Terms of Reference For Consultancy at Rikolto

Terms of Reference For Consultancy at Rikolto

Terms of reference for consultancy promoting safe food, inclusive governance and sustainable business among vendors, farmers and other food system actors in Mbeya

General information

Rikolto is an international non-governmental network organization with over 50 years of experience in partnering with food system stakeholders in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. We work together with a variety of actors in the food system such as governments, research institutions, financial institutions and farmers’ organizations around one central question: What will we eat tomorrow? ‘By building bridges between these stakeholders, we aim to transform the food system together, unlocking access to healthy, sustainable and nutritious (HSN) food for all while taking care of the environment and securing decent rural livelihoods. Working both in formal and informal sectors, our target beneficiaries include farmers, consumers, traders and other value chain actors, with a focus on youth and women.

Since 2016, Rikolto is implementing a global Good food for cities (Previously Food smart city) programme to improve urban food environments and provide good-quality food to a growing urban population. Besides the fact that 80% of all food is expected to be consumed in cities by 2050 (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2019), we also believe that cities have the right scope of governance to bring about change in an action-orientated way to contribute to global sustainability. For this, we foster multi-stakeholder driven processes to develop and implement cooperative strategies that lead to a sustainable urban food system where the security, safety and nutritional value of food is safeguarded for all citizens.

In Tanzania, Arusha became Tanzania’s first Good food for city (formally Food Smart City) and become a signatory of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact in 2018. Since 2020, Rikolto has established a Good food for cities City programme in Mbeya and signed Milan Pact in 2025. It is the largest city in Southern Highlands and an important node in the fertile agricultural system of the Southern regions of Tanzania. In both cities, food safety has been a key topic in the established multi-stakeholder platforms and an important challenge for the actors in the food systems. To assure food safety and quality throughout the value chain, a verification or validation system is needed. Rikolto has chosen to pilot a validation system based on Participatory Guarantee Systems and focused on food safety in both cities at the same time to test its potential to address the existing food safety challenges.

Since Participatory Food Safety Systems (PFSS) are based on the active participation of stakeholders from within the food ecosystem, Rikolto is not working alone on this pilot. In Mbeya, Rikolto is closely cooperating with Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), Mbeya City Council and collaborating partners Including MIICO, HELVETAS

Problem statement

High levels of irrigation water contamination (faeces, lead, E. Coli), the excessive presence of pesticide residues and biological contamination (E. Coli, Salmonella… ) on produce being sold in the markets, was previously demonstrated on the food risks assessment study conducted by Nelson Mandela African Institute of science and Technology (NM-AIST) and Tanzania Plant Health Authority (TAPHA) commissioned by Rikolto. To improve food safety and quality in the urban center markets of Arusha and Mbeya, a food traceability and quality verification mechanism is needed. Rikolto has chosen to experiment with Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) to pilot a verification mechanism for local markets. PGS are different from third-party certification in four ways and therefore more adapted to smallholder agriculture: they are less costly, require less administrative burden and complexity, are participatory in their approach, and focused on building capacities and trust. Whereas PGS is a term used and promoted by Organic Agriculture Movements, achieving an agroecological horticulture production is not the main goal in this pilot (yet). Fitting within Rikolto’ s approach to make HSN food available for all, the verification mechanism pilot should reach all categories of consumers. The quality assurance is therefore centered on improving food safety throughout the value chain. Rikolto aspires to use a different term for this pilot that reflects the diverging base principles that are adopted in this Guarantee System: for now, the term Participatory Food Safety Systems (PFSS) is employed. The scope of this pilot is:

• Only fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) that are locally produced.
•  Work with farmers and market vendors on best food safety practices at their level first.
•  Attention to include actors who cut across (part of) the value chain and supply directly from farm to market or end consumer (Transporters)
• Markets in Mbeya which include Sokoine, Igawilo, Soweto, Darajan, Sido, Ikuti, Mwanjelwa and Soko Matola, 
• work on production clusters such as Uyole cluster, Kalobe Cluster, Mwakibete Cluster, Inyala, and Igale Cluster

As key step in the cyclical PFSS process that builds capacity of the actors involved, the users receive training on food safety guidelines and practices. Each (yearly) cycle, this training will be updated, and users will receive and updated training.  

The assignment

Rikolto and their partners are currently looking for consultants promoting safe food, inclusive governance and sustainable business among vendors and farmers through participatory guaranteed system Model. Earlier PFSS cycles developed and tested checklists for Best Food Safety Practices for farmers and market vendors. The current consultancy represents the fourth cycle, focusing on refreshing the training of trainers (ToT), validating checklists, and strengthening entrepreneurship and support in VSLA formation among market vendors and farmers to ensure access to finance

Objectives

The overall goal of this consultancy is to strengthen the PFSS process by providing updated training, validation, and capacity-building support for local actors. Specifically, the consultant will:

• To strengthen the technical and practical capacity of PFFS Trainers (ToTs), vendors, and production clusters through refresher training and updated food safety, entrepreneurship, and VSLA learning materials
• To revise, validate, and improve key PFFS tools and guidelines including food safety checklists, training modules, and operational frameworks to enhance the quality and consistency of PFSS Cycle 4 implementation
• To expand and strengthen VSLA among market vendors and farmer groups by facilitating the creation of new VSLAs, supporting registration of existing groups, and enhancing their governance, savings culture, and financial management skills.
• To promote financial inclusion and strengthen linkages with formal financial institutions, particularly CRDB Bank, enabling vendors and VSLAs to access tailored financial products, savings accounts, and credit services.
• To improve data availability and market intelligence through the collection of key metrics on safe food supply, updating geospatial mapping of farmers and vendors, and developing databases on major food buyers in targeted markets.

Scope of work/Specific Activities

• Provide refresher capacity-building sessions for previously trained PFFS Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) from both market groups and production clusters. The training should reinforce key competencies, update knowledge on safe food practices, and strengthen facilitation skills.
• Revise the existing Best Food Safety Checklists and Guidelines to ensure they reflect current best practices. Prepare updated versions for validation with the PFFS Council, ensuring they are practical, user-friendly, and aligned with project objectives.
• Prepare simplified, user-friendly training materials covering entrepreneurship concepts, financial literacy, record keeping, and VSLA operational procedures. Materials should be tailored to the context and capacity of market vendors and farmer groups.
• Lead targeted training sessions for market vendors focused on entrepreneurship development, business management, and record-keeping practices. Ensure sessions are participatory and practical, enabling vendors to apply knowledge in their enterprises.
• Facilitate the formation of at least 15 new Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and provide technical support for the registration of 20 VSLAs (both new and existing). Ensure groups understand saving mechanisms, governance, lending practices, and record keeping.
• Produce detailed validation reports for PFSS Cycle 4 activities in Mbeya, documenting achievements, gaps, and areas requiring improvement.
• Support the establishment of strong financial linkages between vendors, VSLAs, and formal financial institutions to improve access to credit, savings products, and business support services
• Work closely with CRDB Bank which has already initiated engagements with vendors to deepen collaboration, introduce suitable financial products, and expand outreach to market-based entrepreneurs and farmer groups.
• Facilitate targeted sessions that bring vendors, VSLAs, and CRDB Bank representatives together to understand available financial services, loan requirements, digital banking solutions, and business support opportunities.
• Review, update, and maintain Google Maps information for all urban farmers and vendors engaged in the project, ensuring accurate and accessible geospatial data.
• Gather data on the number of farmers supplying safe food to Mbeya markets and the aggregated volumes of safe food delivered. This information should be analyzed and presented in a clear database to support decision-making.
• Compile and produce a comprehensive database of key food buyers across Mbeya markets, including profiles, purchasing trends, and market linkages to support improved aggregation and sales planning.
• Prepare follow-up reports documenting support provided to VSLAs and entrepreneurship groups, including progress, challenges, and recommendations for continuous improvement
  Develop and submit a comprehensive work plan covering PFSS Cycle 4, entrepreneurship activities, and the VSLA strengthening plan. The plan should outline timelines, deliverables, resources, and key milestones.
• Conduct an awareness meeting on PFFS with the city council’s to enlight them on safe food and PFFS
• At the end of the assignment, prepare a well-structured final report summarizing the methodology, activities conducted, achievements, challenges encountered, lessons learned, and recommendations for future programming.

Methodology to be applied:

The consultant will employ a participatory, adaptive, and results-oriented approach to ensure strong ownership and sustainability of outcomes among local actors in Mbeya. The methodology will begin with active engagement of key stakeholders including PFFS Council, market vendors, production clusters, VSLAs, and local authorities to create a shared understanding of the assignment objectives and expected results. The consultant will review existing tools, food safety checklists, and training materials, gather insights from field observations, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Building on these inputs, the consultant will co-design practical and user-friendly training modules on entrepreneurship, VSLA management, food safety, and record keeping. Implementation will emphasize hands-on learning, peer exchanges, and demonstrations to ensure participants can apply skills directly in their businesses. The approach will also prioritize strengthening linkages with financial institutions such as CRDB Bank to enhance financial inclusion and access to services for vendors and VSLAs. Continuous monitoring, data collection, and updating Google Maps for urban farmers and vendors will guide adaptive management throughout the assignment.

Expected Deliverables

1. Strengthened Capacity of Local Actors on Food Safety, Entrepreneurship, and VSLA Management. Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), vendors, and production clusters in Arusha and Mbeya will demonstrate improved knowledge and practical skills in food safety, record keeping, entrepreneurship, and VSLA operations. Updated training materials and refresher sessions will enhance their ability to deliver quality services and support safe food systems.
2. Improved Tools, Guidelines, and Frameworks for PFSS Implementation. Revised Best Food Safety Checklists, guidelines, and training modules will be validated and adopted by the PFFS Council, providing standardized, user-friendly tools that strengthen the overall quality and consistency of PFSS Cycle 4 implementation.
3. Expanded and Strengthened VSLAs for Economic Empowerment. At least 15 new VSLAs will be established, and 20 groups (new and existing) supported to complete registration and improve governance, saving culture, lending practices, and financial record keeping, contributing to resilience and economic empowerment of market actors.
4. Enhanced Financial Inclusion Through Strong Linkages with CRDB Bank. Vendors, VSLAs, and small entrepreneurs will gain improved access to financial services through targeted linkage activities with CRDB Bank. More participants will open accounts, access suitable financial products, and build long-term relationships with formal financial institutions.
5. Improved Data Systems for Safe Food Supply and Market Integration. Updated Google Maps, databases of urban farmers and vendors, buyer profiles, and market data on safe food volumes will enhance traceability, market visibility, and decision-making for stakeholders across Mbeya and Arusha.
6. Evidence-Based Learning and Strengthened Implementation of PFSS Cycle 4. Validation reports, progress briefs, and the final comprehensive report will document key achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations, supporting continuous improvement of the PFSS model and informing future scaling strategies.

Procedure to Apply 

Qualified firms/candidates are invited to submit their Technical and Financial proposal/Quotations with detailed cost for construction, showing professional fee and include CVS for qualified experts via email at [email protected] by 12th December 2025 and should indicate the title of this advertisement in the subject line. Note: The engagement for this service will be for 60 days/3 months but is subject to extension depending on funding availability AND if you do not hear from us within 7 days after the application closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.