Tor: Provision Of Knowledge Product Development Services For The Synnefa-solidaridad P4g Partnership Project In Makueni County, Kenya

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Solidaridad Network Solidaridad is an international civil society organization with 55 years of experience in developing solutions to make communities more resilient and create more sustainable supply chains. The organization works in over 40 countries, on five continents (Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America) through seven independent regional centers (Asia, East and Central Africa, Europe, North America, LATAM, Southern Africa, and West Africa). Solidaridad operates across East and Central Africa in the agribusiness and agriculture sectors with programs in Ethiopia, Kenya (which also serves as the headquarters of Solidaridad East and Central Africa), Tanzania, and Uganda. Solidaridad envisions a world in which all we produce, and all we consume, can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other, and the next generations. Solidaridad embraces public-private and people partnerships (PPPP) to test innovations, speed up change, and take success to scale. 1.2 The Synnefa Solidaridad - Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G)project Funded by the Embassies of Denmark, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Korea. The Synnefa Solidaridad - **Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G),**this18-month initiative targets smallholder horticulture farmers in Makueni County, Kenya. The goal of the action is to enhance climate resilience, food security, income, and social and economic empowerment among 800 small-scale fruit (Mangoes), vegetables, and spice farmers organized in farmer groups/cooperatives in Makueni County by 2027 through a 45% reduction in food loss, food waste, and an increase in shelf life produce. This will be achieved by enhancing farmers’ knowledge in post-harvest handling and climate-smart agriculture through the solar dryer innovation. Equally, we will improve gender and social inclusivity, increasing access to inputs and services, fostering an enabling policy environment for sustainable post-harvest management solutions such as the Solar dryer. 1.3 Project Pathways The project works through 4 main pathways: Knowledge and awareness on post-harvest handling and climate-smart agriculture practices for 800 small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers organized in farmer groups/cooperatives Increased capacity of the youths to actively pursue the establishment of group-based or individual-based solar dryer enterprise Service Provider & Market Linkages: Increased access to services (post-harvest technologies, financial and markets) An improved enabling policy environment that allows uptake of solar dryer technology 1.4 Expected Results Increased Knowledge and awareness on post-harvest handling and climate-smart agriculture practices for small-scale fruit, spices, and vegetable farmers. Improved knowledge and skills in finance and entrepreneurship for youth farmers Increased access to climate-smart solar dryers among small-scale farmers Improved enabling policy environment supporting the adoption and scale-up of solar dryer technology. 2.0 PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The purpose of this assignment is to develop two strategic, actionable knowledge products that document, analyze, and translate evidence, technical standards, and practical experiences emerging from the Synnefa-Solidaridad P4G project interventions and external research. These products will bridge the gap regulatory frameworks and day-to-day operations, directly informing policy, unlocking commercial off-taker markets , driving private sector investment, and adoption of sustainable post-harvest technologies (solar-drying) among smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agro-enterprise on quality standard for solar-dried mangoes in Makueni County, Kenya. Knowledge Product 1 Quality and Standards for Solar-Dried Foods: Unlocking Market Access and Investment Opportunities in Makueni County - A Technical Paper with Policy Influence The product will bridge the gap regulatory frameworks and day-to-day operations, directly informing policy, unlocking commercial off-taker markets, driving private sector investment, and adoption of sustainable post-harvest technologies (solar-drying) among smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agro-enterprise on quality standard for solar-dried mangoes in Makueni County, Kenya. Knowledge Product 2 Integrating Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Practices and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for Improved Farmer Resilience: A Business Case and Scaling Strategy Document and analyze the integration of climate-smart agricultural practices alongside the VSLA model, demonstrating how combining sustainable production with community-level microfinance and financial inclusion accelerates technology adoption (including solar dryers), enhances climate resilience, improves household economic stability, and de-risks capital investment for smallholder farmer groups and youth-led enterprises. The two knowledge products will focus on: 1. Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Solar Drying in Horticultural Post-Harvest Management: Examine the existing policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks governing post-harvest management of horticultural produce, particularly fruits, spices and vegetables, with a focus on the use of solar drying technologies. The product will identify policy gaps, regulatory challenges and opportunities for strengthening the enabling environment for the adoption and commercialisation of solar drying technologies. 2. Integrating Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Practices and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for Improved Farmer Resilience: Document and analyse the implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices alongside the VSLA approach, highlighting how the integration of sustainable agricultural practices and community-based savings and financial inclusion mechanisms contributes to improved agricultural productivity, climate resilience, access to finance, investment in climate-smart technologies and household economic resilience. The product will also explore lessons, outcomes and opportunities for scaling this integrated approach. 2.1 ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES The overall objective of the assignment is to develop two evidence-based, action-oriented knowledge products that establish clear quality benchmarks and market-access toolkits for solar-dried foods, while documenting how the nexus of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) fosters financial inclusion and climate resilience to inform policy, investment, and enterprise scale-up across Makueni County. The assignment will pursue the following specific objectives: Assess the policy and regulatory frameworks governing post-harvest management (solar drying) of horticultural produce (fruits, mangoes), identifying gaps, challenges and opportunities for promoting the adoption of quality storage standards (moisture levels, hygienic processing, handling, packaging, and traceability) for market readiness specifically on solar-dried Mango produce in Makueni County. Document and analyse the integration of CSA practices and the VSLA approach, highlighting how the combined interventions contribute to improved agricultural productivity, climate resilience, household financial inclusion and farmers' capacity to invest in climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies. Generate actionable recommendations and lessons to inform policy development, programme implementation and the scaling of effective approaches across horticultural value chains and smallholder farming communities. Design a final technical paper and Business Case aligned to Solidaridad East and Central Africa brand guidelines, use of high resolution photos, graphics and icons to support narrative and insights communication. Target Audiences & Dissemination Channels Targeted Donors, Partners, Government institutions, private sector actors and other agricultural stakeholders. Publication on the P4G Website Project partners websites Feature inclusion in the P4G 2026 Annual Report and global digital channels Solidaridad Network Website, Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook), and knowledge products (newsletters, flyers, banners) 2.2 ASSIGNMENT LOCATION Makueni County, Kenya. 3.0 DELIVERABLES 1. Knowledge Product 1 – Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Solar Drying in Horticultural Post-Harvest Management: A draft knowledge product examining the existing policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks governing post-harvest management of horticultural produce (fruits- mangoes), with emphasis on solar drying technologies. It should identify policy gaps, regulatory challenges, opportunities and recommendations for promoting the adoption and commercialisation of solar drying technologies. 2. Knowledge Product 2 – Integrating Climate-Smart Agriculture and VSLA Approaches for Improved Farmer Resilience: A draft knowledge product documenting the integration of climate-smart agriculture practices and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), highlighting implementation approaches, farmer experiences, outcomes and lessons learned, particularly their contribution to agricultural productivity, climate resilience, financial inclusion and household economic empowerment. 3. Final Knowledge Products: Two final, professionally written, edited, and designed knowledge products incorporating stakeholder feedback, evidence-based findings, practical recommendations, and appropriate visual elements, ready for publication and dissemination. 3.1 PRODUCTION QUALITY STANDARDS: Digital Formats: Fully editable text files and publication-ready, high-resolution vector layout files. Editable Assets: Original open design source files (e.g., InDesign, Illustrator, or Canva templates) to permit future updates, along with executive presentation decks summarizing the outputs for external partners and donors. Editorial Standards: Flawless English prose that is technically sound yet accessible to both non-technical cooperative leaders and institutional investors, thoroughly proofread and fact-checked prior to formal submission. Evidence-Based Insights: All findings must draw directly from field project data, farmer focus group consultations, and observed village savings and loan dynamics in Makueni County and additional desktop research Causal Links: Clearly articulate how VSLA liquidity directly translates into the purchase, maintenance, or collective investment in post-harvest technologies (such as solar dryers), rather than presenting CSA and VSLAs as parallel, disconnected interventions. Disaggregated Impact: Highlight specific outcomes and adoption barriers across gender and youth demographics. Length: Approximately 5 pages per knowledge product (excluding references and technical annexes), structured as a high-level technical paper, white paper, or executive policy brief. Core Document Anatomy: Every product must contain a standard executive structure: Title and Executive Summary, Background and Context, Objectives and Methodology, Findings, Analysis, and Field Evidence and Lessons Learned, Conclusions, and Actionable Recommendations 4.0 DETAILED DOCUMENTATION PLAN & TIMELINE SCHEDULE 4.1 Production Timeline Schedule Activity / Milestone Key Date / Deadline Inception Report and Work Plan : An inception report outlining the proposed methodology, approach, key activities, information requirements, and timelines for developing the two knowledge products. 30/11/2026-4/12/2026 1st Draft Knowledge Product 1 and Product 2 7/12/2026-11/12/2026 Review & Editorial Period: Technical and editorial review by Solidaridad. 11/01/2027-15/01/2027 Stakeholder Review and Validation: Facilitation of consultations or validation sessions with relevant government institutions, farmers, cooperatives, private sector actors and project partners to review the draft knowledge products, gather feedback and incorporate stakeholder inputs. 25/01/2027-30/01/2023 Submission Deadline: Delivery of complete knowledge product 1 25/01/2027-30/01/2023 4.2 CONSENT AND USAGE RIGHTS Verbal and written consent has already been issued to subjects within photos before filming or photographing participants using standard consent forms from Solidaridad East and Central Africa. 5.0 REQUIREMENT AND SELECTION CRITERIA OF SERVICE PROVIDER Analytical & Knowledge Product Development: Proven track record of authoring high-impact policy briefs, white papers, technical guides, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and operational checklists for development partners, governments, or commercial food processors. Subject-Matter Expertise: Verifiable experience in post-harvest handling of horticultural crops (particularly mangoes, vegetables, and spices) and solar drying/thermal dehydration systems within smallholder contexts. Prior working familiarity with agricultural value chains in Eastern Kenya (specifically Makueni County) is an added advantage. Agrifinance & Village Banking Familiarity: Demonstrated understanding of rural financial inclusion mechanisms, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) business models. Understanding of the Assignment: Clear articulation of the objectives, scope, and target knowledge products, specifically detailing the approach to translating quality standards into field-level checklists and analyzing the CSA–VSLA nexus. Methodology & Work Plan: Detailed conceptual framework, stakeholder engagement strategy (Makueni field validation approach), drafting timeline, and internal review mechanism 5.1 Technical Proposal Requirements Organization Profile (max 1 page): Demonstrating suitability for the assignment. Relevant Experience (max 1 page): Highlights of similar climate/agriculture visual assignments. Methodology Framework (3–5 pages): Detailed workplan, field strategy in Makueni, key roles, and technical equipment specifications. CVs of Technical Team. Legal Documentation: Company Registration and PIN certificates. References: 3 reference letters/testimonials from prior client organizations. 5.2 Financial Proposal Requirements Fixed professional fees in local currency (KES) itemizing preparation, fieldwork in Makueni County, post-production, transport, fixers, local permits, translators, and government taxes. 6.0 COPYRIGHT CREDITS Solidaridad maintains full, non-exclusive perpetual rights over all media assets created under this assignment. Proper attribution credits (e.g., Solidaridad [Photographer Name]) will be applied where standard colophon formats are used. 7.0 VISUAL BRANDING AND TYPOGRAPHY GUIDELINES Document Layout & Branding Header: The official Solidaridad primary logo must be positioned in the top header. Footer: The bottom footer section must feature the full partner logo strip including Solidaridad, P4G, Synnefa , and Makueni County Government. ANNEX 1- IMAGES GUIDELINES: All people shown in images related to work that P4G is funding should give their consent to appear in the photos and for the photos to be used in promotional materials and media. Images should: Communicate innovation and solutions Include people that represent the breadth and diversity of P4G’s impact and collaboration Ideally, come from P4G partnerships and show specific/accurate areas of impact Show natural emotion or expression Be authentic Images should not: Show overly development-oriented scenarios Be idyllic, staged or overly curated Be artificial or symbolic Portray people as victims or show direct suffering Portray AI-generated settings or people