Technical assistance services

Tender description

The Market Development Programme in the Niger Delta (MADE) is a ‘making markets work for the poor’ (M4P) project, targeting inclusive economic growth in the non-oil sectors of Nigeria's Delta region. MADE will raise the incomes of over 150 000 poor men and women. The Delta remains severely conflict affected, and is currently suffering rising tensions driven in part by under- and un-employment. The project was designed as a flexible instrument to target incomes and jobs amongst the most disadvantaged groups in the target area, and is the only DFID Nigeria programme in the Niger Delta at present. DFID intends to award a contract to provide additional project funding for the period of 2 years to allow the scale-up of activities already being delivered through the existing Contractor within the Niger Delta, including in the most conflict prone frontline states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, and an increased focus in States which have been strongly affected by MS, such as Edo State. It will allow the project to continue delivering results from its most successful interventions and partnerships, while developing new market sectors and beneficiary groups within the target region. The nature of the services to be delivered is similar in scope to those currently being delivered by the existing Contractor who has already developed the knowledge and networks to enable scaling up of activities delivered within the existing Contract. This additional time and financing of the project has the potential to deliver much greater, and more sustainable, results, which build on the costs invested in the knowledge, partnerships, and achievements already established. It will also allow DFID to exploit the project's existing capacity to support alternative income sources for women at risk of human trafficking. Modern Slavery (MS) has been identified by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State as a priority of the UK government, most recently at September 2017 United Nations General Assembly. It is a critical issue throughout Nigeria, but human trafficking for MS in Europe is most acute within the Niger Delta region. MADE presents a unique opportunity to leverage on-going activities in order to address the lack of livelihood opportunities that is at the heart of the trafficking problem.