Multi-country value chain evaluation

Location: Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania (with brief reference to Albania and Egypt).
Contract Type: Short-term consultancy.
Duration: Q3 and Q4 2025 (final report due by 5 January 2026).
Application Deadline: 20 August 2025.
Contact: L.hofland@dorcas.nl

About Dorcas

Dorcas works to promote resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Through our Value Chain Development (VCD) projects, we seek to empower smallholder farmers and pastoralists through market-based, climate-smart, and inclusive interventions.
We are commissioning a multi-country evaluation of five agricultural value chain projects implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, with additional learning drawn from pilot initiatives in Albania and Egypt.

Purpose of the Assignment

The primary objective of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness, impact, inclusivity, commercial viability, and sustainability of Dorcas’ value chain interventions. The findings will inform the refinement and scaling of our Value Chain Development approach across Dorcas programmes and regions.

Scope of Work

The evaluation will cover five active projects:

• Kenya: Milk (Makueni), Honey (Kitui), and Chicken (Siaya) Value Chains.
• Ethiopia and Kenya: Cross-border Camel/Cow Milk Value Chain (Moyale).
• Tanzania: Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) & Honey Value Chain (Chemba).
  With reference to early-stage value chain activities in Albania and Egypt.

Key focus areas:

• Livelihood improvement and food security.
• Economic and climate resilience.
• Market access and income generation.
• Inclusivity (youth, women, marginalised groups).
• Commercial viability and business case analysis.

Expected Deliverables

1. Inception Report: methodology, tools, work plan, and budget.
2. Final Evaluation Report: including cross-country findings, lessons learnt, and recommendations.
3. Learning Event Input (March 2026): support with facilitation, knowledge transfer, and contribution to Dorcas’ new VCD strategy.
4. Visual & Strategic Learning Products (optional): infographics and summaries for staff and donors.

Profile of the Consultant

We are seeking a seasoned consultant or team with:

• A Master’s degree in Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience in value chain evaluation across multiple countries, ideally in East Africa.
• Familiarity with participatory and complexity-aware methods (e.g. Outcome Harvesting, MSC, QuIP, Market Systems Development).
• Strong understanding of inclusive agribusiness, farmer cooperatives, and economic sustainability models.
• Ability to synthesise insights into strategic recommendations across different contexts.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Swahili, Amharic, or other regional languages is an asset.
• Excellent communication, intercultural, and facilitation skills.

Timeline and Budget

The evaluation will take place from Q3 to Q4 2025, involving desk reviews, field visits, surveys, interviews, and report writing. Final deliverables are due by 5 January 2026, with further contribution expected at a learning event in March 2026.
A detailed payment schedule will be agreed upon based on deliverables.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• A technical proposal outlining the methodology and approach.
• Examples of previous relevant evaluations.
• CV(s) of the expert(s) involved.
• A detailed budget (in EUR and local currency).
• Availability.

Deadline: 20 August 2025.
Email to: L.hofland@dorcas.nl

Download the full ToR here!