RFP FOR MARKET AND NUTRITION ASSESSMENT IN MARSABIT COUNTY

1. Background

BOMA is working to lift 3 million people out of extreme poverty by 2027. BOMA’s mission is to provide the people and governments of Africa’s drylands with economic inclusion programs that increase resilience to multiple crises. Founded 15 years ago to eliminate extreme poverty among pastoralist women in Kenya, BOMA has since transformed the lives of more than 704,352 women, youth and refugees in the drylands of Africa. BOMA stands out for its focus on last mile populations of the drylands of Africa, who are most at risk to shocks from climate change and COVID-19, tech savvy and data driven approach, impressive graduation rate and 99% local structure based in Africa. Find out more about BOMA by visiting our website

2. About the program

The “Entrepreneurship for food security, nutrition, and child well-being in Marsabit, Northern Kenya and the Simien Mountain Landscape region, Ethiopia” (SOIL) program combines the tested and proven poverty graduation approaches of BOMA and the deep experience and expertise of one of Africa’s oldest and most prominent conservation, wildlife protection, and ecological restoration organizations, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). We have designed a model that will work with communities in Northern Kenya and Simien Mountains Landscape region in Ethiopia to:

1. Equip communities to consume and grow a variety of diversified and nutritious food for children, their households, and schools at large.
2. Coach women to establish viable and profitable micro-enterprises that will increase their income to nurture child well-being and graduate households from extreme poverty to achieve self-reliance
3. Improve crisis resilience for communities and diversify local sources of income by restoring degraded land and increasing biodiversity.

Over the five-year project period (June 2024-May 2029), this project will reach the following strategic objectives:

1. Foster adequate food security, nutrition, and diversity of food sources for the diet of 27,000 children in extreme poor households in the two project locations
2. Equip 5’400 women with entrepreneurial skills to build and sustain viable and profitable micro-enterprises that will increase and diversify their income to support the wellbeing of their children and graduate their households out of extreme poverty
3. Increase community resilience to overcome extreme weather events by restoring degraded lands and increasing biodiversity for community well-being

   I. PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

As part of the initial phase of the program, BOMA is conducting a comprehensive market and nutrition assessment with actionable recommendations to inform the implementation of the SOIL program, starting with Marsabit, and a value chain analysis of the potential value chains in Marsabit that align with the program’s strategic objectives. The purpose of this terms of reference (TOR) is intended to identify a suitable Consultant to:

• Conduct a secondary review of market and nutrition assessment in Northern Kenya and specifically Marsabit establishing key gaps for primary data collection. The focus should be on the particular target population – extreme poor households, especially those who face food insecurity and malnutrition.
• Lead the design to gather insightful primary data for market and nutrition assessment, and value chain analysis of key potential value chains in Marsabit. The value chain analysis should focus on new enterprises at the micro-level that will sustain profitability in the local markets, take into account the target population for the program and contribute to land restoration and biodiversity.
• Conduct a comprehensive market and nutrition assessment, and value chain analysis focusing on two regions in Marsabit. As above, the assessment and analysis should take into consideration the specific program strategies, micro-level enterprises, target population, and concerns around land and biodiversity.
• Produce a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations based on findings to inform implementation. The recommendations must be actionable, with specific recommended strategies for implementation.

  II. SCOPE OF WORK & TIMELINES

  The consultant will undertake the following tasks over 2-month period, starting September 2024. Phase 1: Secondary review and research preparation

• Review provided documents, existing secondary information and identify gaps.
• Develop a research plan for the assessment.
• Develop research tools.
• Present the research plan and incorporate reviews and feedback

  Phase 2: Data Collection and analysis

• Conduct field visits and interviews with stakeholders as necessary to collect data and insights related to the market, value chain opportunities and strategies, and nutritional aspects.
• Conduct systematic analysis

  Phase 3: Reporting and Recommendations

• Prepare a draft report outlining assessment findings and analysis.
• Present draft findings for feedback and incorporate revisions as necessary.
• Finalize the report incorporating feedback and recommendations for action.
• Submit all datasets and transcripts

  III. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  The assignment requires an expert consultant meeting the following requirements:

  1. Advanced degree in development economic, Research Methods, monitoring and evaluation, international development, sociology, or similar.

  2. Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research techniques and software

  3. Proven experience in conducting market assessment, value chain analysis and nutrition assessment and crafting recommendations from the secondary review, existing data, and qualitative insights.

  4. Experience in conducting research on poverty graduation and the drylands of Kenya is an added advantage.

  5. Presence in, or ability to travel to Marsabit during data collection.

  Desired:

  1. Knowledge of gender, youth, nutrition and social issues in the implementation context

  OTHER RELEVANT DETAILS

  1. All field logistics will be covered by the BOMA

  2. Other costs including meals incurred by the consultant in performing the assignment are covered on reimbursed basis.