REQUEST FOR CONSULTANTS
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian organization with a mission to work with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change. ADRA Somalia belongs to the worldwide network, comprised of more than 130 supporting and implementing country offices. ADRA Somalia is seeking to recruit a consultant to conduct a training on enhancing value chain development for sustainable market integration and economic empowerment for pastoral communities in Kismayu District Jubbaland state of Somalia.
1. Background Information
Somalia’s agro-pastoral sector plays a critical role in the country’s economy, with over 65% of the population depending on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. However, the sector has faced severe disruptions due to climate shocks, prolonged droughts, and flooding, significantly impacting food security and income generation. The 2020-2023 drought, the worst in over 40 years, pushed the nation to the brink of famine. While humanitarian aid and improved rainfall conditions in 2023 averted an outright catastrophe, the situation remains dire.
In 2023 alone, climate shocks and conflict displaced a record 2.9 million people, with 75% of displacements caused by climate-induced disasters such as flooding (1.7 million people) and drought (531,000 people). As a result, more than 3.8 million people remain displaced across Somalia, and 6.9 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2024. Additionally, 4.3 million Somalis are acutely food insecure, making sustainable food production a national priority.
Kismayo, a key region in Somalia’s Lower Juba area, is home to thousands of vulnerable households, including displaced populations and marginalized farmers. The recurrent loss of livestock, destruction of farmlands, and lack of access to sustainable agricultural practices continue to undermine food security and income generation. Given these challenges, capacity-building in agro-pastoral skills and value chain development is essential to enhance resilience, improve productivity, and increase economic opportunities for farmers and pastoralists.
This training initiative aims to equip youth, women, and smallholder farmers in Kismayo with practical agro-pastoral skills, value chain knowledge, and market linkages. By improving agricultural and livestock production techniques, the program will empower communities to enhance food security, increase income, and build sustainable livelihoods.
Rationale
The agro-pastoral sector is a key driver of livelihoods in Somalia, yet many pastoralists and smallholder farmers remain trapped in low-productivity cycles, lacking the skills, resources, and market access needed to commercialize their products. Poor value chain integration, post-harvest losses, limited business knowledge, and weak market linkages further restrict their ability to maximize income and sustain economic growth.
In Kismayo, where climate shocks, displacement, and economic instability have exacerbated poverty, empowering communities with value chain development skills is critical. By enhancing knowledge in market dynamics, product handling, financial literacy, and business strategies, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists will be better positioned to transition from subsistence to sustainable, market-driven production.
This training program will bridge the gap between producers and markets, equipping participants with practical, income-generating skills that improve livelihoods, food security, and resilience. By fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening supply chains, the initiative will contribute to long-term economic empowerment, poverty reduction, and community stability in Kismayo and beyond.
2. Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this assignment is to enhance the capacity of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Kismayo by equipping them with practical knowledge and skills in value chain development. The training aims to strengthen market linkages, improve product quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and enable smallholder farmers and pastoralists to participate effectively in commercial markets. By fostering entrepreneurship, improving access to financial services, and enhancing business development skills, the program seeks to transition participants from subsistence livelihoods to sustainable, market-oriented enterprises. This initiative will contribute to economic empowerment, increased household income, and long-term food security, ensuring that vulnerable populations can build resilience and achieve financial independence through improved value chain integration.
3. Scope and Specific Objectives
The training will cover four key components, ensuring a comprehensive approach to agro-pastoral skills development and market integration:
3.1 Agro-Pastoral Skills Training
• Advanced techniques in crop production, soil conservation, and water management.
• Best practices in livestock breeding, feeding, disease prevention, and veterinary care.
• Introduction to climate-smart agriculture and drought-resilient farming techniques.
3.2 Value Chain Development & Market Access
• Market analysis and demand assessment to identify profitable agricultural products.
• Post-harvest handling, quality assurance, and storage techniques to reduce losses.
• Business development and market linkages, ensuring farmers can effectively connect with buyers, cooperatives, and commercial markets.
3.3 Practical Hands-On Training
• Field demonstrations on modern irrigation systems, composting, and soil fertility management.
• Livestock management sessions, including vaccination, disease control, and feed production.
• Simulated market negotiations and value chain exercises to enhance business skills.
3.4 Community Engagement and Knowledge Transfer
• Involvement of local cooperatives, traditional leaders, and agricultural extension officers to ensure sustainability.
• Encouragement of peer-to-peer learning and mentorship programs among farmers.
• Formation of community-based farmer groups to enhance knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
4. Target Participants
This training is designed for individuals actively engaged in agro-pastoral activities, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalized communities in Kismayo. Target participants include:
• Smallholder farmers, youth, and women engaged in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods.
• Displaced persons and returnees seeking alternative livelihoods in the agro-pastoral sector.
• Community leaders, cooperatives, and representatives from local agricultural organizations.
To maximize inclusion, special emphasis will be placed on ensuring equal participation of women and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
5. Methodology
The training will cover four key components, ensuring a comprehensive approach to agro-pastoral skills development and market integration:
3.1 Agro-Pastoral Skills Training
• Advanced techniques in crop production, soil conservation, and water management.
• Best practices in livestock breeding, feeding, disease prevention, and veterinary care.
• Introduction to climate-smart agriculture and drought-resilient farming techniques.
3.2 Value Chain Development & Market Access
• Market analysis and demand assessment to identify profitable agricultural products.
• Post-harvest handling, quality assurance, and storage techniques to reduce losses.
• Business development and market linkages, ensuring farmers can effectively connect with buyers, cooperatives, and commercial markets.
3.3 Practical Hands-On Training
• Field demonstrations on modern irrigation systems, composting, and soil fertility management.
• Livestock management sessions, including vaccination, disease control, and feed production.
• Simulated market negotiations and value chain exercises to enhance business skills.
3.4 Community Engagement and Knowledge Transfer
• Involvement of local cooperatives, traditional leaders, and agricultural extension officers to ensure sustainability.
• Encouragement of peer-to-peer learning and mentorship programs among farmers.
• Formation of community-based farmer groups to enhance knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
6. Deliverables
The training will cover four key components, ensuring a comprehensive approach to agro-pastoral skills development and market integration:
3.1 Agro-Pastoral Skills Training
• Advanced techniques in crop production, soil conservation, and water management.
• Best practices in livestock breeding, feeding, disease prevention, and veterinary care.
• Introduction to climate-smart agriculture and drought-resilient farming techniques.
3.2 Value Chain Development & Market Access
• Market analysis and demand assessment to identify profitable agricultural products.
• Post-harvest handling, quality assurance, and storage techniques to reduce losses.
• Business development and market linkages, ensuring farmers can effectively connect with buyers, cooperatives, and commercial markets.
3.3 Practical Hands-On Training
• Field demonstrations on modern irrigation systems, composting, and soil fertility management.
• Livestock management sessions, including vaccination, disease control, and feed production.
• Simulated market negotiations and value chain exercises to enhance business skills.
3.4 Community Engagement and Knowledge Transfer
• Involvement of local cooperatives, traditional leaders, and agricultural extension officers to ensure sustainability.
• Encouragement of peer-to-peer learning and mentorship programs among farmers.
• Formation of community-based farmer groups to enhance knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
7. Required competencies:
• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Rural Development, or related fields.
• At least 5 years of practical experience in value chain development, market linkages, and business development for agro-pastoral and pastoral communities.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing training programs focused on agricultural value chain integration, market access, and entrepreneurship development.
• Proven experience in conducting capacity-building programs for smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and rural enterprises, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
• Experience in developing training manuals and toolkits tailored for adult learners, grassroots organizations, and local business cooperatives.
• Strong knowledge of financial literacy, agribusiness models, and access to finance mechanisms for small-scale producers.
• Ability to facilitate stakeholder engagement and establish partnerships between producers, processors, traders, and financial institutions.
• Exceptional interpersonal, networking, and communication skills, with experience in working with diverse community groups and government agencies.
• Demonstrated team training, capacity building, and mentorship skills, with a track record of enhancing the knowledge and skills of rural entrepreneurs and farmers.
• Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of Somali language is mandatory.
Proposals should include:
i. Detailed description of proposed approach and methodology
ii. Projected budget
iii. Short overview of how the candidate(s) meets the qualifications, experience and skills requirements
8. Submission of Proposals
To achieve the objectives of the assignment, the consultant will be expected to take complete responsibility for all the activities identified in the TOR. The Technical Proposal should contain a complete description and explanation of the proposed methodology for the Assignment (work plan), timelines and any other resources that the consultant will make available to effectively execute the assignment.
The Financial Proposal should stipulate the professional fees, travel and taxes for the assignment. All fees and costs are to be expressed in USD.
How to apply
For the detailed TOR kindly visit www.adrasom.org. Applications for this consultancy should be emailed to the Human Resource Manager using the email [email protected] on or before COB 7th March 2025, with “Expression of Interest for Value Chain Development Training” in the subject line.
‘’ADRA Somalia is committed to upholding the rights of all children and vulnerable adults that we serve and those we interact with in the course of our work. We endevour to protect all from all forms of abuse and exploitation as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) six core principles on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). ADRA Somalia has zero tolerance to abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries and staff.’’
