Terms of Reference for the Consultancy for the Market Systems Mapping Technical Consultant – AARAN Program

Organization 

GREDO- Gargaar Relief and Development Organization

Assignment Title

Consultancy for the Market Systems Mapping Technical Consultant – AARAN Program

Location of assignment 

AARAN Program Operational Areas, Somalia

Announcing Date

29th July 2026

Closing Date

5th August 2026

Commitment to Diversity

GREDO is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified audit firms regardless of nationality or location.

Submission Email:

Consultant@gredosom.org 

1. Background

The Advancing Adaptation through Resilient Mobility and Natural Capital (AARAN) Project is a joint initiative of the BRCiS and Danwadaag consortia that aims to reduce humanitarian needs and forced displacement by strengthening resilience, climate adaptation, livelihoods, and durable solutions across interconnected rural and urban communities in Somalia. AARAN adopts a corridor-based approach that recognizes the movement of people, goods, services, and markets across key economic and mobility pathways and is implemented through six interconnected outputs. The programmes is delivered by six core consortium partners (NRC, IOM, Concern Worldwide, GREDO, KAALO, and LLG) working alongside five downstream partners (MARDO, HIJRA, IRCA, Juba Foundation, and RRR) across 15 districts in Somalia.

To coordinate implementation, AARAN has established dedicated technical Workstreams for each output. Output 3, led by GREDO with technical support from Concern Worldwide, focuses on strengthening resilient, inclusive, and shock-responsive market systems through market systems development, financial inclusion, self-help groups, cooperative development, enterprise strengthening, and public-private partnerships. The Output 3 Workstream brings together representatives from consortiums and downstream partners to provide technical leadership, coordination, harmonization, quality assurance, and capacity strengthening for market systems interventions across AARAN implementation areas.

AARAN applies a Market Systems Resilience (MSR) approach that views markets as interconnected systems linking producers, traders, transporters, service providers, processors, consumers, and institutions across rural and urban areas. To support the design and implementation of Output 3 interventions, AARAN will conduct a participatory Market Systems Mapping Exercise across five priority economic corridors using the BEAM Market Systems Analysis (MSA) Framework and Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis (EMMA) methodologies. The exercise will engage market actors, financial service providers, government authorities, and community representatives to analyze market dynamics, resilience capacities, constraints, and opportunities. Findings will inform the development of resilient, inclusive, and market-driven interventions that strengthen livelihoods and economic opportunities for displacement-affected communities, women, youth, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives, and other market actors. The consultancy will also strengthen partner capacities through Market Systems Resilience training to support the effective implementation of AARAN Output 3 activities.

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership, quality assurance, and capacity-building support for the AARAN Market Systems Mapping Exercise. The consultant will support Workstream Members to implement consistent, participatory, and evidence-based market systems mapping process across the five economic corridors in line with the draft AARAN Market Systems Mapping Guidance Note, BEAM Market Analysis (MSA) Framework, and EMMA methodology. The consultant will also design training materials and deliver a 3-day in-person Market Systems Resilience (MSR) training course in Mogadishu to strengthen the capacity of AARAN Workstream Partners in applying MSD/MSR approaches and effectively implementing AARAN Output 3 .

1. Objectives

The consultancy aims to:

• Provide continuous technical support and guidance to Workstream Members throughout the Market Systems Mapping process.

• To review, refine, and finalize the draft AARAN Market Systems Mapping Guide Note and Facilitation Tools, ensuring high quality, consistency, and alignment with Market system mapping principle and best practice.

• Ensure methodological consistency and technical quality across all five corridors.

• Support Workstream Members to properly implement each step of the mapping exercise and achieve all required outputs.

• Review and quality assure all corridor-level analyses, market maps, tools, matrices, and reports, establishing (with the support of the WS Lead) clear quality control gates and standards.

• Ensure that findings, evidence, and recommendations are validated and technically sound.

• Lead the consolidation and quality assurance of corridor reports and a final AARAN Market Systems Analysis Summary Report.

• Generate evidence-based recommendations to inform AARAN Output 3 interventions. Design, develop, and deliver a 3-day Market Systems Resilience (MSR) training course for AARAN Workstream Partners to strengthen their understanding and application of Market Systems Development (MSD) and MSR approaches.

• Build the capacity of Workstream Partners to apply market systems thinking, resilience principles, and systemic change approaches in the design and implementation of AARAN Output 3 activities. Produce training materials and a training report with recommendations to support effective implementation and long-term sustainability of AARAN market systems interventions.

1. Scope of the Consultancy

The consultant will provide technical support, review, refinement, validation, capacity strengthening, and quality assurance for the AARAN Market Systems Mapping Exercise across five target economic corridors. The assignment will support Workstream Members to implement a consistent and evidence-based market systems mapping process while ensuring the quality of tools, analyses, and outputs.

The five target corridors are:

1. Elbarde-Hudur- Badiao-Dinsoor- Berdale Corridor

2. Belethawo-Bardheere-Kismayo Corridor (Gedo-Jubaland)

3. Wanlawyn-Afgoye-BRA Corridor

4. Middle shabele (Jowhar) Corridor

5. Adaado – galkacyo- Garowe Corridor

These corridors represent key economic pathways through which communities access markets, goods, services, livelihood opportunities, and support systems. The analysis will examine market linkages, trade flows, constraints, opportunities, and critical routes connecting communities, market centers, and service providers. Findings will be used to identify and prioritise market nodes for detailed market systems mapping.

The consultant will review, refine, validate, and finalize the Market Systems Mapping Guidance Note, tools, templates, methodologies, and implementation processes, and provide technical guidance to ensure their effective and consistent application throughout the exercise. This includes supporting and quality assuring all stages of the mapping process, from corridor analysis and market node prioritization to market systems mapping, shock and stress analysis, resilience and systemic change analysis, and validation and reporting.

In addition, the consultant will design and deliver a 3-day in-person Market Systems Resilience (MSR) Training in Mogadishu for AARAN Workstream Members to strengthen their knowledge and practical application of Market Systems Development (MSD) and Market Systems Resilience (MSR) approaches, supporting the effective implementation of AARAN Output 3 activities.

1. Key Responsibilities of the Consultant

The consultant will undertake two core assignments under this consultancy: (A) provide technical support and quality assurance for the AARAN Market Systems Mapping Exercise across the five target corridors, including the review and validation of tools, analyses, and outputs; and (B) design and deliver a 3-day in-person Market Systems Resilience (MSR) training to strengthen the capacity of AARAN Workstream Partners in applying MSD/MSR approaches and supporting the effective implementation of AARAN Output 3 activities.

1. Market Systems mapping Exercise

The consultant will:

• Develop an inception report and quality assurance plan for the assignment.
• Coordinate with the AARAN Market Systems Resilience Advisor on all technical aspects of the assignment.
• Orient and guide Workstream Members on methodologies, tools, facilitation approaches, and reporting requirements.
• Provide a virtual orientation session for Workstream Members on the finalized mapping tools and methodology to ensure consistent and effective implementation across all corridors.
• Review, refine, and validate all tools, templates, matrices, and analytical outputs produced by Workstream Members.
• Review and strengthen corridor market profiles, economic maps, stakeholder mappings, market system maps, shock and stress analyses, resilience analyses, systemic constraint analyses, intervention prioritisation matrices, and draft corridor reports.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all five corridors.
• Ensure analyses are evidence-based and recommendations are linked to identified systemic constraints and aligned with AARAN Output 3 objectives.
• Provide technical feedback and recommendations for the refinement and finalization of market systems mapping tools, processes, and outputs.
• Present key findings, conclusions, and recommendations to AARAN stakeholders.

1. Market Systems Resilience Training The consultant will:

• Develop comprehensive training materials, facilitator guides, presentations, practical exercises, and reference resources on Market Systems Development (MSD) and Market Systems Resilience (MSR).
• Design and deliver a 3-day in-person Market Systems Resilience Training for AARAN Workstream Partners in Mogadishu.
• Build participants' capacity in MSD and MSR concepts, market systems analysis, systemic change, resilience, facilitation, and intervention design.
• Provide practical guidance on applying market systems resilience approaches within AARAN programming and market systems mapping activities.
• Facilitate interactive learning sessions, group discussions, case studies, and practical exercises to strengthen understanding and application.
• Produce a comprehensive training report summarizing training outcomes, key lessons learned, participant feedback, and recommendations to support the effective implementation and successful achievement of AARAN Output 3 activities.

1. Key Responsibilities of AARAN Consortium

GREDO, as the Output 3 Workstream Lead, will:

• Coordinate the overall implementation, management, and oversight of the consultancy.
• Provide the consultant with all relevant guidance documents, methodologies, tools, templates, and supporting resources required for the assignment.
• Coordinate and facilitate engagement between the consultant and Workstream Members throughout the assignment.
• Conduct regular coordination and technical review meetings with Workstream Members.
• Guide and remind corridor teams on deliverables, timelines, and requirements at each stage of implementation.
• Lead planning, scheduling, and coordination of market systems mapping activities across the five corridors.
• Track progress against agreed outputs, milestones, and deliverables.
• Support the consultant's review, validation, and quality assurance processes by facilitating access to documents, stakeholders, and technical discussions.
• Review consultancy outputs and coordinate feedback from Workstream Members.
• Approve key deliverables in consultation with relevant consortium partners.
• Monitor consultancy performance and ensure adherence to agreed timelines and quality standards.
• Ensure all consultancy contracts and supporting documentation are completed prior to commencement of the assignment.
• Process consultancy payments upon satisfactory completion and approval of agreed deliverables in accordance with contractual requirements.

WS members:

• Conduct corridor and market node reviews through desk research, stakeholder consultations, and data collection to understand economic activities, trade routes, livelihood systems, market linkages, and key market actors.
• The designated Corridor Lead Workstream Member will coordinate the corridor-level review and analysis process, facilitate collaboration among participating members, and consolidate district-level findings into a corridor-level analysis.
• Implement the Market Systems Mapping Exercise within assigned districts and market nodes using the approved tools, methodologies, and facilitation processes.
• Facilitate district-level stakeholder consultations, market systems mapping workshops, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, review meetings, and validation sessions.
• Analyze and validate findings related to market systems, trade flows, market actors, systemic constraints, opportunities, shocks, stresses, and resilience capacities.
• Document and report key findings, lessons learned, recommendations, and agreed action points from the mapping exercise and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Prepare and submit district- and market node-level outputs, including corridor reviews, market profiles, market maps, stakeholder analyses, shock and stress analyses, resilience analysis, and intervention recommendations.
• Ensure the timely delivery, quality, completeness, and accuracy of all assigned outputs and supporting documentation.
• Apply quality assurance standards and incorporate technical feedback provided by the consultant, Workstream Lead, and corridor review processes.
• Submit district-level reports and analytical outputs to the Corridor Lead for consolidation into corridor-level reports and final deliverables.
• Contribute to the identification, prioritization, and validation of market systems interventions and recommendations under AARAN Output 3.

Corridor leadership structure are:

• Corridor 1: El Barde – Xudur – Baidoa – Dinsoor- BardaleCorridor – GREDO Lead
• Corridor 2: Belet Xawo – Bardheere – Kismayo Corridor (Gedo–Jubaland) – NRC
• Corridor 3: Wanlaweyne – Afgoye – BRA Corridor – Concern lead
• Corridor 4: Middle Shabelle Corridor (Jowhar) – NRC Lead
• Corridor 5: Adaado – Galkacyo – Garowe Corridor – KAALO lead

1. Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the consultancy:

• All five corridor mappings are implemented consistently and in accordance with the AARAN Guide Note and Mapping Tools.
• Market Systems Mapping outputs meet agreed technical quality standards.
• Market actors, supporting functions, governance systems, shocks, resilience capacities, and systemic constraints are comprehensively analyzed and documented.
• All required matrices and analysis tools are properly completed and validated.
• High-quality corridor reports are produced and approved.
• A consolidated Market Systems Analysis Report is produced.
• Evidence-based recommendations are generated to support AARAN Output 3 interventions in market systems resilience, inclusion, governance, services, coordination, and climate adaptation.

1. Duration of the assignment

The consultancy is expected to run from 1 August 2026 to 30 September 2026, providing sufficient planning, implementation, review, and finalization of deliverables. The consultant will be engaged for a total of 43 working days, allocated as follows:

• Market Systems Mapping Exercise: 32 working days
• Market Systems Resilience Training: 11 working days

The consultant's level of effort may be scheduled flexibly across the assignment period, subject to agreement with the designated Corridor Leads and Workstream Members. Where relevant, the consultancy may be undertaken on a part-time basis, provided all agreed deliverables are completed within the contract period.

The assignment will include:

• Inception and induction meetings;
• Technical support to the workstream teams;
• Oversight and guidance of field mapping activities;
• Data review, analysis, and quality assurance;
• Stakeholder consultations and validation workshops;
• Preparation and revision of draft and final reports;
• Presentation of findings and recommendations;
• Design and delivery of Market Systems Resilience training for workstream members; and
• Travel to Mogadishu for Market systems resilience training.

Technical Requirements

• Extensive experience in conducting mapping, assessment, and analytical assignments.
• Proven track record working with BRCiS, NGOs, donor-funded programs, and humanitarian/development initiatives, including experience supporting the design, development, and implementation of market systems and resilience programs. Prior experience with BRCiS, particularly in the design and development of the FARMS Market Systems Resilience Program and related publications, will be a strong advantage.
• Strong expertise in stakeholder mapping, market systems analysis, data collection, data analysis, and report writing, with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality technical reports, learning products, and evidence-based recommendations for program design and implementation. 
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines and with minimal supervision.
• Experience facilitating consultations, workshops, and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to provide practical and actionable recommendations.
• Fluency in English; experience working across multiple countries and multicultural environments is an added advantage.
• Ability to work remotely while effectively coordinating with in-country teams and stakeholders.
• Previous experience in Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and resilience or development programming is highly desirable.

Selection Criteria

GREDO will do the evaluation after the proposal submission deadline, the selection criteria will include the following:

I. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS (5 POINTS)

Requirement

Points

Description

Submission of all mandatory requirements

5 Points

1. Copy of Certificate of Registration/Incorporation.
2. Valid Tax Compliance Certificate.
3. Company Profile or detailed CVs of the firm’s Partners.

II. TECHNICAL CAPABILITY & EXPERIENCE (55 POINTS)

1. Past Experience in Auditing Not-for-Profit Organizations (30%)

Criteria

Points

Description

2. Proposed Work Plan / Lead Time (5%)

Criteria

Points

Description

Detailed work plan

10 Points

Provide a detailed exercise timeline indicating ability to complete Market systems  by 9th September 2026, with milestones for planning, fieldwork, draft report, and final report submission.

3. Technical and Staff Competence (20%)

Criteria

Points

Description

Firm operational for 10+ years with at least 8 years active in Market systems mapping and assessment in East/Horn of Africa

10 Points

Evidence of registration and active years provided.

CVs 

5 Points

CVs must demonstrate professional qualifications, experience in Market s, and role assignments.

Detailed Mapping methodology and approach 

10 Points

Provide an Mapping plan outlining procedures, timelines, and methodology

III. COMMERCIAL CRITERIA (40 POINTS)

The lowest evaluated financial bid will receive 40 points. The financial scores for other bids will be calculated using the formula:

Commercial Score = {(100% × Lowest Bid Value) ÷ (Current Bid Value)} × 0.4

TOTAL SCORE: 100 POINTS

• Technical offer: 60%

• Commercial/Financial Offer: 40%