Description
BACKGROUND
The EU's development cooperation with South Sudan, outlined in the Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP) for 2021-2027, is geared towards achieving the overall objective of progressing to a more stable, resilient, and peaceful South Sudan during this period.
In alignment with the EU's development cooperation objectives for South Sudan outlined in the Multi-annual Indicative Program (MIP) for 2021-2027, Mercy Corps, collaborating with Norwegian People's Aid, For Africa, and ACF, is forming a consortium to bid for the anticipated EU funding initiative named the EU Green and Resilient Economy. As part of the preparation, the consortium is seeking the services of a skilled consultant to conduct a comprehensive Market Systems Analysis in five states: Central Equatoria, Lakes State, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria. The analysis aims to identify barriers and opportunities for the populations in these states across key pillars, including Private Sector Development, Job Creation, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Biodiversity, and Climate Change Adaptation. This initiative seeks to contribute to the overall objective of progressing towards a more stable, resilient, and peaceful South Sudan within the specified 2021-2027 timeframe.
PURPOSE
The consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) and subsequent In-Depth Market System Assessments (MSA) in South Sudan, covering various sectors and markets. The purpose of this scoping is to inform the design and implementation of interventions for the anticipated EU Green and Resilient Economy funding initiative. The consultant will work closely with Mercy Corps, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), Action Against Hunger (ACF), and For Africa consortium teams.
Continuous Iteration for Informed Project Design:
The Market Systems Assessment (MSA) conducted by the consortium, led by Mercy Corps, is not envisioned as a static document but rather as a dynamic and iterative process. The MSA will extend beyond the confines of the final report, evolving into an ongoing and interactive tool that informs subsequent phases of project design and implementation.
Recognizing the dynamic nature of market systems and the evolving needs of the communities in South Sudan, the MSA will be subjected to continuous iterations. The findings and insights garnered from the assessment will play a pivotal role in shaping the initial design phase of the project. This iterative approach ensures that the MSA remains responsive to emerging challenges, opportunities, and changing market dynamics.
The collaborative efforts of the consortium members will be instrumental in refining and adapting interventions based on real-time feedback and the evolving context. This iterative process emphasizes a commitment to flexibility, learning, and responsiveness, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective and targeted interventions. As the MSA transitions into the project's initial design phase, the insights gleaned will guide the consortium in tailoring interventions that are not only evidence-based but also contextually relevant, fostering resilience and sustainable development in South Sudan.
ACTIVITIES & DELIVERABLES
Conduct a market systems assessment
Desk Review: Conduct a thorough review of existing literature, reports, and relevant data to understand the current market dynamics and challenges in the target sectors and states.
Conduct a joint workshop led by the consultant with proposed consortium partners teams to set out and agree on methodology, review assessment tools, schedule assessment activities and develop work plan.
Stakeholder Identification: Identify and map key stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector players, NGOs, and community representatives, in each target market.
Field Visits: Visit the four main commercial hubs (Juba, Jonglei, Yambio, Wau) to conduct field assessments, interviews, and focus group discussions with key informants, businesses, and community members to gather primary data.
Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to identify market trends, key players, and systemic challenges in each sector and state.
Preliminary Findings Presentation: Present preliminary findings to consortium partners and relevant stakeholders for initial feedback and validation.
Draft MSA report
Support proposal development.
Provide inputs into anticipated EU proposal.
ACTIVITIES, ESTIMATED LOE, TIMELINE 2024, LOCATION, DELIVERABLE(S) FOR 43 DAYS.
Review secondary research prepared by consortium team of NPA, ACF, For Africa and MC. LOE 4 days; starting March 15. (Desk review Remote).
Preparation and support the design of rapid market assessment tools. LOE 2 days; starting March 15; (Desk remote). Deliverable: Tools developed
Online preparation workshop with Mercy Corpsโ and proposed Project consortium members to understand and agree on methodology, review assessment tools, schedule assessment activities and develop and agree on the work plan. LOE 2days starting March 19, (Remote Online); Deliverables: (Coordination, logistics, team composition, initial research guidance for in-country team, define selection criteria).
Kick-off workshop; LOE 2 days, starting April 1-2; (In country); Deliverables: (Field logistics, training, plans and finalization of interview guides).
Conduct a Rapid Market Assessment:
a). Conduct a rapid market assessment and stakeholder mapping in five states (four main commercial hubs of Juba, Jonglei, Yambio, and Wau) for up to 11 value chains and 3 supporting functions Maize, Honey, Gum Arabica, Fish, Rice cassava, sorghum, Poultry, Horticulture, groundnuts, and Sesame the supporting functions include access to finance, Agric-inputs, and labour market with consortium member teams. Assessments will include participatory meetings with stakeholders, key informant interviews, market observation, and other tools as needed. LOE 16 days (about 2 and a half weeks); starting April 3-20; (In-country & 2 travel days). Deliverables: (Interview Guides and Notes)
b) Coordinate additional local team data gathering efforts; LOE 3 days; starting April 22-30, (Remote). Deliverables: (Interview Guides and Notes).
Conduct workshop to refine market systems selection criteria and select priority market systems together with the NPA, ACF, For Africa and MC team members. LOE 1 day; starting May 1; (Remote); Deliverable: (Final selection criteria and market system selection).
Draft Market Systems Reports (for a minimum 3 priority sectors or supporting functions). LOE 10 days; starting May 15th; (Remote); Deliverables: (Market systems analysis report, including selection of priority sectors and supporting functions and identification of key constraints, underlying causes, and list of stakeholders with recommendations on potential intervention approaches).
Deliverable: Provide written input into EU proposal; LOE 3 days; (Remote)
Lead Agency and Consortium Collaboration:
While Mercy Corps leads the initiative, it is essential to underscore the collaborative nature of the consortium. Other consortium members, including Norwegian People's Aid, For Africa, and ACF, play vital roles in contributing resources to facilitate the successful completion of the MSA. The collaborative efforts of these organizations enhance the overall capacity, knowledge base, and impact of the MSA, ensuring a more robust and comprehensive analysis of market systems across the targeted states.
Mercy Corps plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success and smooth execution of the market systems assessment (MSA) consultancy. The organization will be responsible for overseeing critical aspects of the consultancy process. Key responsibilities include:
Review and Approval of Deliverables: Mercy Corps holds the responsibility to meticulously review and approve all draft and final deliverables produced during the consultancy. This includes reports, intervention designs, and any other outputs generated throughout the assessment process. The organization's thorough review ensures the quality and alignment of deliverables with the overarching goals and standards set for the market systems assessment.
Contracting and Payment for Research Team: To support primary data collection, Mercy Corps and the consortium partners will nominate and allocate team members to support this process through to the end. This responsibility underscores the consortium's commitment to facilitating a robust and comprehensive data collection process, allowing the assessment team to focus on their expertise while ensuring a well-resourced research team.
Assessment Team:
The assessment team, led by the Consultant, is integral to the success of the market systems assessment. Their roles and collaborative efforts are outlined as follows:
Consultant:
The Consultant will serve as the lead professional overseeing the entire market systems assessment.
Responsibilities include conducting the assessment, selection priority market systems and recommending potential intervention approaches, and drafting the final report.
The Consultant is expected to provide leadership and expertise, ensuring the assessment aligns with the objectives and requirements set forth in the consultancy. While the Consultant is executing this duty Mercy corps shall allocate resources including liaison personnel in country to support the consultant during this assignment.
Reports to: The Consultant will report to Regional Market System Development Advisor
The Consultant will work closely with:
The Consultant will report progress, findings, and challenges directly to Mercy Corps who will coordinate with the rest of the consortium team members.
Regular updates and milestones achieved will be communicated to ensure transparency and alignment with project expectations.
Relevant Experience for Market Systems Assessment Consultant:
Market Systems Development (MSD): Demonstrated experience in conducting market systems assessments, utilizing the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach. Proven ability to analyze complex market dynamics, identify key actors, functions, rules, and relationships within target markets.
Sectoral Expertise: Extensive knowledge and experience in the sectors outlined, including Private Sector Development (Financial Services, Business Support Services, MSMEs), Job Creation (Formal/Informal Employment, Skills Development), Agriculture and Rural Development (Crop Production, Livestock and Fisheries, Agribusiness), Natural Resources and Biodiversity (Forest Management, Conservation Agriculture), and Climate Change Adaptation (Renewable Energy, Disaster Risk Reduction).
Resilience Integration: Previous engagement in embedding resilience approaches across various markets and subsectors. Experience in identifying opportunities and challenges related to resilience within the target regions.
Intervention Design: Proven ability to propose and design interventions based on market systems analysis. Experience in developing partnerships and designing program activities aimed at addressing identified barriers and leveraging opportunities within market systems.
Report Drafting: Strong report drafting skills, including the capacity to translate complex market assessments into clear, concise, and actionable reports. Experience in drafting and finalizing comprehensive MSA reports.
Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated success in working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Adaptability and Creativity: Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision. Proven creative problem-solving skills and excellent time management capacities. Demonstrated adaptability to evolving contexts.
Security and Cultural Awareness: Awareness of security, political, and cultural considerations in the South Sudan context. Ability to navigate and work effectively in challenging environments.
Humanitarian Commitment: Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values, ensuring that interventions contribute to the overall objective of progressing towards a more stable, resilient, and peaceful South Sudan.
SUCCESS FACTORS
Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills and excellent time management capacities.
Security, political and cultural awareness
Highly developed interpersonal communication skills
Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the worldโs most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.