Concern Worldwide is a nongovernmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern Worldwide’s integrated programming approach aims to tackle all dimensions of poverty, focusing on the overlapping areas of health, education and livelihoods while maintaining our response to emergencies. Concern fully integrates equality in all its work, with emphasis on a gender transformative approach. Concern Worldwide has been operational in Sierra Leone since 1996. We currently operates in the Districts of Western Area Urban (Freetown), Western Area Rural, Tonkolili and Port Loko – as well as remotely in Kambia, Koinadugu, Falaba, Bombali and Karene.
Food and Nutrition Security through Equitable and Climate Smart Food Systems (Yoti Yoti) is a 5 year project funded by Irish Aid under the Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World” (ICSP) 2023-27. Responding to increasing food and nutrition insecurity, the overall goal of the project is to increase vulnerable households’ resilience to food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening food systems in Tonkolili and Port Loko Districts in Sierra Leone. To achieve this, the project adopts an integrated Food System for Food security approach which brings together the four food security pillars: availability, access, utilization and stability, using a systems approach. Expected outcomes:
- Increased inclusive climate smart food production (availability)
- Stronger access to markets for those living in conditions of extreme poverty (access)
- Stable consumption of an adequate and affordable diet by all (utilization)
- Evidence generated is used to influence at district and national level (stability)
Each of these pillars do not stand alone; they interact with each other at micro, meso and macro levels, with gender equity and inclusion underpinning all pillars.
The project is working in partnership with Community Integrated Development Association (CIDA) and Miro Forestry. As well as in collaboration with district and national stakeholders: District Council, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.
The aim of the market assessment is to in the two project Districts: (i) identify market dynamics and opportunities (ii) assess and map the supply and demand of services in targeted areas and (iii) research high priority value chains relevant for people living in conditions of extreme poverty. Value chains of high priority crops based on economic value and potential for growth, relevance to small holder farmers, potential participation/opportunities for women and youth, and high nutritional value) will be targeted.
The study will also seek to understand the challenges and opportunities e.g. in regard to maximising income in the identified value chains with a special focus on the roles of women and youth in those. The market assessment will support the Yoti Yoti project overall aim of contributing towards increased vulnerable households’ resilience to food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening food systems in Tonkolili and Port Loko Districts, Northern province, Sierra Leone.
The main task of the consultant is to scope the market for existing under-developed and new sectors for value addition and to deliver an analysis of 6 potential value chains which offer the best opportunities.
- Literature review of relevant documents, including reports, research papers, case studies, etc. relevant to this study.
- A full markets scoping report containing:
- An overview of the market situation in the 2 districts and the initial opportunities
- A list of those value chains not short-listed with a summary why they were deprioritised.
A detailed analysis of the 6 prioritised value chains.
Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.
