Job
Expression of Interest: Consultancy for Tree-Based Value Chain Assessment in Odwayne District, Burao – Somaliland
- Organization: World Vision
- Location: Somalia
- Deadline: Tue Jun 30 2026
- Category: Program/Project Management
About this opportunity
**1. Background:**
**1.1:** **World Vision Context**
World Vision International is a humanitarian and development organization committed to enhancing the well-being of vulnerable children, families, and communities in need. Operating in areas characterized by fragility and environmental challenges, such as Somaliland, World Vision implements a range of integrated resilience programs designed to support and empower local populations. These programs are multifaceted, combining essential components such as livelihoods support, natural resource management, and climate adaptation strategies.
In regions classified as arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), World Vision recognizes the critical relationship between sustainable livelihoods and the health of ecosystems. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining the well-being of rangelands and tree resources, which are foundational to the pastoral production systems that many communities rely upon for their livelihoods.
To address the pressing challenges faced by these communities, World Vision has increasingly directed its efforts towards interventions that not only focus on environmental restoration but also create economic opportunities. By fostering initiatives that connect sustainable resource management practices with tangible benefits, World Vision ensures that local communities are able to thrive both environmentally and economically. This holistic approach not only seeks to improve immediate living conditions but also lays the groundwork for long-term resilience and sustainability in the face of ongoing climate stressors.
**1.2 Regreening Africa Phase II (RA2)**
Regreening Africa Phase II (RA2) is a landscape restoration initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of land degradation across the African continent. This multifaceted program not only focuses on rehabilitating degraded ecosystems but also prioritizes the enhancement of livelihoods and climate resilience for local communities. Building on successful methodologies such as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), agroforestry practices, and community-led restoration efforts, RA2 seeks to revitalize ecosystems that have been severely impacted by various forms of degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity.
One of the core objectives of RA2 is to facilitate a transformative shift away from subsistence farming and environmentally harmful practices toward sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems. This transition is crucial in fostering long-term environmental health while improving the economic prospects of communities dependent on these ecosystems.
A significant aspect of the initiative is its commitment to promoting tree-based enterprises, which serve as a vital strategy for intertwining ecological restoration with economic development. By identifying and nurturing specific value chains that have the potential to generate income, RA2 aims to empower local communities, providing them with the necessary incentives to actively conserve and restore their natural resources. This not only helps to rebuild the environmental integrity of their landscapes but also strengthens their economic resilience and contributes to overall community well-being.
Through these efforts, Regreening Africa Phase II aspires to create a sustainable model of land management that benefits both people and the planet, fostering a healthier environment for current and future generations.
**1.3: Context of Odwayne District**
Odwayne district, located in the Togdheer region near Burao, is characterized by arid climatic conditions, recurrent droughts, and fragile ecosystems. Livelihoods are predominantly pastoral, with households relying heavily on livestock for income, food, and social security. However, increasing climate variability has led to gradual shifts toward agro-pastoralism in certain areas, where communities are beginning to engage in small-scale crop production and natural resource-based enterprises.
The district’s natural resource base has been under increasing pressure due to prolonged droughts, overgrazing, and unsustainable exploitation of woody vegetation. In particular, charcoal production has emerged as a coping strategy during periods of economic stress, contributing to significant deforestation and land degradation.
Despite these challenges, Odwayne possesses considerable potential for sustainable tree-based production systems. Indigenous tree species, including Acacia, Boswellia, and Commiphora, offer opportunities for the development of gum, resin, fodder, and other non-timber forest products. Harnessing these opportunities requires a structured understanding of value chains and market systems.
**2. RATIONALE FOR TREE-BASED VALUE CHAIN ASSESSMENT**
Tree-based value chains represent a critical opportunity to align environmental restoration with livelihood diversification in Odwayne district. While trees currently play an important role in supporting pastoral systems providing fodder, fuel, and ecological services their economic potential remains largely underutilized.
Existing practices are often informal and characterized by low productivity, limited value addition, and weak connections to markets. Producers typically operate individually, with minimal coordination or access to market information. At the same time, harvesting practices are frequently unsustainable, further exacerbating environmental degradation.
However, there is growing demand for products such as gum Arabic, frankincense, and myrrh in both regional and international markets. These products, if sustainably managed, can provide significant income opportunities while incentivizing conservation. Moreover, integrating tree-based enterprises into pastoral systems can enhance resilience by diversifying income sources and reducing vulnerability to climate shocks.
This assessment is therefore intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure, performance, and potential of tree-based value chains in Odwayne. The findings will inform strategic investment decisions under RA2 and guide the development of sustainable, inclusive, and market-oriented interventions.
**3. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES**
**3.1 Overall Goal**
The overall goal of this consultancy is to generate evidence-based insights into viable and sustainable tree-based value chains in Odwayne district, thereby informing programme design and investment priorities under Regreening Africa Phase II.
**3.2 Specific Objectives**
The consultancy will pursue a set of interrelated objectives that collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of tree-based economic systems. These include identifying existing value chains and their actors, assessing production systems and ecological sustainability, and analyzing market structures and dynamics. In addition, the assessment will examine the profitability and income potential of selected tree products, while also identifying key constraints and opportunities across the value chain.
Particular attention will be given to gender and youth inclusion, ensuring that the analysis captures disparities in access to resources and market participation. The consultancy will also generate clear, prioritized recommendations for strengthening value chains and promoting scalable tree-based enterprises.
**4. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT**
The consultancy will undertake a comprehensive tree-based value chain assessment covering selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities within Odwayne district. The scope encompasses both ecological and economic dimensions, recognizing the interdependence between natural resource management and livelihood systems.
**4.1 Geographic Scope**
The primary focus will be Odwayne district, with fieldwork conducted in representative communities that reflect both pastoral and emerging agro-pastoral systems. The selection of sites will aim to capture variations in resource availabili
**1.1:** **World Vision Context**
World Vision International is a humanitarian and development organization committed to enhancing the well-being of vulnerable children, families, and communities in need. Operating in areas characterized by fragility and environmental challenges, such as Somaliland, World Vision implements a range of integrated resilience programs designed to support and empower local populations. These programs are multifaceted, combining essential components such as livelihoods support, natural resource management, and climate adaptation strategies.
In regions classified as arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), World Vision recognizes the critical relationship between sustainable livelihoods and the health of ecosystems. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining the well-being of rangelands and tree resources, which are foundational to the pastoral production systems that many communities rely upon for their livelihoods.
To address the pressing challenges faced by these communities, World Vision has increasingly directed its efforts towards interventions that not only focus on environmental restoration but also create economic opportunities. By fostering initiatives that connect sustainable resource management practices with tangible benefits, World Vision ensures that local communities are able to thrive both environmentally and economically. This holistic approach not only seeks to improve immediate living conditions but also lays the groundwork for long-term resilience and sustainability in the face of ongoing climate stressors.
**1.2 Regreening Africa Phase II (RA2)**
Regreening Africa Phase II (RA2) is a landscape restoration initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of land degradation across the African continent. This multifaceted program not only focuses on rehabilitating degraded ecosystems but also prioritizes the enhancement of livelihoods and climate resilience for local communities. Building on successful methodologies such as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), agroforestry practices, and community-led restoration efforts, RA2 seeks to revitalize ecosystems that have been severely impacted by various forms of degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity.
One of the core objectives of RA2 is to facilitate a transformative shift away from subsistence farming and environmentally harmful practices toward sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems. This transition is crucial in fostering long-term environmental health while improving the economic prospects of communities dependent on these ecosystems.
A significant aspect of the initiative is its commitment to promoting tree-based enterprises, which serve as a vital strategy for intertwining ecological restoration with economic development. By identifying and nurturing specific value chains that have the potential to generate income, RA2 aims to empower local communities, providing them with the necessary incentives to actively conserve and restore their natural resources. This not only helps to rebuild the environmental integrity of their landscapes but also strengthens their economic resilience and contributes to overall community well-being.
Through these efforts, Regreening Africa Phase II aspires to create a sustainable model of land management that benefits both people and the planet, fostering a healthier environment for current and future generations.
**1.3: Context of Odwayne District**
Odwayne district, located in the Togdheer region near Burao, is characterized by arid climatic conditions, recurrent droughts, and fragile ecosystems. Livelihoods are predominantly pastoral, with households relying heavily on livestock for income, food, and social security. However, increasing climate variability has led to gradual shifts toward agro-pastoralism in certain areas, where communities are beginning to engage in small-scale crop production and natural resource-based enterprises.
The district’s natural resource base has been under increasing pressure due to prolonged droughts, overgrazing, and unsustainable exploitation of woody vegetation. In particular, charcoal production has emerged as a coping strategy during periods of economic stress, contributing to significant deforestation and land degradation.
Despite these challenges, Odwayne possesses considerable potential for sustainable tree-based production systems. Indigenous tree species, including Acacia, Boswellia, and Commiphora, offer opportunities for the development of gum, resin, fodder, and other non-timber forest products. Harnessing these opportunities requires a structured understanding of value chains and market systems.
**2. RATIONALE FOR TREE-BASED VALUE CHAIN ASSESSMENT**
Tree-based value chains represent a critical opportunity to align environmental restoration with livelihood diversification in Odwayne district. While trees currently play an important role in supporting pastoral systems providing fodder, fuel, and ecological services their economic potential remains largely underutilized.
Existing practices are often informal and characterized by low productivity, limited value addition, and weak connections to markets. Producers typically operate individually, with minimal coordination or access to market information. At the same time, harvesting practices are frequently unsustainable, further exacerbating environmental degradation.
However, there is growing demand for products such as gum Arabic, frankincense, and myrrh in both regional and international markets. These products, if sustainably managed, can provide significant income opportunities while incentivizing conservation. Moreover, integrating tree-based enterprises into pastoral systems can enhance resilience by diversifying income sources and reducing vulnerability to climate shocks.
This assessment is therefore intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure, performance, and potential of tree-based value chains in Odwayne. The findings will inform strategic investment decisions under RA2 and guide the development of sustainable, inclusive, and market-oriented interventions.
**3. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES**
**3.1 Overall Goal**
The overall goal of this consultancy is to generate evidence-based insights into viable and sustainable tree-based value chains in Odwayne district, thereby informing programme design and investment priorities under Regreening Africa Phase II.
**3.2 Specific Objectives**
The consultancy will pursue a set of interrelated objectives that collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of tree-based economic systems. These include identifying existing value chains and their actors, assessing production systems and ecological sustainability, and analyzing market structures and dynamics. In addition, the assessment will examine the profitability and income potential of selected tree products, while also identifying key constraints and opportunities across the value chain.
Particular attention will be given to gender and youth inclusion, ensuring that the analysis captures disparities in access to resources and market participation. The consultancy will also generate clear, prioritized recommendations for strengthening value chains and promoting scalable tree-based enterprises.
**4. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT**
The consultancy will undertake a comprehensive tree-based value chain assessment covering selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities within Odwayne district. The scope encompasses both ecological and economic dimensions, recognizing the interdependence between natural resource management and livelihood systems.
**4.1 Geographic Scope**
The primary focus will be Odwayne district, with fieldwork conducted in representative communities that reflect both pastoral and emerging agro-pastoral systems. The selection of sites will aim to capture variations in resource availabili
Program/Project Management
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