Somalia: Business proposals development support consultant.

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Business proposals development support consultant.

“Securing livelihoods of agro-pastoralists through setting up and strengthening of livestock sector value chains, promoting infrastructure and generating income project”

1.Background:

VSF Germany is an international Non-Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in Southern Sudan, Northern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. With focus on livestock health, agriculture, value chain and marketing, food safety, natural resources management, Peace and Conflict, Good governance, Disasters & Emergency but also developing the capacities of communities and governmental institutions, VSF Germany works towards food security and strengthened livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

Somaliland

The livestock accounts for about 60-70% of the total GDP and also employs 80% of the workforce in Somaliland: significantly contributing to the national economy. In different Somali communities, livestock producers are regarded as producers of milk and meat, income generators and stores of wealth. Fresh milk and other dairy products are staple food, vital items of trade for daily income but actual local supply below demand in both urban and rural areas in terms of quantity and quality in Somaliland. The below demand milk supply of milk is a function of low hygienic and quality standards since most of the trade is done through informal channels, where rules and regulations, if any, are hardly observed.

About the project

VSF- Germany has been implementing the BMZ funded project to strengthen dairy and meat value chain for income and food safety in agro-pastoral systems in collaboration with Ministry of Livestock and other stakeholders of Somaliland. In addition, the project will collaborate closely with other key stakeholders-at producer, trader and consumer levels while strengthening public and private partnership (PPP) particularly in the dairy and meat sectors.

The IGAs face problems arising from lack of sufficient knowledge/skills in running businesses as well as developing proposals to access financial services, credit applications, marketing of products and general management.

2.Objective of consultancy:

The main objective of the Business proposal development activities are to increase the competitiveness of business groups in the meat and milk sectors and to ensure that local needed products aremarketed to meet customers’ demands and enable in the future to grow their businesses to the main regional market of Hargeisa.

The specific objectives of this assignment areto;

i) Support the IGAs (Income generating activities) groups to develop a proposal of business concepts including an activity budget, work-plan and marketing plan which can be financed under project plan.

ii) Provide guidance for project staff on area that vendors need mentoring on business planning and management and monitoring.

3.Scope of work and duration:

The proposal development support consultant will guide and inform the design of a business development proposals for15 IGAs in 3 districts – Salaxley, Dacarbudhuq and Cadaadley in close collaboration with the project team - Project Manager, senior project officer, and District-based Field Officers. The proposals development support consultant will be required, based on experience, to influence the methodology to developing the businesses concept papers and proposals, informing what IGAs require to build sustainable and growing businesses.

The consultant will be expected to:

· Conduct literature review of the relevant project document, baseline surveys conductedto understand context of the IGAs and project.

· Provide technical guidance on all aspects of business proposal development process e.g., business plan preparation, business budget preparation, selecting businesslinkages and market services.

· Provide guidance on the ways that the funded businesses proposals can contribute to the overall impact of the project. Hence, advice thesuitableactivities and estimate funding for each IGA.

· Provide an estimate of income each IGAs from marketing of theirproducts at end of the project (next one and half years).

· Advice management and operationalreformsneeded for each IGA and if new skills are needed to meet the running of the developed business proposals.

Deliverable outputs:

The expected outputs are as follows:

· Assessment report of the meeting with selected IGAs

· Delivery of mentoring/coaching sessions

· Development of 15 business proposals for IGAs

· Plan for measuring performance of the operations of IGAsand progress monitoring forms and tools.

· Final assignment report detailing the progress of the Business groups and outlineof required actions for future improvement.

Geographic focus and target:

Based on the project target areas, the consultant will work with 15 IGA groups (5 IGA per location) in Salaxley, Dacarbudhuq and Cadaadley districts of Maroodijeex region.

Duration of Assignment:

The entire assignment must be completed within 40 working days from the start date, with the following timeline:

· Preparatory activities: – 5 days - Review all relevant project documents and the documents IGAs - Meeting with project staff.

· Assessment meetings with IGAs - 15 days (including three travel days) - Site visits and meeting with IGAs to assess their operations and aspirations.

· Mentoring sessions and proposal writing– 15 days, Writing and editing proposals

· Final report – 5 days - Presentation of the first draft,incorporating feedback and making the needed revisions - Presentation of the final draft to VSF G. Management.

4.Methodology:

Following the selection of Business groups (IGAs), the project plans to supportthem with loans for viable business ventures. A capital start-up kit will be provided to the formed IGAgroups. Before being granted the loan and with the support of the consultant, each group will develop a business proposal. This will be done over a series of visits, including an assessment meeting which will be conducted on-site at the IGA group’s locations. The business proposal will detail the business plan and the budget required. However, the business grants provided for different IGA groups are expected to be more or less equalor within the range of the project budget. IGAs that need more capacity building and attention in managing business will be identified during the assessment meetings.

5.Profile of consultant**

· Master’s degree in Business administration/ management, marketing, economics, development studies or other related fields.

· A minimum of 3 years of experience in rural business development, livestock Sector economy, microfinance and marketing, and/or value chain analysis.

· Similar assignments related torural small- scale businesses development; business development, Business training and/or technical support is an asset.

· Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

· Good Planning and organization skills.

· Fluency in English (written and verbal) and Somali is required.

6.Payment:

· 1^st installment, the Consultant/firm will be paid 50% of the quoted amount after submission of the draft assignment report and IGAs proposals.

· 2^nd installment, the remaining amount shall be paid upon the acceptance of the final report and business proposals.

The payments will be made in A/C payee cheques/or direct bank transfer in the name of the consultant or firm as indicated in the signed contract. VSF Germany will deduct with-holding tax at source as per the rules of taxation governing VSFG operations and it will be deposited directly to the custodian of such tax. No other benefits shall be admissible beyond what is stipulated in the contract, nor does it guarantee a regular position in VSF Germany.

7.General

Commitments*:*

All the outputs – Reports, data base, etc. produced by this assignment will not be disseminated in part or whole without express authority from VSF-Germany. Thus the consultant shall not produce these materials in any form (electronic, hard copies, etc.) to a third party without a written permission from VSF Germany.

8.Application process

Interested Institutions/ consultants are requested to read and strictly follow the detailed Terms of Reference and submit both technical and financial proposals not later than Tuesday 21^st November, 201**7.

Technical proposals should include:

· Preliminary work plan

· Detailed implementation methodology

· CV’s of applicant or employee

· Minimum of three references of similar projects implemented, preferably INGO or local NGO experiences

· List of previous customers

Financial proposals should include:

· Preliminary general budget including consultancy fee for one person.

The proposals should be sent to: recruitment@vsfg.org and CC to kassim@vsfg.org.Please indicate “Proposal development support consultant” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

1.Application process

Interested Institutions/ consultants are requested to read and strictly follow the detailed Terms of Reference and submit both technical and financial proposals not later than Tuesday 21^st November, 2017.

Technical proposals should include:

· Preliminary work plan

· Detailed implementation methodology

· CV’s of applicant or employee

· Minimum of three references of similar projects implemented, preferably INGO or local NGO experiences

· List of previous customers

Financial proposals should include:

· Preliminary general budget including consultancy fee for one person.

The proposals should be sent to: recruitment@vsfg.org and CC to kassim@vsfg.org.Please indicate “Proposal development support consultant” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.