Consultancy for Livelihood and Social Finance at International Labor Organization (ILO)

Objective

• The objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of smallholder farmers, workers, and vulnerable groups within the tea and coffee value chains in Kenya. The consultant/ consulting firm will focus on: (1) assessing market systems development needs livelihoods enhancement, (2) identifying financial and non-financial service needs, and (3) examining how these impact child labour. The assessment will provide actionable insights that will guide interventions aimed at eliminating child labour by addressing the economic vulnerabilities of these groups.

Scope of Work

• Detailed Scope: the consultant/ consulting firm will perform a detailed assessment through the following phases:
• Desk Research and Preparation (4 days): conduct inception meetings with the project team, review existing reports, studies, and data on child labour, financial inclusion, and smallholder livelihoods in the tea and coffee sectors. Develop all necessary tools for data collection, including focus group discussion guides, interview protocols, and survey questionnaires.
• Field Research (10 days): map and identify key stakeholders and beneficiary groups such as smallholder farmers, workers, cooperatives, and village savings and loan associations (VSLAs). Conduct site visits to communities to collect data via surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Assess labour demand and supply dynamics in relation to child labour, and the specific financial needs of these groups.
• Stakeholder Interviews (5 days): engage with stakeholders including financial service providers, and association and NGOs to understand the current services and gaps that contribute to child labour in value chains.
• Data Analysis (3 days):
• Identify key challenges in livelihoods and financial inclusion.
• Identify opportunities for implementation which could lead to sustainable and scalable impact which strengthen the market.
• Reporting (2 days): develop a comprehensive report including actionable solutions.
• Feedback and validation (5 day): present preliminary findings to key stakeholders, facilitate a feedback session, and refine the final report based on this input.

Deliverables

• Inception report (15 pages maximum)
• Data collection and analysis tools
• Raw data
• Comprehensive needs assessment report (PDF and Word format)
• Stakeholder workshop materials
• Dissemination Materials: a one-page summary, and PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings and proposed solutions.
• Duration
• The consultancy will be for 30 days (as specified).

Qualification

• Educational background: an advanced university degree (Master's level or equivalent) in Agriculture, Finance & Rural Development, Economics, or a related field is required.
• Professional experience: at least 10 years of increasing responsibility in development initiatives related to livelihood, financial inclusion, rural economies, and agricultural supply chains.
• Specific experience in Kenya’s tea and/or coffee sectors is required.
• Proven knowledge of child labour is a strong advantage.
• Field research expertise: demonstrated experience conducting field research in rural Kenyan communities, particularly within agricultural value chains, is required.

Technical skills:

• Expertise in market system development for sustainable livelihood is required.
• Expertise in financial inclusion and rural finance is essential. Familiarity with digital financial services and consumer protection in rural settings will be a strong advantage.
• Stakeholder management: proven ability to engage with government agencies, financial service providers, NGOs, and cooperatives.
• Communication skills: strong written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely. Familiarity with relevant local languages will be a plus.
• Analytical skills: ability to synthesize data, generate actionable insights, and propose innovative financial solutions.