Moyale Woredas in Borena zone taking into account knowledge and experience and actual market demand in the project areas and beyond.
• To identify specific market demand and potential private sector product take off at local market and surrounding Towns in Borena zone and beyond.
• To assess and identify local market structure and routes indicating the linkage between producers (Poor women) and consumers/end users.
• To identify and indicate bottlenecks, challenges and opportunities in the supply chain and of opportunities to make it more productive and profitable.
• To Identify and map existing local service providers and other relevant and potential business actors for identified value chain/business.
• Conduct detail study of potential stakeholders working in the sector that the project should work with in the demand and supply side to bridge the gaps in the rules/supporting function.

Deliverables/Expected results

• Action plan/inception report/ containing the framework of the proposed assignment, Data collection and analysis method, work plan and time table.
• Pre-test data collection tools(digital) and checklist to review and comment
•  Two separate assessment Reports to reflect and incorporate feedbacks from the APCfC and CST team.
• Organize half or one-day workshop to reflect on the assessment finding and submit final report for Market and DVC assessment

Final Value chain report. The Assessment report should include at least:

• Executive Summary.
• Background
• Methodology and documentation of the process
• Limitation and challenges
• Findings of Value chain assessment (SWOT analysis, potential for growth and profitability for value chain/business).
• Chapters for each selected value chain/business with findings (market actors, rules, policies, regulations and supporting functions and production and marketing mechanism).
• Final report   detail Value chain assessment and recommendations including opportunities and challenges for each value chain/business.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Consultant

• Conduct detail Value chain and market assessment to identify viable and profitable local business activities for the rural women in Dire and Moyale Woredas of Borena zone.
• Prepare first draft data collection tools and share with the APCfC Program team for the comments and improvement.
• Identify specific market demand and potential private sector product take off at local market and surrounding Towns and big cities.
• Assess and depicts local market structure and routes indicating the linkage between producers (Poor women) and consumers/end users.
• identify and indicate bottlenecks and challenges in the supply chain and of opportunities to make it more productive and profitable.
•  Identify and map existing local service providers and other relevant and potential business actors for identified value chain/business.
• Organize half or one-day workshop to reflect on the assessment finding.
• Produce Consolidated Assessment Report and submit to the APCfC.

Consultancy Duration/Timeframe.

• The total time period allocated for this particular assignment is 7 weeks. A tentative duration for specific activities is as follows:
• Finalization of data collection tools and desk review- 1 week
• Field level data collection, mapping and analysis – 3 Weeks
• Report writing, comments, validation workshop and finalization-3 weeks

Qualification and experience

The Consultant should possess and fulfill the following requirements:

• Consultant or Applicant Agency should have individual possessing significant knowledge and experience on the aspects of value chain analysis, dry land economy, Economics, Rural development, Developmental Study, Agribusiness, value chain assessment following MSD approach.
• Experience in conducting and managing similar research and assessment in Pastoralist areas of the Country.
• Demonstrated experience of working with business enterprise, jobs creation and value chain development.
• Local presence and capability to collect primary data efficiently from the ground in the target Woredas.
• Good Communication skills and knowledge of culture and norms of the study areas.
• Good knowledge and understanding of Market system development (MSD) approach.