South Sudan: Consultant- Market Study

1.0 Introduction and background
Generating Sustainable Livelihoods and Leadership for Peace in South Sudan is a five-year
project (September 2016 – August 2021); being implemented by a consortium of three
organisations: the Agency for Co-operation and Research in Development (ACORD),
DanChurchAid (DCA), and Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) in Lomurnyang, Imatong,
Jonglei, Jubek, and Terekeka States. The project is being funded by Netherlands
Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Addressing Root Causes (ARC) Fund.
The overall objective of the project; in line with that of the ARC fund is to address the
political and socio-economic root causes of armed conflict and instability in South Sudan.
The project has the following interrelated and mutually reinforcing specific outcomes;
• Food security and livelihoods improved, and vulnerability to adversity reduced
• Greater trust and cooperation between citizens and state institutions, and among
previously conflicting or adversarial groups
• Communities, civil society and local governance structures mitigate and resolve
conflict without recourse to violence
A market study/analysis is one of several activities intended to contribute to the realization of
one of the project’s outcome areas; food security and livelihoods improved, and vulnerability
to adversity reduced. The ACORD-led consortium recognizes that one of the major
incentives to reduce people’s vulnerability to adversity in South Sudan is to create conditions
for growth and prosperity through agribusiness interventions. To this end, the consortium
intends to engage the services of Consultant/s to undertake a market study in Lomurnyang,
Imatong, Jonglei, Jubek, and Terekeka States.

2.0 Purpose and objectives of the consultancy
The overall purpose of the market study is to provide overall understanding of constraints and
opportunities along the agribusiness sector to increase beneficiaries’ (farmer/fisher
folk/livestock owners/business community) productivity and income in Lomurnyang,
Imatong, Jonglei, Jubek, and Terekeka States. In addition, this market study will also look at
the longer term drivers of conflict, e.g. lack of employment, increasing cost of commodities
etc in the different contexts.
In particular, the market study has the following specific objectives;
• Analyze the agribusiness climate and trends in Lomurnyang, Imatong, Jonglei, Jubek,
and Terekeka States
• Identify and analyze existing agribusiness markets in terms of structure, players,
relationships and access conditions
• Identify and analyze agribusiness distribution systems/channels within the States and
the Country for products that can be supported through the project.
• Examine existing policies, institutional, and infrastructural issues that affect farming,
fishing and livestock as a business
• Assess current non formal market constraints and opportunities that can be harnessed
to increase beneficiaries’ (farmer/fisher folk/livestock owners/business community)
productivity and income.
• Identify and examine the linkages between conflict patterns and economic
circumstances of the conflicting parties to influence integrated response.

3.0. Methodology and process
The Consultant/s is/are expected to employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to
ensure inclusion of all the project actors/stakeholders in the market study process. The final
decision on what type of methodology and selection of persons/groups interviewed or
consulted will be the responsibility of the Consultant and s/he is expected to fully justify the
choices of the methods in the final report. The consultant will incorporate relevant elements
of the Methodological Notes as developed jointly by the Donor and Grantees.
The Consultant is expected to take all necessary steps to ensure that the security and dignity
of the respondents and the rest of the population participating in the market study is not
compromised and that disruption to other on-going operations is minimized.

4.0 Role of ACORD and Consortium members
ACORD and Consortium members will undertake to provide the Consultant (s) all the
necessary support and documentation to facilitate the smooth market study completion
process. In particular, ACORD and Consortium members will;
• Provide all necessary logistical assistance and support to the consultant where needed.
• Be the link between the consultant and the project study sites
• Review tools and mobilize respondents for the market study
• Organize validation/review meetings.
• Review and make comments on the draft report prepared by the consultant/s.
• Endorse the final report.

5.0 Deliverables/outputs
The main deliverable of the consultancy assignment will be the final market study report
prepared by the Consultant/s to ACORD Consortium. The final report will have a maximum
of 30 pages; exclusive of annexes and using Times New Roman font size 12. The language of
the final report will be English and the report should have this format:
• Title page
• Executive Summary (max 2 pages) including summary of recommendations
• Introduction
• Main body covering description of the used methods and its limitations, findings,
conclusions and recommendations
• Annexes including a copy of the TOR, data collection tools, list of persons
interviewed and references; and these are not part of the 30 pages
The draft market study report prepared by the Consultant/s will be submitted to ACORD
Consortium for review and comments before production of the final report. The final report
must be submitted within 5 days of receiving comments and feedback from ACORD
Consortium and the report must be submitted in both hard and soft copy.

6.0 Budget and Timelines
The Consultant/s is/are expected to submit a financial proposal stating professional fees.
ACORD Consortium will meet other costs related to the market study; transport,
communication, office printing, and contacts in the field among others.
The assignment is du to commence urgently and is expected to take max 30 days which
includes desk-­‐review, preparation, implementation, report-­‐writing and presentation of final
report.

7.0 Consultants/Resource Persons Requirement
• Advanced Degree in Economics, Agribusiness or Development related field
• Sound knowledge of major political economy issues in South Sudan
• Knowledge of South Sudan and more specifically greater Equatoria and Jonglei
• Outstanding research and analytical skills.
• Succinct writing, presentation and reporting skills
• Demonstrated capability to deliver against tight deadlines and targets
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• At least 3 references

Interested Consultants (firms or individuals) are requested to submit their bids including
technical and financial proposals. The technical proposal must include the ToR interpretation,
data collection methods and tools, likewise a detailed chronogram. The CVs of consultants
must be attached and sent to: recruit@acordinternational.org. The email subject line must
clearly be marked ‘ARC Market Study Proposal’.