10018279-Strengthening climate-resilient and competitive agricultural development through policy support and quality assurance in Somalia

Agriculture remains the backbone of Somalia"s economy, employing around 80% of the workforce and contributing approximately 70% of GDP, while providing livelihoods for the majority of the population. Despite its central role, the sector faces persistent structural challenges, including underinvestment, weak institutions, outdated production and post-harvest practices, limited market integration, and the growing impacts of climate change. These factors have left Somalia dependent on food imports and humanitarian assistance, with millions experiencing food insecurity. Women, who play a key role across agricultural value chains, continue to face barriers to land, resources, and decision-making. At the same time, Somalia"s adoption of the National Transformation Plan (2025-2029), updated Nationally Determined Contributions (2021), and accession to the East African Community (EAC) in 2024 offer a unique opportunity to strengthen climate-resilient agricultural policies, expand regional trade, harmonise standards, and attract private sector investment. The Contractor will provide targeted technical advisory and capacity development services to support the Government of Somalia in strengthening climate-resilient agricultural policies, trade integration, private sector investment, and agricultural quality assurance systems. The overall objective of the assignment is to enhance the formulation, revision, implementation, and monitoring of climate-adapted agricultural policies and strategies aligned with national priorities and East African Community (EAC) frameworks. The assignment will strengthen institutional coordination, promote evidence-based decision-making, and support the development of an enabling policy and regulatory environment that enhances agricultural competitiveness, sustainable food systems, and responsible private sector participation. Through political, technical, and process-oriented advisory support, the Contractor will contribute to improved policy coherence, effective implementation, and cross-sectoral collaboration, enabling Somalia to fully leverage its EAC membership and advance inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. The Contractor will support relevant federal institutions in developing, reviewing, and implementing evidence-based, climate-resilient agricultural and trade policies consistent with the National Transformation Plan (2025-2029), Somalia"s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (2021), and applicable EAC regulatory and quality assurance frameworks, including the development of two climate-adapted agricultural policies and two private sector investment strategies aimed at reducing import dependency, strengthening value chains, enhancing export potential, and promoting competitiveness. Policy advisory services will be grounded in robust data analysis, inclusive stakeholder consultations, and international best practices, with particular attention to climate risk management, gender equality, and social inclusion, including addressing constraints faced by women and smallholder producers and supporting the integration of climate adaptation measures into agricultural policy frameworks. The assignment will also facilitate the harmonisation of standards and regulatory approaches required for effective participation in EAC agricultural trade. In parallel, the Contractor will strengthen institutional capacity in agricultural quality assurance through assessments of existing inspection, certification, and quality control systems, identification of institutional, technical, and regulatory gaps, and the development and implementation of a targeted capacity development plan. This will include the design and delivery of practical, needs-based training programmes for relevant authorities on quality standards, inspection procedures, certification processes, and compliance with EAC requirements, as well as support for the development or refinement of tools, guidelines, procedures, and operational manuals to enhance effectiveness, transparency, and consistency. To ensure sustainability and measurable results, the Contractor will establish indicators and monitoring mechanisms to track progress in policy development, institutional performance, capacity strengthening, and implementation outcomes, while ensuring close coordination with government counterparts, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and other relevant actors to promote ownership, alignment, and long-term impact. Through these services, the assignment will contribute to improved governance, strengthened institutional capacity, enhanced climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth within Somalia"s agricultural sector, supporting national food security objectives, private sector development, and regional integration.