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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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