Purpose of the assignment
SOLO is seeking a firm/group of consultants to support its ongoing work for value chain interventions in Dadaab. The assignment will inform the project on the understanding behavioral, structural, cultural and financial drivers of small-scale entrepreneurs’ choice of sectors. The study will estimate the market size for different value chains and the skills needed to tap into these markets. All proposed value chains must be feasible within the regulatory, security, mobility, and refugee policy context of Dadaab and must not rely on external market linkages that are structurally inaccessible to refugees.

Key objectives of the assignment include:

To generate a Diversification Action Framework that specifies:
At least 4-6 viable non-livestock, non-retail enterprise pathways.
Entry requirements (skills, capital, risk).
Expected income ranges.
Gender suitability.
Practical transition strategies for existing groups.
Behavioral and Choice Analysis
To analyze the non-market factors influencing enterprise selection, including:
Risk perception and fear of failure.
Cultural norms and social copying.
Capital constraints and liquidity needs.
Gender norms and mobility restrictions.
Previous aid models and expectation of asset transfers.
Time-to-income preferences.
Pease note that the project is supporting 30 groups as ongoing entrepreneurs, with additional 10 new groups as potential new enterprises (Newly formed groups (first-time entrepreneurs) and existing livestock/retail groups requiring horizontal diversification). Therefore, the findings may require separate segment documentation and recommendations.
Key Activities
This is a comprehensive assignment covering two broad areas, all of which will be led by the consultant(s) with significant input and oversight from SOLO. The areas of work are interlinked and will feed into the overall objective of the labor and market assessment.

The primary success criterion of this assessment is not the identification of viable value chains, but the generation of practical, behavior-sensitive mechanisms that lead to actual uptake of diversified enterprises by project participants.

Each area of work is detailed below tentatively as:

Areas of Work Timeline2 Approximate No. of Days

1. Labor and Market Assessment 7th April 2026 10 days

2. Existing curriculum review and

improvement including potential new

sector inclusion. 7th April 2026 10 days

3. Sense check workshop with staff,

partners and communities 14th April 2026 1 day

3. Training staff 15th and 16th April 2026 2 days

4.Final report 22nd April, 2026

Deliverables

Labor & Market Assessment Report (The assessment shall include a comparative analysis between 2025 and 2026 findings, highlighting what has changed, what has not changed, and why)
Diversification Action Plan (standalone annex)
Value Chain Maps (visual)
Gender & Inclusion Brief
Enterprise Transition Toolkit (simple decision tool for participants)
Profile of Consultants/Consultancy Firm

SOLO requests that consultants submit proposals responding to the Terms of Reference outlined above. We expect the firm or team of consultants to demonstrate excellent skills and experience according to the criteria below:

Excellent track record conducting detailed market research, including designing a methodology, collecting data, providing detailed analysis and delivering actionable, practicable recommendations. Previous experience providing research for or designing value chain or private sector development programmes will be an advantage.
Strong track record conducting value chain and market analysis in an East African context, ideally across Kenya.
Experience with participatory and mixed research methods, combining techniques and tools for quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Detailed knowledge of participatory market systems development approaches.
Track record of working on projects targeting grassroots entrepreneurs and enterprises, self-help groups, and financial institutions.
Demonstrated experience of successfully developing training approaches (curricula, training materials and practical capacity building) for value chain focused programmes. Previous experience providing Training of Trainer (ToTs) will also be essential.
Proven experience of working alongside national teams within civil society organizations’; NGOs, academic institutions, social enterprises etc.
Capacities with electronic data collection methods will be favorably considered.
Fluency in verbal and written English and Kiswahili; Somali would be an added advantage.

Please send a detailed work proposal. Include the following in your EOI:

A short presentation of evaluation approach, research design and methodology for the areas of work. No more than 15 pages excluding annexes.
A proposed process and time frame for the areas of work outlined, setting out the phases, resources and the number of days estimated for each one.
The anticipated challenges and dependencies affecting the implementation of the activities and how these should be addressed both by the consultant and SOLO
A summary of the skills and experience of the consultant/s together with a CV showing relevant previous assignments and clients.
A detailed fee quote and rationale for the consultant/s and an estimate for the costs of other resources. Budget should be inclusive of: daily rate and time allocated per resource, travel and expenses and taxes.