Background:

The “Fresh Horizons: Cold Chain Solutions for Fisheries in Yemen” project aims to integrate sustainable cold chain technology into the fisheries sector in Aden Governorate. The goal is to enhance food security and increase incomes for vulnerable communities, focusing on women, men, and youth, following the principles of Market Systems Development (MSD). The project is a 4 month pilot, and is subject to scale up based on results.

Purpose / Project Description:

The project will pilot the use of solar cold chain technology to improve fish preservation, increase market availability, and enhance the livelihoods of small-scale traders and fishermen.

Importantly, it aims to develop a business case for a wider rollout beyond the pilot phase.

Consultant Objectives:

• Provide Technical Guidance on establishing and implementing a comprehensive system for monitoring market systems changes, ensuring the integration of these systems into Mercy Corps Yemen’s overall MEL systems and processes.
• Develop Measurement Methodologies for capturing the impact and outcomes, including a business case for cold chain technology in the fisheries sector
• Analyze collected data to produce actionable insights on market behavior and program impact, informing strategic decisions and potential adaptations.
• Create Donor-facing Documentation: Develop comprehensive documentation and success stories for donors, showcasing the impact of the interventions and highlighting the systems changes achieved in Yemen.
• Development of the logical framework for a multi-year at scale intervention to pitch to donors in the future.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will conduct the following activities:

• Design and implement a comprehensive system for monitoring market systems changes, ensuring integration into the overall Mercy Corps Yemen MEL systems and processes
• Coordinate with the program team to align and frame program activities using MSD principles
• Establish methodologies for measuring systems change
• Develop a robust data management system to capture the effectiveness of cold chain solutions in Yemen’s fisheries market.
• Analyse data to produce insights on market behaviour and program impact
• Mentor and build the capacity of local program staff and partners to implement and track MSD and MEL activities effectively.
• Develop donor-facing documentation and success stories to showcase the impact of interventions in Yemen. This includes inputs on the following donor deliverables:
  • Market Research Report: Provide insights and analysis for a market research report on solar cold chain technology, detailing market demand and willingness to pay, segmented by target group and product type. Evaluate the usability of cold storage solutions, identifying enablers and barriers to adoption.
  • Business Case for Solar Cold Chain Pilot: Develop a detailed business case outlining the value proposition for solar cold chain products. Conduct a micro-level analysis of costs versus income potential for individual traders, and contribute projections of revenue increases based on current business trajectories. Integrate findings into the overall market research.
  • Behavioural Change Observation Report: Utilize survey results to produce a Behavioural Change Observation report. Analyze the capacities and incentives of the target group, identifying motivations for scaling up.
  • Maintenance Service Provider Profile Report: Assist in mapping the locations and technical capacities of maintenance service providers, ensuring the existing market can support the ongoing repair and maintenance of new technologies.
• Develop the logical framework of a multi-year MSD proposal that will be developed in parallel to the implementation of this pilot project, including the incorporation of the results of the project.

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will develop the following deliverables:

• Inception report, following an initial assessment of program deliverables, identifying systems, timeframe and frequency for data collection and tools to be developed.
• Yemen MEL program staff oriented and trained on systems and tools for measurement
• Systems and tools developed
• Inputs into donor-facing learning products (as detailed above)
• Logical framework for an at-scale proposal
• Consultancy Report developed and submitted.

Timeframe / Schedule:

This consultancy will be part-time and is expected to start by November 20th 2024 and will last until 31st March 2025. Maximum level of effort expected is 45 days throughout the duration of the assignment.

Tentative schedule for deliverables (can be adjusted based on pending program approvals):

Deliverable Deadline

Inception report 30th November 2024

Orientation of MCY MEL staff 5th December 2024

Systems and tools developed and staff trained 10th December 2024

Inputs into donor products Throughout assignment based on needs

Market Research report First draft by 31st January 2025

Maintenance service provider profile report First draft by 31st January 2025

Business case for solar cold chain First draft by 15th February 2025

Behavioral change observation report First draft by 15th February 2025

Logical framework for MSD at scale proposal On-going throughout the assignment – to be completed by 15th March 2025

Consultancy report First draft by 15th March 2025

The Consultant will report to:

MSD Program Manager/or Regional Market Systems Advisor – Middle East

The Consultant will work closely with:

The program Manager, Director of Programs, Program Performance and Quality Coordinator, project MEL Officer, proposal development team, regional Market Systems Advisor and the regional evidence and learning unit.

Required Experience & Skills:

• Relevant advanced degree required.
• 5-7 years’ professional experience in design and management of monitoring and evaluation systems for complex, multi-sectoral projects.
• Familiarity with the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) Standards is essential
• Demonstrated experience monitoring facilitative project interventions using a “Making Markets work for the Poor (M4P)” approach and/or a value chain development approach.
• Experience in training, capacity building of partners and team members.
• Experience in impact assessment.
• Experience in providing written analyses of complex market systems, and development of system for knowledge management and dissemination.
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Arabic is preferred.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.