Integrated Climate, Natural Resources, Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroecology Assessment & Value Chain, Capacity Building and Barrier Analysis

Organization: Solidarités International (SI)

Location: Taiz Governorate (Districts: Al-Ma'fer, Jabal Habashy, Al Misrakh), Yemen

Contract type: Consultancy

Funding: European Union (DG MENA) - WASL Project

About Solidarités International

Solidarités International (SI) is an international humanitarian organization that has been providing life-saving assistance and supporting vulnerable populations affected by conflict, disasters, and climate-related crises for more than 40 years. SI specializes in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security and livelihoods (FSL), shelter, and disaster risk reduction, while promoting integrated approaches that strengthen resilience and support sustainable recovery. SI has been operating in Yemen since 2017, implementing humanitarian, early recovery, and resilience programmes in partnership with national authorities, local organizations, and communities. Through its integrated programming, SI supports vulnerable households by improving access to water resources, strengthening agricultural production systems, restoring natural resources, promoting climate-resilient livelihoods, and enhancing local capacities for sustainable resource management.

Brief about the Project

The WASL Project, funded by the European Union (DG MENA), aims to strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable natural resource management, and inclusive economic development in rural areas of Taiz Governorate through an integrated area-based approach. Implemented by a consortium led by Solidarités International (SI), in partnership with BCFHD, Mercy Corps, and Altwasul, the project recognizes that resilient livelihoods depend not only on improved natural resource management and agricultural production but also on the effective functioning of market systems and value chains. Under Outcome 2, the project focuses on strengthening resilient and climate-smart livelihoods through improved agricultural production systems, producer capacities and market access. Under Outcome 3, the project promotes inclusive market systems development by strengthening value chains, enterprise development, business development services, financial inclusion and private sector engagement.

Objectives of the Consultancy Assignment

The assignment comprises two complementary assessments with distinct objectives:

Assessment 1: Integrated Climate, Natural Resources, Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroecology Assessment (ICNR-CSA)

The overall objective is to generate the technical, environmental, institutional, and socio-economic evidence required to design and implement integrated watershed management and climate-resilient agricultural interventions under the WASL project. Specifically:

• Assess climate, natural resources and watershed systems to identify key constraints, risks, and opportunities.
• Assess agricultural and livestock production systems to analyze their climate vulnerability.
• Identify and prioritize context-appropriate interventions that strengthen climate resilience.
• Assess institutional capacities and enabling environment.
• Develop an integrated implementation framework.

Assessment 2: Value Chain, Capacity Building and Barrier Analysis

The overall objective is to conduct a Value Chain, Market Systems, Capacity Needs and Inclusive Barrier Analysis to guide the implementation of Outcomes 2 and 3. Specifically:

• Validate and prioritize target value chains.
• Analyze the performance of selected value chains.
• Assess the capacities and capacity needs of value chain actors.
• Assess the enabling environment.
• Identify barriers to inclusive market participation.
• Develop prioritized, evidence-based recommendations.

Key Responsibilities of the Consultant (Methodology, Scope of Service, Tasks)

Methodology:

Assessment 1 shall adopt an integrated landscape approach recognizing the interdependence between climate, water resources, land, ecosystems, agriculture, livestock production, and rural livelihoods.

Assessment 2 shall apply a Market Systems Development approach to understand how the selected market systems function and identify opportunities for sustainable systemic change.

Scope of Service and Tasks:

Assessment 1 Tasks:

1. Climate, Natural Resources and Watershed Assessment
2. Agricultural Production Systems Assessment
3. Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Agroecological Transition
4. Institutional Capacity, Governance and Enabling Environment
5. Development of Integrated Implementation Framework

Assessment 2 Tasks:

1. Value Chain Selection and Market Systems Analysis
2. Market Actor and Service Provider Assessment
3. Capacity Needs Assessment
4. Barrier Analysis for Inclusive Market Participation
5. Market Opportunities, Financial Inclusion, and Private Sector Engagement
6. Intervention Prioritization and Implementation Planning

Expected Deliverables and Timeline

Assessment 1 Deliverables:

1. Inception Report (10-15 pages, excluding annexes)
2. Assessment Tools
3. Progress Brief (4-5 pages)
4. Draft Integrated Technical Assessment Report (60-80 pages, excluding annexes)
5. Validation Workshop
6. Final Integrated Technical Assessment and Implementation Package
7. Final Data Package (GIS layers, spatial datasets, survey datasets, maps, photographs, metadata)

Assessment 2 Deliverables:

1. Inception Report (15-20 pages, excluding annexes)
2. Data Collection Tools
3. Progress Brief (4-5 pages)
4. Draft Value Chain Analysis Report (60-80 pages, excluding annexes)
5. Validation Workshop
6. Final Assessment Report and Operational Recommendations Package
7. Final Presentation

Timeline: The assignment shall be completed within 50 working days