Consultancy for Rapid Economic Opportunities and Gender Market Analysis and Business Development Support for Women Groups, Jowhar, Somalia

The full Request for Proposal document is available on this link: [**https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hb2aZaEgxGHOC_j86-manoqE5ubQ9sds/view?usp=drive_link**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hb2aZaEgxGHOC_j86-manoqE5ubQ9sds/view?usp=drive_link**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hb2aZaEgxGHOC_j86-manoqE5ubQ9sds/view?usp=drive_link))

About CEFA

CEFA - European Committee for Training and Agriculture (Comitato Europeo per la Formazione e l’Agricoltura) is an Italian NGO who has worked in Somalia since 1992 transiting through Humanitarian response interventions, livelihood support, Food Security, Infrastructure Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, over the past three decades. CEFA is currently working in the ARISE Project in Jowhar District. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local partner SHARDI. CEFA’s mandate under the ARISE Project is: - Enhancement of water access for irrigation and domestic use and strengthening of inclusive access to sanitation services in rural villages in Jowhar; - Improvement of food security through trainings on climate-resilient agricultural practices, supporting farmers connection with the private sector, distribution of productive seeds and nutrition-sensitive agriculture trainings.

Brief about the project:

This project will contribute towards climate change adaptation and resilience, as well as for a sustainable economic development of displaced, host and integrated communities in Jowhar District, in Middle Shabelle. The initiative is designed following the needs of the displaced and host population, targeting the most vulnerable people, ensuring equitable access to resources and project activities. In order to strengthen livelihoods and household income, the project supports women in rural communities to identify and establish viable income-generating activities and to access start-up support and business development services within the target area. By investing in the business and financial management capacity of women, women agricultural producers will be better prepared to start or expand their own enterprises. This initiative is therefore important in strengthening the resilience of women in Jowhar District, Somalia.

Objectives of the Consultancy Assignment

As part of the women’s economic empowerment and livelihood component of the ARISE project, 300 women organised into 20 groups of 15 members each will be supported to identify, develop and manage viable income-generating activities (IGAs). The purpose of the consultancy is to identify viable, market-driven and gender-responsive economic opportunities in Jowhar, to strengthen the business and financial management capacities of the targeted women, and to support the establishment of sustainable women-led enterprises. The assignment provides an integrated pathway from market analysis, to training, to business planning, to business plan assessment, to start-up grant, to market linkages, and finally to business mentorship and follow-up. CEFA would like to engage a consultant to deliver this assignment following the workflow below: - 20 groups will be identified by CEFA with 15 members each and the list will be submitted to the consultant; - 300 members of the 20 groups will receive three days of direct training from the consultant, delivered group by group; - All 20 groups will be supported to develop business plans, which the consultant will score and rank against transparent and predetermined criteria; - The top 15 qualifying groups will each receive a start-up grant of EUR 1,300, giving a total grant envelope of EUR 19,500. The grants are disbursed directly by CEFA. The consultant shall not hold, manage or disburse the start-up grants, and the value of the grants shall not be included in the financial proposal; - The consultant will provide market linkage support and structured post start-up coaching and mentorship to the 15 grant-recipient groups; - CEFA officers will continue the monitoring of the supported groups, as per instructions received from the consultant. Final approval of the 15 grant-recipient groups remains the responsibility of CEFA project management in accordance with applicable project and grant management procedures. The consultant’s assessment constitutes a technical recommendation only. Specific Objectives of the Consultancy - Conduct a rapid analysis of existing and emerging economic opportunities in Jowhar; - Conduct a gender-responsive market analysis to identify opportunities and constraints affecting women’s participation in local markets and value chains; - Identify and prioritise viable income-generating activities suitable for women groups, assessing market demand, competition, input availability, prices, profitability and market access; - Identify potential buyers, suppliers, financial institutions and other relevant market actors; - Train 300 women organised into 20 groups of 15 members each, with each group receiving three days of training; - Strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills in financial education, entrepreneurship, business management and market engagement; - Support all 20 groups to develop realistic and market-oriented business plans; - Review, score and rank the 20 business plans using transparent and predetermined criteria, and recommend the top 15 qualifying groups for start-up grant support; - Facilitate relevant market connections for the supported businesses; and - Provide post start-up business coaching, monitoring and mentorship to the 15 grant-recipient groups. Scope of the Assignment The assignment shall be implemented in six phases, each with defined deliverables as set out below.

Phase 1: Inception and Methodology Development

The consultant shall review relevant project documents and available socioeconomic and market information for Jowhar, hold an inception meeting with CEFA and relevant project partners, and develop the following: - A detailed methodology and work plan; - Data collection tools for the ec