1.0   About AECF

The AECF, LLC (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organisation that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting climate resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date, we have supported over 400 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 30 million lives, and created over 27,000 direct jobs.

2.0    Background and Rationale

AECF seeks to scale up its climate finance portfolio and support its investees to access the opportunities in the carbon markets space towards achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The unfolding climate change crisis calls for urgent and concerted efforts by nations across the globe to put in place measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere. Scientific evidence generated through many years of work by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other scientific bodies has demonstrated beyond doubt that these anthropogenic gases are the key drivers of global warming and climate change.

As part of AECF’s commitments to build low carbon and resilient communities, contribute to the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, AECF seeks to mobilise innovative climate finance through leveraging the opportunities of carbon markets. It is in this regard that the AECF is seeking for a consultant to assist develop the AECF Carbon Markets Framework, aggregation platform and assist in building the capacity of the AECF investees to tap into the carbon markets.

3.0 Objectives of the assignment

3.1 Overall objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to support the development of a carbon markets framework, value proposition, carbon product offering, aggregation platform, and first Programme of Activities (PoA) for AECF. These strategic elements will inform the design of an AECF Just Carbon Fund.

3.2 Specific objectives

The following are the specific objectives of the assignment:

1. Assess the AECF’s Renewable Energy and Climate Adaptation Technologies (REACT) portfolio readiness for carbon and renewable energy carbon credit trading in up to 9 target country portfolios of AECF investments.
2. Identify technical, institutional and investees capacity needs and gaps and develop a business case for AECF carbon finance Technical Assistance offering to its investees.
3. Develop AECF’s value proposition to investees, investors and carbon markets.
4. Develop AECF Carbon product offering.
5. Develop the protocol, platform, contract basis and structure of AECF carbon credit aggregation platform.
6. Develop a first Programme of Activities (PoA) for AECF investment in Somalia – most likely green mini-grids.
7. Identify and formulate strategic elements to inform the design of the AECF Just Carbon Fund and AECF Carbon Transaction Advisory.

4.0   Scope of work

The following are the terms of reference for the assignment:

 

4.1   Understanding the needs and landscape for carbon and renewable credit monetisation

The Consultant is required to undertake a detailed assessment in relation to deliverables 1 and 2 below, based on interviews and business reviews, of AECF’s Renewable Energy and Adaptive Climate Technologies (REACT) investments in the 9 focus countries to understand the technical, institutional and business gaps and opportunities for carbon and renewable energy credit monetisation, NDCs and the interlinkages with the emerging post-2020 climate market mechanisms. This is aimed at understanding the needs and demand of investee companies as well as the opportunities that carbon markets represent for them, and what are the challenges they face in harvesting those opportunities on their own.

4.2   Capacity gaps and needs assessment.

4.2.1. Conduct a regional situation analysis, capacity gaps and needs assessment for Internationally Transferrable Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO) and transfer readiness and voluntary trading to identify investees readiness to participate in carbon trading to inform deliverables 3 and 4 (refer to Section 5).

4.2.2. Identify technical, institutional and capacity building needs for AECF and the investees to develop and operationalize carbon market projects including the market demand, organizational needs, strategic opportunities for investees, ecological and social impacts, and regulatory requirements, and develop a business case for AECF carbon finance Technical Assistance offering for its investees to inform deliverable 4.

4.2.3. Design training manuals and build the capacity of the investees to understand and participate in carbon markets, including their role and responsibility in delivering quality carbon credits such as collecting data on carbon indicators and demonstrating additionality, negotiating partnership agreements for the trade of carbon credits, monitoring and reporting on carbon project indicators, and participate in validation and verification of mitigation activities by independent third-party bodies towards deliverable 4.

4.2.4. Establish the AECF business case and value proposition to investees, investors and carbon markets towards Deliverable 3 and formulate the AECF Carbon Markets Framework to guide the smooth implementation of carbon projects.

4.2.5. Design the protocol, platform, contract basis and structure of AECF carbon credit aggregation platform for bundling carbon credits under deliverable 5 from different related small and growing enterprises projects with clear governance principles to ensure transparency, accountability, avoid double counting, facilitate quality and permanent credits, flexible revenue sharing model (tripartite AECF, Investee and End consumers), robust procedures to avoid, identify and resolve conflicts of interest in its operations and the overall quality of carbon credits and register one PoA.

4.3   Carbon trading

4.3.1 Develop and register one PoA for Somalia towards deliverable five and participate in carbon markets trading.

4.3.2 Map the key strategic tenets relevant to the design of the AECF Just Carbon Fund and AECF Carbon Transaction Advisory that will support (TA and financial) the SMEs to generate data, create baselines, design quality business models, engage in favourable contracts, bundle carbon credits and access the carbon markets in line with deliverable 6.

5.0   Expected deliverables.

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

 

Deliverable	Format and description	Timeline
Deliverable 1: Inception report	Written report including a final work plan, budget, and all tools that will be used to deliver the assignment	3 weeks after contract signature
Deliverable 2: Assessment report	Technical, institutional and investees capacity needs and gaps identified and mapped. A detailed full opportunity assessment of carbon and RE credit monetisation of AECF investments in the 9 focus countries conducted. An analysis of the business opportunity for AECF from this portfolio to set up a carbon / RE credits aggregation facility defined.	4 weeks after project inception
Deliverable 3: AECF value proposition and product offering document	Justification why AECF should pursue carbon markets opportunities, economic offering and a clear business case for AECF, Investees and the investors established. A business case for AECF carbon finance Technical Assistance offering to its investees is outlined.	3 Weeks after assessment
Deliverable 4: AECF Carbon Markets Framework, Capacity Building and Training Manuals	AECF Carbon Markets Framework, supporting tools and governance principles. Capacity building materials, support and mentorship addressing the gaps and needs identified in participating in carbon markets for AECF team and its investees. Training manuals/Carbon trading guidance note to help investees actively participate in carbon markets trading.	6 weeks after defining value proposition and product offering
Deliverable 5: AECF Carbon Credit Aggregation Platform and One PoA developed	Pre-feasibility study, market study and design for the AECF Credit Aggregation Platform including business model, structure on carbon markets, revenue sharing models, value proposition and anticipated revenues over 5 years considering the opportunities from the AECF portfolio. AECF carbon credit aggregation/bundling vehicle developed and one PoA registered in Somalia.	12 Weeks after defining value proposition and product offering
Deliverable 6: Document on Just Carbon Fund elements	Key strategic tenets relevant to the design of the AECF Just Carbon Fund and AECF Carbon Transaction Advisory mapped out and a clear road map outlined.	4 Weeks after the Aggregation Platform and PoA development

 

6.0 Duration.

The work is for 90 days spread over a period of six months from the date of contracting.

7.0  Competence.

The consultant/Consulting firm should demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling basic ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Ability to work in close collaboration with AECF staff, prioritize and meet strict deadlines.
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize, and execute effectively.
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients.
• Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with a complex multi-stakeholder environment.
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment.

 

8.0  Qualifications and experience.

8.1. Education

The Consultant/Lead consultant should have the following qualifications:

• At least a master’s degree in environmental Auditing, Carbon Finance, Climate Change Mitigation, Carbon Accounting, Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering or another related discipline.

 

8.2. Experience

The consultant/consulting firm should have the following experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in carbon finance, carbon projects design, and knowledge of the nexus of carbon finance and experience in compliance (CDM) and voluntary carbon markets (e.g. Gold standard/verra). Understanding of the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions and UNFCCC carbon markets guidelines is an added advantage.
• Experience in carbon accounting, and development of GHG inventories in the Energy and Agriculture IPCC sectors.

• Familiarity with international development issues, including an understanding of technical and regulatory matters in the areas of climate change, Article 6.2, 6.4 and sustainable development.
• Demonstrated experience with the development of carbon finance projects in developing countries with at three similar projects conducted in the past.
• Experience in undertaking Capacity Gap and Needs Assessment for carbon market readiness in developing countries. Experience working with SMEs is an added advantage.
• Understanding of monitoring, reporting and verification requirements
• Proven knowledge of the development of carbon markets-related guidance manuals.

9.0  Proposal submission

The bid submission should include the following:

• Methodology and approach for operationalizing. Provide a detailed work program for the scope of work, including the approach that you will be using and the methods to be applied to deliver the set objectives, including reconnaissance survey and field work related to applicable tasks. Cross cutting issues such as environmental, social, governance and gender issues should be considered.
• A detailed schedule for all work with clear timelines, roles and responsibilities and the planned work will be achieved in six months.
• A detailed CV of the Lead consultant should be provided and the summary CVs of the other delivery team members, highlighting related work and experience to this work.
• Statutory documents (Certificate of Registration/Incorporation, Tax Compliance Certificate, VAT Certificate & Business Permit)
• Details of past experience aimed at managing funding of co-operatives/ groups in South Sudan
• Detail of branch network/ agent to facilitate funds transfer within the two operational
• Technical and financial proposals must be submitted as separate documents and will need to be submitted in English.
• The preferred currency for the financial proposal is

10.0         EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF. The same standards of confidentiality will bind all members. The applicant should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all consultants to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In deciding the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 70% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 30%, and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.

 

	Description	Max. Weight
1	Clearly articulated and detailed technical proposal showing clear understanding of the TORs. The proposal must respond comprehensively to the tasks outlined in the TORs. Bidder must show a schedule of activities with clear milestones, time schedule (only working days). A methodology providing details on how each component of the study from item 4.1 – 4.3 will be executed must be provided. The methodology must demonstrate a clear understanding of carbon finance, project design (PDD) and the accounting process. Data analysis methods to be employed must also be outlined.	30
2	Company/Individuals profile and capability statement describing organizational experience	5
3	At least 3 projects of similar nature successfully undertaken and completed in the past five (5) years) must be included.	10
4	At least 3 contactable references from the previous 3 projects cited above.	10
5	Relevant experience, qualifications and capacity to deliver the assignment	15
	Total	70

 

11.0 Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, colour, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

1. Interested firms/individuals are requested to submit their proposal to: aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 14^th April 2023, 5pm (EAT).
2. The Subject of the email should read “DESIGN OF AECF CARBON MARKET FRAMEWORK, SME CARBON CREDIT AGGREGATION PLATFORM AND FIRST PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITY 2023”. The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals that are submitted with a different subject.
3. All questions and clarifications should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 31^st March 2023, 5pm (EAT). For more information on AECF, please visit aecfafrica.org.

12.0 Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees as well as ensure VAT, is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regards to provisions of Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

13.0 Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

 

1.      Background

AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organisation that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing innovative ideas, business models and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change.

We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding and remain committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go. We have supported over 400 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 30 million lives, and created over 27,000 direct jobs.

2.      Objective of the consultancy

In 2022, the AECF continued supporting impact-focused businesses across Africa while expanding its reach to support even smaller businesses while securing more funding for new programmes.

The objective of this consultancy is to provide report writing support to produce AECF’s Annual Report that would capture the organization’s impact in 2022 – highlighting businesses and beneficiaries impacted during the year.

The report writing support will see the consultant undertake consultations with AECF technical leads, develop content, edit, and proofread the report.

3.      Scope of work

The consultant will be expected to provide:

i.       Writing of Annual Report

1. Consultation with the AECF team

With the support of the communications team, the consultant will coordinate a write shop  where the technical teams at AECF will provide:

• Detailed feedback on the themes and sub-themes of the report.
• Input of the content framework/ structure for the report.
• Relevant content for key sections in liaison with the key stakeholders (from donor, partner, and evaluation reports).
• Guidance on case studies and success stories to be featured in the report.

b.     Content development and writing.

With the support of the communications team and technical leads, the consultant will write on:

• AECF’s work in 2022 noting the successes and key learnings with key highlights on key impact. Intended and unintended – brought about by its portfolio of investments).

• Case studies and success stories (from both investee and beneficiary perspectives).

With the information gathered, the consultant will write a report taking into consideration the agreed-upon themes and sub-themes as well as the content structure.

The consultant will present the report, seek concurrence with the AECF team leads and the CEO, and note changes that need to be made.

c.      Incorporation of comments and editing of the document.

The consultant will then incorporate changes, comments, and input from the AECF as well as undertake a refining of the document.

The document will then be re-submitted to The AECF for an additional round of comments and input.

 

d.     Proofreading and submission to the AECF.

The consultant will finalize the report, incorporate all comments, and proofread the document.

The final report will then be submitted to The AECF for final approval.

 

4.      Expected deliverables.

The consultant will be required to provide the following outputs:

• Approved text, statistics, data, and case studies,

 

5.      Qualifications/experience required.

The consultant should possess the following skills and/or credentials:

• Experience as a business writer.
• Experience in report writing, research, storytelling, communications, or similar fields.
• Knowledge of the development sector, the work of international NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral institutions.
• Experience with renewable energy, agriculture, and climate change.
• Ability to tell compelling stories from a human-interest/beneficiary lens considering women, youth and those living in fragile contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to write with a clear and concise style while still being able to convey and engagingly present technical ideas/knowledge for varied audiences.
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines.
• At least 5 years of similar experience.

 

6.      Duration.

This contract will be for a period of 3 months.

 

7.      Reporting and collaboration

The consultant will report to the Head of Strategy & Innovation and, will collaborate with the Communications department and key stakeholders across the organisation.

 

8.      Evaluation criteria

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF. The same standards of confidentiality will bind all members. The applicant should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all consultants to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In deciding the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 70% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 30%, and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.

 

NO.	CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT	Weighted Award
A. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL		70
1. An understanding of the terms of reference
1.1	Demonstrate understanding of the assignment and expected outcomes.	10
2. Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on theassignment
2.1	Methodology and delivery approach of undertaking the assignment inthe provided timelines.	10

 

3. Qualification and Experience
3.1	Qualifications and competence of the key staff related to the various assignments. Bidders must provide descriptions and documentation of staff/teams’ technical expertise, experience, and assignment to the task.	15
	Demonstrate relevant experience to undertake the given assignment with a minimum of five years.	10
	Demonstrate relevant services provided in the last three years with samples of work.	10
	Provision of registration documentation and other relevant statutory document.	5
	Demonstrate relevant geographical experience and sectoral knowledge to effectively carry out the assignment.	5
	At least two signed reference letters of similar work done	5
B. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: Clarity, relevance, reality to market value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax, reimbursable and travel).		30
	Total Score	100

 

9.      Proposal submission:

Interested and qualified consultant(s) and firms are invited to submit their proposal that includes the following

1. Profile of the lead consultant (max 1 page per consultant) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
2. Relevant experience (max 4 pages) in writing with samples of work.
3. An understanding of the scope of work.
4. A proposed work plan for a maximum period of 3 months detailing the execution of key activities.
5. Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
6. At least 2 signed reference letters for similar work done.
7. Registration and other relevant statutory documents are required.
8. Financial proposal in USD clearly showing the budgeted cost (including a breakdown of costs for fees and number of working days) for the work to be conducted (to be submitted in a separate document from the technical proposal). Payments will be made upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.
9. The preferred format for the submission is PDF, PowerPoint and Word.
10. Technical and Financial proposals must be submitted as separate Financial proposals will not be opened until the conclusion of the technical evaluation and then only for those proposals that are deemed qualified and responsive.

10.  Pricing

The AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees as well as ensure VAT is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position regarding provisions of Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

 

11.  Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Interested consultant(s) are requested to submit their technical and financial proposals to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 5pm (EAT) on 28^th March 2023
• The subject of the email should read “Annual Report Writing Consultancy 2022”. The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals submitted with a different subject.
• All questions and clarifications should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org.

12.   Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

1. About AECF

AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organisation that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting resilient communities and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date,  we have supported over 400 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 30 million lives, and created over 27,000 direct jobs,

2. About the Finance for Inclusive Growth Somalia

Funded by European Union, Finance for Inclusive Growth in Somalia (FIG – Somalia) is a pilot programme component under the European Union’s Inclusive Local and Economic Development (ILED) programme, whose objective is to contribute to stability in Somalia by extending state authority and services, promoting local reconciliation and peacebuilding, creating inclusive economic opportunities, and protecting the most vulnerable.

The specific objectives of the FIG Somalia programme are:

• Facilitate access to finance for women and youth in business and producers at the financial institution and enterprise levels using the revolving loan fund and the partial guarantee facility with selected partner financial institutions.
• To enhance access to relevant business development services, mainly through training and business mentorship
• Build the capacity of the partner financial institutions to increasingly provide appropriate financial services for a wider scope of customers, including those living in rural and decentralised areas in Somalia.
• To design and offer appropriate and sustainable products and services to clients through Somali Financial Institutions and ensure targeted clients are growing and becoming more bankable.

Both Partner two financial intermediaries have so far provided Shariah-compliant financing to over 4,000 clients in Banadir (Mogadishu), Jubaland (Kismayo), Southwest State (Afgoye), Galmudug (Dhusamareeb & Adado), Hirshabelle (Beledwayne & Balcad), Puntland (Bossaso, Garowe &Galkaio), and Somaliland (Hargeisa, Borama, Gabilay, Wajale, Berbera, Bur’o, Erigavo, Las’anod and Buhodle).

 

2.1 Activity Background:

Access to finance for small-scale businesses owned by Women, Youth and producer groups has been an issue in Somalia. Financial institutions consider small businesses as being too risks because of ;

a)      Lack of business data (Inventory control, balance sheet, profit, and loss information)

b)     Most small business are not formally registered.

c)      Lack of business management capacity, owner Identification and grantor or collateral.

 

3.     Scope of Work

FIG programme Somalia seeks to find a sustainable solution for business information management for these small business with the goal of enhancing their capacity, mainly Women, youth, and producer groups. As such we are looking at a BDS firm to create or further develop an existing simplified online Business bookkeeping mobile platform and test it among existing client in the FIG programme partner MFIs and the Somali Micro-Finance Association (SOMMA) members.  The ultimate goal is support the local SMEs to increase efficiency and have a transaction history to ease financing by MFIs.

 

3.1 Responsibilities: 

• Create or improve the existing business management book (application). The app shall be customized, simplified and in the Somali language to allow users to navigate without challenges.
• Comprehensive application report with sample screengrabs; after the contract, the BDS shall provide an inception report with an updated work plan and business management application overview.
• The firm shall train 3,000 AECF FIG programme-supported end clients and SOMMA member clients; the support includes downloading the application on clients’ phones, business data migration, bookkeeping usage and management.
• App must-have business coaching section, BDS firm to maintain the application to provide maintenance and management, firm to upload customised business coaching videos every week to solve users’ skills gap.
• Submission of the final report of the assignment, with future action plans and sustainability plans.

 

3.2 Deliverables

• Inception report outlining the approach for the assignment.
• A comprehensive application report and end clients’ coaching work plan.
• Develop a Somali language business management application.
• Application to be available in both the Playstore and I and app stores.
• Up to 3,000 FIG end clients trained and dully using the application.
• Clear sustainability plan of the application.
• Application system design, complete coding, testing, deployment of an integrated system for usage with IT infrastructure, and a user guide.

 

4. Duration of Services

The assignment should be completed by September 2023.

5. Reporting

The BDS will be accountable to the FIG programme team and shall submit monthly assignment reports.

6. Qualifications

The selected BDS firm should meet or exceed the following minimum qualifications:

• Deep understanding of access to finance challenges for Women, Youth, and producer groups in Somalia with substantial experience in private sector development.
• At least three years of practical experience creating applications and databases, training and capacitating local SMEs.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Somalia SMEs and financial sector.
• Good knowledge and understanding of SME finance and solutions to increase access to finance for youth and women-owned/led businesses.

7. Proposal Submission

Interested and qualified BDS firms are invited to submit their proposal(s) comprising the following:

• An understanding of the consultancy requirements.
• Methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.
• Relevant services that have been done in the past years.
• Letters of reference from 3 previous companies/assignments.
• Registration and other relevant statutory documents.
• The technical and financial proposals are to be submitted separately.
• The financial proposal clearly shows the budgeted cost for the work to be conducted by the BDS under the scope of work above.

8. Pricing

Dependent on the contracting mechanism, AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees as well as ensure VAT, at 16%, is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regard to provisions of Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

9. Evaluation criteria

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF and shall include employees. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The vendor should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated. The AECF may request and receive clarification from any vendor when evaluating a proposal.  The evaluation committee may invite some or all the vendors to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals.    In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In deciding the final selection of qualified bidders, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 70% based on the evaluation criteria.  Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened.  The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 30%, and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored. The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

 

Evaluation Criteria	Marks
Legality Registered and allowed to operate in Somalia	10
Understanding of the Terms of Reference	10
Methodology and work – plan for performing the assignment	25
Demonstration of experience in similar work	25
Financial proposal; clarity, relevance, reality to market of value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax).	30
TOTAL SCORE	100

 

10. Application details

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• The AECF invites qualified firms to send a proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org marked “CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO CREATE A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT APPLICATION AND TRAIN SMES ON THE PLATFORM” The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals that are submitted with a different subject.
• The proposal should be received no later than 31^st March 2023 by 5.00 pm East Africa Time (GMT +3) addressed to The AECF, Procurement Department. All clarifications and or questions should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org

11. Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

 

 

1.0 About The AECF

AECF  is a leading non-profit development organisation that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting resilient communities and creating jobs.We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date, we have supported over 375 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 30 million lives, created over 27,000 direct jobs, and leveraged US $771 million in matching funds.

2.0 Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya

The Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya (IIW-BEK) project aims to contribute to enhanced economic empowerment of women and young women-owned enterprises and their suppliers and producers along key supply chains where women are discriminated against in the blue economy in Kenya with the following intermediate outcomes:  

• Increased performance and sustainability of women and young women-owned micro, small and/or medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the blue economy.  
• Improved environment and reduced systemic gender inequalities, discriminatory social norms, and barriers that women entrepreneurs and their smallholder producers/suppliers, including informal workers, face in the blue economy. 

The blue economy in Kenya generates approximately US$1.78 billion and provides a source of income for over two million people along the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria coasts. Women-owned enterprises in the blue economy, including women suppliers, face disproportionate challenges compared to men in access to finance, business skills, financial literacy, and access markets. Although several African countries, including Kenya, have in the past decade evolved as centres for impact investing, the level of capital available in these markets remains extremely low, and only 6% goes to women-led businesses. In the blue economy sector, financing institutions are often hesitant to lend to women due to their limited knowledge of the sector’s potential, lack of understanding of the cash flow patterns and perceived higher risk of women-owned enterprises. Thus, most private investments in the blue economy are geared toward male-dominated large-scale, specialized businesses.  

IIW-BEK will seek to address these challenges to financially empower women and increase their representation in male-dominated, higher-value segments of the blue economy sector, as well as their voices in decision-making. More specifically, it will attract financing and grow more women and young women owned MSMEs in non-traditional market segments, including those related to conserving and sustainably using coastal and lake biodiversity.  

IIW – BEK seeks to work through participating financial service providers to bridge the financial gap that women and young women-owned early and growing businesses face in Kenya’s blue economy sector. The programme believes that financial service providers are not reaching otherwise bankable women micro entrepreneurs because they do not have products, systems and tools that address the specific risks and perceived risks from investing in this market. Financial service providers have both their own internal training capacity and capital to support women microentrepreneurs but need support to de-risk doing so. The programme thus seeks to provide technical assistance and capacity building to financial service providers to enable them to develop and offer innovative financial products and services that are targeted at women and young women owned MSMEs and customized to individual women to enhance affordable access to finance. The IIW-BEK programme seeks to recruit a competent financial inclusion consultant to support the AECF in providing the technical assistance and capacity building to selected financial service providers in both the Lake and Coast Regions of Kenya.

3.0 Purpose of this Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to enable partner financial service providers – SACCOs and MFIs – in the IIW-BEK programme to develop and offer innovative financial products and services using their own resources that are targeted at women and young women owned MSMEs 

The financial products and services that will be developed by these financial service providers are anticipated to be accessible and affordable, directly benefiting women entrepreneurs. The technical assistance should enhance the finance service providers capacity with a focus of increasing financial literacy, knowledge of financial products and services and capacities on fiscal management for women and young women entrepreneurs in Blue Economy value chains. The technical assistance provider should be an expert with experience in design and promotion of financial inclusion products and services. 

4.0 Scope of Work 

The consultant will

1. Facilitate the five (5) pre-selected FSPs to assess their existing systems, tools, and skills to bring efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness in outreach, sustainable operations and decision making geared towards accelerating gender inclusive financing in the blue economy.  
2. Conduct training for the FSP staff on gender inclusive financial products and services development. 
3. Support the FSPs to develop gender inclusive financial products and services – (market definition, market research, product prototype, costing and pricing, pilot testing, rollout, marketing, lifecycle management, and so forth) targeted to women entrepreneurs in the blue economy. 
4. Facilitate design of effective end client financial literacy and fiscal management to be provided by the FSPs aimed at increasing uptake of the gender inclusive financial products and services by women entrepreneurs in the blue economy.  
5. Conduct a Training of Trainers for the FSPs to build their capacity to train and coach target beneficiaries in the following areas: Financial literacy, Fiscal management, Group Dynamics, and such other areas that will be deemed necessary for the success of the women owned enterprises.  

Delivery of technical assistance and capacity building will require a mixed approach – training, consulting, and coaching to achieve the desired results.  

5.0 Deliverables

The expected output and deliverables of this assignment is not limited to but include:

1. Validated Assessment Report including Gaps, Recommendations and Action Plan on FSPs existing systems, tools, and skills to bring efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness in outreach, sustainable operations and decision making geared towards accelerating gender inclusive financing.  
2. Training Report comprising needs assessment, training content and completion of training verified by a list of  FSP staff who have been trained on gender inclusive financial products and services development. 
3. Implementation road map for the gender inclusive financial products and services developed for each FSP.
4. Model end-client financial literacy and fiscal management toolkit targeting women and young women entrepreneurs in the Blue Economy. The toolkit should guide but not limited by the following delivery channels

• Individual customer
• Group customers
• Electronic/mobile banking,
• Agent-based banking
• Self-help group/village-savings and loans associations

5. Training of Trainers report comprising needs assessment, training content and list of participants of FSP staff on deployment of capacity to train and coach target beneficiaries.

6. Lessons learnt report on gender inclusive product(s) and service(s) development support provided to FSPs.

6.0 Duration of Service 

The assignment will be conducted over the course of 6 months. Commencing not later than April 2023. Given the scope of the assignment, it is expected that this assignment will be conducted by a consultancy firm, or a small group of individual experts provided skills on gender inclusive financing are present.  

7.0 Reporting

The consultant will be accountable to AECF, Programme Manager IIW-BEK

8.0 Qualifications

• • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Economics. 
  • At least 7 years of experience in financial inclusion with a minimum of 15 years of experience in MSMEs banking and the financial industry of which a significant portion should be in the East Africa region. 
  • Experience in training, organizational development, and business development. 
  • Experience working with the private sector, and in developing gender inclusive financial products and services targeting women entrepreneurs. 
  • Experience in conducting sectoral analysis and value chain analysis to develop financial products and services. 
  • Monitoring and coaching experience for start-up businesses/financial service providers – SACCOs and MFIs; 
  • Extensive and proven track record in financial institution administration, operations. Knowledge of Islamic banking necessary. 
  • Fluency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills; and 
  • Knowledge of Swahili is an asset. 

9.0 Proposal submission

Interested and qualified (individual or institutional) consultants are invited to submit their proposal(s) comprising the following:

• • An understanding of the terms of reference requirements.    
  • Methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.    
  • Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.    
  • Relevant services undertaken in the past three (3) years.    
  • Letters of reference from three (3) previous assignments.   
  • Registration and other relevant statutory documents (applicable to firms).     
  • The Technical and Financial proposal to be submitted separately.  
  • Financial proposal clearly showing the budgeted cost for the work to be conducted by the consultant under the scope of work above.    
  • CVs of the proposed team 

10.0 Pricing

AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees as well as ensure VAT, at 16%, is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regards to provisions of Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.  

11.0 Evaluation Criteria

An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF and shall include employees. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The vendor should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.   

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any Vendor when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all the Vendors to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.   

In deciding the final selection of qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 70% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 30% and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.    

The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.   

Evaluation Criteria	Marks
Understanding of the Terms of Reference	5
Methodology and work – plan for performing the assignment	25
Demonstration years of experience in similar work	25
Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments	15
Financial proposal; clarity, relevance, reality to market of value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax).	30
TOTAL SCORE	100

12.0 Application Details

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

• AECF invites qualified consultants/firms to send a proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org clearly marked “TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS” The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals that are submitted with a different subject.  
• The proposal should be received no later than 17th March 2023, by 5.00 pm East Africa Time (GMT +3) addressed to: The AECF, Procurement Department. All clarifications and or questions should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org .   

13.0 Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.