Consultancy – Promoting Inclusive Markets and Economic Empowerment (PRIME) Value Chain and IGA Market Analysis

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Gender-inclusive, IGA and market analysis study in South Kordofan and East Darfur States of Sudan: Focused on the selected crops and other potential income generation activities

Required: International Consultant – Remote

Project Title: Promoting Inclusive Markets and Economic Empowerment in South Kordofan and East Darfur States of Sudan (PRIME)

Donor: European Union

Duration of Appointment: 32 days

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

Background Information

CARE International in Sudan has secured funding to implement a four-year project titled “Promoting Inclusive Markets and Economic Empowerment in South Kordofan and East Darfur States of Sudan (PRIME)”. The project will be implemented in Sudan, South Kordofan: (Al-Rashad, Abujubeiha and Abbasiya Localities) and East Darfur: (Bahar Alarab, Abu Karinka, El Daein localities).

The purpose of the action is to increase food security and livelihood resilience, sustainable income growth and job opportunities for rural women and youth including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in South Kordofan and East Darfur through inclusive value chain development. To enhance socio-economic resilience and food security status of small-scale farmers specifically women in the most poverty and conflict-ridden areas of South Kordofan and East Darfur by supporting the livelihoods of women farmers through inter cropping, improving production though green practices, enhancing access to input/output markets as well as access to finance to establish robust value chain investments and production systems in mango, sorghum, and groundnuts value chain sectors. These will be achieved through comprehensive and interlinked approaches intended to support, recover, promote, and diversify livelihoods and reduce the vulnerability of the target populations in conflict and post-conflict settings. CARE International aligns with the co-applicants, Addition for Disasters assistance and Development (ADD) in South Kordofan state and Al Manar in East Darfur state. This action increases the productivity of the traditional mango orchards through green practices which are mainly supported by women farmers and support sorghum and groundnut producers to improve their productivity. The action also provides technical capacity and appropriate means to increase productivity of land and improve soil health though introducing inter cropping of groundnut in the mango orchard which will also provide the women farmers to earn additional income. The action will also provide technical support to the farmers with diversified crops including groundnut, sorghum, and vegetable varieties through vegetable gardens. This will not only increase the dietary options for the target communities but will also improve their income-earning opportunities. In support of the value chains or crop systems, the action will provide technical capacity development and support the farmers to access markets and finances. The comprehensive support will reduce vulnerability to various external shocks. The action will also engage local government and support community based/traditional institutions through capacity- building initiatives in the areas of institutional capacity developmental initiatives and livelihood interventions (‘connectors’) that promote peace-building and sustainable development in the target areas, especially during the ongoing conflict. Below is the specific objective and expected outcomes:

Overall Objective (Impact): To contribute to sustainable and resilient livelihoods and food security in rural communities of South Kordofan and East Darfur that are most affected by food insecurity, climate change, and conflicts.

• Expected Outcome 1: Sustainably increase productivity and profitability of female smallholder farmers in mango, sorghum, groundnut, and other nutrition-sensitive value chains using agroecological practices in South Kordofan and East Darfur States.
• Expected Outcome 2: Create sustainable decent employment and income-earning opportunities for female and youth small-holder farmers through viable market linkages and value chains in rural and food insecure areas of South Kordofan and East Darfur States.
• Expected Outcome 3: Increase women/youth leadership in managing community resources and sustainable access to natural resources, contributing to food security and mitigation of conflicts over resources in South Kordofan and East Darfur States**.**

Scope of the Study

This study seeks assess potential improved agricultural infrastructure or technologies, opportunities and innovations that can address key market barriers in the production of the targeted crops (Sorghum, Millet, Groundnuts, Mango, vegetables). This study will assist different players in the agriculture sector to fully understand how women smallholder farmers can be supported. Instantaneously, the study will also explore the potential income generation activities for the IDPs, women groups and youth including people with disabilities that can help them to diversify their livelihoods throughout the year. There should be a strong emphasis on people with disabilities and how they should be included in the IGAs. The market analysis will clearly spell out the recommendations on how farmers can access the markets and which areas would be favoured and mapping of the MFIs in the action areas. The main objective is understanding the market’s opportunities, strengths, weaknesses, and market players’ behaviour patterns in current prolonged conflict environment. The key components include market size, distribution channels for agriculture inputs, profitability, livelihood diversification options for different groups, key success factors for the rural livelihoods, private sector roles, supply chain for inputs & other commodities, target groups capacity needs and general market trends during the current ongoing conflict.

More specifically, this study is expected to:

• Examine how the 4 value chains/crops can be scaled up in South Kordofan and East Darfur (sorghum, millet, groundnuts, vegetables). The study is also expected to conduct a comprehensive analysis (including profitability) of the value chains and their actors to provide an understanding of the barriers, opportunities and need for support for women to benefit as well as to create clear pathways on how women can participate in the local food systems (important to consider vulnerable women: women with disabilities, divorced women, women heads of households, SGBV survivors and their socio-economic integration).
• Identify other key off farm economic activities (tailoring, shoemaking, handcraft, food processing)/ IGAs in the targeted locations particularly emphasizing on those undertaken by women which can be introduced/improved. The exercise should provide an understanding of the barriers, opportunities and need for support for women to benefit as well as to create clear pathways on how women can participate.
• Conduct gender economic analysis highlighting the different power positions of men and women in these economic sectors. Identify the key barriers and opportunities for women to engage in economic activities / value chains, including exploring non-traditional sectors. The analysis should be gender and disability inclusive (important to try to understand on how many persons with disabilities are actually active in these economic sectors).
• Conduct a stakeholder analysis to understand the key local, national, and international stakeholders that influence the value chains or any other IGAs in those localities. Stating their internal/external power dynamics, their role, and benefits.
• Determine the level of disruption in the market and people’s livelihoods because of the conflict. Examine the supply chain for agriculture inputs & other commodities and how they were impacted by the conflict.

Findings from the study will be used by CARE to inform and guide the implementation of the PRIME programme in the two states. Furthermore, the findings of the study will be shared with other humanitarian actors, donors, and policymakers to enhance their support for gender and conflict-sensitive programming in both states.

Suggested Methodology

The study needs to adopt a mixed methods approach: quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Data collection will take place in all the targeted localities based on the latest access situation and security clearance. Adherence to key humanitarian principles is a must and this includes protection, do no harm, gender sensitivity, PSHEA, CIS S&S Protocols and ethical research principles. Age and sex-disaggregated data is essential.

More specifically, the study will examine the following elements:

• Assess the overall socio-economic situation and map existing economic sectors, as well as potential new sectors and or activities, with a particular focus on livelihoods and business restoration/expansion in the current conflict environment.
• For the mentioned crops, the study will evaluate the value-chains potential for increasing productivity, income and creating employment opportunities whilst describing the institutional or informal arrangements that link producers, processors, marketers, and distributors, recognizing that power differentials among actors may influence outcomes along the chain. For that matter the study may undertake SWOT analysis for the selected value chains to identify major constraints and opportunities for scaling up, wealth creation, and upgrading and employment creation along with PESTEL analysis (Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Environmental, Legal) for the value chains to identify untapped livelihood development opportunities, technological and technical gaps, new market opportunities, environmental and resilience constraints, including private sector partnerships.
• Identify other key income generating activities or off farm activities – (new ones and those traditionally undertaken by women) per village and provide an understanding of the barriers, skills gaps, opportunities and need for support for women to benefit, coupled with assessing the economic advantages and competitive position of these selected IGAs and conduct a profitability and cost-benefit analysis for the same.

CARE team will work with the consultant(s) to achieve the objective of the study. The Livelihoods and Resilience Coordinator will be the focal point person while the Livelihood and Markets Advisor provides all the technical support. The team is looking for an experienced international consultant who will design the study, the tools, train the enumerators, analyze the data, and draft the report. CARE international will be responsible for the fieldwork including data collection. The consultant(s) will be supported by the field team during the entire duration of the study. CIS will also provide basic demographic profiling of the selected locations and support in arranging meetings with stakeholders and communities structure that been established by the project viz a viz community leaders, VDCs, Women Groups, Youth Groups, VSLAs, women Vegetable production Groups.

Consultant’s Roles and Responsibilities:

• Remotely establish working contacts with all field teams in South Kordofan and East Darfur States – Sudan.
• Review of the relevant project documents.
• Prepare and submit the inception report including methodology, work plan schedules and budget: (the budget covers consultant fees for design of the proper methodology, Inception report should include all required data collection tools, data analyses and reporting, etc.).
• Identify the appropriate sample size to achieve the survey objective.
• Design tools/questionnaire and methodology for data collection of both qualitative and quantitative data and share them with Care International for their review and approval.
• Supervision of data collection (primary data and review of secondary data) and guide the team in the field.
• Analyze and synthesize data; and prepare reports (ensure the profitability analysis is guided by the different market destinations where the 4 VCs are commonly sold i.e category 1 for local market, and category 2 for high end markets (city, to city, etc).
• Submit data analysis and draft report to CARE International Sudan for review and feedback.
• Incorporate, compile, and submit final report.

CARE International’s Roles and Responsibilities:

• Review and approve the study tools and methodologies.
• Brief the stakeholders about the purpose of the analysis.
• Manage and conduct all the data collection process in the field and submit the data to the consultant for analysis.
• Coordinate with State HAC & security to get permission.
• Assist in organizing all meetings.
• Hire enumerators for data collection in the field.
• Providing/renting vehicles for data collection in the field.
• Prepare and effect payment for the consultant upon completion of the assignments and acceptance of the final report.
• Ensure accuracy of representation in the research team and in the interviewees.
• Provide consultant with all supported documents.

Deliverables:

Remotely, the consultant(s) is responsible for delivering the following documents, answering the elements defined in the methodology:

• Desk review followed by an inception report (5 pages max) summarizing the data collection tools, methodology, timelines, and preliminary analysis.
• Online training for the field teams and provide all the guidance for field work.
• Guide the team on how the data should be packaged and submitted to him/her.
• A draft report (30 pages max) to be submitted to the Program Team which will provide feedback and comment prior the validation / finalization of the report.
• Presentation of the major findings of the study to the Country Program Team.
• A final report that incorporates the comments of the Country Program Team to be submitted to the Livelihoods and Markets Advisor.

CARE will own the intellectual property rights to all materials submitted by the consultant(s) under the contract. The rights to share / reproduce the findings of the study will fall to CARE which will be free to reproduce the materials as CARE seems fit. Informed consent must be obtained for any photographs and audio and video recordings as per CIS’s Policy.

Timeline

The study is expected to start from the 1st of April 2024. The duration of the study will be 32 days. It will be the responsibility of each interested consultant or consultancy group to propose how to organize the assignment. The consultant(s) is expected to provide a timeline and work plan for the study. The below parameters are indicative only:

• Desk review: 2 days.
• Inception report: 2 days
• Data collection: 15 days supporting CARE team remotely.
• Data analysis: 7 days
• Draft Report: 3 days
• Presentation: 1 days
• Final report: 2 days

Qualifications

CARE International is looking for an international consultant who can conduct the assignment remotely and still meet the expected quality of the report. We are looking for someone with the following skills / qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Development.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in research / study and / or evaluation.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian sector especially in Sudan or Arabic contexts.
• Strong experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Strong experience in data analysis.
• Experience in market analysis and value chain assessments, employment or income generation activities required.
• Familiarity with key humanitarian principles.
• Familiarity with the context in Sudan with recent experiences.
• Ability to work independently and achieve results without close supervision.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Fluent English / Desirable Arabic
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, and flexibility

Bids must include the following:

• Cover letter: stating candidate skill and experience suitable for the consultancy (max 1 page)
• Outline of evaluation framework and methods, proposed timeframe, work plan and budget (max 3 pages)
• CV and sample of similar assessments/research carried out previously.