BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROVIDERS (BDSP) CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Consultant to provide customized business development services (BDS) to build the business capacity of SMEs in the selected regions of operation (Iringa, Njombe, Dodoma, Singida, Tabora). This will be done in collaboration with project staff to identify SMEs who are interested to participate in the project.
MEDA's work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org .
Assignment: Identification of BDS Providers to SMEs
Location of Assignment: Mainland - drylands/semi - arid areas of Tanzania
Proposed Level of Effort: Duration of assignment [from 1st May 2023 to 31st May 2023]
Anticipated Start Date: 1st May 2023
Background
The FEMINIST ENTREPRENEURS GROWING GREENER ECONOMIES (FEGGE) is a project that aims to improve economic prosperity of female and male feminist SMEs (F-SMEs) and women entrepreneurs (WEs) in the agri-food market system to promote women's economic empowerment (WEE) and climate-smart business; with geographic focus in the dryland regions1 of Tanzania, using a feminist business approach to an improved and gender-equitable business environment.
FEGGE project has three pillars of implementation: Improving feminist SMEs' business performance for sustainable business management capabilities (including climate-smart business and advanced gender equality practices): That will be achieved through capacity building, facilitation of access to innovative financial services, and matching grants to assist feminist SMEs in improving their operations and strengthening their value chains (including gender equality, climate-smart technology, and clean energy).
Strengthening supply chains within the market system by improving the business performance of women entrepreneurs (WEs): Training on cost-effective and climate-smart agriculture techniques and technologies will be made available to WEs in order to advance gender equality, improve business capabilities, and gain market access to help WEs gain equal access to resources.
Promoting an improved enabling environment for women-led SMEs: This will be achieved through collaboration with partners to increase their capacity and service delivery to SMEs and SEs (Small Entrepreneurs) to foster an enabling environment that promotes and encourageswomen in business. The project will work with local actors and development partners to build capacity andpromote dialogue on business and gender equality.
The program's goal, through its BDS component, is to increase the competitiveness of feminist SMEs through capacity building in order to make them investment-ready.
Problem Statement
The FEGGE Program in the mainland regions of dry lands and semi-arid regions is focused in Agri-food via seven value chains (Sunflower, Rice, Maize, Spices, honey, horticulture, and diary). One of the frequently required services by many SMEs is support from BDSPs in business formalization, business organization, financial management, compliance procedures and investment ready capacity building, gender issues and climate change adaptation among others. It is against this background that the FEGGE Program is seeking the services of experienced BDS providers to extend services to SMEs particularly women owned businesses based on their needs
Objectives of the Assignment
The main objective of this assignment will be to provide customized business development services (BDS) to build the business capacity3 of SMEs in the selected regions of operation (Iringa, Njombe, Dodoma, Singida, Tabora). This will be done in collaboration with project staff to identify SMEs who are interested to participate in the project.
Task & Deliverables:
- BDS provider together with project staff will identify Feminist SMEs (50% women owned) based on MEDA's criteria particularly who are in need and provide capacity building to 30 SMEs in the dry land's regions across the period of one year.
- Conduct pre-assessment of potential SMEs to understand the agri-food market systems advancement and compliance needs of SMEs and prepare informed training prog
- Conduct anassessment of SMEs'financial needs and barriers to accessing financial services, and develop a training and coaching program that will enable SMEs to access financial services from financial institutions.
- BDS provider will mentor and coach SMEs to ensure that the needs identified are implemented i., support to the end point e.g., ensure SMEs meets and comply with government certification requirement, development of business plan, install proper accounting systems, etc.
- BDS provider will capacitate the SMEs to become investment ready and facilitate linkages to financial services for those in need.
- BDS provider will incorporate gender equality, human right, social inclusion and environmental and climate change training in relation to business to SME This will also include support with development of necessary policies such as gender and environmental policies.
- BDS provider will capacitate SMEs and support in the preparation of concept and proposal to access different grant opportunities within MEDA.
- Conduct a post-training evaluation of the program amongst participants.
See also: Request For Bids at Afrobarometer (AB)
Consultant Qualifications
The ideal BDS provider firm will have the following skills and qualifications:
- Proven experience of 5+ years working as a Business Development Service provider, particularly developing training programs and providing BDS services to small and medium enterprises, including experience in entrepreneurship development and project management.
- Be a Tanzanian Citizen owned/with appropriate credentials.
- Has local presence and knowledge of Tanzanian business regulatory Authorities requirements in business formation, registration, licensing, and compliance procedures with appropriate credentials.
- Knowledge and experience of Business Development Service needs for SMEs in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa is crucial.
- A proven track record in training, coaching or mentoring SMEs with a pool of experienced trainers: A gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and an environmental and climate change (ECC) specialist on the team is preferred.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, consultation, and facilitation.
- Well-developed writing skills in English and the ability to express oneself clearly and concisely.
- Training skills, including participatory training in group settings. Training and consultation experience utilizing a translator or interpreter is an added plus.
- Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, mature, professional team player, who is a strong people person and communicator, with good inter-personal skills.
- The firm must have valid business registration and have proper accounting systems and procedures.
- Ability to address issues, challenges, questions, and concerns in a professional, respectful, logical, and timely manner.
- Works well in a multi-cultural setting.
Application Procedures: Submit Technical and financial proposal using the upload cover letter & resume feature. All other inquiries can be directed to MEDA Tanzania at hrtz@meda.org before 17th April 2023 by 4:00 pm Eastern Time.
A proposal should include the following: 1. Detailed Company Profile with legal and contact na
2. Submit technical and fixed price financial proposal
3. Three names and contacts of your previous clients for reference check. The referees must be those worked within the past 3 year
4. State your availability over specified period of the assignment.
How to Apply :
