1. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Trócaire is an Irish organisation that works in partnership with communities in over 20 countries to
Trócaire has been working in Somalia for 30 years and established offices in the districts in Gedo in 1991. In Somalia, we work in collaboration with local communities and partnership with local organisations, implementing projects in the following sectors:
1.2 Contextual Background
Somalia has been one of the countries affected by conflict and drought with widespread humanitarian needs. These calamities have left many without income sources and struggling to meet their basic needs; as a result, they are forced to resort to negative coping mechanisms, e.g., withdrawing children from school, reducing non-food expenses on health (including drugs) and education, borrowing money from a formal lender/bank, and spending savings, amongst others. In some cases, drought and conflict have led to loss of life due to poor health, nutrition, and insecurity. The 2023 October/November flash floods have further exacerbated the situation – livelihoods have been affected adversely and markets disrupted. Trócaire has been implementing projects to respond to humanitarian needs in Somalia, which have saved, empowered, and transformed many people’s lives. However, conflict and drought continue to cause massive internal displacement of people who migrate to areas where they can access humanitarian assistance. Among the programmes implemented in response to these challenges is the five-year programme funded by Irish Aid, which has a component of integrated livelihoods to enhance people’s resilience to shocks.
Given the overview above, Trócaire wants to commission a market analysis and livelihoods adaptation options study. The market systems analysis will assess, among others, the damages caused to the markets by flash floods, market performance (in terms of actors, volumes of products/commodities, prices, and seasonality fluctuations), market behaviour (for example, competition, integration, bottlenecks), and the external factors affecting markets. Whilst the livelihood adaptation options will explore current practices across the Gedo region, particularly in Balad Hawa, Dollow, and Luuq districts, bearing in mind the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of pastoralists, small-scale businesses, agro-pastoralists, and crop farming communities. The study will detail mitigation and adaptation strategies suitable for different groups (particularly pastoralists, women and the most vulnerable) in Somalia and an in-depth analysis of the service providers, for example, other I/NGOs, government, private sector (e.g., livestock insurance services), etc., across Somalia while adopting a gender lens.
1.3 Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of this study are:
1.4 Scope of the Research
This study will be conducted in Luuq, Balad Hawa, and Dollow districts, Gedo Region, Somalia. Trócaire expects it to generate relevant and useful data/information about market systems analysis and livelihood adaptation options. The target stakeholders will include but not be limited to community members, local/district/regional/national leadership, relevant ministries, the business community (including small-scale traders, existing agripreneurs, and innovative businesses in the markets), and relevant I/NGOs.
2. METHODOLOGY
This research will employ a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques.
(a) Desk research: a comprehensive review of relevant documents on market systems analysis/value chains analysis and livelihood adaptation in Somalia and other similar contexts.
(b) Data collection: gather primary data through In-depth interviews (IDIs), key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and direct observation with relevant stakeholders and different community groups.
(c) Comparative analysis: compare and contrast findings from the Gedo region with existing studies or best practices in other regions
(d) Stakeholder findings validation workshop – this will bring various stakeholders together to share their views about the study findings; their feedback will be used to optimise the report.
3. OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES
The report should be 30 pages max, excluding the cover page, table of contents, list of tables and figures, acronyms/annexures, and bibliography.
Ethical considerations shall include data protection, including informed consent from participants/ beneficiaries and maintaining confidentiality.
3.1 Trócaire Responsibilities
3.2 Consultant Responsibilities
4. DURATION AND WORKING SCHEDULE
The study is anticipated to take an LoE of 25 days.
5. BUDGET AND PAYMENT
The Consultant shall specify their proposed assignment fee, including professional fees, reimbursable, and statutory taxes. The proposed budget should also include accommodation, travel/ transportation and data collection/ fieldwork costs associated with the delivery of the assignment.
5.1 Invoicing and Payment Procedures
An initial payment of 40% of the total costs will be settled as soon as Trócaire approves the inception report and tools. The final 60% will only be paid once Trócaire approves the final report. It is worth noting that each payment tranche will require a submission of an invoice.
6. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS
This consultancy is open to individual National/ International or a team of National and expert consultants with specialist knowledge and research expertise in Market Systems Analysis and Livelihoods in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Countries. The Consultant is expected to have the following experience and qualifications:
Interested firms/consultants with relevant experiences and who meet the above criteria should submit their Technical Proposal with their proposed methodology of implementing the assignment, experiences and three referees, work plan, and CVs of the Technical Team; a Financial Proposal detailing the professional fees, reimbursable, and VAT; and Two Samples of work/reports completed by the firm/consultant by 29th March 2024. Procurement-som@trocaire.org
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