SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Background:

SNV is implementing the second phase of the Scaling Up Youth Employment in Agriculture Initiative Opportunities for Youth Employment (YEE)+ project in Zambia. The four-year YEE+ Phase II project builds off successes, lessons learned and evaluations to date from the Phase I project in Zimbabwe and Zambia, other SNV youth employment projects and the YEE programme in Tanzania. The YEE+ Phase II program aims at fostering a strengthened approach to youth employment programming by addressing structural barriers, offering tailored support, and promoting collaboration among community, private sector, and government stakeholders to create dignified livelihoods for young people.

The key objectives of the project are to:

1. Increase access to employment and entrepreneurial skills development opportunities.
2. Match young people to economic opportunities in their communities, using market development and increased financial inclusion.
3. Contribute to and support an enabling environment via company partnerships, community engagement, and improved government coordination.

The project employs the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Pull-Match-Pull-Enable framework approach that brings together partners from the private sector, service providers, and government to focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and business access for youth. In view of the above, a need has arisen for SNV to conduct a Localized Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunity Scan (Opportunity Scan) as a prelude to the implementation of the project. Opportunity identification lays the groundwork for implementing YEE activities, by directing interventions towards growth-oriented economic sectors that present viable youth employment and entrepreneurship. SNV intends to undertake a pragmatic exercise to inform a concrete project implementation strategy. To that end, the Opportunity Scan will be led by the SNV technical team with support from an independent consultant, ensuring that YEE+ Phase II activities are strategically aligned with promising economic opportunities. By leveraging the expertise of both teams, the exercise will comprehensively analyze and identify opportunities that are both viable, appealing to youth aspirations and “green” in nature which addresses current and futuristic localized challenges and ever-changing market dynamics. Additionally, the central involvement of the SNV technical team will foster ownership and sustainability, anchoring the identified opportunities within the YEE framework approaches.

Objective of the consultancy

The Localised Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunity Scan will be conducted in selected districts in the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central provinces of Zambia, as part of the OYE+ Phase II program. The objectives are to identify youth employment opportunities, provide information on value chains, market opportunities and trade, actor profiling and provide detailed insights into youth aspirations and ambitions. The scan will inform the project’s implementation strategy by identifying potential areas of intervention and partnership.

Scope of work

The Localized YEE Opportunity Scan will be conducted in Lumezi, Chasefu and Nyimba in Eastern province, Kalomo and Livingstone in Southern province, Sibuyunji in Central province and Luwingu and Kasama in Northern province. Solwezi and Kalumbila in Northwestern province. The Consultant will work closely with the SNV implementation team throughout this assignment (from desk review to final reporting), ensuring GESI is well integrated in the study and their main role is to consolidate findings and delivery of high-quality outputs covering all below listed focus areas (including expected tasks).

# Focus area Key tasks (NB: Consultant will work together with SNV advisors on all tasks)

1 Participatory Desk Research  Review existing literature, reports, and data related to youth employment and entrepreneurship in Zambia in general and focus on the following districts: Luwingu, Kasama, Chasefu, Lumezi, Nyimba, Solwezi, Kalumbila, Sibuyunji, Mphongwe, Kalomo and Livingstone.

• Identify relevant socio-economic trends, and challenges affecting youth in the target areas.

2 Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify and hold key informant interviews with key stakeholders including the youth, local authorities, community leaders, government line ministries, private sector, local associations, TVETs and other relevant actors.
• Facilitate focus group discussions to gather insights into youth aspirations, challenges, and existing opportunities.

3 Opportunity Mapping

• Conduct localized mapping of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, focusing on agriculture, Energy, and non-agricultural sectors.
• Identify low-hanging opportunities suitable for youth engagement, considering factors such as market demand, feasibility, and scalability.

4 Value Chain Mapping

• Together with the SNV team, identify viable value chains that offer opportunities for youth based on initial market opportunity scan and stakeholder input.
• Conduct in-depth mapping of identified value chains, including identifying key actors, market dynamics, and potential value addition points.
• Analyse value chain constraints and opportunities to inform strategic interventions aimed at enhancing youth participation and competitiveness.

5 Partner mapping

• Identify Strong private sector partners with strong willingness to work with youth, youth entrepreneurs and localized collaborating partners relevant to the shortlisted opportunities.
• Map out existing partnerships and networks within the target areas, including relevant local associations, cooperatives, and grassroots organizations.
• Assess partnership potential and alignment with objectives of the YEE+ project considering factors such as capacity (experience, expertise, resources) and shared goals.
• Compile partner profiles and contact information for further engagement and collaboration.

6 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Analysis

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of gender dynamics and social inclusion issues affecting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
• Identify barriers and opportunities for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
• Develop recommendations for ensuring project activities will address GESI issues during implementation.
  7 Intervention Nodes
• Based on the findings from opportunity mapping, value chain analysis, partner mapping, and GESI analysis, identify priority intervention areas or “nodes” for project implementation.
• Define specific activities, target beneficiaries, and expected outcomes for each intervention node.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

1. Inception report, based on preliminary desk review of available literature discussion with SNV. The inception report shall include:

i. The proposed methodology including research methodology, target areas, data collection tools, proposed respondents.
ii. Detailed workplan outlining timeframes and key deliverables and milestones.
iii. Outline of the final report

2. Draft report with preliminary findings of the study for review by SNV

3. Comprehensive final report of the study reviewed and approved by SNV. The final report should cover the study focus areas in detail. These are.

i. Document stakeholder feedback and suggestions to inform the opportunity scanning process.
ii. Opportunity mapping shortlist highlighting localized opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
iii. Value chain mapping identifying promising value chains and potential interventions.
iv. Partner mapping outlining private sector partners and potential local collaborating partners and service providers with entry points.
v. GESI analysis highlighting key findings and recommendations.
vi. Intervention nodes document identifying priority areas for project intervention.

4. Presentation (PowerPoint) of Findings and Recommendations: Aligned with SNV PPT Guidelines

Tentative Activities and Timeframe
Stage Who Time March Expected outcome
Consultant engagement Procurement 2 days Consultant engaged
Desk study SNV team and consultant 1 day Inception report, Pre-selection of districts, data collection tools
Provincial / district field visits SNV team and consultant 14 days KII, FGD,
Production of the Draft Report & PowerPoint Presentation and approval SNV team and consultant 3 days Draft Report validation meetings
Production of Localised Scan Final Report & PowerPoint Presentation Consultant 3 days Final Report (in Word & PDF formats)
PowerPoint Presentation

Qualifications and experience

The ideal consultant for carrying out this assignment must possess the following academic qualifications, technical expertise, and experience:

1. Must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, agricultural economics, development studies, business administration, or a related discipline is essential. A higher qualification in a relevant field will be an advantage.
2. Experience (at least 5-7 years) working in the field of agriculture, youth employment, entrepreneurship, rural development, or value chain analysis with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by youth in Zambia.
3. Demonstrated ability to conduct opportunity scans, market surveys and conduct research through desk review, key informant interviews and focus Group Discussions, data analysis, and synthesis of findings into actionable recommendations.
4. Proficiency in conducting value chain mapping and analysis, identifying key actors, market dynamics, and intervention points.
5. Strong writing skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured reports.
6. Proficiency in English is required, while proficiency in local languages spoken in the target districts would be an asset for effective communication with stakeholders.
7. Self-motivated and able to work independently.

Documents to be submitted as part of the Consultants application:

1. Bidder Profile
1.1 Document summarizing the bidder’s background, qualifications and experience.
1.2 If a team of individuals/consultancy firm, all the CVs of the proposed individuals by the firm to work on the assignment.

The submission requirements
Interested consultants or firms should submit the documents specified below to zambiaprocurement@snv.org by close of business on 07-03-2025.
1. A detailed proposal outlining the approach, methodology and the timeline for the study
2. A budget breakdown including fees or any other costs
3. CVs of the key team members and relevant work experience
4. Examples of similar work previous conducted

2. Past Performance

2.1. Include three reference projects related to consulting, conceptualization, designing and/or managing projects in the area of youth employment/skills development/ market linkages/Agriculture/ private sector engagement in development projects within the past five years containing the following information (1-2 pages per project max):

2.1.1. Name of Client/Employer
2.1.2. Title of the Project, dates, and duration of the project
2.1.3. Scope of the Project, Requirements of the assignment, Proposed Solutions and Outcome
2.1.4. Reference/Contact person details for each assignment and contact information.
2.1.5. Attach evidence of performance for each of the three referenced projects listed in the candidate profile (e.g. reports)

3. Mandatory Requirements
3.1 For Zambian national individual consultants: copies of Tax Registration certificate and the most recent tax clearance certificate.
3.2 For a firm registration document: Business license/Certificate of Registration for all, Tax Registration, Current Tax Clearance Certificate, certificate of incorporation and VAT if applicable

Failure to provide a full package of documents listed above them will result in disqualification of the whole bid. Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

Detailed specifications and requirements are well stated in the RFP which can be found on this link.

Application Criteria:

• Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
• Submission should be made through zambiaprocurement@snv.org not later than 08:00AM, 07th March 2025.
  For any clarifications, contact zambiaprocurement@snv.org.

Note: SNV Zambia may request for necessary and/or more information during the evaluation. SNV will only contact the successful bidder (s) within the period of 2 weeks from the closing date of submission