Terms of Reference (TOR) for Provision of Business Development Services (BDS) Mentorship and Coaching to VSLA Groups and TVET Youths in Mandera under BORESHA-NABAD Programme
Background
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is leading a consortium of partners in implementing the EU-funded Building Opportunities for Resilience in the Horn of Africa (BORESHA- NABAD) Programme in the Borderland areas of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia also known as the Mandera Triangle. The BORESHA-NABAD Programme aims to enhance the effectiveness of conflict prevention and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, and resilience-building in these borderland areas that are faced with multifaceted shocks such as drought, floods, conflicts, violence extremism, and diseases. The programme focuses on strengthening the resilience capacities of communities, government, and businesses using mixed approaches to help them withstand these shocks and stresses that also exacerbate conflict and violence extremism. BORESHA-NABAD is building on investments and lessons learned from the successful, DRC-led, five-year BORESHA programmes (Phases I, II, and III) to maximize impact.
The programme seeks to empower communities, especially youth and women, by improving their capacity to engage in sustainable and resilient livelihoods. As part of its intervention strategy, BORESHA-NABAD is committed to fostering inclusive market systems and equipping youth and women with entrepreneurial skills necessary to navigate and thrive in dynamic market environments.
BORESHA-NABAD Overall Goal
To enhance the effectiveness of conflict prevention and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, and resilience-building in cross-border communities.
Specific Objectives to Achieve Results:
- Disaster risk reduction and conflict prevention capacities of cross-border stakeholders and communities are strengthened: This first outcome focuses on building the capacity of community structures, fostering (horizontal) cross-border engagements, and testing their delivery and response capacity. This will be achieved with an integrated approach by linking different thematic interventions. Equally important will be to build on horizontal linkages (connections between communities and actors across borders) and establish vertical linkages (foster engagement between vulnerable groups/communities and government actors).
- Peacebuilding is enhanced through stronger linkages between communities and local, national, and regional authorities: This outcome focuses on ensuring the community-level efforts (Outcome l) are integrated into existing mechanisms and higher-level institutions. These linkages will ensure efforts are aligned with wider government priorities and help to achieve the programme’s sustainability.
- Women and youth in marginalized borderland communities have improved access to income generation opportunities: This outcome focuses on improving access to income generation opportunities for women and youth in marginalized borderland communities. Using a market systems approach, women and youth will be prioritized for activities such as expanding access to financial and business development services, accessing loans through formal and informal financial structures and provision of TVET training and apprentices in sectors with market demand.
- Borderland communities are better able to adapt their livelihoods to climate change and environmental degradation: This outcome focuses on improving the communities’ adaptation to climate change and environmental degradation, including climate-smart livelihood activities.
Objective of the Consultancy
To support this goal, the project intends to engage a qualified Business Development Services (BDS) Provider Consultancy firm to mentor and coach Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) youth in Mandera. The consultancy will focus on building the entrepreneurial and business management capacity of participants, enabling them to develop and manage profitable and sustainable enterprises.
The consultancy will focus on equipping VSLA groups and TVET youth with the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to:
- Develop and implement comprehensive business plans tailored to their ventures.
- Access structured markets and value chains for their products and services.
- Improve operational efficiency through innovative technologies and effective management practices.
- Enhance their business acumen to navigate market dynamics and improve competitiveness.
- Establish sustainable production and marketing models for business growth and scalability.
- Improve access to financial services including savings, credit, insurance etc
The proposed consultancy aims to empower Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) youth in Mandera by building their entrepreneurial and business management capacities. By equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to develop comprehensive business plans, access structured markets, adopt innovative technologies, and enhance operational efficiency, the initiative seeks to foster the establishment of profitable and sustainable enterprises. This approach is designed to improve market competitiveness, create scalable business models, and promote long-term economic growth in the region.
Scope of Work and Methodology
The consultant will provide tailored mentorship and coaching services to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of VSLA groups and TVET youths. The scope of work includes:
Inception Phase:
- Review project documents, including market analysis and baseline reports, to understand participants’ current capacities and gaps.
- Conduct in-person co-creation meeting to identify key training and mentorship areas.
- Develop performance improvement plans for the VSLAs and TVET which will be used to track change in their capacity.
- Provide on the job mentorship and support to these groups based on the individualized gaps identified
- Submit an inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, performance improvement plan and tailored training modules.
Training and Mentorship Phase:
Provide business development training and mentorship on the following topics:
- Development of individual fundable business plans
- Business management and planning
- Costing, pricing, and financial management
- Strategic Communication and product branding, including social media marketing.
- Deliver personalized mentorship and coaching to address specific needs of individual enterprises or groups.
- Help them adopt Market research techniques and marketing strategies to facilitate linkages with market actors, including financial institutions and service providers, to improve access to resources and market networks.
- Support participants in value addition and innovation to enhance product and service quality especially for the honey value chain.
- Risk management and quality improvement
Access to Finance:
- Map formal financial institutions (FFIs) offering financial products relevant to VSLAs and TVET youth.
- Facilitate engagements with FFIs to identify realistic financial products aligned to the participants’ needs and facilitate linkage of the VSLA and TVETs to the FFI
- Train participants on accessing and managing financial services, including loans, savings, and digital financial platforms
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Develop and implement a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework to track participants’ progress.
- Provide periodic progress reports highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
Deliverables
Based on the detailed scope of work outlined for the assessment, the key deliverables for the consultant or consultancy firm conducting the assignment include:
Inception Report:
A comprehensive report outlining the findings from the need’s assessment, methodology, and work plan, along with tailored training modules and performance improvement plans for the VSLA and TVET youth.
Interim Reports:
A report detailing the training conducted, and mentorship sessions delivered, including:
- Training content and Samples of fundable business plans developed by the VSLA groups and TVET youth.
- Success snapshots, impact stories, or success stories highlighting outcomes from the mentorship and coaching sessions.
- Profiles or geo-maps of private sector actors identified for linkage purposes and a list of the linked participants.
- A comprehensive list of participants reached, areas of mentorship along with progress updates on mentorship activities. These reports should be presented and pitched to the PMU for review and approval.
- Identification and documentation of critical success factors for Business Development Services (BDS) mentorship interventions within the context of the tri-border region.
Final Report:
a. A comprehensive and detailed final report that encompasses:
- Critical Success Factors: An in-depth analysis of the key elements contributing to the success of BDS mentorship interventions, tailored specifically to the socio-economic dynamics of the tri-border region.
- Stakeholder Feedback: A summary of feedback gathered from stakeholders, including participants, private sector actors, and community representatives, highlighting their perspectives on the effectiveness and relevance of the mentorship interventions.
- Achievements: A clear presentation of tangible outcomes achieved, such as:
- Number of participants who successfully developed fundable business plans.
- Number and nature of linkages established between VSLAs, TVET youth, and private sector actors or financial institutions.
- Documented impact stories or case studies demonstrating the transformation of participants’ business ventures.
- Enhanced skills and knowledge demonstrated by participants in business management, marketing, and financial practices.
- Challenges: An honest account of the challenges faced during the mentorship and training phases, including logistical, cultural, or systemic barriers, and how these were addressed or mitigated.
- Recommendations: Strategic insights and actionable recommendations for enhancing future interventions. These may include scaling up successful strategies, addressing identified gaps, and fostering sustainable partnerships.
The report should also include supporting annexes, such as:
- Samples of business plans developed by the VSLA and TVETs
- Samples of financial business records kept by the VSLA and the TVETs.
- Geomaps of the mapped out private sector actors at the borderlands for strengthened linkages and partnership with the VSLA and TVETs.
A pitching session should be organized to present the final report to DRC Kenya and the BORESHA PMU for input, validation, and approval. This session will ensure alignment with programme goals and provide a platform to share lessons learned for future planning.
Duration, Timeline, and Payment
The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 90 working days
The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than 30th May 2025. This is subject to change based on the co-creation/kick-off meeting.
The payment schedules will be as follows:
- 30% upon approval of the inception report
- 40% upon submission of the interim report
- 30% upon approval of the final report
Proposed Composition of the Team
The team composition will be agreed upon in detail during the co-creation/kick-off meeting. However, firms are advised to propose the desired team needed to achieve the objectives of this consultancy. However, we expect to have the Project manager/team Leader, Field supervisors and Coaches/mentors.
- Project Manager/ Team Leader (Full time)
The key expert proposed for the position of project Manager/ Team Leader must have A bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, Marketing, Economics, or a related field. The firm team lead should possess at least 10 years of demonstrated experience in business mentoring and coaching, especially for youth and women initiatives, knowledge of market systems development approaches, proven expertise in business planning, financial management, and marketing. Hs/She should possess strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills. Should have experience working with community-based organizations and in cross-border contexts. Familiarity with the socio-economic dynamics of Mandera and the broader borderlands region. Knowledge of ILO start and improve your business (SIYB) and grow and expand your business (GEYB) and mentoring approaches
- Field Supervisors (Full Time-3)
The key experts proposed for the position of Field Supervisors (Deputy Team Leader) must possess a minimum bachelor’s degree Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, Marketing, Economics, or a related field. The field supervisors will possess at least five years of working experience in BDS provision in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia or at least two of these countries with demonstrated capacity to work in the target areas.
- Coaches/ mentors
The coaches/ mentors responsible for providing technical support to the VSLA and TVET youth. They will possess a minimum of a Diploma or certificate in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, Marketing, Economics, or a related field. Proven expertise in business planning, financial management, and marketing. They should possess strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills. Should have experience working with community-based organizations and in cross-border contexts. Familiarity with the socio-economic dynamics of Mandera and the broader borderlands region, preferably Somali speaking coaches are recommended.
Eligibility, Qualification, and Experience (Firm/Consultants)
The consulting firm should possess the following qualifications:
- Proven track record in providing Business Development Services (BDS) to community groups, youth, and women in similar contexts.
- Demonstrated 5 years of experience in delivering similar assignment
- Demonstrated experience in market systems development and value chain integration.
- A multidisciplinary team with diverse expertise, including business planning, financial management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
- Experience in conducting needs assessments, designing training programs, and providing mentorship and coaching services.
- Familiarity with the socio-economic dynamics of Mandera and the broader borderlands region.
- Strong organizational capacity, including resources and tools to deliver high-quality training and mentorship.
- Evidence of previous successful engagements with similar projects, preferably in cross-border or fragile contexts.
- Capacity to manage and deploy field teams effectively to project locations.
- Established relationships with key market actors, financial institutions, and community stakeholders relevant to the project goals.
Location
The consultant/firm will be expected to work in the following locations: Dollo, Belethawa, Benissa, Mandera North, Mandera East, Laffey, Mandera South
Travel
Travel will be required, and the consultant/firm will therefore be expected to arrange their own transportation, accommodation, insurance and food.
Evaluation of bids
1. Profile and qualifications
a. The candidate meets the profile and qualifications for the TOR.
b. The consultant(s) have similar or other relevant experience in anticipatory financing modalities – preferably practical experience.
c. The consultant(s) have relevant experience in sectors similar to those of the focus of the TOR.
d. The consultant(s) provide examples of previous work carried out in this field of work.
2. Technical approach (Weighted percentage – 50%)
a. The technical approach addresses the key aspects and deliverables of the ToR.
b. The strategy draws on sector good practice and is relevant to the tasks.
c. The technical approach will deliver the required outputs, within the deadlines.
d. Oral Interview
3. The financial offer will then be weighed against the technical proposal (cost/ quality)
Based on the initial screening, DRC will invite selected bidders for an interview.
DRC will conduct reference checks from at least 2 previous works as an additional mandatory requirement prior to contracting.
Please find complete biding documents in the following link: RFP 00335569 BDS Consultancy BORESHA-NABAD
How to apply
Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address:
tender.ken@drc.ngo
When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:
- The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email
- Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type the email contains
- The financial bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A.2
- The technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender, but excluding all pricing information
- Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
- Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his bid in multiple emails.
Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid.
DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails.
DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering process.
Bids to be submitted ONLY electronically.