TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONDUCTING A MARKET STUDY IN RUSHINGA, MT DARWIN AND SEKE DISTRICTS
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Expires 30 Jul 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
1. Background
Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO) is implementing the Enhanced
Resilience, Adaptation to Shocks and Economic Strengthening (ERASE) Continuation Project
in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke districts. The project aims to improve household incomes
and food security for smallholder farmers through strengthened market linkages and
sustainable water and ecosystem management. Previous phases of the ERASE project
supported farmers to increase production of diverse agricultural commodities, including
horticultural produce, traditional grains, legumes and value-added products. While farmers
have realised minimal income from the sale of agricultural products, challenges remain
regarding market access, aggregation, access to reliable market information, product quality,
value addition and diversification of market channels.
CTDO therefore intends to engage a qualified consultant to undertake a comprehensive
market study in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke districts. The study will generate evidence to
inform market linkage interventions and identify viable market opportunities for commodities
and products produced by project beneficiaries.
2. Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to assess existing and potential markets for agricultural
commodities and value-added products produced by smallholder farmers in Rushinga, Mt
Darwin and Seke districts and recommend practical strategies for strengthening sustainable
and profitable market linkages.
Duties and Responsibilities
3. Specific Objectives
The market study will:
• Identify key agricultural commodities focusing on horticultural crops, traditional
grains and value-added products with high market potential in the three target
districts.
• Assess existing production, marketing and value chain systems for selected
commodities.
• Identify existing and potential local, district, national and, where feasible, export
market opportunities.
• Map key market actors, including farmers, aggregators, traders, processors, retailers,
institutional buyers and other private sector actors.
• Assess market demand, supply trends, prices, product specifications, quality standards
and buyer requirements.
• Identify barriers affecting smallholder farmers' participation in profitable and
sustainable markets.
• Understand the interplay between market actors and market system forces towards the
creation of strong market linkages
• Assess opportunities for farmer aggregation, collective marketing and contract farming
or other structured market arrangements.
• Identify opportunities for value addition, processing, packaging and product
differentiation.
• Assess existing market information systems and identify appropriate digital and non-
digital market information platforms for farmers.
• Analyse gender, youth and disability-related barriers and opportunities within selected
agricultural markets and value chains.
• Recommend practical and district-specific market linkage strategies for the ERASE
project and participating farmers.
4. Scope of the Assignment
The consultant will review agricultural production and marketing systems relevant to ERASE-
supported farmers.
Particular attention should be given to:
• Horticultural products;
• Traditional grains and legumes
• Value-added products such as dried vegetables, grain flour, peanut butter, etc.
The consultant will assess the entire market chain from production to the final market and
identify commercially viable opportunities that can realistically be accessed by smallholder
farmers.
The study should take into consideration differences in production systems, infrastructure,
proximity to markets and economic conditions across the three districts.
5. Key Tasks of the Consultant
The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
• Conduct an inception meeting with CTDO to clarify the assignment and agree on the
methodology and work plan.
• Review relevant ERASE project documents, reports, farmer records and other relevant
market studies.
• Submit an inception report outlining the methodology and workplan and
incorporating all the data collection tools
• Conduct field data collection in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke.
• Submit a draft report for review followed by a presentation of findings to the CTDO
panel leading to the final report
6. Key Study Questions
The study should, among other issues, answer the following questions:
• What commodities and products are produced in the target districts and their levels of
production?
• What commodities and products have the greatest market potential in each target
district?
• What quantities are currently produced and marketed by smallholder farmers?
• What are the current production systems for each of the identified commodities?
• Who are the current and potential buyers?
• What volumes, quality standards and product specifications are required by buyers?
• What are the prevailing and seasonal market prices?
• What market channels provide the greatest potential returns to farmers?
• What factors constrain farmers from accessing higher-value markets?
• What factors constrain the market from accessing commodities from farmers in the
target districts?
• What opportunities exist for aggregation and collective marketing?
• What is the level of value addition in the target districts?
• What value addition and processing opportunities are commercially viable?
• What type of infrastructure is readily available to support market participation?
• What infrastructure and services are required to strengthen market participation?
• What is the current source of market information in the target districts?
• What market information systems are most appropriate for farmers?
• How can women, youth and PWDs participate more effectively and benefit from
identified market opportunities?
• What are the production and market barriers
• What partnerships can CTDO facilitate between farmers and private sector market
actors?
7. Expected Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables:
• Inception Report outlining the consultant's understanding of the assignment, detailed
methodology, sampling approach, data collection tools and work plan.
• Draft Market Study Report presenting findings from the three districts, market and
value chain analysis, market actor mapping and preliminary recommendations.
• Database of the highly marketable commodities and value-added products prioritised
by market relevance
• Market Actor and Buyer Database containing details of identified buyers, off-takers,
processors, aggregators and other relevant market actors.
• District-specific Market Linkage Strategies
• Validation Presentation summarising key findings and recommendations.
• Final Market Study Report incorporating comments from CTDO and stakeholders.
• Clean datasets and completed data collection tools generated during the assignment.
Qualifications and Experience
8. Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to be completed within 30 working days from the date of signing
the contract. The consultant should propose a detailed work plan showing the allocation of
time to inception, field data collection, analysis, validation and report preparation.
9. Required Qualifications and Experience
The consultant or consulting firm should possess:
• A postgraduate qualification in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Economics,
Marketing or a related field.
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in agricultural market research, value
chain analysis or agribusiness development. An understanding of Market Systems
Development (MSD) would be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working with smallholder farmers and agricultural value
chains in Zimbabwe.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture, traditional grains and agricultural markets.
• Experience in market actor mapping, buyer engagement and value chain analysis.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender and social inclusion in agricultural markets.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
10. Management and Reporting Arrangements
The consultant will work under the overall supervision of CTDO and will report to the
designated Project Manager. CTDO district and project staff will facilitate introductions to
relevant stakeholders and provide available project documentation and data.
The consultant will remain responsible for the technical quality of the study, data collection,
analysis and timely submission of all agreed deliverables.
How to Apply
11. Application Requirements
Interested consultants or consulting firms should submit:
• A detailed technical and financial proposal demonstrating understanding of the
assignment and proposed methodology;
• A detailed work plan;
• Curriculum vitae of the lead consultant and key team members;
• Evidence of similar assignments previously undertaken; and
• At least two references for similar assignments.
12. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be assessed based on:
• Understanding of the assignment – 20%
• Proposed methodology and approach – 30%
• Relevant qualifications and experience – 25%
• Experience in agricultural market and value chain studies – 15%
• Financial proposal and value for money – 10%
13. How to apply
• Applications should be submitted to admin@ctdt.co.zw, not later than 30th July 2026.
N.B. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED
