International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Project Background
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with World Vision (WV), Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), Humanity & Inclusion (HI), and Open Capital Advisors (OCA), has secured a four-year grant from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) to implement the PROTECT SRHR project whose major goal is to improve Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and the social wellbeing of over one million adolescents, young people, and women of reproductive age in six districts of West Nile, Uganda including Koboko, Maracha, Terego, Nebbi, Packwach, and Yumbe. The project aims to achieve 04 long-term and 02 intermediate outcomes.
Long-term Outcomes
Reduced preventable maternal deaths
Reduced teenage pregnancies
Reduced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and child marriage
Reduced new HIV infections among adolescents, especially girls
Intermediate Outcomes
Increased access to and utilization of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and SGBV services by women, adolescents, and young people (10-24), including marginalized groups
Improved retention and completion rates of girls and boys in primary and secondary school.
Background to the Market Assessment
The IRC recognizes the link between SRHR and poverty. Financial constraints perpetuate harmful social norms and limit access to essential services, including SRHR, prevention of SGBV, and education, particularly in impoverished communities.
The PROTECT SRHR project integrates economic empowerment as a critical component. By providing targeted livelihood support and economic empowerment opportunities to young people (aged 15-24), women of reproductive age (aged 25-49), youth with disabilities, and multi-dimensional groups, the project aims to mitigate harmful social norms, enhance individual agency, increase access to SRHR services and promote school attendance. Ultimately, economic empowerment will serve as a catalyst for marginalized individuals to realize their SRH rights and improve their overall well-being.
To determine viable livelihood options for the target population, a comprehensive analysis is required to understand their current economic activities, as well as the broader market conditions including assessing market demand and trends, competition and market saturation, and potential for growth and expansion, as well as considering the skills, resources, and aspirations of the target population.
Furthermore, to support the target groups, the PROTECT SRHR project will employ a range of assistance modalities, including cash assistance through suitable transfer mechanisms and In-kind support. Therefore, the assessment will also seek to find suitable modalities of assistance to inform the project’s assistance strategies, ensuring that they are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of the target groups, and that assistance is delivered in a convenient, secure, and efficient manner.
Purpose of the consultancy
The Purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a market assessment looking at the formal and informal markets to assess viable farm and non-farm income opportunities in Yumbe, Terego, Koboko Maracha,Pakwachi Nebbi and Arua districts to identify suitable and viable farm and non-farm small business enterprises for the target beneficiaries to build a resilient livelihood and recommend appropriate strategies for the promotion of the uptake of the identified viable enterprises by the project target beneficiaries. The assessment will look at both formal and informal business opportunities by profiling the farm and non-farm market opportunities suitable for the target beneficiaries.
Specific Objectives.
Map out the existing market opportunities in the selected districts, to identify the farm and non-farm economic opportunities and markets that can be exploited by the target group of women, adolescents, and young people.
Determine the local market entry requirements, investment/start-up capital size, skills, and regulations required for the target beneficiaries to exploit the identified opportunities.
Assess and determine the appropriate project intervention strategies to support the target beneficiaries to establish and grow businesses in line with the potential business opportunities for income generation.
Provide a clear cost-benefit analysis for each of the identified opportunities, projected market size, and suggested market inclusion strategies for marginalized, market demand and supply situation, and profitability.
Scope of the Market Assessment
The market assessment will focus on the districts of Yumbe, Koboko, Terego, Maracha, Nebbi and Pakwachi but will take into account the Arua and cross border Markets. In the region.
The assessment will focus on a range of areas including but not limited to skilling and vocational training opportunities, crop production and agricultural entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and access to credit and enterprise development and entrepreneurship support.
In consideration of the disability aspect, the market assessment should also explore disability-inclusive economic opportunities, accessible financial services and products and adaptive technologies and assistive devices.
Furthermore, the assessment should map service providers, financial institutions, and other organizations that can offer linkage opportunities to the beneficiaries. This will facilitate partnerships, collaborations, and referrals that can support the economic empowerment of the target groups.
To ensure effective and efficient delivery of assistance, the survey should also establish the following, available financial services providers in the project locations, suitable medium of transfer (e.g. mobile money, banks etc), preferred modality of transfer among the target groups, mobile phone coverage and accessibility and access to financial service providers
Responsibility of the Consultant
Develop an inception report outlining the assessment approach, methodology and timeline, working closely with the PROTECT SRHR project team.
Constitute, deploy and supervise a competent assessment team.
Conduct literature reviews, secondary research, and analysis of existing data.
Analyze and interpret data, identifying key findings, trends and insights.
Ensure the quality and accuracy of the assessment findings and report.
Provide actionable recommendations.
Conduct a validation workshop for the market study.
Maintain regular communication with IRC.
Sign the IRC Uganda Safeguarding Policy and abide by the terms and conditions thereof.
Responsibilities Of IRC
Develop the terms of reference for the market assessment, defining the objectives, scope and expected outcome.
Provide the consultant with the necessary information, data, and access to stakeholders.
Facilitate introductions to key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives and community leaders.
Review and provide feedback on the consultant’s inception report, draft report and final report.
Provide feedback to the consultant on their performance.
Review and approve the study design, methodology and data collection tools
Expected Deliverables
An inception Report
Market Assessment Report- A comprehensive report that provides an in-depth analysis of the market.
Market Analysis Presentation- A concise presentation (Max 20-30 slides) summarizing key findings and recommendations from the market assessment report.
Data Collection tools- Copies of the data collection tools used during the market assessment.
Literature review- A compilation of relevant literature, research papers and industry reports used to inform the market assessment.
Assignment Duration
The consultant will be reimbursed for up to 45 working days. This includes all relevant field work, one day validation workshop, and finalization and submission of an acceptable final report of the study.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
A master’s degree, Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Statistics or a related field
Minimum 5 years’ experience in market research, analysis and reporting.
Experience with market research tools and software.
Thorough knowledge about the study area context and livelihood interventions, especially in the project locations.
Cultural competence and understanding of local customs, norms and values
How To Apply.
Interested consulting firms or individuals should submit a technical and financial proposal based on the terms of reference.
Applicants should submit the following.
A cover letter (Max. 2 pages) outlining their experience, skills and approach to the market assessment.
An updated CV (Max 3 pages)
Technical profile of the firm/consultant
A proposed methodology and workplan (Max 5 pages)
A detailed budget and fee structure with justifications.
Ethical Consideration.
The consultant will ensure that all activities and consultations comply with ethical standards, including confidentiality, respect for local customs, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of participants.
Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity
We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.
Professional Standards
IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
NB: This advert will run till 29-Apr-2025.
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
