Consultancy/Training- Capacity Building on Policy Framework Development, Analysis, and Advocacy for Key Stakeholders in Ethiopia’s Apiculture Sector

1. Background

Ethiopia’s apiculture sector is a high-potential contributor to rural livelihoods, food security, biodiversity conservation, and export earnings. With an estimated 10 million bee colonies and diverse agro-ecological conditions, the sector could create up to four million jobs if supported by enabling policies, investments, and strong market linkages.

However, this potential remains underutilized due to persistent challenges. Production and productivity are low, constrained by outdated practices, limited adoption of improved technologies, and insufficient extension services. Honey quality often falls short of export standards, while access to finance, especially for smallholder beekeepers and youth entrepreneurs is severely limited. Private sector engagement remains modest, and the industry largely operates at a subsistence level.

Many of these challenges stem from gaps in the policy and regulatory environment, including weak incentives for technology adoption, inadequate quality assurance systems, insufficient financing mechanisms for rural youth, and poor coordination among sector actors. Addressing these systemic constraints requires coherent, evidence-based policy frameworks that can drive innovation, attract investment, and expand markets.

The Government of Ethiopia, in collaboration with icipe and other partners, is implementing the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) Program, a five-year initiative covering 10 regions and 135 districts. Building on the successes of the MOYESH program, MaYEA aims to empower 1,050,000 (80% women) secure employment in the apiculture value chain through five strategic intervention areas:

1. Increase national honey and beeswax production
2. Improve honey quality for domestic and export markets
3. Promote market-driven value addition and diversification
4. Integrate apiculture with complementary value chains
5. Strengthening the enabling environment for sector and youth development.

Among these, strengthening the enabling environment is critical. This entails building the capacity of policymakers, technical experts, and institutional leaders to design, analyze, and advocate for effective policies that directly address production bottlenecks, improve market systems, and unlock the sector’s full potential.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The consultancy aims to equip key apiculture sector stakeholders with the technical, analytical, and advocacy skills needed to design, assess, and promote effective policy frameworks.

Specific objectives:

• Enhance participants’ understanding of policy formulation processes and the policy cycle
• Build practical skills in policy analysis, including use of analytical tools and evidence synthesis
• Enable critical assessment of existing policies for gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies
• Introducing methods for drafting clear, evidence-based policy briefs
• Strengthening capacity in policy advocacy, coalition building, and influencing strategies.

3. Scope of Work

The selected consulting firm/training provider will:

• Design and deliver a Four-day participatory training combining conceptual sessions, case studies, group exercises, and practical assignments
• Address thematic areas relevant to the theme of the training, tailored to the Ethiopian apiculture context
• Prepare a training manual, slide decks, and supplementary reading materials
• Conduct pre- and post-training assessments to measure learning outcomes
• Apply adult learning methods including peer learning, role plays, scenario analysis, and real-world case discussions
• Submit a comprehensive training report summarizing delivery, results, and recommendations.

4. Methodology

A competency-based, participatory approach will be adopted to ensure active engagement and application of learning. The training will feature:

• Interactive lectures introducing concepts and frameworks
• Case studies from Ethiopian and international agricultural/apiculture policy experiences
• Group discussions and peer-to-peer exchanges
• Practical exercises (e.g., drafting policy briefs, stakeholder mapping for advocacy)
• Reflection sessions to adapt learning to participants’ institutional realities.

5. Expected Deliverables

1. Inception Report: training design, content structure, and schedule
2. Training Manual: sector-specific examples, exercises, and case studies
3. Presentation Materials: slides and supplementary readings
4. Pre- & Post-Training Assessment Results: with comparative analysis
5. Four Day Training Delivery ~ up to 35 participants
6. Final Training Report (max. 15 pages) including:

• Summary of sessions and participant engagement
• Assessment results
• Key lessons and recommendations

– Annexes (agenda, materials, participant list)

6. Duration and Timeline

Task	Days
Develop training manual	8
Inception report	2
Training plan & tools	2
Training delivery (incl. travel)	6
Final report	2
Total	20

 

Qualifications of the Consulting Firm

• Minimum 7 years’ proven experience in policy formulation, analysis, and advocacy (preferably in agriculture/apiculture);
• Postgraduate degree in policy studies, agricultural economics, rural development, or related fields
• Demonstrated ability to develop sector-specific training materials
• Track record of delivering participatory, results-oriented training for policymakers and technical experts
• Strong English communication skills; knowledge of Amharic and/or other Ethiopian languages is an asset.