Consultancy to conduct market and skills assessment in Eyl and Garowe

Introduction World Vision Somalia is implementing a project funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB) aimed at enhancing the resilience of vulnerable households, with a particular focus on women and youth, in Puntland, Somalia. This initiative aspires to empower these marginalized groups by challenging and transforming entrenched patriarchal norms and practices that limit their potential. By adopting a Gender-Transformative Approach, the project seeks to increase the capacity and agency of women and youth to adapt to the impacts of climate change effectively. A key component of this project involves communal rangeland rehabilitation and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, such as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). These methods are designed to restore degraded lands, thereby improving food security and nutrition while also addressing poverty reduction. The project emphasizes enhancing agricultural productivity and diversifying livelihoods by providing crucial resources that promote sustainable natural resource management and environmental conservation. Specific initiatives, such as rangeland rehabilitation, play a critical role in empowering women and youth, allowing them to participate in climate-smart agriculture actively. By gaining access to finance and resources, these vulnerable individuals can improve their engagement in natural resource management, which is essential for fostering sustainable livelihoods. To achieve these goals, the project focuses on several key areas: boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing the management of natural resources, providing capacity-building opportunities, access to finance and supporting the development of market-linked skills. These collective efforts are intended to promote self-sufficiency among target beneficiaries by broadening their access to economic, natural, and social resources, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and empowered community in Puntland. Several key factors are crucial to the success of women and youth empowerment and transformation initiatives, including access to markets, product quality (encompassing quality inputs, standard production and processing skills), market demand, competitiveness, compatibility, the ease of raw material/inputs and market trends/polarity. In addition, activities and considerations related to vulnerable groups, e.g. obstacles, risks, and opportunities that are unique to men or women, youth or adults, people with disabilities, and/or other marginalising characteristics. Thus, a robust market assessment and mapping must be conducted. The project is also providing financial and non-financial services; assisting women, youth, and marginalised people develop life and technical skills, access social resources, and engage in IGAs to reduce their social and economic vulnerability. This comprehensive study will delve deeply into the analysis of current market dynamics, skill gaps, livelihood capacities, and the competencies of individuals in the Eyl and Garowe districts of Puntland. By examining these factors in detail, the research aims to uncover the specific challenges and opportunities faced by the local population. In addition to assessing the current landscape, the study will explore viable value chains that can be strategically aligned with the needs and capabilities of the target groups, particularly women and youth. By focusing on these demographics, the assessment will provide targeted insights and recommendations on how to engage these groups in meaningful economic activities. Ultimately, this research seeks to offer accurate guidance on the particular value chains that can be leveraged to foster sustainable income generation and improve overall livelihoods. Through this approach, the study aims to empower local communities and contribute to long-term economic resilience in the region. The assessment methodology should include desk analysis and collection of primary data through focus group discussions, business surveys, key informant interviews, and market observations, as detailed in the present Terms of Reference (ToR). It will also involve review and analysis of relevant policies and dynamics that affect access to economic opportunities, including government policies, access to financial services, access to markets, and transport. The study will support targeting/planning of project activities and strengthening participants’ understanding of local market dynamics, opportunities, and risks. Information from the assessment report (or results) will also be shared with potential funding sources and may be shared with other stakeholders such as local decision makers and public policy makers within and outside Garowe and Eyl. Project Background : Project name: The African Development Bank Group through the African Climate Change Donor: African Development Bank Group (AFDB) Location: Garowe and Eyl Sector: Food Security & Livelihood Duration: The expected timeline of the assignment is 30 days (1 month) 2.1 Purpose, Scope and Objectives. Objectives of the assignment Conduct a comprehensive field assessment of potential economic activities and value chains for agriculture and other sectors. Assess current skill gaps and possible value chains that could be developed to enhance access to food and income for women and youth. To perform market assessment and analysis of the prioritized agricultural commodities within the region Assess market opportunities for women and youth in rural and urban areas Develop clear recommendations for interventions and leverage points, such as value chains, business models, and cost-benefit analysis, to strengthen market competitiveness and support pastoral and agro-pastoral households' resilience and livelihoods. 2.2 Selection and prioritization of agricultural and forest commodities and diversified economic opportunities The consultant will conduct field-level data collection to identify livestock/crop commodities and diversified economic opportunities Prioritise three (3) potential livestock and a minimum of 10 diversified economic opportunities based on the below general minimum criteria:- 1. Relevance Potential to engage more women and youth in Garowe and Eyl Social and cultural acceptability of the economic activity Potential to engage marginalized groups (Women, youth and PWDs) 2. Opportunity for growth Potential for increasing production and productivity Potential for increasing market opportunity (input and output market) Potential for value addition Potential to increase income for women and youth 3. Feasibility Existence of an enabling environment Existing skill in the community in the production and marketing of the economic activity Existence of necessary infrastructure for the production and marketing of the economic activity Potential for scale-up and replication Existence of financial service providers to support the production and marketing of the economic activity 4. Resilience Potential to build resilience and resource efficiency Potential to survive and expand production and marketing of the commodity in the face of climate change and other shocks Potential to enhance household nutrition Potential to increase cross-region integration and collaboration 3. Evaluation Criteria and Rating The Selection of the firm will be made based on cumulative analysis (i.e., mandatory requirement and technical qualifications as follows: Mandatory requirements Company registration and tax compliance References including names and contact information from previous clients who can be contacted regarding relevant experience in translation of documents (At least three) Successful bidder will be required to sign World Vision Supplier Code of Conduct form 4. Methodology The methodology and research tools to be employed during the assessment include, but are not limited to, the following: Desk Analysis The consultant will review recent (last 5 years) documents related to the following: (1) existing market assessments in the target areas; (2) market regulatory and price control policies, laws and mechanisms (including those that restrict refugee livelihoods), (3) relevant documents on market trends, where available, especially for Eyl, Garowe and surrounding villages (4) Formal Financial markets available in Eyl, Garowe and (5) other relevant documents, resources, and data sources. Market Mapping and Value Chain The consultant will provide a general map of potential local and regional markets in terms of type, size and volume of market, supply chain, women- and youth-led businesses/trades, main access barriers, key trade organizations, and security arrangements, especially for women and youth. Interviews with Key Informants and Focus Groups The consultant will interview key informants in the areas where World vision operates in Eyl and Garowe relevant communities/geographical areas; these will include mainly women and youth, beneficiaries of World vision current programs, aspiring entrepreneurs, membership bodies (e.g. chamber of commerce, syndicates), suppliers, wholesalers, producers, farmers, vendors, consumers, financial institutions, and other relevant market and policy actors. The consultant also will conduct at least one focus group discussion in each project village involving individuals who are members of the targeted demographic for project beneficiaries. 5. Deliverables Inception report Development of assessment tools Draft and final assessment report All materials used for staff training More Details to be provided in full TOR upon Expression of Interest. We hereby invite Expression of Interest from registered, approved and reputable consultants to provide above-named services to World Vision Somalia.

1. Interested bidders must be registered to provide consultancy services in their respective countries. 2. Request for Proposal documents will be available Free of Charge to all interested bidders who express interest by filling the form provided in this link [https://forms.office.com/r/Uv9DjS3D8N](https://forms.office.com/r/Uv9DjS3D8N) by 5:00PM Wednesday 8th October 2025. 3. Instructions for submission of completed proposals shall be indicated on the Request for Proposal document. 4. Nothing in this Expression of Interest shall be construed to give rise to contractual obligations with World Vision. 5. World Vision, may at its absolute discretion, suspend or defer this EOI process. “World Vision reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid and is not bound to give reasons for its decision”