Consultancy for Market Systems Diagnosis and Intelligence Analysis

Assignment overview and scope of work / deliverables

Scope of Work       

The consultancy will conduct a Market Systems Diagnosis and Intelligence Analysis for the Power for Food Partnership Uganda focusing on the integration of Regenerative Agriculture (RA) and Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) across the programmes four priority value chains: cereals legumes horticulture and dairy.

The assessment will cover all relevant value-chain (nodes/links) inputs and services production aggregation/cooperatives processing logistics/cold chain and end markets as well as transversal actors such as producer organisations (cooperatives SACOOS Farmer groups) financial institutions energy service/product providers (e.g. ESCOs PURE PAYGO) local governments private-sector partners development programmes donors and regulators.

The analysis will be undertaken across the programmes fifteen target districts:

• Central Region: Masaka Mpigi Mubende Luwero Nakasongola Kayunga
• Western Region: Mbarara Kabarole Isingiro Kasese Ntungamo
• Eastern Region: Mbale Iganga Jinja
• Lango Region: Lira Gulu

Using the programmes agreed definitions of RA and PURE the consultancy will examine opportunities to strengthen and integrate RA and PURE practices within these chains and geographies identifying where interactions dependencies or gaps shape the potential for RAPURE integration.

The scope will be guided by SNVs market systems and systems transformation perspectives including the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) considerations and the six dimensions of systemic change (policies and rules; practices and technologies; relationships and connections; power dynamics and governance; resource flows; and social norms and values). The consultant will propose an appropriate methodology to operationalise these frameworks.

The consultant/firm will undertake the following key tasks:

Task 1: Desk Review

This task will establish the analytical foundation of the assignment by consolidating and interpreting existing evidence on RA PURE and RAPURE integration in Uganda. The desk review will map what is already known identify gaps in knowledge and generate an initial system-level understanding that will guide primary data collection and deeper analysis.

• Compile and analyse existing secondary data related to RA PURE and RAPURE integration across the four priority value chains (cereals legumes horticulture dairy).
• Apply SNVs six dimensions of systemic change to review policies and regulations practices and behaviours relationships and connections power dynamics resource flows and social norms.
  • Policies and Regulations: Map existing emerging and missing policies standards and regulatory frameworks influencing RAPURE adoption. Identify alignment gaps conflicting mandates and opportunities for policy advocacy incentives or harmonization to foster a supportive enabling environment.
  • Practices and Behaviours: Assess on-the-ground practices and behaviours of key value chain actorsfarmers cooperatives SMEs processors financial institutions and service providersto determine levels of innovation awareness and capacity for RA PURE and RAPURE uptake. Identify both best practices and behaviour change opportunities to drive adoption.
  • Relationships and Connections: Analyse formal and informal relationships among ecosystem actors to reveal collaboration gaps weak linkages and potential partnerships for co-investment knowledge exchange and joint innovation. This includes mapping trust levels information flows and network density across the chain.
  • Power Dynamics: Assess how power is distributed and exercised across the system to understand who influences decisions who benefits and who is excludedespecially focusing on gender youth and marginalized groups. Identify pathways to shift influence toward more inclusive and equitable participation in RAPURE value chains.
  • Resource Flows: Map and analyse the flow of resources inputs finance energy knowledge and information across the value chains. Identify inefficiencies leakages or concentration points and determine where coordination financial innovation or investment could catalyse greater productivity and sustainability.
  • Social Norms and Values: Examine how prevailing social norms values and cultural attitudes shape perceptions and adoption of RA and PURE practices. Identify enabling norms that can be amplified and constrain beliefs that require targeted awareness training or role model interventions
• Assess documented business models financing mechanisms institutional dynamics and investment trends influencing RA PURE and RAPURE adoption.
• Synthesize evidence gaps and standalone system bottlenecks for RA and PURE identifying initial opportunities for integration to guide primary research and stakeholder engagement.

Task 2: Stakeholder Engagement (Interviews & Focus Group Discussions Validation & Enrichment)

This task will ground the analysis in lived realities by engaging stakeholders across the programmes value chains and geographies. Through targeted interviews and focus group discussions the consultant will validate desk review insights capture practical constraints and incentives and generate contextual understanding of systemic dynamics affecting RA PURE and RAPURE uptake.

• Conduct targeted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with relevant stakeholders including farmers SMEs cooperatives private-sector service providers government agencies NGOs financial institutions and PURE technology providers.
• Validate and deepen insights obtained through the desk review by capturing stakeholder perspectives on market constraints incentives coordination gaps resource flows business models gender and youth inclusion and day-to-day adoption challenges.
• Use the stakeholder engagement to contextualise the six dimensions of systemic change as experienced in practice across the four priority value chains.
• Triangulate findings from KIIs and FGDs with the desk review to identify practical leverage points for market transformation co-investment improved governance and more inclusive participation.
• Feed insights directly into the Integrated Value Chain and Market System Maps to be developed under Task 3.

Task 3: Value Chain and market system Analysis

Building on Tasks 1 and 2 this task will provide an integrated analysis of the four value chains and their wider market systems. The consultant will examine market structures actor roles financial and resource flows enabling and constraining factors and opportunities for RA PURE and RAPURE integration generating a comprehensive basis for programme intervention design.

• Map value chain structures actor roles and relationships across key nodes (inputs and services production aggregation/cooperatives processing logistics/cold chain and end markets).
• Quantify value and cost distribution across actors to reveal incentives constraints power asymmetries and opportunities for equitable value sharing and co-investment.
• Assess systemic enablers and barrierspolicies practices relationships power dynamics resource flows and normsaffecting RA adoption PURE adoption and RAPURE integration drawing on validated evidence from Tasks 1 and 2.
• Identify high-potential business models partnerships and co-investment opportunities including blended finance options that can strengthen RAPURE viability and inclusiveness for smallholders women and youth.
• Identify geographic opportunity hotspots or clusters (e.g. irrigationhorticulture hubs solar cold-chain corridors dairy processing nodes) where high-feasibility RAPURE integration can be prioritised.
• Develop integrated market system maps visualising ecosystem actors relationships financial flows institutional linkages enabling conditions systemic constraints and RAPURE nexus entry points.

Task 4: Regional Validation Workshops

This task will ensure that findings are validated refined and co-owned by stakeholders in the programmes target regions. Regional workshops will allow the consultant to test assumptions incorporate local perspectives and strengthen the credibility and relevance of the final analysis.

• Facilitate four regional validation workshops in the Central Western Eastern and Lango regions.
• Present preliminary findings maps opportunity hotspots and emerging recommendations to stakeholders involved in the four value chains.
• Capture local insights validate assumptions and identify nuances or implementation considerations specific to each region.
• Integrate stakeholder feedback into the analysis and refine the RAPURE market system diagnosis and intervention pathways.

Task 5: Final Report and Presentation

This task involves consolidating all analytical outputs into a final coherent report supported by maps datasets and strategic recommendations. The consultant will deliver evidence-based insights that inform programme actions partnership development investment planning and policy engagement and will present the final findings to SNV and key partners.

• Prepare a consolidated analytical report synthesising findings across Tasks 14 structured around the assignments objectives and expected outputs. Include:
  • Integrated value chain and market system maps
  • Business model assessment with basic unit economics
  • Market dynamics and enabling environment analysis
  • Actor prioritisation profiles
  • Geographic opportunity hotspots
  • Sequenced recommendations for programming partnerships investment and policy
• Provide supporting datasets stakeholder maps and system transformation pathway diagrams as annexes or separate files.
• Present key findings and recommendations to SNV and key partners to support strategic uptake and decision-making.

Key Deliverables

The consultant/firm will be expected to produce the deliverables below:

Deliverables: Inception Report and workplan

List of outputs per deliverable

• A clear understanding of the assignment including how RA PURE and RAPURE systems will be analysed both independently and through their nexus interactions.
• A refined methodology and analytical framework aligned with SNVs systems transformation lens and the six dimensions of systemic change (policies practices relationships power resource flows and norms).
• Detailed data collection tools and protocols for the desk review KIIs FGDs market mapping and value-chain analysis.
• A comprehensive work plan including milestones timelines district-level field schedule and key phases of analysis and validation.
• A stakeholder engagement and validation plan detailing the selection sequencing and approach for KIIs FGDs and regional workshops.
• A preliminary list of ecosystem actors and value-chain nodes to be consulted (inputs/services producers cooperatives processors logistics/cold chain off-takers financiers energy providers local governments regulators).
• Ethical considerations risk management and mitigation measures and a quality-assurance plan.
• Confirmation of scope boundaries and deliverable formats for the assignment

Quality expectations

• Clear methodologically sound and fully aligned with the ToR the programmes outcomes and the systems-transformation approach.
• Demonstrates systems thinking and inclusivity (gender youth marginalised groups) and incorporates RA PURE and RAPURE perspectives coherently.
• Provides practical and realistic plans for fieldwork data collection and validation.
• Must be reviewed and approved by SNV prior to the commencement of field activities

Deliverables: Market Systems and Intelligence Analysis Report

List of outputs per deliverable

• Integrated value chain and market system maps for the four priority chains (cereals legumes horticulture dairy) showing actors roles relationships incentives capacities market flows and systemic enablers/constraints for RA PURE and RAPURE adoption.
• Standalone system assessments of RA and PURE identifying structural gaps market failures incentive patterns and adoption barriers unique to each system before examining their points of intersection.
• A systems transformation analysis applying SNVs six dimensions of systemic change (policies practices relationships power dynamics resource flows social norms) across all four value chains.
• An analytical assessment of existing and emerging business models including unit economics (CAPEX/OPEX pricing payback) risk allocation aggregation mechanisms inclusivity considerations commercial viability scalability and investment readiness for RA PURE and RAPURE integration.
• A comprehensive Market Dynamics Report capturing demand and supply trends input/service markets financing mechanisms institutional dynamics regulatory pathways and investment flows shaping RA PURE and RAPURE adoption and scaling.
• Triangulated stakeholder perspectives from KIIs FGDs and regional engagement exercises validating desk review insights and revealing practical constraints incentives and coordination gaps.
• Identification of systemic leverage points innovation opportunities high-potential business models partnership opportunities and co-investment pathways for RA PURE and RAPURE integration.
• Actor prioritization and geographic opportunity hotspots identifying high-feasibility high-impact regions clusters and corridors (e.g. irrigationhorticulture hubs dairy processing corridors cold-chain nodes/links)
• Integration of insights and feedback from four regional validation workshops into the analysis accompanied by a brief workshop synthesis note for each region summarising participant lists key discussion points and validation-driven adjustments to the findings and recommendations.

Quality expectations

• Evidence-based triangulated across desk review KIIs FGDs market observations and regional validation workshops.
• Fully reflects SNVs six dimensions of systemic change gender and youth inclusion and aligns with Power for Food Outcomes.
• Demonstrates analytical depth clarity and ability to synthesise complex system interactions into actionable insights.
• Provides clear practical implications for programming partnerships investment and policy engagement.
• Presented in a logical structure that supports use by SNV partners and potential investors.

Deliverables: Final Report & Presentation

List of outputs per deliverable

• A comprehensive analytical report consolidating validated findings from Tasks 14 and from the Market Systems and Intelligence Analysis presenting a coherent narrative on RA PURE and RAPURE systems across the four priority value chains.
• Clear articulation of standalone RA and PURE system diagnostics and the RAPURE nexus including refined system transformation pathways and key leverage points for integration across chains and target geographies.
• Practical evidence-based recommendations for programming partnerships investment and policy engagement prioritised by value chain by node and where relevant by region and including indicative sequencing (short- medium- and longer-term actions).
• Actor prioritisation and geographic opportunity profiles summarising high-feasibility high-impact actors clusters and corridors for RAPURE integration with specific attention to opportunities for women youth and other marginalised groups.
• Annexes including:
• Datasets and analytical tables (e.g. business model summaries unit economics investment readiness).
• Stakeholder maps and market system maps.
• Brief regional workshop synthesis notes (participant overview key discussion points validation adjustments).
• System transformation pathway diagrams or models.
• A PowerPoint presentation summarising key findings market insights opportunity hotspots and strategic recommendations for SNV and partners suitable for use in internal and external engagements.

Quality expectations

• High analytical quality with clear logic robust triangulation of evidence and strong alignment with the ToR the systems-transformation approach and the Power for Food Outcomes.
• Concise practical and user-friendly for programme teams partners and potential investors with clear visualisations (maps tables diagrams) supporting interpretation and uptake.
• Demonstrates integration of gender youth and inclusion perspectives throughout the analysis and recommendations.
• Incorporates feedback from SNV and key stakeholders including inputs from regional validation workshops.
• Delivered on time in accessible and editable formats (Word PowerPoint and data files) to enable dissemination adaptive learning and future updates.

Copyright and intellectual property rights

The intellectual property rights of all reports documents and publicity outputs product designs business know-how and confidential information generated pursuant to this consultancy implementation shall be the property of SNV and the respective partnering grantee unless otherwise agreed in writing and signed by SNV.

Reporting lines

The consultant shall be directly supervised by the Project Manager Power for Food Partnership Uganda.

Qualifications :

Evaluation criteria

The criterion for evaluation is based on the technical understanding as well as a value for money offering of the Consultant.

Technical

Understanding of the TOR: The consultant should demonstrate a clear understanding of the terms of reference (20 marks)

Approach and Timelines: Relevance clarity feasibility and alignment of the proposed methodology approach and timelines (15 marks)

Experience: Evidence of similar assignments successfully completed with references where applicable (20 marks)

Knowledge skills and expertise of the team proposed: Qualifications knowledge and skills of the proposed team; relevance of expertise to assignment requirements (25 marks)

Financial

Value for Money:  The consultants financial proposal should demonstrate value for money for the assignment (20 marks)

Additional Information :

Contract project fees and duration

The assignment is expected to be undertaken within a period of 3 months.  The contract shall be a fixed term with all the key activities and deliverables paid based on the value for money offering agreed upon during negotiation.

Payment terms

The proposed payment terms are as follows

• 30%: Upon approval of first deliverable with the listed outputs as above
• 30%: Upon approval of second deliverable with the listed outputs as above
• 40% Upon approval of final deliverable with the listed outputs as above

key compliance issues

The consultancy will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising an International Team Leader supported by national experts and research assistants. The team must demonstrate strong expertise in agri-food systems renewable energy regenerative agriculture stakeholder engagement and market systems development.

a) Team Leader (International) Energy & Market Systems Specialist

• Advanced degree (masters or PhD) in Energy Economics Agribusiness Development Studies or related field.
• Minimum 10 years international experience in market systems development energyagriculture nexus or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-country or large-scale value chain and market systems studies.
• Strong track record integrating renewable energy into agriculture/food systems.
• Proven capacity in strategic analysis report writing and stakeholder facilitation at international and regional levels.

b) Value Chain Expert (Agriculture/Processing/Trade)

• Masters degree in Agribusiness Agricultural Economics Food Systems or related fields.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in value chain analysis (horticulture cereals legumes and dairy preferred).
• Demonstrated understanding of processing trade and market linkages.
• Experience in regenerative agriculture practices is an added advantage.

c) Renewable Energy Specialist (Off grid & Productive Use)

• Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in off-grid solutions productive use of energy and energy for agriculture.
• Experience in analyzing energy markets and linking renewable energy with smallholder production and SMEs.

d) Social & Behavior Change (SBC) / Stakeholder Engagement Expert

• Degree in Sociology Anthropology Communication for Development or related field.
• At least 7 years experience in participatory approaches stakeholder engagement and behavior change communication.
• Proven experience in community-based research and capacity building.

e) Data Analyst / M&E Expert/Quality control

• Degree in Statistics Economics Data Science or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection analysis and visualization.
• Demonstrated experience in designing M&E frameworks surveys and use of digital tools for data management.

f) Local Research Assistants / Enumerators

• At least a diploma in social sciences agriculture or related fields.
• Experience in conducting field surveys focus group discussions and key informant interviews across rural districts.
• Proficiency in local languages is essential.

The consultant during the execution of the task must comply with the following key issues.

• Adherence to SNVs Environmental and Social Safeguard requirements.
• Compliance with SNV policies procedures and guidelines.

Due diligence instructions

The Applicant must evidence the following as part of the application.

• Company Legal registration documents (Articles of Association and Powers of Attorney)
• Tax Compliance Certificate
• Valid trading license
• Company profile
• CVs of all the proposed staff for the assignment
• References for earlier comparable assignments undertaken

Submission requirements

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

• Technical proposal (understanding of assignment methodology work plan).
• Financial proposal (budget breakdown in UGX/USD).
• Profiles and CVs of proposed team members.
• Evidence of relevant assignments (at least 3 references).

Duration: 45 working days

Applications should be submitted electronically to SNV Uganda at:

by December 18 2025.

Tender disclaimer

SNV reserves the right to either accept or reject any or all bids submitted. SNV reserves the right to either increase or decrease the assignment scope depending on budget availability. SNV can stop this procurement at any time without need to give explanation or can extend the deadline for submission once it sees it case you do not hear from SNV within 3 weeks of closure of the bid receipt date consider yourself unsuccessful. SNV also reserves the right to reject and cancel the tender in case any illegal corrupt coercive or collusive practices are noticed. Late bids will be rejected. Please note that viewing downloading or otherwise using the TOR constitutes acceptance on your part of all the above noted statements and conditions.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Contract