Consultancy Service to Publish Markets and Policy Analysis Knowledge Products

 1. Background

Kilimo Trust is a not-for-profit organization working on agriculture for development across the East African Community, with operations and partnerships in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Kilimo Trust is a go-to implementing partner for inclusive and sustainable market-led agricultural value chain development in the region. Kilimo Trust has a dedicated Markets and Policy Analysis (MPA) Unit, which serves as a hub for diagnostics, analysis and evidence generation to support coordinated agricultural transformation for incomes, nutrition and food security in the EAC region. The MPA Unit undertakes market and value chain studies, policy analyses, feasibility assessments, scoping studies, end-market analyses and other evidence-based assignments that inform programme design, implementation, policy engagement and investment decisions.

2. The Assignment

As of April 2026, the MPA Unit had generated and published over 76 scoping studies, end-market studies and value chain analyses, as well as over 15 policy briefs to guide the development of agricultural ecosystems. These published knowledge products have largely focused on livelihoods and enterprise identification, pricing and trade barriers, employment generation, sustainable agribusiness linkages, smallholder farmer resilience, export competitiveness, agribusiness potential, needs assessments and market opportunity identification.

Beyond these published outputs, the Unit has also produced a considerable number of internal reports that are not yet publicly available. These include market and value chain studies for various commodities, policy reports, feasibility studies, baseline, midline and endline evaluations, outcome and impact studies, gross margin analyses, institutional capacity assessments, labour market assessments and other technical reports. In addition, the MPA Unit supports the Monitoring and Evaluation team in the preparation of project baseline, midline, endline, outcome and impact evaluation reports.

While these reports contain valuable evidence, insights and lessons for agricultural development in the region, many require further review, technical editing, synthesis and publication packaging before they can be uploaded to the Kilimo Trust website or shared more widely with partners, policy actors, development agencies and other stakeholders. 

Kilimo Trust therefore seeks to engage an external consultant with strong experience in publication, technical writing, research synthesis, and both quantitative and qualitative evidence-based reporting to support the MPA Unit in reviewing, refining and preparing selected reports for publication. The consultant will work with the MPA Unit and relevant technical teams to improve quality, clarity, consistency, and presentation while preserving the original evidence and findings.

The assignment will cover the following reports and knowledge products:

1. EAC Fish Market Characterization Report 

2. Executive Summary of the EAC Fish Market Characterization Report 

3. R4iCSA II Policy Briefs by FRA 

4. WYEEFIMA Policy Dialogue Reports 

5. Policy Gaps in Youth Employment in Rwanda Report 

6. R-YES Endline Report 

7. GFC Project Endline Study

Under this assignment, the consultant will be expected to:

• Improve the technical quality, structure, clarity, coherence and presentation of the selected reports and knowledge products. 

• Strengthen the presentation and interpretation of findings, conclusions, recommendations, implications and lessons learned. 

• Ensure consistency and quality in referencing, tables, figures, charts, maps, annexes and overall report presentation. 

• Prepare the selected reports and knowledge products for publication on the Kilimo Trust website and dissemination to partners and other stakeholders.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

• Review the selected reports and identify technical, analytical, structural and editorial improvements required before publication. 

• Edit and strengthen the reports to improve clarity, coherence, flow, presentation and alignment between objectives, methods, findings, conclusions and recommendations. 

• Review the presentation and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative evidence, flagging inconsistencies, analytical gaps, weak interpretations or unsupported conclusions. Where additional analysis is required, the MPA analytical team will provide support. 

• Prepare the reviewed reports and knowledge products in publication-ready formats, including full reports, executive summaries and policy briefs, as applicable.

4. Expected Deliverables

5. Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within one and half months from the date of contract signing. The consultant will prepare a detailed work plan and timeline covering the review, revision and finalization of the specified reports and knowledge products, to be agreed upon with Kilimo Trust at the inception stage.

6. Required Qualifications, Experience and Key Competencies

The consultant should demonstrate the following qualifications, experience and competencies:

• At least a Master's degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, rural development, development studies, economics, monitoring and evaluation, social sciences, communication, or a related field. A PhD will be an added advantage.

• At least five years of proven experience in research, technical writing, publication editing, report synthesis or knowledge product development.

• Demonstrated experience in preparing, reviewing or editing publications based on both quantitative and qualitative research.

• Evidence of previous publications, including reports, policy briefs, journal articles, working papers, technical papers, learning briefs or similar knowledge products.

• Strong understanding of agricultural value chains, market systems, agribusiness, food systems, rural development, project evaluation or policy analysis.

• Experience reviewing or editing market studies, value chain assessments, feasibility studies, policy reports, baseline, midline and endline studies, impact studies or project learning reports.

• Excellent command of written English, with strong technical writing, editing, analytical and synthesis skills.

• Ability to work effectively with both qualitative and quantitative evidence and to synthesize complex technical information into clear and accessible outputs.

• Strong attention to detail and consistency, with the ability to improve document structure, coherence and flow without distorting the original meaning or findings.

• Knowledge of publication standards and preparation of website-ready knowledge products.

• Ability to work independently, meet agreed deadlines and engage effectively with technical teams.

• Experience working with NGOs, development agencies, research institutions or regional agricultural programmes will be an added advantage.

• Familiarity with East African agricultural development contexts will be an added advantage.

7. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report to the Team Lead Markets and Policy Analysis and Country Team Leader Uganda. S/he will work closely with the Markets and Policy Analysis Unit, Monitoring and Evaluation team, communications staff, project teams and management as required. Kilimo Trust will provide the selected reports, templates, branding guidelines and any relevant background information needed for the assignment.

8. Financial Proposal and Payment Terms

Interested consultants should submit a detailed financial proposal indicating the professional fees for undertaking the assignment, preferably broken down by the key deliverables, and rates should be tax inclusive.  

Payment will be made based on agreed deliverables and upon satisfactory completion of assigned tasks. The payment schedule may be structured as follows:

9. Application Requirements

Interested consultants should submit the following:

• A brief technical proposal outlining their understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.

• A financial proposal.

• Updated CV.

• At least five samples of previous publications, edited reports, policy briefs, technical papers or similar work.

• Evidence of experience in both quantitative and qualitative research-based publications.

• Contact details of at least two professional referees.

10. Mode of Application

Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial proposals together with five similar work references via email: recruitment@kilimotrust.org not later than 16TH October 2026. Late submissions shall not be reviewed. Only Shortlisted applicants shall be contacted.