CONSULTANCY RECRUITMENT NOTICE
Consultancy Title: Market Assessment Firm (Market Research
Services for Graduation Pilot Program) Reference No. C013 (National Firm)
Project: Loan 4051/4052-MON: Second Shock-Responsive
Social Protection Project
Consulting Service Package No. C013: Market Assessment Firm
1. Background
With a worsening coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
situation unfolding in the fourth quarter of 2020, the Government of Mongolia
has requested urgent additional support for social protection measures to
mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic on poor and vulnerable
groups. The Project will (i) apply shock-responsive social protection
principles to continue support for pro-poor child grant top-ups on a temporary
basis through an established national social assistance program, and (ii)
strengthen social welfare programs and systems for improved household
resilience and government response to future crises.
Within the second output of the Project, the Ministry
of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) will pilot testing an economic inclusion
program based on the graduation approach with selected poor households to help
diversify livelihoods and strengthen their resilience (Graduation Pilot
Program).
2. Purpose of the Assignment
MLSP is seeking a
market assessment service provider, to conduct a localized market assessment
and identify sustainable livelihood options for the Graduation pilot in
Ulaanbaatar. MLSP will engage a firm, research institute, NGO, or similar
service provider to undertake a detailed market study in the pilot areas of
Ulaanbaatar including Chingeltei, Bayanzurkh, and Songino Khairkhan.
1. Sustainable
livelihoods through a productive asset is a distinguishing feature of the
Graduation approach. Determining the specific livelihoods and related asset
packages requires a localized market assessment to identify viable livelihoods,
and value chain mapping pegged to the skills and resources possessed by
extremely poor households. It will be particularly valuable to assess the
experience of similar livelihood support programs provided by other government
agencies and external organizations.
2. The goal of
the market assessment is to determine a menu of 8-10 profitable livelihood
options per district relevant to the targeted Child Money and Food Stamp
program recipient households (ages 18-55) in target communities, with enough
detail to match participating households to suitable livelihoods. In addition,
the market assessment should:
●
account
for potential COVID-19 related risks and outline strategies participants may
employ to adapt in the event of further lockdowns; and
●
identify
strategies for participants to diversify their assets within a one year period
in order to foster greater economic resilience to future shocks.
3. Consulting firm qualifications
Firm Experience: The market assessment service provider will be
an established and specialized national consulting firm, research institute,
university, non-governmental organization (NGO), or team of qualified
consultants with demonstrated experience undertaking localized household-level
market research and preparing high-quality recommendation reports (in English
and Mongolian) that present statistics and findings in an accessible form to
policy and decision-makers. Experience working with government and
international organizations is required; MLSP and ADB experience is preferred.
Firms may be affiliated with an officially registered not-for-profit
organization (e.g., research institute, academic institution, NGO) or
stand-alone.
Team Composition: Service providers can determine the composition
of their teams and the input required to undertake the tasks described. However, MLSP requires the
following two key experts: (i) team leader and (ii) markets and value chain
expert. Team members should
possess at least 8-10 years of
experience in markets and livelihoods with a focus on enterprise and employment
opportunities for populations experiencing poverty. Key personnel should also
possess relevant Master’s degrees (Economics, Urban Development,
Sociology, Business, or related social sciences) and experience in surveying,
data analysis, and report writing. Enumerators may possess varying degree
levels if needed. In addition to the
required key experts, proposing entities should also include in accordance with
their proposed approach and methodology.
Team
Leader.
The team leader will be responsible for managing timely execution of
deliverables, maintaining close relationships with NGO pilot staff including
the Graduation program manager, MLSP, and ADB, and overseeing quality assurance
of all work products. This includes ensuring the solicitation and incorporation
of feedback from all pilot stakeholders before finalizing deliverables for
submission. The preliminary presentation of findings will be exceptionally
important for review and approval before the draft report.
The individual should
possess at least 8-10 years of
experience in economics, market and labour studies, or socioeconomic research
with a focus on livelihood projects for similar populations. She/he should have
at least a relevant Master’s degree. The key expert should be engaged
for the entirety of the assignment, and take full responsibility for the
quality and timely delivery of all required outputs. Experience working with
government and international organizations is preferred; MLSP and ADB
experience are ideal. Experience should include:
●
Demonstrated
experience executing field market assessments and surveys;
●
Demonstrated
experience using qualitative and participatory research methods via remote
access such as conducting phone and online surveys or interviews;
●
Experience
managing teams to fulfil client deliverables and obligations;
●
Excellent
written and spoken Mongolian and English language skills; and
●
Displays
cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity;
Markets
and Value Chain expert. The markets and value chain expert will be responsible for
providing insights and analysis of localized market study findings pertinent to
target households. This includes reviewing survey instruments and data, mapping
livelihood opportunities and risks, assessing value chain needs to sustain
livelihoods long-term and recommending risk mitigation and diversification
strategies. Development of profit projections and suggested training and skills
development will be critical for household enterprise matching.
The individual should possess at least 8-10 years of experience in economics,
market and labour studies, or value chain analysis with a focus on livelihood
projects for similar populations. She/he should have at least a relevant
Master’s degree or PhD ideal. The key expert should be engaged for the entirety
of the assignment, and take full responsibility for the analysis of data
collected. Experience should include:
·
Demonstrated
expertise in local market systems analysis and approaches;
·
Demonstrated
expertise in livelihoods strategies for extreme poor populations;
·
Experience
in livelihoods identification, diversification, strengthening, preferred;
·
Expertise
in business analysis, including profit and loss projections, risk, etc;
·
Excellent
written and spoken Mongolian and English language skills; and
·
Displays
cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity;
Please,
find complete Terms of Reference (TOR) for the consultancy service on ADB’s
Consultant Management System.
All interested firm should submit their
Expression of Interest (EOI) via ADB’s Consultant Management Recruitment System
at selfservice.adb.org/OA_HTML/adb/xxcrs/jsp/ADBCsrnFwd.jsp?sel=178743 before 27 May 2022.
Website: csrn.adb.org (announcement is under
Category Mongolia)
Online Submission will be accepted only.
For more information on assignments and submission
please contact the Project Implementation Unit:
Second Shock-Responsive
Social Protection Project
State Owned Building
XI, Room 403
Sukhbaatar District
Ulaanbaatar - 14919,
Mongolia
Tel: 7000-2140 Fax: 7000-2140
Email: info@srsp2.mn
Expression of Interests
lacking required documents will be disqualified from evaluation. Only
short-listed firms will be contacted.