TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) Hiring of Consultant for conduct Livelihood Market Assessment 

Required Technical & Financial Proposal with Timeline. 

.1. Background

Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme (LHDP) is implementing the project “WASH & Livelihood Support for Affected People of Sindh” in District Sujawal. The project aims to support vulnerable and disaster-affected households through improved access to WASH services and sustainable livelihood opportunities at Union Council Gul Muhammad Baran and Union Council Kar Malak Taluka Jati District Sujawal. 

To ensure that livelihood interventions are market-driven, climate-resilient, and responsive to community needs, LHDP intends to conduct a comprehensive Livelihood Market Assessment. The study will provide a detailed understanding of existing livelihood patterns, market trends, business opportunities, skills gaps, and income-generation potential within the project area (District Sujawal).

This assessment will provide evidence to guide program design and strengthen market linkages for sustainable income generation.

2. Purpose of Assignment 

The purpose of this consultancy is to engage a qualified external consultant (or consulting firm) to design and implement a livelihood market assessment that generate actionable evidence-based recommendations for livelihood programming by:

• Assessing the socio-economic and livelihood situation of project area.

• Identifying existing livelihood resources, skills, and market opportunities.

• Analyzing local market systems and economic trends.

•  Assessing feasible and climate-resilient income generation options.

• Recommending livelihood and skills-development interventions suitable for project beneficiaries; this will also include identifying small-scale startup kits for skill development beneficiaries

3. Objectives of the Assessment

The consultant will:

1. Conduct a detailed socio-economic and livelihood situation analysis of target communities. 

2. Identify existing livelihood resources, demand-based skills, and economic activities. 

3. Analise market demand, supply trends, and growth sectors. 

4. Assess climate and environmental risks affecting livelihoods. 

5. Identify profitable and resilient income-generation opportunities. 

6. Map barriers to participation and protection dynamics (to ensure Do NO Ham), especially for women, youth and vulnerable groups

7. Conduct a rapid value chain mapping of selected livelihood sectors (max 2) to identify key actors, stages, constraints and recommendations. 

8. Recommend vocational skills, curricula and market linkage strategies to strengthen household income and resilience. 

9. Develop an implementation framework for recommended livelihood activities.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant shall

A. Inception 

• Review project documents and relevant secondary information.

• Hold consultations with LHDP project staff and stakeholders.

B. Livelihood Situation Analysis

The assessment shall include:

• Existing productive assets and resources.

• Impacts of climate change, floods, salinity, drought, and other shocks on livelihoods.

C. Market Assessment 

• Local market systems and economic activities.

• Existing businesses and enterprises.

• Supply and demand dynamics.

• Market access constraints.

• Availability of inputs and services.

• Access to finance and business support services

D. Skills Assessment

• Assess existing technical and vocational skills among community members.

• Identify skills gaps and training needs.

• Recommend market-oriented skills enhancement opportunities.

• Recommend Startup kits for local businesses/small enterprises

E. Identification of Livelihood Opportunities

Potential livelihood interventions should be assessed based on:

• Market demand.

• Profitability.

• Feasibility and resource requirements.

• Inclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

F. Rapid Value Chain Mapping

For shortlisted (max 2) livelihood sectors, the consultant shall conduct value chain analysis covering:

• Key market actors.

• Stages

• Risks and opportunities.

• Potential interventions for strengthening value chains.

G. Stakeholder Consultations

The consultant shall conduct consultations with:

• Community members.

• Traders and market actors.

• Government departments.

• Financial institutions.

• Technical service providers. 

5. Methodology

The consultant will adopt a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques to generate a comprehensive understanding of livelihood opportunities, market systems, constraints, and economic recovery potential in the target areas.

The assessment methodology should include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Desk Review

•Review of relevant secondary data, reports, government statistics, market assessments, livelihood profiles, value chain studies, and development plans. 

•Analysis of socio-economic, climate, and market trends affecting livelihoods in the target area. 

3. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)

•Conduct separate FGDs with male, female, youth, farmers, livestock keepers, traders, and other relevant livelihood groups. 

•Explore livelihood challenges, market dynamics, seasonal trends, barriers to economic participation, and community priorities. 

•Use participatory tools such as seasonal calendars, livelihood ranking, and problem analysis where appropriate. 

4. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

•Interview local government representatives, market committee members, traders, input suppliers, transporters, financial service providers, community leaders, producer groups, and relevant line departments. 

•Gather insights on market functionality, value chains, employment opportunities, risks, and potential interventions. 

5. Market Assessment

•Conduct market observations and trader surveys in key rural and semi-urban markets. 

•Assess availability, demand, pricing trends, supply chains, competition, infrastructure, and market accessibility. 

•Identify potential sectors for livelihood recovery, enterprise development, and skills enhancement. 

6. Data Analysis and Validation

•Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate analytical methods. 

•Triangulate findings from different sources to ensure reliability. 

•Conduct a stakeholder validation workshop or debriefing session to present preliminary findings and receive feedback. 

Cross-Cutting Considerations

The assessment should integrate gender, social inclusion, climate resilience, and protection considerations throughout the study. Data should be disaggregated by sex, age, disability status, and location wherever possible.

7. Deliverables

The consultant will submit:

1. Inception report (methodology, tools, workplan)

2. First draft of Assessment Report for LHDP review

3. Final Report after incorporating feedback from LHDP

8. TimeLine

Overall timeframe for the assignment is 3 weeks, which will cover following aspects:

Week 1: Desk Review, Tool Designing and Training of survey team

Week 2- : Data collection, field survey and assessment

Week 3: Data Analysis and Reporting, submission of final report  

9. Required Qualifications

The consultant/firm should possess:

• Master''''s degree in Economics, Rural Development, Agriculture, Livelihoods, Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field (For lead consultant in both cases; Firm’s Team lead or Individual Consultant)

• Minimum 3 years of experience in livelihood assessments, market analysis, and value chain development.

• Proven experience in Sindh and disaster-prone areas.

• Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, and donor-funded projects.

• Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

10. Reporting

The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator, LHDP.

The assessment process, findings, and final report will be reviewed and finalized jointly by the Project Coordinator, Livelihood Officer, Manager Project ACF and Lead Consultant. Regular progress updates shall be provided throughout the assignment.

Ethical Consideration:

LHDP is conscious on respect, dignity and safeguarding of its beneficiaries and also assume following considerations from its consultants, partners and vendors:

1. Confidentiality of beneficiaries’ persons data

2. Safeguarding and Do NO harm at any stage

3. Getting consent of each beneficiary, while taking their pictures

4. Informed consent before each activity like survey, KII respondents

5. Child Protection and Safeguarding

11. Proposal Submission 

Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted in soft to following email address:

[email protected] 

Issue Date:   July 3,2026

Closing Date of Submission of Proposal: July 8, 2026 5pm