The assignment supports Caritas Switzerland (CACH) in the preparation of Phase III of the Support Program for Agropastoral Value Chains in Sikasso (PAFA III), with a focus on the potato and dairy value chains in southern Mali. The work generates a strong strategic positioning and evidence base to inform a competitive donor proposal that is aligned with donor priorities and grounded in local market realities. The project combines contextual analysis, institutional diagnostics, rapid market systems analysis, and participatory co-creation to identify systemic constraints, inclusive growth opportunities, and viable intervention pathways. Particular attention is given to strengthening coordination among key value chain actors, enhancing private sector engagement, and integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations. The assignment culminates in the co-development of a complete technical proposal for PAFA Phase III, including an intervention strategy, implementation plan, GESI strategy, and MEL framework.

MarketShare Associates (MSA) leads and delivers the strategic positioning, analytical work, and proposal development support for Caritas Switzerland’s PAFA III bid preparation. MSA designs and implements a structured, participatory methodology combining desk review, stakeholder consultations, institutional diagnostics, and rapid market system analysis for the potato and dairy value chains in Sikasso. MSA conducts in-depth reviews of PAFA Phases I and II, relevant evaluations, donor strategies, and national agropastoral policies, and engages public, private, and civil society stakeholders through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and market observations. The team carries out organizational and institutional diagnostics of key sector bodies, identifying governance, capacity, and partnership risks and opportunities. MSA facilitates co-creation workshops with Caritas Switzerland and external stakeholders to validate findings, define competitive positioning, and prioritize inclusive and market-driven intervention pathways. The team integrates gender and youth inclusion analysis across all components, develops strategic positioning and expert profiling inputs, and co-develops the full PAFA III technical proposal, including the Theory of Change, logframe, MEAL system, and GESI approach