Call for Syrian Experts: Value Chain Analysis & Market Systems Development (Syria)

Contract Type: Individual Consultancy; Project-Based
Eligibility: Syrian nationals or non-Syrian consultants currently residing in Syria only

Trust Consultancy & Development (TCD) is seeking experienced consultants to join its roster of experts in value chain analysis, market systems development (MSD), private-sector development and economic recovery to support upcoming evaluations, assessments, research, programme design and advisory assignments in Syria.

Selected consultants will be included in TCD's consultant roster and may be considered for future short-term consultancy opportunities based on their technical expertise, sector experience, geographical knowledge, availability and the requirements of specific assignments.

Primary geographic scope: Syria

About the Call

Trust is expanding its roster of experts with strong practical and analytical experience in value chain development, market systems, private-sector engagement, MSME development and inclusive economic growth.

We are particularly interested in experts with recent, first-hand knowledge of Syrian markets and value chains, including agriculture and agri-food, manufacturing, services and other sectors with potential for employment, enterprise development and economic recovery.

Areas of Expertise

Applicants should have strong experience in one or more of the following:

1. Value Chain Analysis (VCA), including value-chain mapping, actors, functions, relationships, governance, constraints and opportunities;
2. Market Systems Development (MSD/M4P), including core markets, supporting functions, rules, systemic constraints and facilitation approaches;
3. Market and sector assessments, including supply and demand, market trends, competitiveness, prices, costs and growth potential;
4. Agricultural and agri-food value chains, including production, aggregation, processing, storage, logistics, marketing and access to markets;
5. Non-agricultural value chains, including manufacturing, services, construction, digital economy and other growth sectors;
6. Private-sector and MSME development, including enterprise constraints, business-enabling environment, entrepreneurship and business-development services;
7. Market actor and stakeholder mapping, including producers, cooperatives, traders, processors, wholesalers, retailers, service providers, financial institutions and government actors;
8. Market access and linkages, including producer-to-buyer relationships, aggregation, distribution channels, export markets and commercial partnerships;
9. Access to finance and business services, including financial and non-financial services available to farmers, MSMEs and other market actors;
10. Inclusive market systems, including opportunities and barriers affecting women, youth, persons with disabilities, IDPs, returnees and small-scale producers;
11. Employment and income generation, including identification of sectors and value chains with potential for job creation, self-employment and enterprise growth;
12. Climate resilience and green market systems, including resource efficiency, climate-smart production, circular economy and green business opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

Applicants should have:

• Syrian nationality and current residence in Syria, or be a non-Syrian consultant currently based in Syria;
• A relevant university degree in economics, agricultural economics, business, development studies, agriculture, market systems, finance or another relevant field;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience; senior/lead experts should preferably have 10+ years;
• Recent professional experience related to value chains, market systems, private-sector development or economic recovery in Syria, preferably within the last three years;
• Demonstrated experience conducting or contributing to value chain analyses, market assessments, feasibility studies, private-sector assessments or MSD programmes;
• Strong understanding of Syria's markets, private sector, MSMEs, producers, cooperatives, traders and business environment;
• Ability to engage directly with private-sector actors, producers, government institutions, Chambers, business associations and other market actors;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research, analytical and report-writing skills;
• Arabic fluency; professional English is strongly preferred.

International Organization & Donor Experience

Previous experience with ILO, FAO, UNDP, World Bank, GIZ, EU-funded programmes, international NGOs or other organizations working on value chains, MSD, livelihoods, agriculture, private-sector development and economic recovery is a strong advantage.

Experience with recognized approaches and frameworks for Market Systems Development (MSD/M4P), value chain analysis, inclusive market systems and private-sector development should be clearly highlighted.

Applicants should indicate relevant assignments, including the client, assignment, year, role, sector/value chain and main responsibilities.