Description

• Undertake desktop research to identify the key trends in the South Sudan Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry market systems with specific focus on the GUN region.
• Map and profile key actors in the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry market systems in the GUN region. This will include primary actors along the value chain (producers, input suppliers, traders, processors, retailers and end consumers) and secondary supporting actors (financial service providers, business development services (BDS) extension providers, regulating authorities etc). Identify who they are, estimated numbers, their key functions and the nature of market interactions with other actors and where possible, indicate the key incentives and disincentives along the chains in the different geographies within the GUN region.
• Undertake analysis of the capacities and constraints of market actors from the market mapping. Identify any gaps or deficiencies that currently exist in the functions or services of the market systems, and evaluate why those services are absent or sub-optimally delivered; who can possibly provide such services. This should include generalized analysis for each category of actors and also specific information about key real-world businesses or market actors that are prominent in the market systems.
• Examine relevant components of the regulatory and policy framework as well as important informal norms /rules that affect the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry and the related secondary market systems in the target geographies.
• Analyze the over-all business environment under which the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry market systems are operating in the target geographies and link this to the national level. Where possible provide a SWOT analysis of the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry marketing structures in GUN Region and link to cross-border opportunities in Sudan and other neighboring countries.
• Assess the overall competitiveness of the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry markets systems in the GUN region, in relation to other regional, national and cross-border market performance, including unique selling points (USP) where they exist. Identify alternative potential output markets for the GUN Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry products.
• Undertake analysis of how conflict and climate change affect the performance of the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry markets and advise on the feasibility of more conflict and climate change sensitive model to develop each of these markets.
• Based on the finding from the MSA, facilitate the design workshop to enable the THRIVE programme team to makes sense out of the assessment and redesign (review) the proposed intervention in the Fisheries, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry market systems.

• A detailed analysis of the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry and the related secondary market systems, assessing constraints and opportunities that THRIVE Consortium and particularly Mercy Corps can work to address. Of particular interest to Mercy Corps and THRIVE programme is how to interest the target population and incentivized the private/public sector actors to improve the functioning of interconnected markets such as input supply, extension services, output markets and business services, cold storage and transportation, financial services provision, etc.
• Advise on coordination, governance and information sharing mechanisms in the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry and related secondary market systems and propose possible coordination or governance models that improve collaboration, information sharing and social cohesion and learning between actors to improve the effectiveness and opportunities along the value chains.
• Delineate and examine the different market channels for Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry and related secondary markets systems and their products, outlining potential opportunities, additional investments, challenges and possible interventions.
• Segment the markets and recommend (based on evidence) the best sub sector and or supporting markets to focus on, especially for women and youth. An analysis of the supporting functions needed to strengthen the market system for poor producers. Identify existing service gaps and indicate who or what might fill them.
• Based on the observed market conditions and opportunities, outline key future strategic interventions to trigger and stimulate development of the Fish, Livestock, and Sustainable Non-Timber/Agro-Forestry market systems in the next four years. The proposed strategic interventions will be critically examined during the design workshop for their suitability and sustainability and should also be aligned to other national strategies.
• Facilitate the design of systemic and yet pro poor interventions. This assignment (consultancy) will extend beyond the confines of the markets system assessment into intervention design. The insights from the MSA will guide the consortium and Mercy Corps in tailoring interventions that are not only inclusive but also contextually relevant, fostering resilience and sustainable development in the GUN region of South Sudan.

• An inception report (maximum ten pages) outlining the approach/method and work timetable submitted for review and approval by MC before commencing the assessment.
• Data collection tools submitted.
• Market assessment draft report submitted after completion of fieldwork.
• Internal presentation and discussion (validation) of key findings with Mercy Corps and the THRIVE Consortium members.
• Submit outline of designed interventions, with detail intervention logic/theory of change, business model, and potential list of actors to partner after completing the design workshop. The design workshop will be organized and funded by Mercy Corps or the THRIVE Consortium.
• Final report submitted after completing the validation and the design workshop-integrating feedback from the workshops. The final report should not be more than 30 pages maximum, others may be put in annexes.

• An inception report (maximum ten pages) submitted for review and approval by MC five (5) working days after signing the contract.
• Data collection tools submitted within five (5) working days of approval of inception report.
• Field data collections (market systems assessment) 10 working days
• Market assessment draft report submitted within ten (10) working days of completion of fieldwork.
• Internal presentation and discussion (validation) of key findings with Mercy Corps and the THRIVE Consortium members one (1) day.
• Outline of designed interventions, with detail intervention logic/theory of change, business model, and potential list of actors to partner with submitted in ten (10) work days after completed the design workshop. The design workshop will be organized and funded by Mercy Corps or the THRIVE Consortium.
• Submission of the final report submitted within five (5) working days of after completing the validation and the design workshop.

• 5-10 years of experience in relevant technical field (required)
• 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), 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 programme 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.