1.0 INTRODUCTION
Solidaridad Network is an international solution-oriented civil society organization working through seven regional expertise centres to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Our Sevenseven regional expertise centres include Asia, Eastern and Central Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Southern Africa, West Africa and our global Secretariat office in the Netherlands. Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, one of the regional centres is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with country offices and programmes in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
We bring together supply chain players and engage them through innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes benefits for all. We strengthen local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access. Solidaridad supports Ethiopia’s transition toward a more inclusive and resilient agricultural sector, addressing key challenges such as climate change, the environment, food security, and economic instability, while focusing on coffee, dairy, fruits and vegetables, leather, cotton, and textile value chains.
2.0 Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to supply, install, and support the establishment of apiaries through the provision of five (5) modern Langstroth beehives, associated equipment, and training of beneficiaries in Mareko Special District and Meskan District.
2.1 Background
Solidaridad is currently implementing the Acting Now for Food Security and Resilient Production Systems Project in Mareko Special District and Meskan District. The project aims to improve resilience, yields, income and service access for small scale food producers with a focus on women and youth, by helping them adopt climate smart agriculture (CSA) and strengthening market connections, emphasizing gender and social inclusion and promoting crop and income diversification.
Under this project, Solidaridad is looking to support the establishment of apiaries across selected sites in Mareko Special District and Meskan district through provision of branded modern langstroth hives, hive stands, harvesting kits, and farmer training. Beekeeping has been identified as a viable complementary livelihood activity due to its low water requirements, environmental benefits, and income-generation potential. The intervention seeks to promote sustainable apiculture by establishing community apiaries equipped with modern Langstroth hives and harvesting equipment.
2.2 Expected Project Outcomes.
- Increased income for farmers by supporting the establishment of apiary (beekeeping) interventions to diversify household income sources.
- Improved household food and nutrition security as a result of increased purchasing capacity at the household level, enabling them to diversify diets.
- Promoted inclusive participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in economic activities and livelihood diversification, contributing to improved rural economic resilience.
2.3 Objectives (of the service)
The assignment specifically seeks to:
- Supply and install modern branded Langstroth beehives and hive stands at identified apiary sites.
- Promote sustainable apiculture as an alternative livelihood enterprise.
- Strengthen household resilience and income diversification.
- Build beneficiaries’ capacity in modern beekeeping practices, apiary management, sustainable harvesting, and safety procedures.
- Support environmental conservation and pollination services within farming systems.
2.4 Methodology/Scope of Work
The successful consultant/firm shall undertake the following tasks:
2.4.1 Supply and Installation
Supply, transport, and install beekeeping materials and equipment, including:
Apiary Components
- Five (5) branded modern Langstroth beehives (with bottom board, brood box, retractable entrance, plastic/wooden queen excluder, super box, temperature regulation board and ventilated cover).
- Five (5) metallic hive stands (4.5 feet long).
- Five harvesting kits each comprising of:
- Two (2) bee suit sets and gloves;
- One (1) stainless steel hive tool;
- One (1) bee brush;
- Two (2) pairs of rubber gumboots;
- One (1) smoker;
- One (1) beekeeper’s bag.
- Installation and positioning of hives at designated apiary sites.
- Branding of hives and associated materials as per Solidaridad visibility requirements.
2.4.2 Installation Requirements
The consultant/firm shall:
- Conduct site assessments prior to installation.
- Ensure proper spacing and positioning of hives according to recommended apiculture standards.
- Install hive stands securely and appropriately above ground level.
- Ensure apiary locations promote hive safety, accessibility, and productivity.
- Provide guidance on environmental considerations and colony establishment.
2.4.3 Training and Capacity Building
The consultant/firm shall conduct a 3-day practical training workshop for 10 Trainer of Trainers (ToTs). The training will cover the following areas:
- Introduction to modern beekeeping;
- Apiary establishment and management;
- Hive inspection and maintenance;
- Colony composition and management;
- Honey harvesting and post-harvest handling;
- Pest and disease management;
- Occupational health and safety during beekeeping activities;
- Marketing and value addition opportunities.
At least 20 beneficiaries shall be trained during installation.
Training materials and attendance registers shall be submitted as part of the assignment documentation.
2.5 Responsibilities of Consultants.
The consultant/firm shall:
- Provide all materials, labour, transport, and tools required for implementation.
- Ensure all supplied equipment meets acceptable quality standards.
- Observe occupational health and safety standards during implementation.
- Ensure timely completion of activities within agreed timelines.
- Replace defective materials identified during inspection.
- Provide technical support during the establishment phase of the apiaries.
2.6 Deliverables
The consultant/firm shall deliver the following:
- Inception report and implementation work plan.
- Site assessment report for all apiary locations.
- Supply and installation of all beehives and associated equipment.
- Branding and labeling of supplied equipment.
- ToT and beneficiary training reports including attendance lists and training materials.
- Apiary establishment and commissioning report.
- Final assignment completion report in both Word and PDF formats.
- Warranty documentation for supplied equipment where applicable.
2.7 Expert/Consultant’s Profile:
The opportunity is open to qualified Ethiopian consultants. The selection will be based on established assessment criteria to identify the most suitable candidate. The requirements for the consultant include:
- Proven experience in modern beekeeping and apiary establishment.
- Experience working with community livelihood or agricultural projects.
- Technical expertise in apiculture and farmer training.
- At least three (3) references for similar assignments completed within the last five years.
- Relevant business registration and statutory compliance documents.
- Availability of qualified technical personnel.
- Verified Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and VAT registration certificate.
2.8 Consultancy Period:
Activity and their Timelines
- Contract signing and kickoff meeting – Day 1-2
- Submission of inception report and work plan – Day 5
- Site assessments and verification – Day 6 – Day 7
- Approval of the implementation schedule – Day 8
- Procurement and branding of materials – Day 9 – Day 15
- Installation of the beehives – Day 16– Day 18
- Beneficiary (ToTs) training session – Day 19 – Day 21
- Inspection and commissioning – Day 22 – Day 23
- Submission of the draft final report – Day 25
- Submission of final report – Day 30
*The dates can be adjusted as needs arise. However, the timelines will not exceed the indicated 30 days.
How to apply
Application process:
The consultants are required to submit their applications, containing Technical and financial proposals, separately (in the same email but as different files) by 20/07/2026. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above; those who do not will not be considered.
Each application submission should not exceed 8 pages for the technical proposal (physical plan) and 1–2 pages for the financial proposal. The document should be prepared using Arial, 12-point font, 1.5-line spacing, and standard A4 margins. The following documents are annexed for reference:
- A sample/samples of a minimum of three previous related works.
- Updated CVs for the team leader and team members (each CV not more than 3 pages)
- Contact details of 3 references with complete contact information (i.e., name, organization, title, position, address, email, telephone).
Subject reference: “AN Project: Apiary Support-Ethiopia.”
Submissions are by email to procurement.eca@solidaridadnetwork.org
The financial proposal must be in Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Any application in other currencies will not be considered.
Note: Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. If you do not receive any feedback from us one month after the submission deadline, consider your application