Consultancy Terms of Reference Market Needs Assessment for MSE and Start-up Capacity Building Inclusive Value Chain and Labour Market Analysis

Consultancy Terms of Reference Market Needs Assessment for MSE and Start-up Capacity Building Inclusive Value Chain and Labour Market Analysis Application Deadline : 30 August 2026 Location : Syria Background The Near East Foundation (NEF) is a non-profit international development organization that pioneers innovative strategies for livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development. Working through a network of country offices and local partners in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria, NEF combines financial inclusion, enterprise development, and agricultural market strengthening to promote resilient economic systems. In Syria, NEF has been a lead actor in economic recovery since 2017. NEF is implementing a programme to support micro and small enterprises (MSEs), start-ups, and vulnerable populations through skills development, enterprise support, and market-driven economic opportunities. Under Activity 1.1.1 (Market needs assessment for targeted capacity building for MSEs and start-ups), NEF conducts regular, comprehensive annual market needs assessments across its targeted areas. These assessments are localised to capture nuanced local market dynamics and are then integrated into a programme-wide assessment that captures inter-regional market dynamics and associated opportunities. The assessment covers two distinct yet interrelated areas: (i) Localised Market Analysis and Diagnostics – regular market research and localised diagnostics to inform MSME strategies, covering consumer trends, competitive dynamics, and market system gaps; and (ii) Inclusive Value Chain and Labour Market Analysis – gender-sensitive value chain assessments to identify entry points and barriers for women and marginalised groups, and mapping of job creation and labour dynamics and opportunities for inclusive economic participation. To ensure interventions respond to actual market needs, NEF seeks to engage a consultancy firm to conduct a Market Needs Assessment covering all of Syria. The assessment will cover all 14 governorates of Syria: Aleppo (including A’zaz, Mare’, Al Bab and Jarablus), Idlib, Hassakeh, Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor, Homs, Hama, Damascus, Rural Damascus, Lattakia, Tartous, Daraa, As-Sweida, and Quneitra, grouped into six regional clusters for planning and logistics purposes (Northwest, Northeast, Central, Damascus and Rural Damascus, Coastal, and Southern Syria), with a particular focus on NEF's core programme areas – Aleppo, Hassakeh and Raqqa Governorates – and on the agricultural sector, while also assessing opportunities across other key sectors nationally. Coverage of specific locations within each governorate will be confirmed with NEF during inception, subject to access and security conditions. The assessment will provide evidence on market demand, labour market dynamics, skills gaps, priority training and workforce development needs, value chain opportunities, and business development needs to inform project implementation and future programming. By institutionalising this process, NEF aims to create a continuous feedback loop between market realities and intervention strategies, strengthening the sustainability and relevance of its outcomes. Findings will directly inform the selection of high-demand vocational training sectors, viable business opportunities, and sequenced training programmes tailored to specific sectors and business models. Consultancy Objective The objective of this assignment is to identify market-driven opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and enterprise growth by assessing: Local market demand and economic opportunities. Priority sectors and value chains, particularly in agriculture. Labour market trends and employment opportunities, including sector- and location-specific occupational demand, seasonal trends, and local supply-demand imbalances. Existing skills and capacities among target populations, including formal and informal skills, prior work experience, and vocational aptitudes among working-age populations (women, youth, IDPs, returnees, etc.). Skills gaps, workforce readiness, and priority training and capacity development needs aligned with labour market demand Market constraints and opportunities affecting the growth of MSMEs, entrepreneurs, farmers, and agribusinesses, including access to markets, finance, business support services, technology, and infrastructure. Barriers and opportunities for women, youth, IDPs, returnees, and other vulnerable groups to access employment, entrepreneurship, markets, finance, and skills development The roles, capacities, and service gaps of key market actors, and opportunities to strengthen coordination and collaboration. Priority market needs, gaps, and opportunities where targeted interventions can strengthen local market systems, improve access to finance and markets, enhance workforce skills, and promote sustainable employment and inclusive economic recovery. Actionable recommendations to address identified gaps and prioritize interventions for individuals, market systems, and stakeholders to enhance employment opportunities, enterprise competitiveness, and sustainable livelihoods. Areas where project support – such as enterprise development, skills training, value chain strengthening, and market linkages, can stimulate market demand and economic growth. Scope of Work The consultant will undertake a mixed-methods assessment covering the following areas: Localised Market Analysis and Diagnostics – Market Analysis: Assess market demand, consumer trends, and business opportunities. Identify growing sectors and market gaps. Analyse local and regional market dynamics. Identify opportunities for enterprise growth, investment, and market expansion. Inclusive Value Chain and Labour Market Analysis – Value Chain Analysis: Identify high-potential value chains, with a particular focus on agriculture, through gender-sensitive assessments that identify entry points and barriers for women and marginalised groups. Assess opportunities for value addition, market access, and job creation. Identify constraints affecting productivity and growth. Analyse the roles and capacities of key market actors and stakeholders—including producers, traders, processors, input suppliers, financial service providers and identify service gaps and opportunities to strengthen market systems. Labour Market Assessment: Analyse labour demand and supply. Identify occupations and skills most demanded by employers. Assess opportunities for wage employment and self-employment. Capture sector- and location-specific employment opportunities, considering seasonal trends, local supply and demand imbalances, and emerging sectors with potential for inclusive growth. Identify barriers preventing job seekers and enterprises from accessing employment opportunities and skilled labour. Skills and Capacity Assessment Map existing technical, vocational, entrepreneurial, and transferable skills among target populations. Map existing technical, vocational, entrepreneurial, and transferable skills among target populations. Identify priority vocational, technical, business development, and entrepreneurship training needs. Assess the capacity and relevance of existing training providers and business development service providers to meet market needs. Inclusion Analysis Assess barriers and opportunities for women, youth, IDPs, returnees, and marginalized groups. Identify pathways for inclusive participation in economic activities and employment. Market Stimulation Opportunities Explore gaps and potential areas where targeted project support – such as enterprise development, skills training, value chain strengthening, and market linkages – can help stimulate local economies and create demand-driven opportunities for beneficiaries.Identify priority interventions and provide actionable recommendations to address identified gaps at the individual, enterprise, market system, and institutional levels , strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders and improving sustainable employment and enterprise development outcomes Methodology The detailed methodology is to be proposed by the consultant in the technical proposal. The assessment should integrate both quantitative and qualitative data and include a gender and social inclusion lens. As a minimum, the proposed methodology must meet the following standards (initially): Quantitative sample: A statistically representative survey of MSEs, entrepreneurs and target households, covering all 14 governorates described in Section 1, with a minimum indicative sample of 1,400 respondents nationally, a uniform minimum of 100 respondents in each of the 14 governorates. Respondents should be disaggregated by sex, age, disability, displacement status, governorate and location. This is a minimum only, the consultant should justify and, where relevant, refine the final sample size, stratification, and governorate-level allocation (including any design effect for clustered sampling, and any adjustments required due to access or security constraints in specific areas) in the technical proposal, to be confirmed and agreed with NEF during the inception phase. Qualitative sample: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) – 2 per governorate with MSE/business owners and entrepreneurs (28 total); 2 per governorate with consumers/customers (28 total); and 2 per governorate with women, youth, IDP and returnee groups (28 total). 84 FGDs in total. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) – 1 per governorate with Chambers of Commerce/Industry and business/sector associations (14 total); 2 per governorate with local market actors and value chain clusters, including cooperatives, traders, processors, input suppliers, and financial service providers (28 total); 1 per governorate with relevant local authorities, including governorate/district economic directorates and municipalities where accessible (14 total); 6 national-level interviews with donors active in economic recovery and livelihoods programming (e.g. SDC, GIZ, EU, USAID and others); and 10 national-level interviews with NGOs/INGOs implementing related market systems, livelihoods, or value chain programming. 72 KIIs in total. This gives a combined qualitative minimum of 156 touchpoints nationally (84 FGDs + 72 KIIs). the consultant should propose the final qualitative sample, stakeholder mapping, and governorate-level allocation (including any adjustments required due to access or security constraints) in the technical proposal, to be confirmed and agreed with NEF during the inception phase. Value chain selection and mapping: Given the national scope, the consultant should propose a transparent, criteria-based process (e.g. market potential, employment/income potential, inclusiveness, feasibility, alignment with NEF programming) for shortlisting a manageable number of priority value chains for in-depth analysis, both nationally and per region, drawing on the initial desk review and rapid scoping during the inception phase. The shortlist and selection criteria must be validated with NEF in the inception report before deep-dive value chain fieldwork begins. Data collection tools: Digital data collection using KoboToolbox, aligned with NEF's existing MEAL/IM systems, with all tools submitted to NEF for review and approval prior to fieldwork. Data collection should be conducted in Arabic (and Kurdish where relevant in Northeast Syria), using gender-balanced enumeration teams with local knowledge of dialect, context and access conditions in each governorate. Secondary data review: Desk review of NEF's existing IPTT, baseline and beneficiary data, and other relevant labour market and agricultural assessments, to inform survey design and triangulate findings. Analysis approach: Quantitative data should be analysed using descriptive and, where appropriate, inferential statistics, with cross-tabulation by governorate, sex, age, disability and displacement status. Qualitative data should be analysed thematically, coded and organised by assessment domain (market analysis, value chain, labour market, skills, inclusion). Findings across quantitative, qualitative and secondary data sources must be triangulated to produce integrated, evidence-based conclusions and recommendations. Data quality assurance: Real-time data validation, spot checks, and consistency checks throughout data collection, with a data cleaning protocol described in the inception report. Ethics and do no harm: Data collection must follow informed consent and do-no-harm principles in line with Section 9 (Safeguarding, Data Protection and Conflict of Interest), including a clear referral pathway for any protection concerns identified during fieldwork, and particular sensitivity to access and security conditions that vary across governorates and areas of control. Deliverables The consultant will deliver: Inception Report: Including methodology, workplan, sampling approach, and data collection tools. Draft Assessment Report: Including market analysis findings, labour market assessment, skills gap analysis, value chain analysis, inclusion findings, preliminary recommendations. Final Assessment Report: Including priority sectors and value chains, market-driven training recommendations, business development opportunities, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, recommendations for project interventions and market stimulation activities. Presentation of Findings: A presentation and validation workshop with NEF and relevant stakeholders. Clean Raw Dataset: The full, cleaned and anonymised dataset (KoboToolbox exports in .xlsx/.csv format), accompanied by a codebook/data dictionary and any analysis syntax files, submitted alongside the Final Assessment Report. Duration The assignment is expected to be structured indicatively as follows: Inception phase – up to 5 working days (inception report, tools, sampling frame); Data collection phase – up to 20 working days (quantitative and qualitative fieldwork across all target locations); Analysis and draft reporting phase – up to 15 working days; Validation, finalisation and presentation of findings – up to 5 working days. The consultant should propose a detailed workplan against this indicative structure in the technical proposal, to be completed by November 2026. Consultant Qualifications The consultant or consulting firm should have: At least 5 years of experience conducting market assessments, labour market studies, or value chain analyses, including in Syria. Demonstrated experience in MSME development and private sector engagement. Strong knowledge of agricultural value chains and market systems. Experience integrating gender and social inclusion into economic assessments. Excellent analytical and report-writing skills. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, weighted 60% technical / 40% financial. The indicative technical scoring breakdown is: Understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology (including sampling approach and data quality assurance) – 30 points. Firm/consultant relevant experience and track record, including in Syria and existing partnership with NEF – 30 points. Team composition and qualifications (including gender/inclusion expertise) – 10 points. Realism and clarity of workplan and timeline – 15 points. Quality of writing samples/references from similar assignments – 15 points. Safeguarding, Data Protection and Conflict of Interest The consultant must comply with NEF's Safeguarding Policy, including Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding standards, and sign NEF's Code of Conduct prior to contract signature. All data collected must be handled in line with NEF's data protection protocols: informed consent must be obtained from respondents, personal data anonymised in reporting, and raw data stored securely and shared only with authorised NEF/donor staff. Applicants must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest (e.g. prior/current engagement with NEF, programme partners, or competing assignments) as part of the technical proposal. NEF reserves the right to disqualify any applicant found to have an undisclosed conflict of interest. Reporting The consultant will report directly to the NEF Programme Manager and submit all deliverables in English in both editable and PDF formats. Application To apply, applicants should provide: A technical proposal describing the methodology A financial proposal Application Deadline: 30 August 2026