RFP for consultancy service for food safety assessment of traditional markets in Sidama region and Shashemene city

About GAIN

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Due to COVID19, conflict in Ukraine and climate change, malnutrition and hunger have worsened significantly since 2019, reversing a decade of progress. There is growing recognition that the Ethiopia food systems need to change if we are to reverse these trends.

GAINs Strategy aims to transform food systems to make healthier diets from sustainable food systems accessible to all people and especially those whose are most vulnerable to shocks. By 2027, we aim to improve the access of 1.5 billion people to nutritionally enhanced staple foods, improve the access of 25 million people to healthier diets, and support positive food system change in 10 countries. This is bold and complex, and the only way to achieve this is to work together with partners including governments, businesses, and civil society at the country and global level. These goals, and the ways of achieving them, build on our twenty-year legacy of transforming peoples lives with improved nutrition through concerted action and effective policy change.

GAIN in Ethiopia has been re-registered and accorded legal personality with re-registered and accorded legal personality with registry Number 2896 by Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Agency for Civil Society Organization.

Background

Evidence and Action Towards Safe, Nutritious Food (EatSafe) programme aims to generate evidence and knowledge of the potential of increased consumer demand for safe food to substantially improve the safety of nutritious foods in informal market settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The five-year programme is funded by USAID and undertaken by a consortium led by GAIN and containing the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Pierce Mill Education and Media, as well as the Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics (Busara). The programme has completed the implementation of interventions aimed at increasing consumer demand for food safety in the Aroge Gebeya traditional market in Hawassa city. In addition, GAIN seeks to recruit a consulting firm or a team of 1-3 people to assess five additional traditional markets located in the Sidama region, Central South region and Shashemene city using market mapping tools.

Objective

The overall objective of this assessment is to evaluate five different open markets comprehensively.

Specific objectives are to:

Validate the existing market assessment tool and conduct the assessment including informal interviews to the market actors applying observations and market walks using the data collection tool.

Develop a SWOT analysis based on the market assessment findings andprovide recommendation accordingly

Assessment structure

1. General information on the market and its location

2. Enabling environment (Infrastructure, governance, & social networks)

3. Technologies/practices

4. Market stakeholders KAPs

5. Landscape analysis to understand what behaviour change opportunities exist.

Scope of work

The consultant is required to carry out the following tasks:

Document available market infrastructure required to ensure food safety (including roads, buildings, entrances, public restrooms, water sources etc.) at 5 pre-selected markets and determine the status and functionality of those infrastructures/facilities.

Examine and document consumers/vendors access to these infrastructures/facilities.

Examine and document the market management teams maintenance modalities for these facilities against the requirements of technical standards.

Indicate the minimum standard of facilities required for the effective management of this market(s) to guarantee market and food safety including the effective preservation of seasonal and perishable foodstuff/vegetables.

Liaise with the market stakeholders to determine the markets priority infrastructural needs within the context of market/food safety and the effective preservation of perishable vegetables.

Based on your assessment and consultations with the market and local government authorities, provide informed recommendations to GAIN on what is required to maintain/improve market/food safety generally in these markets.

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to their internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats in the market to improve food safety.

Deliverables

GAIN responsibilities

GAIN has developed a market assessment tool, which the consultant will utilise for the market assessment. Validation of the tool is required as part of the assessment process.

Organize a workshop to gather feedback from various stakeholders following the completion of the initial draft report by the consultant.

GAIN will facilitate the consultant in facilitating the data collection process and will also provide a support letter for the consultant.

Qualification and Experience

PhD or Masters in a relevant of discipline, such as Architecture or urban/planning. For the Team members working on this project the consultant shall submit the relevant qualifications and overall experience of the team members to successfully implement the task.

Extensive knowledge, experience and background in infrastructural design and feasibility

Demonstrable experience in the installation and maintenance of key market infrastructures including WASH, roads, cold chain systems etc.

Knowledge and understanding of market settings, buildings, infrastructure, and market regulations/legislation.

Previous experience conducting infrastructural assessment is required.

Experience in preparing architectural reports and plans for similar works is required.

Demonstrable understanding of the various government agencies both at the local and federal levels responsible for market and general food safety.