Trade and Market Intelligence Consultant

• Project: Strengthening U.S.-Kenya Agricultural Trade through NASDA’s Efforts in Kenya
• Position: Trade and Market Intelligence Consultant
• Level: Short-Term Individual Consultant (4 months – 14^th August – 14^th December 2026)
• Location: Kenya

Background and Context

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is a nonpartisan association representing state departments of agriculture across the U.S. Through USDA Foreign Agricultural Service funding under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), NASDA is expanding market opportunities for U.S. agricultural products in Africa, including Kenya, where Rootooba, a Kenya-based trade and market systems advisory firm, serves as its in-country implementation partner.

The project, titled “Strengthening U.S.-Kenya Agricultural Trade through NASDA’s Efforts in Kenya,” seeks to enhance U.S.-Kenya agricultural trade by improving access to market information, strengthening regulatory and institutional capacity, facilitating structured Public-Private dialogue, and promoting innovative approaches to agricultural extension and knowledge sharing. The project is guided by four objectives:

• Increase the visibility and footprint of U.S. agriculture in Kenya and the region through NASDA-led engagement and strategic communications.
• Promote U.S.-Kenya trade through structured dialogue platforms aimed at identifying opportunities and addressing trade barriers.
• Support NASDA and its partners with trade promotion activities, market intelligence, and information systems that strengthen future trade engagement.
• Support the strengthening of agricultural extension systems in Kenya through assessment and adaptation of innovative extension approaches for local application.

Scope of Work

This is a short-term assignment (4 months) supporting Objective 3 of the project. The Trade and Market Intelligence Consultant will provide NASDA and Rootooba with trade and market intelligence on the priority sectors including Premium Wines & Craft Beverages; Specialty Condiments & Gourmet Culinary Products; Hospitality & Food-Service Systems; Specialty Non-Alcoholic Premium Beverages; Livestock, Feed & Fodder. The Consultant will generate the data and analysis needed to inform planned stakeholder engagements, and feed structured content into the project’s Market Information Dashboard. The consultant contributes data, analysis, and briefing content to planned stakeholder engagements.

Key Responsibilities

a) Review of Existing Information

• Review project documents, stakeholder mapping information, and priority sector information provided by NASDA and Rootooba.
• Review relevant USDA-FAS reports, market studies, trade statistics, policy documents, and other available secondary information.
• Identify information gaps requiring further assessment.

b) Trade and Market Assessment

Conduct detailed assessments of the selected priority sectors and product categories identified by NASDA and Rootooba, including:

• Market size and growth trends.
• Demand drivers and consumption patterns.
• Import channels and distribution systems.
• Key market actors and competitors.
• Regulatory and SPS requirements.
• Opportunities and constraints affecting market growth.

c) Market & Trade Intelligence Reporting

• Collate data from various sources to enable real-time access to standards, certifications, and compliance requirements.
• Define how this data should be compiled, sourced, and updated over time (including frequency of updates and where real-time export data is drawn from).
• Generate credible, current market intelligence on key value chains of strategic interest in Kenya and neighboring countries, for trade missions and prospective investors.
• Produce market reports following data analysis, covering key value chains of strategic interest.

d) Trade Opportunity and Policy Analysis

• Analyze trade opportunities and barriers affecting selected sectors.
• Identify policy, regulatory, institutional, and market-related constraints.
• Assess opportunities for strengthening U.S.-Kenya agricultural trade.
• Develop practical recommendations for public and private sector stakeholders.

e) Contribution to Planned Stakeholder Engagements

• Prepare data-backed briefing content for the delegation’s planned stakeholder engagements.
• Participate in these engagements as a technical resource, responding to questions on market intelligence.
• Summarize outcomes from these engagements to inform follow-up recommendations.

f) Buyer & Trade Show Identification

• Identify and profile potential importers, distributors, and industry stakeholders as targets for outreach.
• Prepare content and background materials for buyer education sessions, to support participant readiness for engagement with U.S. suppliers.
• Identify Kenyan buyers for two U.S. trade shows relevant to the priority sectors.

g) Strategic Recommendations

• Develop recommendations to support future NASDA trade promotion initiatives.
• Identify priority sectors and stakeholders for future engagement.
• Recommend areas for future market development and collaboration.
• Highlight opportunities for regional expansion and future trade missions.

h) Market Information Dashboard Content

• Prepare structured data and content for the Market Information Dashboard, including a proposed stepwise approach and guidance for presenting value chain data (e.g. infographics).

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Rootooba CEO and work closely with the NASDA-Rootooba Project Lead, and other designated stakeholders.  All reports, briefs, presentations, and supporting materials developed under this assignment shall be submitted in English.

Required Qualifications

Applications are invited from qualified individual consultants with demonstrated experience in agricultural trade, market intelligence, agribusiness, trade policy, or related fields.

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or higher) in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, International Trade, Agricultural Policy, Development Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, or related discipline.
• Additional qualifications in market systems development, trade facilitation, food systems, or agricultural value chains will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience

The consultant or lead consultant of the firm should possess:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in agricultural trade, agribusiness, market systems development, value chain analysis, trade policy, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience conducting market intelligence studies, trade assessments, sector analyses, or value chain studies.
• Experience engaging public and private sector stakeholders, including government agencies, industry associations, chambers of commerce, development partners, and private sector actors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural trade systems within Kenya and the East African region.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Kenya’s livestock and feed/fodder sector is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with market access issues, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, trade facilitation, regulatory systems, and private sector development.
• Experience supporting policy dialogue, stakeholder consultations, or Public-Private engagement processes.
• Previous experience working on donor-funded, trade promotion, or market development initiatives will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with U.S.-Africa agricultural trade and market development initiatives will be an added advantage.

Technical Competencies

• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent report-writing and communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize technical information into practical recommendations.
• Ability to prepare high-quality policy, technical, and briefing documents.

Leadership and Management Skills

• Strong stakeholder engagement and consultation skills, with the ability to work effectively with government agencies, industry associations, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Ability to work independently, manage assigned tasks, and meet agreed deadlines.
• Ability to coordinate and contribute to stakeholder consultations and technical dialogues..

Other Requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English is required.
• Willingness to travel to Kenya, as required, to participate in planned stakeholder engagements.

How to Apply

Interested consultants should submit a written proposal comprising the items below.

• Technical Proposal outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, workplan, and implementation approach.
• Financial Proposal detailing professional fees and any anticipated reimbursable costs.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the consultant or key personnel proposed for the assignment.
• At least three examples of similar assignments undertaken within the last five years.
• Contact details of at least three professional referees.

Deadline for submission via email is 5:00 pm on 12^th August 2026. Address application to:

The Chief Executive Officer

Rootooba Ltd, P.O. Box 8019, Nairobi, Kenya

Email: e.muchiri@rootooba.com

Location: Rootooba Offices, Food Crops Research Centre (next to Plant Protection Offices), Waiyaki Way, adjacent to the Waiyaki Way–James Gichuru junction fly-over.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.