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

Country: Somalia Organization: European Committee for Agricultural Training Closing date: 3 Sep 2026 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 economic opportunities and gender market analysis; • Training tools and approaches; • A business plan template suitable for the women groups; and • Objective criteria and a scoring matrix for assessing and ranking the 20 business plans. Deliverable 1: Inception Report, including the methodology, work plan, assessment tools, proposed training approach, business plan template and proposed business plan assessment and scoring matrix. Phase 2: Rapid Analysis of Economic Opportunities and Gender Market Analysis The consultant shall undertake a rapid market assessment in Jowhar District to identify realistic economic opportunities for the targeted women. The assessment shall analyse: • Existing and emerging livelihood and income-generating activities, and products or services with demonstrated market demand; • Market size, demand trends and seasonality of supply and demand; • Availability and cost of inputs, existing and potential customers, selling prices and expected profit margins; • Existing competitors and potential market saturation; • Transportation and market access requirements, and skills and technology requirements; • Start-up costs, operational costs, working capital requirements and potential profitability; • Opportunities for value addition, opportunities suitable for group enterprises, and potential for business expansion and sustainability; and • Key economic, climatic, security and market risks. The consultant shall rank the most promising economic opportunities according to market demand, profitability, feasibility, start-up costs, women’s ability to participate, risk and sustainability. Gender Market Analysis The gender analysis shall examine: • The roles of women and men in the identified markets and value chains; • Women’s access to and control over productive resources and income, and their access to finance, inputs, technology and market information; • Participation in household and business decision-making; • Mobility and safety constraints, unpaid care responsibilities and time constraints; • Social and cultural norms affecting women’s economic participation, and women’s access to markets and business networks; • Opportunities for women’s ownership and leadership of businesses, and potential risks associated with increased women’s income and economic participation. The consultant shall recommend practical measures for addressing the identified barriers, and shall map the relevant market actors, including buyers and off-takers, traders, wholesalers and retailers, input suppliers, service providers, financial institutions, government institutions, business development service providers and other private sector actors relevant to the proposed businesses. Deliverable 2: Rapid Economic Opportunities and Gender Market Analysis Report for Jowhar, including prioritised economic opportunities, the gender analysis, market actor mapping and practical recommendations. Phase 3: Training of the 20 Women Groups The consultant shall train 300 women organised into 20 groups of 15 members each. Each group shall receive three days of training. Training shall be practical and participatory, and shall cover the following areas. Financial Education Financial literacy; household versus business finances; budgeting; saving and responsible borrowing; cash-flow management; costing and pricing; profit and loss; simple record keeping; working capital management; and responsible use and management of business grants. Entrepreneurship and Business Management Entrepreneurship and business mindset; identification and assessment of business opportunities; understanding customers; business models; business planning; stock and inventory management; sales and marketing; customer care; negotiation; risk management; group business management and the roles and responsibilities within group enterprises; and business sustainability and growth. Market Connections Understanding local markets; market information; identifying customers; supplier relationships; buyer engagement; negotiation; product quality; packaging and presentation where applicable; market access; and establishing sustainable relationships with buyers and suppliers. Deliverable 3: Training package comprising training materials, agendas, attendance sheets, pre- and post-training assessments, and a consolidated training report covering the 20 groups and 300 women. Phase 4: Development of Business Plans Following the training, the consultant shall provide technical support to each of the 20 women groups to develop a practical business plan. Each business plan shall set out the proposed income-generating activity, the products or services, the market opportunity, target customers, market demand, competitor analysis, input requirements and suppliers, marketing strategy, group management arrangements, start-up requirements, the proposed utilisation of the EUR 1,300 grant, sales projections, operating costs, expected income and profit, cash-flow projections, business risks and mitigation measures, and the sustainability and growth strategy. Phase 5: Business Plan Assessment and Selection of the Top 15 Groups The consultant shall undertake a transparent technical assessment of all 20 business plans, applying the following criteria and weightings: • Market demand and opportunity – 20% • Financial viability and profitability – 20% • Technical feasibility – 15% • Realistic and appropriate use of the EUR 1,300 grant – 15% • Group capacity, commitment and management arrangements – 10% • Market access and linkages – 10% • Gender responsiveness and benefits to members – 5% • Sustainability and risk management – 5% The consultant shall score and rank all 20 groups against these criteria, provide clear justification for the score and ranking of each group, and submit a technical recommendation identifying the top 15 qualifying groups. Deliverable 4: 20 completed business plans; a completed assessment and scoring matrix for all 20 groups; the ranking of the 20 groups; a technical recommendation of the top 15 groups; and a consolidated Business Plan Assessment Report. Phase 6: Start-Up Support, Market Linkages and Post Start-Up Mentorship Following CEFA’s approval and disbursement of start-up grants to the selected 15 women groups, the consultant shall support the groups during the establishment of their businesses. This support shall include reviewing business start-up plans, guiding groups on the appropriate utilisation of the grant, advising on the sourcing of business inputs and equipment, facilitating connections with identified suppliers, buyers and customers, supporting groups to establish record-keeping systems, advising on pricing and marketing strategies, and providing technical guidance during initial business establishment. The consultant shall thereafter provide structured post start-up coaching and mentorship, undertaking at least two structured follow-up and mentorship visits per supported group during the agreed post start-up period. Each follow-up shall assess whether the business is operational, the use of grant-funded assets and inputs, sales performance, revenue, operating expenses and profitability, cash-flow management, business record keeping, stock management, customer development, market access, supplier relationships, group management and participation, challenges and constraints, business risks, and opportunities for improvement or expansion. During each visit the consultant shall provide practical coaching and agree corrective actions with the respective group. Deliverable 5: Business Start-Up and Market Linkage Report covering the 15 supported women groups. Deliverable 6: Post Start-Up Monitoring and Mentorship Report, providing the status of each of the 15 businesses, progress against business plans, challenges encountered, corrective measures taken and recommendations for sustainability. Summary of Deliverables • Inception Report and assessment tools; • Rapid Economic Opportunities and Gender Market Analysis Report for Jowhar; • Training of 20 groups and 300 women for three days each, and a consolidated Training Report; • 20 completed group business plans; • Business plan scoring matrix and ranking of all 20 groups, with a technical recommendation of the top 15 groups; • Business Start-Up and Market Linkage Report for the 15 selected groups; • Post Start-Up Monitoring and Mentorship Report; and • Final Consultancy Report documenting results, lessons learned and recommendations. All deliverables shall be submitted electronically in editable format and shall be subject to review and approval by CEFA. Duration of the Assignment The assignment shall be implemented over a period of 6 months, allowing sufficient time for the market assessment, training, business plan development, grant selection, business establishment and post start-up mentoring. Applicants shall propose the required number of professional working days and provide a detailed work plan covering all phases of the assignment. Safeguarding and Do No Harm The consultant shall comply with CEFA’s safeguarding, PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), Code of Conduct and data protection requirements. Particular attention shall be given to women’s safe and meaningful participation, confidentiality, the inclusion of vulnerable participants, and the identification and mitigation of risks that may arise from women’s increased participation in economic activities. Management and Implementation Responsibilities The consultant will report directly to the CEFA Field Coordinator and the CEFA Project Manager, and shall work in close collaboration with relevant CEFA staff, project partners and local authorities in Jowhar. The assignment is all inclusive. The consultant will be responsible for the organisation of the following, and shall include them in the financial proposal: • Guidance and technical support as required throughout the assignment; • All training materials, stationery, projector and training kits; • Meals, refreshments, transport refund and accommodation for participants; • Ensuring all participants are present; • Training venue; • Facilitator transport from office to training venue; • Developing the methodology, work plan, training plan, training materials and tools; • Conducting the training in a participatory and practical way; • Field transport for the business plan development, assessment and mentorship visits; • Sharing all reports, training materials and tools for reproduction; • Facilitator transport to Jowhar and any living or accommodation expenses incurred. Qualifications of Consultant. Essential • An advanced university degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Entrepreneurship, Rural Development or a related field • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated experience in market or economic opportunity assessments and in conducting gender and market analyses; • Demonstrated experience in women’s economic empowerment and livelihood programming, in delivering financial literacy, entrepreneurship and business management training, and in developing and assessing business plans; • Experience supporting micro and small enterprises or community businesses, in private sector engagement and market linkages, and in providing post-grant business mentorship; • Strong participatory training and facilitation skills, and excellent analytical and report-writing skills; • Ability to speak in Somali and English, either directly or through appropriately qualified team members. Desirable • Previous experience working in Somalia, particularly in Hirshabelle State and Jowhar District, will be a strong advantage. • Previous experience in group enterprise development, village savings and loan associations, or grant-funded start-up support to women groups. How to apply 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)) Submission of Proposals Interested individual consultants or firms are requested to submit: • A summarised technical proposal • A financial proposal • Copies of the Curriculum Vitae of the Team Leader and the Training Facilitator. • Contact details for at least three references (including one from your last client or employer). Proposals must be submitted no later than 03 Septembeer 2026, 10:00 PAM EAT by email to; procurement@cefakenya.com