Expression of Interest: Baseline Study of Agriculture and Livestock Systems Program in Ethiopia

Background:

Global Communities, in collaboration with partners, is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified firms to conduct a baseline study of a multi-year agriculture and livestock systems activity in Ethiopia.

Key Details:

• Location: Ethiopia (Oromia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia regions)
• Timeline: Baseline evaluation fieldwork anticipated early 2026 (see details below)
• Scope: A mixed-methods study including primary data collection (quantitative surveys and qualitative research) alongside supplemental secondary data, assessing productivity, sales, and efficiency benchmarks across livestock value chains, market systems. The study will also highlight enabling factors such as finance, policy, and institutional capacity within the broader economic, social, and political environment.
• Required expertise: Agricultural/livestock evaluation experience; survey management in East Africa; systems change approaches; strong local networks and partnerships; proven independence and impartiality
• Formal RFP to follow: A detailed RFP will be published in the coming months, which will provide full details on the scope of work and application instructions. The RFP will be sent directly to firms that submit an EOI and published publicly.

Abbreviated Scope of Work:

The baseline will:

• Establish benchmark values for selected productivity, sales, efficiency, and systems indicators for activities within livestock value chains (dairy, poultry, and beef) across target regions.
• Employ a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, supplemented by secondary data where appropriate and relevant.
• Include livestock producers, cooperatives, feed mills, agro-input retailers, service providers, and relevant institutions.
• Provide findings and recommendations to refine targets, validate assumptions, and guide early implementation decisions.

Anticipated Timeline:

• TOR finalization: late 2025
• Evaluator onboarding: Q4 2025
• Tool design, piloting, approvals: Dec 2025–Jan 2026
• Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2026
• Draft baseline report: Feb-Mar 2026
• Final report submission: Mar-Apr 202

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in baseline or large-scale evaluations in agriculture and livestock systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience with mixed-methods design, statistically powered sampling, and advanced data analysis.
• Commitment and demonstrated performance related to co-creation and community-led decision-making as it relates to tool creation and validation of findings.
• Proven ability to manage household and enterprise surveys in Ethiopia/East Africa, with attention to data quality, ethics, and contextualization.
• Capacity to operate independently and impartially, with strong logistical capabilities in Oromia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia.
• Effective partnerships with Ethiopian research institutions or evaluation firms.

Immediate Next Steps:

Interested firms should submit a brief capability statement (2–3 pages) outlining relevant experience, key staff, and Ethiopia/East Africa presence to mcruse@globalcommunities.org by October 24^th, 2025 with the subject “[Your company name]- Ethiopia EOI Submission”.