Expression of Interest (EOI) for Baseline and Market Systems Assessment for the Reactivation and Reorganization of Local Markets in MMC, Jere and Konduga LGAs, Borno State. at Novel Alliance for Development Aid _NADA

Duration: [Duration – 2 months]

Overall objectives of the consultancy

To conduct a comprehensive baseline and market systems assessment that provides a clear understanding of how the targeted markets currently operate, identifies key actors and structural challenges, and produces evidence-based, gender-sensitive recommendations to guide the reactivation and reorganization of markets in MMC, Jere, and Konduga LGAs. The assessment systematically integrates gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, measures to prevent and reduce the risk of gender-based violence, and social inclusion throughout all stages of the process. Examine how women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, IDPs, and host communities’ access, participate in, and benefit from market systems; identify barriers that limit meaningful participation for women and other marginalized groups; and propose practical, context-specific strategies to ensure that reactivated markets are inclusive, safe, and equitable for all market actors. 

Specific objectives 

1. To establish a baseline understanding of the current structure, functionality, and accessibility of local markets in Jere, MMC, Konduga and other markets within the geographical locations LGAs.
2. Map market actors, including traders, producers, transporters, input suppliers, financial actors, disaggregated by sex, age and disability status.
3. Identify gender-specific barriers affecting women’s full participation in market systems (Access to capital, mobility restriction, market governance participation, safety concerns, unpaid care burden etc ).
4. Analyze existing GBV risks within market environments, like harassment, exploitation, unsafe infrastructures, and other harmful gender norms.
5. Assess opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and inclusive livelihood pathways within the target market systems.
6. Examine the roles, agency and decision-making power of women and other marginalised groups within market governance and value chain.
7. Understand the process of determining prices for key products and distributing them to various market actors
8. To assess the physical infrastructure, security, and governance mechanisms influencing market operations and trader participation.
9. To generate evidence-based, gender responsive recommendations for inclusive market reactivation and reorganisation, with a focus on strengthening women’s participation, safety, leadership, resilience and sustainable development of local market systems to enhance livelihoods and economic recovery.
10. Organise a stakeholders’ workshop to validate the report.

Scope of work/Deliverables 

Duties and Responsibilities: The consultant for the study will work under the guidance of the Project Coordinator and Chief of Operations and will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive gender-responsive market assessment. The consultant will:

• Prepare a detailed work plan and methodology for the study or assessment, ensuring the meaningful participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups. 
• Lead and manage the research team, adhering to ethical standards, PSHEA and do no harm principles.
• Conduct participatory, gender- sensitive data collection and ensure data quality.
• Analyze data to identify gendered patterns of access, participation, and benefits within the market system. 
• Produce all reports integrating recommendations on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, social inclusion, and market safety.
• Facilitate the validation workshop to incorporate perspectives of women, youth, and other marginalized groups.
• Ensure ethical standards and do-no-harm principles are upheld throughout the process.
• Ensure the active and safe participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
• Prepare and submit the study report with actionable, context-specific and gender responsive recommendations for review and finalization. Note that the report must include valid recommended solutions for the market system affected by the conflict.

 Location of the study

The RESILAC *2 targets 3 LGAs in Borno State. The LGAs include MMC, JERE and Konduga. 5 communities are within MMC, 6 in Jere, and 4 in Konduga total of 15 communities. However, the study must explore all the available markets within the territory for the market study. 

The inhabitants of the target communities are majorly Kanuri, Shuwa, and Hausa-speaking.

 Reporting and Deliverables

At the end of the assessment, the consultant will prepare a detailed report that includes findings, analysis, and practical recommendations. The report will be structured to highlight gender-specific insights and actionable strategies for enhancing resilience and adaptation in the target communities. The final report will be disseminated to stakeholders and used to inform policy and programming. Below are the stages.

1. Inception Report – Outline of study methodology, gender responsive data collection tools, and initial desk review findings.
2. Interim Report – Preliminary analysis and key findings from field assessments.
3. Draft Final Report – Comprehensive documentation of findings, and actionable recommendations for gender transformative market interventions and policy action.
4. Final Report – A refined version incorporating feedback from stakeholders and validation workshops to ensure accuracy, relevance, and inclusivity.

Consultant’s Profile and Requirements

Educational Qualification:

A Master’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Gender and Development Studies, or a related field

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting market systems analyses, value chain assessments, or related economic research, preferably in conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven experience in participatory research methodologies and gender-sensitive data collection.
• Strong understanding of the socio-economic context of Northeast Nigeria, specifically Borno State.
• Proven understanding of gender dynamics, women’s economic empowerment, and barriers to participation within market systems, especially in culturally sensitive and crisis-affected environments.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills in English. Proficiency in Hausa and/or Kanuri is mandatory.
• Experience working with international NGOs or donor-funded projects is highly desirable.

Equal Opportunity

Novel Alliance for Development Aid (NADA) is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. We encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and consultants with experience working in inclusive governance and resilience programs.

Information to provide in your offer:

1. CV of consultant or firm
2. Date of availability
3. Technical Proposal (not exceeding two pages) detailing understanding of the ToR, methodology, and expected outputs, including a work plan. 
4. Financial Offer signed and stamped: Please note that the consultant will take care of all her/his expenses related to this assignment including field work expenses such as travels, workshop to review and validate findings with stakeholders which will be organized by Consultant and sponsored by NADA. Therefore, all expenses should be included in the financial offer. NADA will not be responsible for any expense apart from the sum total of the contract offer. Kindly include all deductible taxes as applicable in your offer.
5. Terms of payment if different from the one proposed in this ToR
6. Currency of payment, preferably in Nigerian Naira