Project title: Mobilizing Agriculture for Zone Recovery Approach and Advancement (MAZRA)
Donors: Crisis Support Center (CDCS) – French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (French MoEFA)
Period of the assignment: 8 weeks
Starting date: ASAP.
Geographic scope: Rural Damascus (Wadi Barada: Der Mkaren, Kfaer Azzeat, and Ein Al-Fejeh)
INTRODUCTION
About Expertise France
Expertise France is France’s public agency and interministerial actor in charge of international technical cooperation, the second largest in Europe. As a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France works in key areas of development: governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more. Alongside its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within its Peace, Stability and Security Department, the Stabilization & Resilience Unit delivers multi-sectoral recovery programs in fragile and conflict-affected contexts through an integrated territorial approach that bridges emergency response and long-term resilience. EF has developed a strong track record in stabilizing essential services, including health systems, in crisis-affected regions through tailored, locally grounded solutions.
CONTEXT
Syrian conflict
Fourteen years of conflict in Syria have severely disrupted livelihoods, weakened food systems, and increased economic vulnerability, leaving millions unable to meet their basic food and income needs. Widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure, economic collapse, sanctions, and climate-related pressures have significantly affected agricultural production, local markets, and employment opportunities across the country. While the establishment of a transitional government in December 2024 marked the beginning of a recovery phase, communities continue to face major challenges in accessing sustainable livelihoods and affordable food.
Women, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable households remain among the most affected groups, with limited access to income-generating opportunities and productive resources. Rural communities continue to struggle with damaged agricultural infrastructure, water scarcity, and limited market access, while MSMEs face financial and operational constraints that hinder local economic recovery.
Despite ongoing humanitarian assistance, significant gaps remain in food security and economic recovery efforts. Weak institutional capacity, fragmented governance, and continued dependence on external aid limit the sustainability of recovery initiatives and economic growth.
EXPERTISE FRANCE IN SYRIA
In Syria, Expertise France has maintained a continuous presence since 2013, expanding its operations from Northwest Syria to Northeast Syria in 2019 and Damascus and Rural Damascus in 2025. Its programmes have mobilized over €75 million and reached more than 3.8 million direct beneficiaries across sectors including Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), Health, Civil Society Support, Gender Empowerment, and Climate Change Response. Through partnerships with more than 90 local CSOs and over 150 grants, EF has supported economic recovery, agriculture, vocational training, and local resilience through a localized and participatory approach.
The MAZRA program aims to promote inclusive and integrated community recovery in prioritized rural areas across Syria through an Area-Based approach focused on food security, sustainable livelihoods, and rural revitalization. Building on the lessons learned from SABIR, the program places particular emphasis on restoring agricultural systems, strengthening local economies, and improving community resilience.
Through locally led and multi-sectoral interventions implemented in partnership with local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local authorities, and relevant technical institutions, MAZRA will support the rehabilitation of community infrastructure, strengthen agricultural value chains, improve market access, and create livelihood opportunities for vulnerable groups, including youth and returnees. The program will also promote inclusive governance, social cohesion, and capacity building for local agricultural and municipal institutions to improve coordination and long-term recovery planning.
To achieve these goals, MAZRA is structured around four specific objectives:
- SO1 strengthening access to essential community infrastructure and services through locally led rehabilitation efforts and sustainable management mechanisms.
- SO2 strengthening the resilience and sustainability of agricultural production systems and local farming actors.
- SO3 enhancing market access and livelihood opportunities for youth, returnees, and vulnerable community members.
- SO4 providing tailored technical assistance to community, municipal, and regional agricultural institutions to improve sectoral coordination and strategic planning.
Through this integrated approach, the program seeks to contribute to long-term resilience and inclusive economic recovery in post-conflict Syria.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The MAZRA (Mobilizing Agriculture for Zone Recovery Approach and Advancement) programme aims to foster inclusive and integrated recovery in targeted areas across Syria through an Area-Based Approach focused on agricultural recovery, food security, livelihood restoration, market development, and institutional capacity strengthening.
To ensure that project interventions are relevant, evidence-based, and responsive to the priorities of local communities and institutions, Expertise France will conduct a Local Needs Assessment and Technical Feasibility assessment in the targeted locations. The assessment will identify and prioritize key community needs, sectoral priorities, existing capacities, and opportunities for sustainable recovery and development initiatives, across four themes through extensive community consultation and involvement of local authorities.
Namely, the assessment findings will guide the selection, prioritization, and design of interventions under the MAZRA programme, related to:
- Agricultural infrastructure rehabilitation (electric andirrigation systems);
- Agricultural cooperatives’ production, livestock development;
- Agrifood value-chain strengthening through market access and livelihood opportunities;
- Local authorities’institutional capacity development.
Objectives of the Needs and Technical Feasibility Assessment
The overall objective of the assessment is to generate reliable baseline information and identify priority interventions that will support the effective implementation of the MAZRA programme.
Specific objectives include:
- SO1: Identify and prioritize potential rehabilitation and agricultural recovery interventions in each target area, including preliminary technical specifications, estimated beneficiaries target figures, GPS coordinates, feasibility considerations, and indicative cost estimates.- Identify priority needs related to agricultural infrastructure rehabilitation for cooperative and local community present in the targeted locations, including irrigation systems, water management facilities, agricultural roads, energy access, and other productive assets;
– Conduct technical and economic feasibility assessments for potential infrastructure rehabilitation and agricultural recovery interventions. Technical feasibility will help determine both the economic and technical appropriateness of identified priority actions and their respective sound technical solutions, to size, cost and validate identified needs. - SO2: Identify agricultural recovery initiatives that address value chain disruptions to help rebuild local production systems affected by conflict
– Assess challenges affecting agricultural production, livestock production, and access to agricultural inputs and services as well as the unique challenges affecting women breeders and farmers;
– Analyze agricultural value chains and identify constraints and opportunities related to production, processing, marketing, and market access;
– Recommend priority for equipment for shared agricultural facilities operated by cooperatives and unions as well as climate-resilient agricultural input support for farmers and breeders. - SO3: Identify opportunities to support local economic recovery and market strategies through critical value chains
– Assess the current socio-economic conditions and livelihood opportunities of households in the targeted areas;
– Map female-led MSMEs, HBBs and cooperatives:
– Identify opportunities to improve market revitalization, linkages and access for local MSMEs and cooperatives in the agri-food sector. - SO4: Map stakeholders (cooperative actors, municipalities, Agriculture Directorate, Agricultural Chambers, research centers) in each area;
– Analyze their respective status, role, leadership and identify their needs and capacities.
– Transversal:
– Identify and map relevant stakeholders, community structures, agricultural cooperatives, local committees, and Community-Based Committees (CBCs) that may contribute to project implementation and sustainability;
– A strong emphasis shall be put on rural women empowerment and participation and climate resilience as well as conflict sensitive assessment methodology.
The assessment will focus on the following thematic areas:
– Agricultural Infrastructure and Irrigation Systems
– Water Resource Management
– Agricultural Production and Crop Systems
– Livestock Production and Veterinary Services
– Agricultural Value Chains and Market Systems
– Number and capacities of agricultural cooperatives, agricultural institutions, local authorities, and research centers.
– Food Security and Household Resilience
– Livelihood Opportunities and Local Economic Recovery
– Institutional Capacity Development
– Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agricultural Practices
The Assessment Process Will Be Carried Out in Three Phases:
A. Inception Phase:
– Conduct a kick-off meeting (online) between Expertise France (EF) and the assessment team.
– Review all relevant project documents, background studies, sector assessments, and available secondary data related to the targeted areas and agricultural sectors.
– Finalize the assessment methodology, including sampling strategy, assessment framework, evaluation questions, technical feasibility criteria, baseline indicators, data collection tools, and data sources.
– Define the approach for assessing agricultural infrastructure, irrigation systems, agricultural production, livestock, value chains, cooperatives, local markets, and institutional capacities.
– Prepare a detailed work plan, including field activities, stakeholder consultations, data collection schedule, and reporting timeline.
– Identify potential risks, limitations, and operational challenges, along with proposed mitigation measures.
– Prepare and submit the Inception Report for review and approval by EF.
– Revise and finalize the Inception Report based on comments and feedback received from EF.
B. Data Collection Phase:
– Conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection in all selected target areas.
– Carry out a comprehensive review of relevant reports, assessments, studies, policies, and other secondary data sources.
– Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with representatives of local authorities, Agricultural Directorates, Agricultural chambers, Farmers union, cooperatives, community leaders, agricultural experts, and other relevant stakeholders.
– Conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with head of cooperatives, farmers, livestock breeders, women, youth, returnees, and vulnerable community members.
– Assess existing agricultural infrastructure, irrigation systems, water resources, livestock services, agricultural production systems, local markets, and value chains.
– Map underserved farmers and breeders
– Collect GPS coordinates and photographic documentation for all proposed rehabilitation sites and priority interventions.
– Conduct technical and economic feasibility assessments of potential infrastructure rehabilitation and agricultural recovery interventions.
– Assess the capacities and needs of agricultural cooperatives, local institutions, Agricultural Directorates, municipalities, and relevant research centers.
– Apply ethical data collection standards, ensuring confidentiality, informed consent, cultural sensitivity, and respect for local customs and traditions.
– Validate and triangulate findings using multiple data sources and assessment methods.
– Analyze collected data and prepare preliminary findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
– Draft the Needs Assessment, Baseline Study, and Technical Feasibility Assessment Report.
C. Reporting and Dissemination Phase
– Preparation and submission of the Draft Assessment Report, including findings, baseline data, identified needs, technical feasibility analysis, and recommendations.
– Presentation of preliminary findings and recommendations to Expertise France and relevant stakeholders (including local authority engaged in the assessment process).
– Incorporation of comments and feedback received from EF.
– Submission of the Final Needs Assessment, Baseline Study, and Technical Feasibility Assessment Report.
– Submission of all assessment datasets, data collection tools, transcripts, maps, photographs, and supporting documentation generated during the assignment.
Expected Deliverables
The selected service provider will be expected to deliver the following outputs:
– Inception Report, including methodology, sampling strategy, data collection tools, workplan, and risk mitigation measures.
– Needs Assessment and Baseline Study datasets and analysis.
– Technical Feasibility Assessment for identified priority interventions.
– Draft Assessment Report.
– Final Needs Assessment, Baseline Study, and Technical Feasibility Assessment Report.
– All supporting documents, including questionnaires, KII and FGD notes, maps, GPS coordinates, photographs, and raw datasets.
Indicative maximum Timeline
Inception Report: End of Week 2
Completion of Data Collection: End of Week 5
Draft Assessment Report: End of Week 7
Final Report: End of Week 8
PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE
Content of the tender dossier
The tender dossier is composed by the following documents :
– The current terms of reference and request for proposals ;
– Sworn statement on exclusion criteria, the absence of conflict of interest (Annex I).
– The safety evaluation questionnaire (Annex II).
Presentation of Tenders:
The application and tender documents as well as all correspondence and documents relating to this consultation must be written in English.
In support of their offer, candidates must submit a file consisting of the following documents:
– Sworn statement on exclusion criteria, the absence of conflict of interest (Annex I).
– The safety evaluation questionnaire (Annex II).
A technical offer comprising:
– a description of the methodology that will be used to carry out the activities and applicant’s motivation,
– a detailed timetable,
– References: examples of previous assessments, baseline studies, feasibility studies, and similar assignments implemented in Syria or comparable contexts. (detailed track record).
– CV of the expert(s) designated for the implementation of the activities (The proposed team should include, at a minimum: (Team Leader / Assessment Specialist, Agricultural and Livelihoods Expert, Infrastructure / Engineering Expert, and Data collectors)) ;
– A Financial proposal: A breakdown of the financial tender presented in the form of a unit price schedule indicating the price in man-days and with an estimate of the number of days necessary to carry out the service and covering all the services owed under the contract; The financial proposal should cover all the costs including management fees, transportation costs, travel, perdiems, venues for workshops… etc).
The documents requested above are mandatory. If they are missing, the tender submitted will not be compliant and will therefore be rejected.
The period of validity of the tenders submitted is fixed at 90 calendar days from the deadline for submission of tenders.
Eligibility and Criteria:
Eligibility:
– Applications must be complete, including all documents cited in the section above.
– Proposals must be submitted before the deadline of this call.
– Applicants must be registered in Syria or authorized by any entity operating in Syria.
Criteria:
Expertise France will first check the eligibility of the applications and their ability to provide the service. Finally, it will evaluate the offers according to the following criteria:
Methodology and Technical Approach: 25
Relevant Experience: 20
Qualifications of Proposed Team: 15
Workplan and Timeline: 10
Financial Offer: 30
Expertise France holds exclusive authority to initiate and supervise a negotiation phase, a pivotal process that may involve one, selected, or all applicants, meticulously determined at their discretion. This strategic decision-making aligns with the specific requirements of the situation, ensuring an accurate and effective selection process.
How to apply
Application submission
- Full tender documents can be obtained in this link:Â MAZRA NEEDS ASSESSMENT APPLICATION ANNEXES
- Applicants are welcome to submit inquiries related to the call until June 20, 2026, at 11:59 pm (Baghdad time), through the designated email address: erbil.office@expertisefrance.fr Expertise France commits to providing clarifications regarding your inquiries at least 7 days before the submission deadline.
- The application should be submitted in English on the 30th of June 2026 to erbil.office@expertisefrance.fr with clear indication of the MAZRA – Needs Assessment title in the email subject.
- Please be informed that our server can receive files/documents up to 9 MB. Files/documents larger than this limit will result in the failure to receive your full application.
- Please note that if you are not contacted by Expertise France within 20 working days following the submission deadline, it should be understood that your proposal has not been selected for this opportunity. However, if you are contacted within 20 working days after the submission deadline, this means that your proposal has successfully passed the first stage of the evaluation process and has been shortlisted for the next phase. We sincerely appreciate the time, effort, and care you have invested in preparing your proposal, and we wish you every success in your future endeavors.